As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2008
Registration Statement No. 333-150995
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
A
MENDMENT
N
O
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TO
F
ORM
F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Republic of the Marshall Islands |
4412 |
N/A |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
32 Avenue Karamanli
P.O. Box 70837
16605 Voula
Athens, Greece
011-30-210-895-7070
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10011
(212) 590-9338
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
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William P. Rogers, Jr., Esq.
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Stephen P. Farrell, Esq.
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act), check the following box. £
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not
an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion
PROSPECTUS
10,000,000 Shares
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
This is the initial public offering of our common stock. All of the shares of common stock being sold in this offering are being sold by Vorini Holdings Inc., our sole stockholder.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholder.
We expect the initial public offering price to be between $20.00 and $22.00 per share. Currently, no public market exists for the shares. Our common stock has been approved for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol SB.
Investing in our common stock involves risks that are described in the section entitled Risk Factors beginning on page 17 of this prospectus.
Per Share
Total
Public offering price
$
$
Underwriting discounts and commissions
$
$
Proceeds to selling stockholder
$
$
The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares of our common stock from the selling stockholder at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from
the date of this prospectus to cover overallotments.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Each share of our common stock includes one purchase right that, under certain circumstances, entitles the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one-one thousandth of a share of preferred stock
at a purchase price of $25.00 per unit, subject to specified adjustments.
The shares of common stock will be ready for delivery on or about
, 2008.
Merrill Lynch & Co.
Credit Suisse
Jefferies & Company
Dahlman Rose & Company
Poten Capital Services LLC
DnB NOR Markets
The date of this prospectus is
, 2008.
Preliminary Prospectus dated May 23, 2008
Common Stock
VASSOS
STALO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1
17
40
41
41
43
45
49
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
55
85
98
120
125
127
130
133
142
148
150
154
161
162
167
167
167
168
168
169
F-1
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with additional or different information. If
any person provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely upon it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer
or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects may have changed since that date. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.
i
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. You should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the historical financial statements and the notes to those financial
statements. You should pay special attention to the Risk Factors section beginning on page 17 of this prospectus to determine whether an investment in our common stock is appropriate for you.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to currency amounts in this prospectus are to U.S. dollars and all information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters overallotment option is not
exercised. Unless otherwise indicated, all data regarding our fleet and our charters is as of December 31, 2007 and assumes delivery of vessels to us on the scheduled dates. Unless otherwise indicated: Swiss
franc, or CHF, amounts translated into U.S. dollars have been translated at a rate of CHF1.1267:$1.00, and Japanese yen, or ¥, amounts translated to U.S. dollars have been translated at a rate of ¥112.35:$1.00,
the exchange rates in effect as of December 31, 2007. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus to Safe Bulkers, the Company, we, our, us or similar terms when used in a historical
context refer to Safe Bulkers, Inc. or any one or more of the entities that are being transferred or contributed to Safe Bulkers, Inc. in connection with this offering (each such entity, a Subsidiary) as well as
additional entities, which were under common control with the Subsidiaries but which will not be transferred or contributed to Safe Bulkers, Inc. in connection with this offering (each such additional entity, an
Additional Company), or to such entities collectively. When used in the present tense or prospectively, those terms refer, depending on the context, to Safe Bulkers, Inc., any one or more of its subsidiaries
(including each Subsidiary), or to such entities collectively. We use the term period time charter to refer to the hire of a vessel for a period of more than three months. We use the term spot charter to refer
to the hire of a vessel for a period of three months or less. For the definitions of other shipping terms used in this prospectus, including newbuild, Panamax, Kamsarmax, Post-Panamax and Capesize,
see the Glossary of Shipping Terms beginning on page 169 of this prospectus.
Business Overview
We are an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly grain, iron ore and coal, along worldwide shipping routes for some of the worlds largest
consumers of marine drybulk transportation services. Our current fleet of 11 Japanese-built drybulk vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 887,900 deadweight tons (dwt) and an average age of 2.6 years
as of December 31, 2007, is one of the worlds youngest fleets of Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels. Our fleet is expected to almost double
(on a dwt basis) by mid-2010 as the result of the
delivery of eight drybulk newbuilds, comprised of two Kamsarmax, four Post-Panamax and two Capesize class vessels. Upon delivery of the last of our eight contracted newbuilds in May 2010, our fleet will be
comprised of 19 vessels, having an aggregate carrying capacity of 1,759,900
dwt and an average age of 3.2
years.
We employ our vessels on both period time charters and spot charters with some of the worlds largest consumers of marine drybulk transportation services, including Bunge Limited (Bunge), Cargill
International S.A. (Cargill) and Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha (Daiichi) or their affiliates, which together accounted for 69.2% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007. Bunge, Cargill and Daiichi
accounted for 29.9%, 21.1% and 18.2%, respectively, of our revenues during that period. We believe our customers, some of which have been chartering our vessels or vessels of our affiliates for over 20 years,
enter into period time and spot charters with us because of the quality of our young and modern vessels and our record of safe and efficient operations. We intend to deploy our vessels on a mix of period time
and spot charters according to our assessment of market conditions, adjusting the mix of these charters to take advantage of the relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates associated with period time
charters or to profit from attractive spot charter rates during periods of strong charter market conditions. We have recently entered into five-year period time charters, which are scheduled to commence in late
2008, 2009 and 2010, for six vessels in our current fleet and two of our newbuilds, and have entered into a 20-year period time charter commencing in 2011 for one of our newbuilds. By chartering these vessels
in advance, we have been able to take advantage of the recent strong market conditions, while at the same time, reducing our exposure to charter rate fluctuations in late 2008, 2009 and 2010 when all of our
1
newbuilds are delivered. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, we had arranged one- to three-year period time charters commencing in 2008 for the three vessels in our fleet which were deployed on spot charters
as of December 31, 2007. As a result, as of December 31, 2007, we had period time charter commitments for approximately 75.9%, 50.6% and 36.1% of our fleets anticipated available days in 2008, 2009 and
2010, respectively, and our contracted period time charter arrangements entered into as of December 31, 2007, for 2008 through 2010 are expected to provide revenues of $347.1 million.
During 2006 and 2007, our fleet utilization was 99.94% and 99.98%, respectively, and our daily time charter equivalent rates were $22,550 and $42,327, respectively, with revenues of $99.0 million and
$172.1 million, respectively. In addition, during 2006 and 2007, our gain on sale of assets was $37.0 million and $112.4 million, respectively, and our net income was $97.2 million and $211.7 million,
respectively.
We are controlled by the Hajioannou family, which has a long history of operating and investing in the international shipping industry, including a long history of vessel ownership. Vassos Hajioannou, the
late father of Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer, and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our chief operating officer, first invested in shipping in 1958. Since that time, the Hajioannou familys presence within the
drybulk shipping industry has become well-established and continues to grow. Polys Hajioannou has been actively involved in the industry since 1987, when he joined the predecessor of our affiliated management
company, Safety Management Overseas S.A., which we refer to as Safety Management or our Manager. Nicolaos Hadjioannou joined Safety Management in 1999. Over the past 13 years, under the leadership
of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, we have renewed our fleet by selling ten drybulk vessels during periods of what we viewed as favorable secondhand market conditions and contracting to acquire 29
drybulk newbuilds. As a result, we have maintained an average age for the vessels in our fleet of 3.2 years as of the end of each year from 1995 to 2007 and we continue to maintain a modern fleet of vessels
with advanced designs that provide operational advantages. Also under their leadership, we have expanded the classes of drybulk vessels in our fleet and the aggregate carrying capacity of our fleet has grown from
146,000 dwt in 1995 to 887,900 dwt currently. In addition to benefiting from the experience and leadership of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, we also benefit from the expertise of our Manager
which, along with its predecessor, has specialized in drybulk shipping since 1965, providing services to over 30 drybulk vessels. A number of our Managers key management and operational personnel have been
continuously employed with Safety Management and its predecessor companies for over 25 years.
Our Fleet
Our fleet is currently comprised of 11 Japanese-built drybulk vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of 887,900 dwt and an average age of 2.6
years as of December 31, 2007. Upon delivery of the
last of our eight contracted newbuilds in May 2010, our fleet will be comprised of five Panamax, five Kamsarmax, seven Post-Panamax and two Capesize class vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of
1,759,900
dwt, and an average age of 3.2 years. Our main focus is on Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels because these types of vessels have the ability to access all major ports and the
flexibility to handle a wide variety of drybulk cargoes.
As a result of our fleets low average age and our Managers technical and commercial management expertise, we have historically experienced lower maintenance and hull and machinery insurance costs
and relatively fewer unscheduled off-hire days per vessel than the industry in general. All of our vessels, including our newbuilds, have been manufactured or are being manufactured to high specifications that
provide our vessels with operational advantages. Our fleet, as well as our newbuilds, comprise several groups of sister ships which, we believe, provide us and our customers with scheduling flexibility and create
economies of scale that enable us to realize cost efficiencies when maintaining, supplying and crewing our vessels.
2
The table below presents information with respect to our drybulk vessel fleet, including our newbuilds, and its deployment as of December 31, 2007.
Vessel Name
Dwt
Month and
Country
Charterer
Charter
Charter Rate
Commissions (3)
Time Charter
Sister
Current Fleet
($/day)
Panamax class
Efrossini
(Efragel
76,000
Feb. 2003
Japan
Cargill
Spot
$88,750
4.375%
Spot
A
$69,600
/
59,600
/
Feb. 2008
NYK
Time
49,600
(7)
4.50%
Feb. 2011
Maria
76,000
Apr. 2003
Japan
NCS
Spot
$89,000
5.0%
Spot
A
$67,000
/
Feb. 2008
Daiichi
Time
46,000
(8)
1.25%
Feb. 2011
Vassos
Oct. 2007
(Avstes)) (6)
76,000
Feb. 2004
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$43,000
3.75%
Nov. 2008
A
Jan. 2009
Daiichi
Time
$29,000
1.25%
Jan. 2014
Katerina
76,000
May 2004
Japan
Bunge
Spot
$80,000
3.75%
Spot
A
Feb. 2008
Bunge
Time
$62,000
3.75%
Feb. 2009
Maritsa
(Marathassa)) (6)
June 2007
(9)
76,000
Jan. 2005
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$44,500
3.75%
Jan. 2008
A
Jan. 2008
Bunge
Time
$53,500
3.75%
Jan. 2009 (10)
Pedhoulas Merchant
Nov. 2007
(Pemer))
82,300
Mar. 2006
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$38,500
3.75%
Jan. 2009
B
Pedhoulas Trader
July 2007
(Petra)) (11)
82,300
May 2006
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$46,500
1.25%
Feb. 2008
B
Pedhoulas Leader
Dec. 2007
(Pelea))
82,300
Mar. 2007
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$36,750
3.75%
Feb. 2010
B
Post-Panamax class
Stalo
Intermare
July 2007
Corporation
Transport
Sept. 2009
(Staloudi)) (6) (12)
87,000
Jan. 2006
Japan
GmbH
Time
$48,500
5.0%
C
Apr. 2010
Daiichi
Time
$34,160
1.25%
Mar. 2015
3
(Subsidiary Owner)
Year
Built (1)
Built
Type
(2)
Period (4)
Ship (5)
Shipping Corporation
(Efragel)) (6)
(Marindou Shipping
Corporation
(Marindou)) (6)
(Avstes Shipping
Corporation
(Kerasies Shipping
Corporation
(Kerasies)) (6)
(Marathassa Shipping
Corporation
Kamsarmax class
(Pemer Shipping Ltd.
(Petra Shipping Ltd.
(Pelea Shipping Ltd.
(Staloudi Shipping
Vessel Name
Dwt
Month and
Country
Charterer
Charter
Charter
Commissions (3)
Time Charter
Sister
Current Fleet
($/day)
Post-Panamax class
Marina
(Marinouki Shipping
Corporation
Mar. 2007
(Marinouki)) (13) (12)
87,000
Jan. 2006
Japan
Bunge
Time
$
25,000
3.75%
Jan. 2008
C
Sophia
July 2007
(Soffive)) (6) (12)
87,000
June 2007
Japan
Bunge
Time
$
24,000
3.75%
Aug. 2008
C
Nov. 2008
Daiichi
Time
$
34,720
1.25%
Nov. 2013
Subtotal
887,900
Newbuilds
Kamsarmax class
Hull No. 2054
South
(Maxdeka))
81,000
Mar. 2010
Korea
D (14)
Hull No. 2055
South
(Maxenteka))
81,000
May 2010
Korea
D (14)
Eleni
Eniaprohi)) (12),
Apr. 2010
(15)
87,000
Nov. 2008
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
34,160
1.25%
Mar. 2015
C
Martine
Mar. 2009
(Eniadefhi)) (12)
87,000
Mar. 2009
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
40,500
1.25%
Mar. 2014
C
Hull No. 1039
South
(Maxdodeka))
92,000
July 2009
Korea
E (14)
Hull No. 1050
South
(Maxdekatria))
92,000
Mar. 2010
Korea
E (14)
Hull No. 1074
176,000
Mar. 2010
China (16)
F
(Subsidiary Owner)
Year
Built (1)
Built
Type
Rate (2)
Period (4)
Ship (5)
(Soffive Shipping
Corporation
(Maxdeka Shipping
Corporation
(Maxenteka Shipping
Corporation
Post-Panamax class
(Eniaprohi Shipping
Corporation
(Eniadefhi Shipping
Corporation
(Maxdodeka Shipping
Corporation
(Maxdekatria Shipping
Corporation
Capesize class
(Eptaprohi Shipping
Corporation
(Eptaprohi))
4
Vessel Name
Dwt
Month and
Country
Charterer
Charter
Charter Rate
Commissions (3)
Time Charter
Sister
Newbuilds
Capesize class
Hull No. 1075
176,000
Jan. 2010
China (16)
F
Subtotal
872,000
TOTAL
1,759,900
(1)
For newbuilds, the dates shown reflect the expected delivery dates. See footnote (15) below for additional information regarding the expected delivery date of the
Eleni
.
(2)
Quoted charter rates are gross charter rates.
(3)
Commissions reflect payments made to third party brokers or our charterers, and do not include the 1.0% fee payable on gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage to our Manager pursuant to our
vessel management agreements with our Manager as of January 1, 2008 and pursuant to our new management agreement that will be in place following this offering.
(4)
The start dates listed reflect either actual start dates or, in the case of contracted charters that had not commenced as of December 31, 2007, scheduled start dates. Actual start dates may differ from the
scheduled start dates depending on the terms of the charter and market conditions, and we generally have the option under our charter contracts to deliver the vessel within 30 to 60 days prior to or after the
scheduled start date. Redelivery dates listed are the expected redelivery dates. Actual redelivery dates may differ from the expected redelivery dates depending on the terms of the charter and market
conditions. Charterers under our charter contracts generally have a period of between 30 and 60 days during which they can redeliver the vessel.
(5)
Each vessel with the same letter is a sister ship of each other vessel that has the same letter.
(6)
This vessel was under period time or spot charter as of December 31, 2007, and, as of that date, was scheduled to commence a future period time charter as indicated in footnote (4) above. Information for
both the charter under which the vessel was deployed as of December 31, 2007 and the future period time charter has been provided for this vessel. To the extent there is an interim period between the end of
the current charter and the future period time charter, we expect to employ such vessel in the spot market during such period.
(7)
The gross daily charter rates to be paid by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) for the
Efrossini
are $69,600, $59,600 and $49,600 during the first, second and third years, respectively.
(8)
The daily charter rates to be paid by Daiichi for the
Maria
are $67,000 during 2008 and $46,000 during 2009 and 2010.
(9)
On March 13, 2008, we entered a five-year period time charter with Shinwa Kaiun Kaisha Tokyo
(Shinwa) pursuant to which Shinwa will charter the
Maritsa
or a sister ship commencing in the first quarter
of 2010. Pursuant to the charter, Shinwa may choose from among three charter rate structures, and must select among them prior to the commencement of the charter. Under the first option, the gross daily
charter rates under this charter are $32,000 during the first and second years, $28,000 during the third year and $24,000 during the fourth and fifth years; under the second option, the gross daily charter rates
under this charter are $32,500 during the first, second and third years and $21,250 during the fourth and fifth years; and under the third option, the gross daily charter rate under this charter is $28,000 during
all five years. In each case, gross daily charter rates under this charter are subject to a 1.25% commission.
5
(Subsidiary Owner)
Year
Built (1)
Built
Type
(2)
Period (4)
Ship (5)
(tbn Kanaris)
(Maxpente Shipping
Corporation
(Maxpente)) (17)
(10)
The
Maritsa
time charter with Bunge was scheduled to commence in February 2008, but we agreed in January 2008 to early delivery of the vessel in exchange for a payment by Bunge in the amount of
$75,000.
(11)
On January 24, 2008, we entered into a time charter with Bunge pursuant to which we agreed to charter the
Pedhoulas Trader
commencing February 9, 2008 and due to expire by July 24, 2008 at a gross
daily charter rate of $54,000. On March 3, 2008, we agreed with Bunge to terminate the charter. We estimate that the compensation payable to the charterer for early redelivery of the vessel, which is
expected to occur on May 30, 2008, will be approximately $800,000. In April 2008, we entered a five-year period time charter with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., or K-Line,
pursuant to which K-Line will
charter the
Pedhoulas Trader
commencing July 2008. The gross daily charter rates under this charter are $69,000, $56,500, $42,000, $20,000 and $20,000 during the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years,
respectively, subject to a 1.00% commission.
(12)
Double-hulled vessel.
(13)
On March 5, 2008, we entered a five-year period time charter with K-Line
pursuant to which K-Line will charter the
Marina
or a sister ship commencing in the third or fourth quarter of 2008. The gross
daily charter rates under this charter are $61,500, $51,500, $41,500, $31,500 and $21,500 during the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years, respectively, subject to a 2.5% commission.
(14)
These Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class newbuilds are being built in different shipyards than our current Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels, but may be subject to similar operational treatment as
the current vessels of the same class because they have substantially the same specifications as the current vessels. Under certain of our charter contracts, we are able to substitute these newbuilds for the
current vessels nominated under the charter contract, although in certain cases, such substitution may result in a discount in the charter rate.
(15)
Delivery date for this newbuild reflects agreement with the shipyard to deliver the newbuild in the fourth quarter of 2008, which is earlier than the originally scheduled delivery date of January 31, 2009 in
the applicable newbuild contract, for an additional fee of $5,265 (¥591,500) per day for each day between the actual delivery date and the January 31, 2009 originally scheduled delivery date. On April 17,
2008, we entered a period time charter with Daiichi pursuant to which Daiichi will charter the
Eleni
commencing in November 2008 through October 2009. The gross daily charter rate under this charter is
$77,000 per day, subject to a 1.25% commission.
(16)
This vessel is being built at the Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd. (Rongsheng) shipyard.
(17)
On February 7, 2008 we entered into a 20-year period time charter with Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. pursuant to which Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. will charter the vessel to be named
Kanaris
commencing in the
third or fourth quarter of 2011. The gross daily charter rate under this charter is $25,928 subject to a 2.5% commission. The obligations of Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. have been guaranteed by Tata Power
Company Limited and Coastal Gujarat Power Limited, two companies which are part of the Tata Group of companies. During the expected interim period between the scheduled delivery of the
Kanaris
and
the commencement of this period time charter, we expect to employ the
Kanaris
in the spot market or on a period time charter.
Management of our Fleet
Our chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer, collectively referred to in this prospectus as our executive officers, provide strategic management for our company
and also supervise the management of our day-to-day operations by our Manager, Safety Management. We believe our Manager has built a strong reputation in the drybulk shipping community by providing
customized, high-quality operational services in an efficient manner. Under our management agreement to be entered into prior to this offering, our Manager and its affiliates provide us and our subsidiaries with
technical, administrative, commercial and certain other services for an initial term expiring on the second anniversary of this offering with automatic one-year renewals for an additional eight years at our option.
Until the second anniversary of this offering, in return for providing technical, administrative,
6
commercial and certain other services, our Manager receives a fee of $575 per vessel per day for vessels in our fleet. Our Manager also receives a fee of 1.0% on all gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and
demurrage with respect to each vessel in our fleet. Further, our Manager receives a commission of 1.0% based on the contract price of any vessel bought or sold by it on our behalf, including each of our
contracted newbuilds other than the purchase of the two Post-Panamax class vessels being built by the IHI shipyard in Japan. For these two Post-Panamax class vessels, our Manager will receive a commission of
1.0% based on the contract prices of the vessels through separate agreements with Itochu Corporation. We also pay our Manager a flat supervision fee of $375,000 per newbuild. After the second anniversary of
this offering, these fees and commissions will be adjusted each year by agreement between us and our Manager. Our arrangements with our Manager and its performance are reviewed by our board of directors.
Our Manager has agreed not to provide management services to any other entities without the prior approval of our board of directors, other than under limited circumstances involving pre-existing business
arrangements or opportunities that we decline to pursue, described under BusinessManagement of Our Fleet, to entities controlled by Polys Hajioannou or Nicolaos Hadjioannou, including SafeFixing Corp.
(SafeFixing). Our Manager is ultimately owned by Machairiotissa Holdings Inc., which is a Marshall Islands corporation wholly owned by Polys Hajioannou.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that we possess a number of strengths that provide us with a competitive advantage in the drybulk shipping industry, including:
Young fleet of Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels
. With a carrying capacity of 887,900 dwt, we have one of the worlds youngest fleets of Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax
class vessels. Our current fleet of 11 Japanese-built vessels had an average age of 2.6 years as of December 31, 2007, as compared to the average age of 11.5 years for the world fleet of Panamax, Kamsarmax and
Post-Panamax class vessels. Upon delivery in May 2010 of the last of our eight contracted newbuilds, our combined fleet of 19 drybulk vessels will have an average age of 3.2 years. The vessels in our current
fleet are designed to lift more cargo on the same draft, compared to the industry average, to have lower-than-average fuel consumption and to have larger-than-average generators, which offer greater operational
efficiency and safety than smaller generators.
Significant contracted growth at attractive prices
. We have contracts for eight drybulk newbuilds which, upon delivery, will add an aggregate 872,000 dwt in capacity to our fleet, almost doubling the
carrying capacity of our current fleet. These newbuilds, with scheduled deliveries between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2010, are comprised of two Japanese-built Post-Panamax class
vessels, with contract prices of approximately $37.7 million (¥4.3 billion)
per vessel (plus an estimated additional cost of $0.4 million for early delivery of one of these vessels), two South Korean-built Post-
Panamax class vessels, with contract prices of $73.5 million per vessel, two Chinese-built Capesize class vessels, with contract prices of $80.0 million and $81.0 million, respectively, and two South Korean-built
Kamsarmax class vessels, with contract prices of $48.1 million per vessel, subject to upward price adjustments not to exceed $3.9 million. The contract prices for our newbuilds, which are subject to certain
adjustments such as reimbursement of certain third-party seller interest expenses and payments for early delivery at our request, are significantly below the current market prices for vessels with similar
specifications and delivery dates.
Reputation for operating excellence
. We believe our Manager has established a history of providing excellent service to leading drybulk charterers utilizing our young and well-maintained fleet. Our
Managers high operating standards have resulted in a very limited number of unscheduled off-hire days for our vessels, as reflected by our vessels being utilized on an average of 99.74% of available days for the
three years ended December 31, 2007. We also believe that our focus on operational excellence has enabled us to develop our relationships with high quality charterers such as Bunge, Cargill and Daiichi. This
operational focus has resulted in lower hull and machinery insurance premiums, maintenance expenses and operating costs that create cost advantages to us.
Long-term relationships with key industry players
. We, through our Manager, have established long-term relationships with some of the largest drybulk shippers in the industry by providing reliable service
and consistently meeting customers expectations. Our policy is to charter our vessels primarily to
7
the underlying charterers that use our vessels to transport drybulk commodities rather than charterers that sub-charter them to third parties. We believe our direct relationship with the actual shippers of drybulk
commodities allows us to develop strong customer relationships, which results in significant repeat business and gives us insight into the underlying demand for those commodities. Our Manager has also developed
strong relationships with shipyards, including the Tsuneishi and IHI shipyards in Japan from which we have ordered 20 newbuilds over the past 13 years.
Long history of investing in the drybulk shipping industry
. Our Manager and its affiliates have been focused solely on the drybulk business since the founding of our Managers predecessor in 1965. Our
management team and key management and operational personnel at our Manager consist of experienced executives, many of whom have more than 25 years of experience in the drybulk shipping industry. Our
management team and Manager have demonstrated their ability to successfully manage our business throughout varying cycles in the drybulk industry, strategically balancing the period time and spot charter
deployment of our fleet and employing an opportunistic approach to selling vessels and investing in newbuilds. In connection with this approach, since 1995, we have sold ten vessels and acquired 21 newbuilds, in
addition to the eight newbuilds we currently have on order.
Our Business Strategy
Our primary objectives are to profitably grow our business, increase the distributable cash flow per share and maximize value to our stockholders by pursuing the following strategies:
Pursue a balanced chartering strategy
. We intend to employ our drybulk vessels on a mix of period time and spot charters and, according to our assessment of market conditions, adjust the mix of these
charters to take advantage of the relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates associated with long-term period time charters or to profit from attractive spot rates during periods of strong charter market
conditions. We have recently entered into five-year period time charters, which are scheduled to commence in late 2008, 2009 and 2010, for six vessels in our current fleet and two of our newbuilds, and have
entered into a 20-year period time charter commencing in 2011 for one of our newbuilds. By chartering these vessels in advance, we have been able to take advantage of the recent strong charter market
conditions, while at the same time, reducing our exposure to charter rate fluctuations in late 2008, 2009 and 2010 when all of our newbuilds are delivered.
Strategically expand the size of our fleet
. We intend to grow our fleet through timely and selective investment in newbuild contracts for drybulk vessels in a manner that is accretive to cash flow per
share. Although we intend to focus on Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class newbuilds, we will monitor market conditions regularly and may purchase drybulk vessels of other sizes or contract for
secondhand drybulk vessels when those acquisitions present favorable investment opportunities. When acquiring vessels, we prefer to invest in groups of vessels, including vessels that will be sister ships to vessels
we already own, in order to take advantage of the operational flexibility and economies of scale that sister ships afford us and our charterers.
Continue to operate a high-quality fleet
. We intend to maintain a young fleet that meets the highest industry standards by strategically replacing existing vessels with newbuilds that have the technical
specifications and advanced designs to allow us to continuously provide our customers with modern, high-quality vessels that meet their needs. During the past 13 years, we have sold ten vessels and acquired 21
newbuilds, which has allowed us to maintain a fleet with an average age of 3.2 years as of the end of each year from 1995 to 2007. As of December 31, 2007, the average age of the vessels in our current fleet
was 2.6 years, and upon delivery of the last of our contracted newbuilds in May 2010, the average age of the vessels in our fleet will be 3.2 years. We preserve the quality of our vessels through a comprehensive
maintenance and inspection program supervised by our experienced, affiliated Manager.
Capitalize on track record and relationships
. We intend to capitalize on our Managers track record of strong operating performance, as demonstrated by its long-term relationships with reputable high-
quality charterers. We believe our safety as an operator and our long-term client relationships have helped us build relationships with financial institutions and shipyards, respectively, which provide us with
attractive growth opportunities. We intend to continue to utilize these relationships to profitably charter Panamax class or larger drybulk vessels to charterers who are end-users of our services.
8
Selected Risk Factors
Our ability to successfully implement our business strategy is dependent on our ability to manage a number of risks relating to our industry and our business. These risks include:
The international drybulk shipping industry is cyclical and volatile
. The drybulk shipping industry is cyclical with attendant volatility in charter rates, vessel values and industry profitability. A decline in
demand for commodities transported in drybulk vessels or a further increase in supply of drybulk vessels could cause a significant decline in charter rates, which could materially adversely affect our results of
operations and financial condition as well as the value of our fleet.
An economic slowdown in the Asian region could materially impact our business
. We expect that a significant number of the port calls made by our vessels will be in the Asian region, and a negative
change in economic conditions in any Asian country, particularly China, Japan and, to some extent, India, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, as well as our future prospects.
We depend upon a limited number of customers
. We expect to derive a significant part of our revenue from a limited number of customers. If one or more of these customers terminates its charters,
chooses not to recharter our vessels or is unable to perform under its charters with us and we are not able to find replacement charters, we will suffer a loss of revenues.
We depend on our Manager
. Our Manager and its affiliates will provide us with our executive officers and will provide us with technical, administrative and commercial services. Our operational success
will depend significantly upon our Managers satisfactory performance of these services.
We require additional secured indebtedness to fund commitments relating to our eight contracted newbuilds.
Unless we obtain additional secured indebtedness before the end of 2009, we will not be
capable of funding all of our commitments for capital expenditures relating to our eight contracted newbuilds, and may not be able to pay the dividends we intend to pay following this offering, which would
materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We intend to raise $200.0 million of additional secured indebtedness, which would be used principally to fund these commitments.
For further discussion of the risks that we face, see Risk Factors beginning on page 17 of this prospectus.
Dividend Policy
We intend to pay our stockholders quarterly dividends of $0.475 per share, or $1.90 per share per year, in February, May, August and November of each year. We expect to pay an initial dividend
following closing of this offering in August 2008 calculated based on the pro rata amount of the quarterly dividend for the period from the closing of this offering until the end of the second quarter of 2008.
Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy from time to time in light of our plans for future growth and other factors. We cannot assure you that we will be able to pay regular
quarterly dividends in the amounts stated above or elsewhere in this prospectus, and our ability to pay dividends will be subject to the restrictions in our credit facilities and the provisions of Marshall Islands law
as well as the other limitations set forth in the sections of this prospectus entitled Dividend Policy and Risk Factors.
Drybulk Industry Trends
The marine transportation industry is fundamental to international trade, as it is the only practical and cost effective means of transporting large volumes of basic commodities and finished products over
long distances. Drybulk cargoes consist primarily of the major bulk commodities (iron ore, coal and grain) and minor bulk commodities, which are not a major component of demand for Panamax class and larger
vessels and include a wide variety of commodities such as steel products, forest products, agricultural products, minerals, sugar and cement.
In 2007, approximately 3.0 billion tons of drybulk cargo was transported by sea, comprising more than one-third of all international seaborne trade. From 2001 to 2007, trade, by tonnage, in all drybulk
commodities experienced a compound annual growth rate of 5.6% and ton-mile demand in the drybulk
9
sector experienced a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The primary factors that have affected the demand for marine transportation of drybulk cargo and the supply of drybulk vessels:
Demand
Increasing global industrial production and consumption and international trade, economic growth and urbanization in China, Russia, Brazil, India and other parts of the Far East, which have increased
the demand for drybulk vessels; and
Increased voyage lengths from producers to consumers of drybulk commodities, which have generated additional ton-mile demand.
Supply
Limited shipyard capacity and long lead times for ordered newbuild vessels, due to a large order book for tankers, containerships and drybulk vessels, which have limited the number of newbuilds
entering the market in the near term; and
Transportation bottlenecks causing vessel delays in cargo discharging and loading at main exporting terminals worldwide, which have effectively reduced the number of drybulk vessels available for hire.
We can provide no assurance, however, that the industry dynamics described above will continue or that we will be able to expand our business. For further discussion of the risks that we face, see Risk
Factors beginning on page 17 of this prospectus. Please read The International Drybulk Shipping Industry for more information on the drybulk shipping industry.
Corporate Information
Safe Bulkers, Inc. was incorporated on December 11, 2007, under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, for the purpose of acquiring ownership of 19 Subsidiaries, each incorporated under the
laws of the Republic of Liberia, that either currently own vessels or are scheduled to own vessels. Each of these Subsidiaries, since inception, has been under the common control of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos
Hadjioannou. Following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering, each of our Subsidiaries will be transferred or contributed to Safe Bulkers, Inc. by Vorini Holdings Inc., a Marshall
Islands corporation that will be majority owned by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, with Maria Hajioannou and Eleni Hajioannou having minority shareholdings (Vorini Holdings). See the section
entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsOverview for more information on our Reorganization (as defined in such section), which will occur following the
date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering. Following the closing of this offering, we will conduct our business operations through our Subsidiaries. Each of our vessels is owned by one
of our Subsidiaries.
We maintain our principal executive offices at 32 Avenue Karamanli, P.O. Box 70837, 16605 Voula, Athens, Greece. Our telephone number at that address is 011-30-210-895-7070. After the completion of
this offering, we will maintain a website at
www.safebulkers.com
. The information contained in or connected to our website is not a part of this prospectus.
10
The Offering
Shares of common stock offered
10,000,000 shares.
1,500,000 shares, if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full.
Shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately following the offering
54,500,000 shares.
Use of proceeds
The selling stockholder will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock
in this offering.
Dividends
We intend to pay quarterly dividends of $0.475 per share, or $1.90 per share per year. We expect to pay
our initial dividend in August 2008, calculated based on the pro rata amount of the quarterly dividend
for the period from the closing of this offering until the end of the second quarter of 2008. Declaration
and payment of any dividend is subject to the discretion of our board of directors. See Dividend
Policy.
NYSE listing
Our common stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
SB.
Risk factors
Investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and consider
the information set forth under the heading Risk Factors and all other information set forth in this
prospectus before investing in our common stock.
Each share of our common stock includes one right that, under certain circumstances, will entitle the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one-thousandth of a share of preferred stock at a purchase price
of $25.00 per unit, subject to specified adjustments.
11
Summary Combined Financial and Other Data
The following table presents summary:
historical predecessor combined financial and operating data; and
pro forma combined financial and operating data.
The summary historical predecessor combined financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2006 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been derived from our
audited predecessor combined financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. The summary historical predecessor combined financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2005 have been derived
from our audited predecessor combined financial statements, which are not included in this prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial and operating data are derived from our unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements, which are included in this prospectus, and give effect to
the following transactions, which occurred (or will occur, in the case of the additional dividend) between January 2008 and the date of this offering, as if those transactions had occurred on December 31, 2007, in
the case of the pro forma balance sheet, and January 1, 2007, in the case of the pro forma statement of operations:
Borrowings of $120.0 million by our Subsidiaries Efragel, Marindou and Avstes under three new credit facilities, all of which have been fully drawn. Of the total borrowings of $120.0 million, $38.5
million was used to refinance an existing credit facility of Efragel and a bank loan of Marindou in the first quarter of 2008, resulting in net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million. Of the net additional
indebtedness of $81.5 million, (i) $16.0 million was retained by the Subsidiaries, and (ii) $65.5 million was advanced to our Manager.
Additional interest expense with respect to the net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million described above.
Repayment of $10.1 million of Advances from Owners from amounts Due from Manager.
Declaration and payment of a dividend in the amount of $147.8 million to our current owners, funded from amounts Due from Manager.
Estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million will be declared and payable to our current owners by our Manager on our behalf prior to the closing of the initial public offering. This dividend reflects a
portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this
dividend.
Settlement of the remaining Due from Manager balance in the amount of $4.0 million through the transfer of $4.0 million in Restricted cash in collateral accounts held by our Manager to two new
restricted cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries, Petra and Pemer, as security for their respective loan facilities.
Removal of all activities from the historical predecessor financial statements of the Additional Companies, which will not be owned by us following the completion of this offering, and the activities of
our Subsidiary Maxpente with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, a vessel sold on January 9, 2007 immediately following its acquisition by Maxpente. We did not generate any operating revenues or
operating expenses with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, and Maxpente is expected to own the newbuild Hull No. 1075 upon its delivery to us. The Additional Companies have been included in our
predecessor combined financial statements, along with the Subsidiaries, because together, the Additional Companies and the Subsidiaries constituted all the vessel owning activities of Polys Hajioannou
and Nicolaos Hadjioannou during the relevant period.
Increase of $2.6 million in general and administrative expenses due to the implementation of the amended management agreements, as of January 1, 2008.
Pro forma earnings per share gives retroactive effect to our Reorganization, which involves the issuance (following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering) of
12
54.5 million shares of our common stock to the selling stockholder, and resulting capital structure following the closing of this offering. This offering will not involve the issuance of additional shares of
our common stock, as all shares of common stock sold in this offering will be sold by the selling stockholder.
The pro forma adjustments do not reflect an estimate of general and administrative expenses to increase as a result of becoming a public company, as such costs are not considered to be factually
supportable. However, we currently expect an annual increase of approximately $2.2 million as a result of becoming a public company upon completion of this offering.
The unaudited pro forma predecessor combined condensed financial and operating data is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not represent what our financial position or results of operation
would actually have been if the transactions and other events reflected in such statements had occurred during the relevant periods, and is not representative of our results of operations or financial position for any
future periods. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this unaudited pro forma predecessor combined financial and operating data.
Share data in the table below gives effect to the issuance of 54.5 million shares of our common stock as a result of our Reorganization, which will occur following the date of the final prospectus and
prior to the closing of this offering.
This information should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our predecessor combined financial statements and the notes thereto and our unaudited proforma combined condensed
financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should also read Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Year Ended December 31,
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
(In thousands of U.S. dollars except share data and fleet data)
STATEMENT OF INCOME
Revenues
$
82,877
$
99,040
$
172,057
$
167,150
Commissions
(3,211
)
(3,731
)
(6,209
)
(6,027
)
Net revenues
79,666
95,309
165,848
161,123
Voyage expenses
(228
)
(420
)
(179
)
(166
)
Vessel operating expenses
(10,366
)
(13,068
)
(12,429
)
(12,327
)
Depreciation
(7,610
)
(9,553
)
(9,583
)
(9,583
)
General and administrative expenses
(803
)
(1,006
)
(1,177
)
(3,759
)
Early redelivery cost
(150
)
(21,438
)
(21,438
)
Gain on sale of assets
26,785
37,015
112,360
Operating income
87,444
108,127
233,402
113,850
Interest expense
(3,668
)
(6,140
)
(8,225
)
(12,298
)
Other finance costs
(124
)
(116
)
(161
)
(167
)
Interest income
692
775
1,290
1,195
(Loss) on derivatives
(3,171
)
(1,963
)
(704
)
(704
)
Foreign currency gain/(loss)
13,477
(3,279
)
(13,759
)
(13,966
)
Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges
(63
)
(180
)
(166
)
(117
)
Net income
$
94,587
$
97,224
$
211,677
$
87,793
Pro forma earnings per share, basic and diluted (unaudited) (1)
$
1.74
$
1.78
$
3.88
$
1.61
Pro forma weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted (unaudited)
54,500,000
54,500,000
54,500,000
54,500,000
13
December 31,
2007
Management fee to related party
Year Ended December 31,
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
(In thousands of U.S. dollars except share data and fleet data)
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities
$
(22,349
)
$
(12,806
)
$
278,506
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
(6,065
)
(33,835
)
88,416
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
28,414
46,641
(366,922
)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
OTHER DATA
EBITDA (2)
$
105,236
$
112,322
$
228,361
$
108,596
Adjusted EBITDA (3)
78,451
75,307
116,001
108,596
As of December 31,
Pro Forma
As of
2005
2006
2007
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total current assets
$
159,538
$
282,021
$
98,883
$
18,513
Total fixed assets
232,655
253,448
308,340
308,340
Other non-current assets
405
314
434
4,434
Total assets
392,598
535,783
407,657
331,287
Total current liabilities
111,271
172,275
41,507
62,421
Derivative liabilities
242
242
Long-term debt, net of current portion
149,500
134,457
306,267
387,753
Time charter discount
2,766
2,766
Total owners equity/(deficit)
131,827
229,051
56,875
(121,895
)
Total liabilities and owners equity/(deficit)
392,598
535,783
407,657
331,287
Year Ended December 31,
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
FLEET DATA
(4)
Average number of vessels
9.2
11.5
10.7
10.3
Ownership days
3,370
4,208
3,914
3,778
Available days
3,350
4,208
3,914
3,778
Operating days
3,343
4,205
3,913
3,777
Fleet utilization
99.21
%
99.94
%
99.98
%
99.99
%
Time charter equivalent rates
$
23,713
$
22,550
$
42,327
$
42,604
Daily vessel operating expenses
$
3,076
$
3,106
$
3,176
$
3,263
December 31,
2007
December 31,
2007
December 31,
2007
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
With respect to the periods presented based on our historical predecessor combined statements of operations, pro forma earnings per share gives retroactive effect to our Reorganization and resulting capital structure following the completion of this offering. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
With respect to the periods presented based on our unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations, pro forma earnings per share reflects earnings per share after giving retroactive effect to our Reorganization and the other pro forma events as set forth in our unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements and resulting capital structure following the completion of this offering. See the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsOverview for more information on our Reorganization (as defined in such section) prior to this offering. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
This offering will not involve the issuance of additional shares of our common stock as all shares of common stock sold in this offering will be sold by the selling stockholder.
|
14
(2)
EBITDA represents net income before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.
EBITDA assists our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our fundamental performance from period to period and against the fundamental performance of other companies in our
industry that provide EBITDA information. We believe that EBITDA is useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry because the calculation of EBITDA
generally eliminates the effects of financings, income taxes and the accounting effects of capital expenditures and acquisitions, items which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall
operating performance.
EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered a substitute
for net income and other operations data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as a measure of profitability. While EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operating results and performance, it is not
necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA:
Net income
$
94,587
$
97,224
$
211,677
$
87,793
Depreciation
7,610
9,553
9,583
9,583
Interest expense
3,668
6,140
8,225
12,298
Interest income
(692
)
(775
)
(1,290
)
(1,195
)
Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges
63
180
166
117
EBITDA
$
105,236
$
112,322
$
228,361
$
108,596
(3)
Adjusted EBITDA represents our EBITDA after giving effect to the removal of the gain on sale of assets for the relevant periods. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP. Adjusted
EBITDA assists our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our fundamental performance with respect to our vessel operation, without including the gains we have received through the
sale of assets during the relevant periods. We believe that this removal of the gain on sale of assets allows us to better illustrate the operating results of our vessels for the periods indicated.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be
considered a substitute for net income and other operations data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as a measure of profitability. While Adjusted EBITDA may also be used as a measure of operating
results and performance, it is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Reconciliation of EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA:
EBITDA
$
105,236
$
112,322
$
228,361
$
108,596
Gain on sale of assets
(26,785
)
(37,015
)
(112,360
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
78,451
$
75,307
$
116,001
$
108,596
(4)
For a description of the items listed under this heading, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsFactors Affecting Our Results of Operations.
15
December 31,
2007
December 31,
2007
Recent Developments
Our first quarter ended on March 31, 2008. Set forth below is a discussion of our financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $49.3 million, compared to net revenues of $30.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Net income for the three months
ended March 31, 2008 was $24.7 million, compared to $120.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase in net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the
three months ended March 31, 2007, is primarily attributable to higher charter rates.
The decrease in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2007, is primarily attributable to the sale of four of our vessels in the three
months ended March 31, 2007, the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, the
Pedhoulas Fighter
, the
Old Kanaris
and the
Old Eleni
, which resulted in a one-time aggregate gain on sale of assets in the amount of $112.4 million in
that quarter. We also incurred exchange rate losses of $10.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The exchange rate losses for
the three months ended March 31, 2008 largely resulted from the conversion of our loan and credit facilities in currencies other than the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollar amounts. Such conversion resulted in a further
reduction of the percentage of outstanding principal amount denominated in foreign currencies from 47.3% on December 31, 2007 to approximately 3.5% as of March 31, 2008, reducing our exposure to currency
fluctuations. We also incurred losses on derivatives of $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to a gain of approximately $0.04 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. This
change was primarily attributable to the fair value losses of six interest rate swap derivatives offset by a foreign exchange derivative gain on settlement during the threee months ended March 31, 2008. During the
three months ended March 31, 2007, there were no interest rate swap derivatives, and the gain arose from foreign exchange derivatives.
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 has also decreased as a result of an increase in general and administrative expenses, from $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007
to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to the implementation of the amended management agreements as of January 1, 2008.
The results of operations and related financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and the three months ended March 31, 2007 are unaudited, and reflect all adjustments which are, in
the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
2007
2008
(in thousands of
Net revenues
$
30,287
$
49,327
Operating income
122,750
41,240
Net Interest and finance cost
(1,549
)
(3,766
)
Gain/(loss) on derivatives
41
(2,592
)
Foreign currency (loss)
(1,250
)
(10,159
)
Net income
$
119,992
$
24,723
16
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Unaudited)
U.S. dollars)
Any investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following risk factors, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus, before making an
investment in our common stock. Any of the risk factors described below could significantly and negatively affect our business, results of operations or financial condition, which may reduce our ability to pay
dividends and lower the trading price of our common stock. You may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Inherent in Our Industry
The international drybulk shipping industry is cyclical and volatile, and charter rates have in the recent past been at historically high levels; these factors may lead to reductions and volatility in our charter
rates, vessel values and results of operations.
The drybulk shipping industry is cyclical with attendant volatility in charter rates, vessel values and industry profitability. During the period from January 2005 to December 2007, the Panamax time charter
average daily rates for one-year period time charters experienced a low of $25,000 and a high of $81,000. At various times since January 2004, charter rates have reached historic highs and in the recent past have
been at historically high levels. Charter rates may not be as high as they have been during this recent period or as they are currently in the future. Please see the section of this prospectus entitled The
International Drybulk Shipping IndustryCharter Rates for information concerning charter rates.
The factors affecting the supply and demand for vessels are outside of our control and are unpredictable, and, as a result, the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in industry conditions are also
unpredictable.
Factors that influence demand for vessel capacity include:
demand for and production of drybulk products;
global and regional economic conditions;
environmental and other regulatory developments;
the distance drybulk cargoes are to be moved by sea; and
changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns.
Factors that influence the supply of vessel capacity include:
the number of newbuild deliveries and the ability of shipyards to deliver newbuilds by contracted delivery dates;
the scrapping rate of older vessels;
port and canal congestion;
the number of vessels that are out of service, including due to vessel casualties; and
changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful lives of vessels.
We anticipate that the future demand for our drybulk vessels and, in turn, drybulk charter rates will be dependent upon, among other things, continued demand for imported commodities, economic growth
in emerging markets, including China and the rest of the Asia Pacific region, India, Brazil and Russia and the rest of the world, including the United States, which has recently experienced slowing growth,
seasonal and regional changes in demand, changes in the capacity of the global drybulk vessel fleet and the sources and supply of drybulk cargo to be transported by sea. The capacity of the world fleet seems
likely to increase, and there can be no assurance that economic growth will continue. Adverse economic, political, social or other developments could decrease demand and growth in the shipping industry and
thereby reduce our revenue significantly. A decline in demand for commodities transported in drybulk vessels or an increase in supply of drybulk vessels could cause a significant decline in charter rates, which
could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
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An oversupply of drybulk vessel capacity may lead to reductions in charter rates and profitability.
The market supply of drybulk vessels has been increasing, and the number of drybulk vessels on order is near historic highs. As of January 31, 2008, newbuild orders had been placed for an aggregate of
approximately 56.4% (by dwt) of the existing global drybulk fleet, with deliveries expected during the next 60 months, which is high relative to historical levels. Furthermore, as of January 31, 2008, for Panamax,
Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels in which we currently operate, the vessels on order represented approximately 49.2% (by dwt) of the current fleet capacity, and for Capesize class vessels, the vessels on
order represented approximately 77.1% (by dwt) of the current fleet capacity, which also is high historically. This large order book will result in high levels of deliveries over the next few years, which will
significantly increase the size of the global fleet of drybulk vessels. This may have a negative impact on charter rates and vessel values depending on the ultimate rate of growth of the fleet, which is also
dependent on the number of drybulk vessels taken off-line, including due to scrapping. In recent years, given the high charter rates in the market, there has been minimal scrapping activity in the drybulk sector,
with an average of 0.8% (by dwt) of the global drybulk fleet scrapped from 2001 to 2007, and the average age at which vessels are scrapped has increased. Please read The International Drybulk Shipping
IndustrySupply of Drybulk Vessels for information on the supply of drybulk vessels. Although our contracted newbuilds are generally scheduled to be delivered sooner than the average newbuild currently on order
for the global fleet and we have entered into five-year period time charters for two of our newbuilds and a 20-year period time charter for one of our newbuilds, we will be exposed to changes in charter rates with
respect to our remaining five newbuilds depending on the ultimate growth of the global drybulk fleet. If we cannot enter into period time charters, we may have to secure a charter in the spot market, where
charter rates are volatile and revenues are, therefore, less predictable. In addition, a material increase in the net supply of drybulk vessel capacity without corresponding growth in drybulk vessel demand could have
a material adverse effect on our fleet utilization and our charter rates generally and could, accordingly, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
An economic slowdown in the Asian region could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
We expect that a significant number of the port calls made by our vessels will involve the loading or discharging of raw materials in ports in the Asian region, particularly China and Japan. As a result, a
negative change in economic conditions in any Asian country, particularly China, Japan and, to some extent, India, may have an adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations, as well
as our future prospects, by reducing demand and, as a result, charter rates. In recent years, China and India have had two of the worlds fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product and have
been the main driving force behind the recent increase in marine drybulk trade and the demand for drybulk vessels. We cannot assure you that such recent increase will be sustained or that the Chinese and Indian
economies will not experience a decline in the future. Moreover, any additional slowdown in the United States economy or slowdown in the economies of the European Union or certain Asian countries may
adversely affect economic growth in China, India and elsewhere. Our business, financial position, results of operations, ability to pay dividends, as well as our future prospects, will likely be materially and
adversely affected by an economic downturn in any of these countries.
The international drybulk shipping industry is highly competitive, and we may not be able to compete successfully for charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources.
We employ our vessels in a highly competitive market that is capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of which have substantially greater
resources than we do. Competition for the transportation of drybulk cargo by sea is intense and depends on price, customer relationships, operating expertise, professional reputation and size, age, location and
condition of the vessel. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, additional competitors with greater resources could enter the drybulk shipping industry and operate larger fleets through consolidations or
acquisitions and may be able to offer lower charter rates than we are able to offer.
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Rising crew costs may adversely affect our profits.
Crew costs are a significant expense for us under our charters. Recently, the limited supply of and increased demand for well-qualified crew, due to the increase in the size of the global shipping fleet, has
created upward pressure on crewing costs, which we generally bear under our period time and spot charters. Increases in crew costs may adversely affect our profitability.
We are subject to regulation and liability under environmental laws that could require significant expenditures and affect our cash flow and net income.
Our business and the operation of our vessels are regulated under international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate, as well
as in the country or countries of their registration, in order to protect against potential environmental impacts. As a result of highly publicized accidents in recent years, government regulation of vessels, particularly
in the area of environmental requirements, can be expected to become more stringent in the future and could require us to incur significant capital expenditures on our vessels to keep them in compliance, or even
to scrap or sell certain vessels altogether. For example, various jurisdictions that do not already regulate management of ballast waters are considering regulating the management of ballast waters to prevent the
introduction of non-indigenous species that are considered invasive. Such regulations could, if implemented, require us to make changes to the ballast water management plans we currently have in place. Additional
conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our operations. Because such
conventions, laws and regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with such conventions, laws and regulations or the impact thereof on the resale prices or useful lives of our
vessels. We are also required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates and financial assurances with respect to our operations.
These requirements can also affect the resale prices or useful lives of our vessels, require reductions in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, lead to decreased availability
of or more costly insurance coverage for environmental matters or result in the denial of access to certain jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in certain ports. Under local, national and foreign laws, as well
as international treaties and conventions, we could incur material liabilities, including cleanup obligations and claims for natural resource, personal injury and property damages in the event that there is a release of
petroleum or other hazardous materials from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. Violations of, or liabilities under, environmental regulations can result in substantial penalties, fines and
other sanctions, including in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels. Events of this nature would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay
dividends to our stockholders.
The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the United Nations International Maritime Organizations International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for
Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code. The ISM Code requires vessel owners and ship managers to develop and maintain an extensive Safety Management System (SMS) that includes the adoption of a safety and
environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. The failure of a vessel owner or vessel manager to comply with
the ISM Code may subject it to increased liability, invalidate existing insurance or decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
Currently, each of the vessels in our current fleet is ISM Code-certified. However, there can be no assurance that such certification will be maintained indefinitely. If we fail to maintain ISM Code certification for
our vessels, we may also breach covenants in certain of our credit facilities that require that our vessels be ISM Code-certified. If we breach such covenants due to failure to maintain ISM Code certification and
are unable to remedy the relevant breach, our lenders could accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose on the vessels in our fleet securing those credit facilities.
For additional information on these and other environmental requirements, you should carefully review the information contained in the section entitled BusinessEnvironmental and Other Regulations.
19
Increased inspection procedures, tighter import and export controls and survey requirements could increase costs and disrupt our business.
International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspections and related procedures in countries of origin and destination. Inspection procedures can result in the seizure of the contents of
our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines and 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 impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations and our ability to pay dividends.
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 the Safety of Life at Sea. A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate
surveys and special surveys as part of a continuous five-year survey cycle. Annual surveys are performed every year. Intermediate surveys are extended annual surveys which typically are conducted approximately
two and one-half years after commissioning and upon each class renewal. Most vessels are drydocked during the intermediate survey for inspection of underwater parts, however, an in-water intermediate survey
may be undertaken in lieu of drydocking, upon the tenth anniversary of vessel delivery, subject to certain conditions. Class renewal surveys, also known as special surveys, are more extensive than intermediate
surveys and are carried out at the end of each five year period. During the special survey the vessel is thoroughly examined, including thickness-gauging to determine any diminution in the steel structures. Should
the thickness be found to be less than class requirements, the classification society would prescribe steel renewals. If any 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 and we would be in violation of certain covenants in our credit facilities. This would negatively impact our revenues.
Risks associated with operating oceangoing vessels could negatively affect our business and reputation, which could adversely affect our revenues and stock price.
The operation of oceangoing vessels carries inherent risks. These risks include the possibility of:
marine disaster;
environmental accidents;
cargo and property losses or damage;
business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, war, terrorism, political action in various countries, labor strikes or adverse weather conditions; and
piracy.
Such occurrences could result in death or injury to persons, loss of property or environmental damage, delays in the delivery of cargo, loss of revenues from or termination of charter contracts,
governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business, higher insurance rates and damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally. Although we maintain hull and machinery and war
risks insurance, as well as protection and indemnity insurance, which may cover certain risks of loss resulting from such occurrences, our insurance coverage may be subject to caps or otherwise not fully cover
such losses, and any of these circumstances or events could increase our costs or lower our revenues, which could result in a reduction in the market price of our shares of common stock. The involvement of our
vessels in an environmental disaster may also harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
20
The shipping industry has inherent operational risks that may not be adequately covered by our insurance.
The operation of any vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, collision, fire, contact with floating objects, cargo or property loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances
in foreign countries, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of a marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps. Although our vessels carry a relatively
small amount of bunkers, a spill of oil from one of our vessels or losses as a result of fire or explosion could be catastrophic under certain circumstances. There are also liabilities arising from owning and
operating vessels in international trade. Our current insurance includes (a) hull and machinery insurance covering damage to our vessels hull and machinery from, among other things, contact with free and floating
objects, (b) war risks insurance covering losses associated with the outbreak or escalation of hostilities, (c) protection and indemnity insurance (which includes environmental damage and pollution insurance)
covering third-party and crew liabilities, such as expenses resulting from the injury or death of crew members, passengers and other third parties, the loss or damage to cargo, third-party 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 and (d) increased value insurance.
We can give no assurance that we are adequately insured against all risks or that our insurers will pay a particular claim. Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be
able to timely obtain a replacement vessel in the event of a loss. Under the terms of our credit facilities, we will be subject to restrictions on the use of any proceeds we may receive from claims under our
insurance policies. Furthermore, in the future, we may not be able to maintain or obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for our fleet. We may also be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts
based not only on our own claim records but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations through which we receive indemnity insurance coverage for tort liability. Our
insurance policies also contain deductibles, limitations and exclusions which, although we believe are standard in the shipping industry, may nevertheless increase our costs in the event of a claim or decrease any
recovery in the event of a loss. If the damages from a catastrophic oil spill or other marine disaster exceeded our insurance coverage, the payment of those damages could have a severe, adverse effect on us and
could possibly result in our insolvency.
In addition, we do not carry loss of hire insurance. Loss of hire insurance covers the loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods, such as those that occur during an unscheduled drydocking due
to damage to the vessel from accidents. Accordingly, any loss of a vessel or any extended period of vessel off-hire, due to an accident or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
The operation of drybulk vessels has certain unique operational risks.
With a drybulk vessel, the cargo itself and its interaction with the vessel may create operational risks. By their nature, drybulk cargoes are often heavy, dense and easily shifted, and they may react badly
to water exposure. In addition, drybulk vessels are often subjected to battering treatment during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the hold) and small bulldozers. This
treatment may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading procedures may be more susceptible to breach while at sea. Breaches of a drybulk vessels hull may lead to the
flooding of the vessels holds. If a drybulk vessel suffers flooding in its forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so dense and waterlogged that its pressure may buckle the vessels bulkheads, leading to the loss
of a vessel. If we are unable to adequately maintain our vessels, we may be unable to prevent these events. Any of these circumstances or events could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of
operations and ability to pay dividends. In addition, the loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
Maritime claimants could arrest one or more of our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow.
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many
jurisdictions, a claimant may seek to obtain security for its claim by arresting a vessel through foreclosure
21
proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could cause us to default on a charter, breach covenants in certain of our credit facilities, interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large
sums of money to have the arrest or attachment lifted.
In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the sister ship theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is subject to the claimants maritime lien and any
associated vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could attempt to assert sister ship liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another of our vessels.
Changes in the economic and political environment in China and policies adopted by the government to regulate its economy may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, in 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 use of market forces in the development of the Chinese economy. Annual and five-year State Plans are adopted by the Chinese government in connection with the
development of the economy. Although state-owned enterprises still account for a substantial portion of the Chinese industrial output, in general, the Chinese government is reducing the level of direct control that
it exercises over the economy through State Plans and other measures. There is an increasing level of freedom and autonomy in areas such as allocation of resources, production, pricing and management and a
gradual shift in emphasis to a market economy and enterprise reform. Limited price reforms have been 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 on the outcome of such experiments. The Chinese government may cease pursuing a policy of
economic reform. The level of imports to and exports from China could be adversely affected by changes to these economic reforms by the Chinese government, as well as by changes in political, economic and
social conditions or other relevant policies of the Chinese government, such as changes in laws, regulations or export and import restrictions, all of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
World events could affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Terrorist attacks such as the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, other terrorist attacks since that time and the continuing response of the United States and other countries to these attacks,
as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks in the United States or elsewhere, continues to cause uncertainty in the world financial markets and may affect our business, results of operations and financial
condition. The continuing conflict in the Middle East may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial
markets. In addition, political tensions or conflicts in the Asia Pacific Region, particularly involving China, may reduce the demand for our services. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to
obtain any additional financing or, if we are able to obtain additional financing, to do so on terms favorable to us. In the past, political conflicts have 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. Terrorist attacks
targeted at sea vessels, such as the October 2002 attack in Yemen on the
VLCC Limburg
, a ship not related to us and other similar attacks since that time, may in the future also negatively affect our operations
and financial condition and directly impact our vessels or our customers. Future terrorist attacks could result in increased volatility of the financial markets in the United States and globally and could result in an
economic recession affecting the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East or the entire world. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations, revenue, costs and ability to pay dividends.
Changing economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we are engaged in business or where our vessels are registered could affect us. In addition, future hostilities or other
22
political instability in regions where our vessels trade could also affect our trade patterns and adversely affect our operations and performance.
Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting in a loss of earnings.
A government could requisition one or more of our vessels for title or for hire. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes its owner, while requisition for hire occurs
when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes its charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during periods of war or emergency, although governments may elect to
requisition vessels in other circumstances. Although we would be entitled to compensation in the event of a requisition of one or more of our vessels, the amount and timing of payment would be uncertain.
Government requisition of one or more of our vessels may cause us to breach covenants in certain of our credit facilities, negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay
dividends.
Rising fuel prices may adversely affect our profits.
Upon redelivery of vessels at the end of a period time or trip time charter, we may be obligated to repurchase the fuel (bunkers) on board at prevailing market prices, which could be materially higher than
fuel prices at the inception of the charter period. In addition, although we rarely deploy our vessels on voyage charters, fuel is a significant, if not the largest, expense that we would incur with respect to vessels
operating on voyage charter. As a result, an increase in the price of fuel may adversely affect our profitability. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control,
including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by OPEC and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and
environmental concerns and regulations.
Seasonal fluctuations in industry demand could adversely affect our results of operations and the amount of available cash with which we can pay dividends.
We operate our vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, as a result, in charter rates. This seasonality may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our results of
operations, which could affect the amount of dividends, if any, that we pay to our stockholders from quarter to quarter. The market for marine drybulk transportation services is typically stronger in the fall and
winter months in anticipation of increased consumption of coal and other raw materials in the northern hemisphere during the winter months. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns in these months tend to
disrupt vessel scheduling and supplies of certain commodities. This seasonality could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.
Risks Related to Our Company
The market values of our vessels may decrease, which could cause us to breach covenants in our credit facilities and adversely affect our results of operations.
The market value of drybulk vessels has generally experienced high volatility, and market prices for secondhand and newbuild drybulk vessels are at historically high levels. You should expect the market
value of our vessels to fluctuate depending on a number of factors, including:
general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry;
prevailing level of charter rates;
competition from other shipping companies;
configurations, sizes and ages of vessels;
cost of newbuilds;
governmental or other regulations; and
technological advances.
23
If the market value of our vessels or newbuilds declines, we may breach some of the covenants contained in our credit facilities, including covenants in our new and existing credit facilities. If we do
breach such covenants and we are unable to remedy the relevant breach, our lenders could accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose on the vessels in our fleet securing those credit facilities. If the book value of a
vessel is impaired due to unfavorable market conditions, we would incur a loss that could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, if we sell vessels at a time when vessel prices have fallen and
before we have recorded an impairment adjustment to our financial statements, the sale may be at less than the vessels carrying amount on our financial statements, resulting in a loss that could adversely affect
our results of operations.
Please see the section of this prospectus entitled The International Drybulk Shipping IndustryVessel Prices for information concerning historical prices of drybulk vessels.
The market values of our vessels may decrease, which could limit the amount of funds that we can borrow under any future credit facility.
In the event of a decline in the market value of our fleet, we may not be able to obtain future financing or incur debt on terms that are acceptable to us or at all.
Please see the section of this prospectus entitled The International Drybulk Shipping IndustryVessel Prices for information concerning historical prices of drybulk vessels.
When our current charters end, we may not be able to replace them promptly or with profitable chartering arrangements, which would affect our results of operations and ability to pay dividends.
Of our 11 drybulk vessels currently in service, as of December 31, 2007, three vessels were deployed in the spot market and eight vessels were deployed on period time charters of two years or less. In
general, we intend to deploy a portion of our fleet in the spot market.
As described above, charter rates fluctuate significantly based upon available charters and the supply of, and demand for, marine shipping capacity. Our current spot charters and many of our period time
charters expire over the next several months, and we are scheduled to receive eight newbuilds over the next few years. As a result, although we have entered into five-year period time charters for six vessels in
our current fleet, commencing in late 2008, 2009 and 2010, and two of our newbuilds, commencing in the first quarter of 2009 and the second quarter of 2010, and have entered into a 20-year period time charter
for one of our newbuilds commencing in 2011, we will be exposed to changes in charter rates for drybulk vessels and may be entering into charters during downturns in the highly volatile market for marine
drybulk transportation services.
We cannot assure you that future charter rates will enable us to operate our vessels profitably or to pay you dividends. We also cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain charters at comparable
rates or with comparable charterers, if at all, when the current charters for the vessels in our fleet expire. If we cannot recharter these vessels on new period time charters following the expiration of previous
charters, or employ them in the spot market profitably, our results of operations and operating cash flow will suffer. Current drybulk vessel charter rates are high, however, as described above, the market is
volatile, and when we enter into a charter when charter rates are low, our revenues and earnings will be adversely affected as we do not expect to be able to substantially lower our operating costs during periods
of industry weakness. In the past, short-term period time charter rates and spot market charter rates for drybulk vessels have declined below the operating costs of vessels. In addition, a decline in charter rates will
also cause the value of our vessels to decline.
In addition, when our current charters expire, we may have to reposition our vessels without cargo or compensation to deliver them to future charterers or to move vessels to areas where we believe that
future employment may be more likely or advantageous. Repositioning our vessels in these circumstances would increase our vessel operating costs.
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A decline in spot market charter rates would affect our results of operations and ability to pay dividends.
During the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, our revenue from spot charters accounted for 38.56%, 52.17% and 51.1%, respectively, of our total revenues. The drybulk charter market is
highly competitive and spot charter rates fluctuate significantly. Vessels operating in the spot market generate revenues that are less predictable than those on period time charters. We are therefore exposed to the
risk of fluctuating drybulk charter rates, which may have a materially adverse impact on our financial performance. As a result of the volatility in the drybulk carrier charter market, we may not be able to employ
our vessels upon the termination of their existing charters at their current charter rates. We cannot assure you that future charter rates will enable us to operate our vessels profitably or to pay you dividends.
Charterers may default on period time charters that provide for above-market rates, which could reduce our revenues.
If we enter into period time charters with charterers when charter rates are high and charter rates subsequently fall significantly, charterers may default under those charters. We intend to enter into period
time charters only with reputable charterers, but we cannot assure you that our charterers will not default on the charters. If a charterer defaults on a charter with an above-market charter rate, we will seek the
remedies available to us, which may include arbitration or litigation to enforce the contract. After a charterer defaults on a period time charter, we may have to enter into a charter at a lower charter rate, which
would reduce our revenues. If we cannot enter into a new period time charter, we may have to secure a charter in the spot market, where charter rates are volatile and revenues are less predictable. It is also
possible that we would be unable to secure a charter at all, which would also reduce our revenues.
We cannot assure you that our board of directors will declare dividends.
Our policy is to pay our stockholders quarterly dividends of $0.475 per share, or $1.90 per share per year, in February, May, August and November of each year. We expect to pay an initial dividend
following completion of this offering in August 2008, calculated based on the pro rata amount of the quarterly dividend for the period from the closing of this offering until the end of the second quarter of 2008.
The declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. The timing and amount of any dividends declared
will depend on, among other things: (a) our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, (b) our ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by our growth
strategy, (c) provisions of Marshall Islands law governing the payment of dividends and (d) restrictive covenants in our existing and future debt instruments.
The international drybulk shipping industry is highly volatile, and we cannot predict with certainty the amount of cash, if any, that will be available for distribution as dividends in any period. Also, there may be
a high degree of variability from period to period in the amount of cash, if any, that is available for the payment of dividends. The amount of cash we generate from operations may fluctuate based upon, among other
things:
the rates we obtain from our charters as well as the rates obtained upon the expiration of our existing charters;
the level of our operating costs;
the number of unscheduled off-hire days and the timing of, and number of days required for, scheduled drydocking of our ships;
vessel acquisitions and related financings;
restrictions in our credit facilities and in any future debt program;
prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions; and
the effect of governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards on the conduct of our business.
The actual amount of cash we will have available for dividends will also depend on many additional factors, including:
our expenses, liabilities and cash reserves;
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changes in our operating cash flows, capital expenditure requirements, working capital requirements and other cash needs;
our growth strategy and associated uses of our cash and our financing requirements;
modification or revocation of our dividend policy by our board of directors;
the amount of cash reserves established by our board of directors; and
restrictions under Marshall Islands law.
We may incur expenses or liabilities or be subject to other circumstances in the future that reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as dividends, if any, including as
a result of the risks described in this section of this prospectus. Our growth strategy contemplates that we will finance the acquisition of additional vessels through a combination of our operating cash flow and
debt or equity financing. If financing is not available to us on acceptable terms, our board of directors may determine to finance or refinance acquisitions with a greater percentage of cash from operations to the
extent available, which would reduce or even eliminate the amount of cash available for the payment of dividends. We may also enter into other agreements that will restrict our ability to pay dividends.
Under the terms of certain of our existing credit facilities, our Subsidiaries are not permitted to pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the
payment of such dividend. We expect that any future debt agreements will have similar restrictions on the payment of dividends.
Marshall Islands laws and the laws of the Republic of Liberia, where each of our Subsidiaries is incorporated, generally prohibit the payment of dividends other than from surplus or net profits, or while a
company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. We may not have sufficient surplus or net profits in the future to pay dividends, and our Subsidiaries may not have
sufficient funds, surplus or net profits to make distributions to us.
The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our net income or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. We may incur other expenses or liabilities
that could reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as dividends. As a result of these and the other factors mentioned above, we may pay dividends during periods when we record losses and may not
pay dividends during periods when we record net income.
We can give no assurance that dividends will be paid in the future.
We depend upon a limited number of customers for a large part of our revenues and the loss of one or more of these customers could adversely affect our financial performance.
We expect to derive a significant part of our revenues from a limited number of customers. During 2006, approximately 75.2% of our charter revenues were derived from two charterers, Bunge and Cargill,
and during 2007, approximately 69.2% of our revenues were derived from three charterers, Bunge, Cargill and Daiichi. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, eight of our current vessels and two of our newbuilds
were deployed, or scheduled to be deployed in the future, on period time charters with Daiichi. If one or more of these customers terminates its charters, chooses not to recharter our vessels or is unable to perform
under its charters with us and we are not able to find replacement charters, we will suffer a loss of revenues that could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for
distribution as dividends to our stockholders.
We could lose a customer or the benefits of a time charter for many different reasons, including if:
the customer fails to make charter payments because of its financial inability, disagreements with us or otherwise;
the customer terminates the charter because we fail to deliver the vessel within a fixed period of time, the vessel is lost or damaged beyond repair, there are serious deficiencies in the vessel or
prolonged periods of off-hire or we default under the charter; or
in certain cases, a prolonged force majeure event affecting the customer, including damage to or destruction of relevant production facilities, war or political unrest prevents us from performing services
for that customer.
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If we lose a key customer, we may be unable to obtain period time charters on comparable terms with charterers of comparable standing or may have increased exposure to the volatile spot market, which
is highly competitive and subject to significant price fluctuations. The loss of any of our customers, charters or vessels, or a decline in payments under our charters, could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay dividends.
We may have difficulty properly managing our planned growth through acquisitions of additional vessels.
We expect to take delivery of one newbuild in the fourth quarter of 2008, one newbuild in the first quarter of 2009, one newbuild in the third quarter of 2009 and five newbuilds in the first half of 2010.
We intend to grow our business through selective acquisitions of additional vessels, in addition to our contracted newbuilds. Our future growth will primarily depend on our ability to:
locate and acquire suitable newbuild and other vessels;
identify and consummate vessel acquisitions or joint ventures relating to vessel acquisitions;
enlarge our customer base;
manage our expansion;
operate and supervise any newbuilds we may order; and
obtain required debt or equity financing on acceptable terms.
During periods in which charter rates are high, vessel values generally are high as well, and it may be difficult to consummate vessel acquisitions or enter into newbuild contracts at favorable prices. Other
risks include the possibility that indemnification agreements will be unenforceable or insufficient to cover potential losses and difficulties associated with imposing common standards, controls, procedures and
policies. We cannot give any assurance that we will be successful in executing our growth plans or that we will not incur significant expenses and losses in connection with our future growth efforts.
As we expand our business, we will need to improve or expand our operations and financial systems, staff and crew; 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 as we implement our plan to expand the size of our fleet, and our Managers attempts to improve those systems may be ineffective. In addition,
as we expand our fleet, we will have to rely on our Manager to recruit additional seafarers and shoreside administrative and management personnel. We cannot assure you that our Manager will be able to continue to
hire suitable employees or a sufficient number of employees as we expand our fleet. If our Managers unaffiliated crewing agents encounter business or financial difficulties, we may not be able to adequately staff our
vessels. We may also have to increase our customer base to provide continued employment for most of our new vessels. If we are unable to operate our financial system, our Manager is unable to operate our operations
systems effectively or to recruit suitable employees in sufficient numbers or we are unable to increase our customer base as we expand our fleet, our performance may be adversely affected.
Unless we set aside reserves for vessel replacement, at the end of a vessels useful life, our revenue will decline, which would adversely affect our cash flows and income.
As of December 31, 2007, the vessels in our current fleet had an average age of 2.6 years, and following delivery of all of our contracted newbuilds in May 2010, the vessels in our fleet will have an
average age of 3.2 years. Unless we maintain cash reserves for vessel replacement, we may be unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives. Our cash flows and income are
dependent on the revenues we earn by chartering 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, financial
condition and ability to pay dividends will be adversely affected. Any reserves set aside for vessel replacement would not be available for other cash needs or dividends. While we have not set aside cash reserves
to date, pursuant to our dividend policy, we expect to pay a quarterly dividend of $0.475 per share, or $1.90 per share per year, however, in periods where we make acquisitions, including acquisitions
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to replace vessels, our board of directors may limit the amount or percentage of our cash from operations available to pay dividends. See the section entitled Dividend Policy.
If our drybulk newbuilds are not delivered on time or are delivered with significant defects, our earnings and financial condition could suffer.
We have entered into agreements to purchase four Post-Panamax, two Kamsarmax and two Capesize class drybulk newbuilds. Of these additional vessels, one Post-Panamax class vessel is scheduled for
delivery in the fourth quarter of 2008, one Post-Panamax class vessels is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2009, one Post-Panamax class vessel is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2009, one
Kamsarmax, one Post-Panamax and two Capesize class vessels are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2010 and one Kamsarmax class vessel is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2010.
A delay in the delivery of any of these vessels to us or the failure of the shipyard to deliver a vessel at all could cause us to breach our obligations under a related charter and could adversely affect our earnings,
our financial condition and the amount of dividends, if any, that we can pay in the future. In addition, the delivery of any of these vessels with substantial defects could have similar consequences.
The delivery of a newbuild could be delayed because of:
work stoppages or other labor disturbances or other event that disrupts the operations of the shipyard;
quality or engineering problems;
changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organization standards;
lack of raw materials;
bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipyard;
a backlog of orders at the shipyard;
hostilities, political or economic disturbances in the country where the vessels are being built;
weather interference or catastrophic events, such as major earthquakes or fires;
our requests for changes to the original vessel specifications;
shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel, or equipment, such as main engines, electricity generators and propellers;
our inability to obtain requisite permits or approvals; or
disputes with the shipyard.
In addition, the shipbuilding contracts for the newbuilds generally contain a force majeure provision whereby the occurrence of certain events could delay delivery or possibly terminate the contract. If
delivery of a vessel is materially delayed or if a shipbuilding contract is terminated, it could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
If we are unable to enter into our new credit facilities and obtain additional secured indebtedness, we may default on our commitments relating to our eight contracted newbuilds, and we may not be able to
pay the dividends we intend to pay following this offering, which would materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We are scheduled to take delivery of our eight newbuilds in late 2008, 2009 and 2010. The remaining balance of the contract prices are $368.2 million and ¥7.5 billion as of December 31, 2007, including
certain additional amounts for adjustments (together, the equivalent of $434.7 million, based on a ¥112.35/$1.00 exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2007), as provided under our newbuild contracts, including
certain third party seller interest expenses and adjustments for early delivery. We intend to fund these commitments with available cash, borrowings under our two new credit facilities for which we have accepted
commitment letters of $45.0 million each and the majority of available borrowings under an additional secured facility of up to $200.0 million which we intend to obtain before the end of 2009. To the extent that
we are unable to enter into these two new credit facilities and obtain such additional secured indebtedness on terms acceptable to us, we will need to find alternative financing. If we are unable to find
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alternative financing, we will not be capable of funding all of our commitments for capital expenditures relating to our eight contracted newbuilds, and we may not be able to pay the dividends we intend to pay
following this offering, which would materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating costs in the future, which could adversely affect our earnings.
In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. As of December 31, 2007, the average age of the vessels in our current fleet was 2.6 years. As
our vessels age, they may become less fuel efficient and more costly to maintain and will not be as advanced as more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in design and engine technology. Rates for
cargo insurance, paid by charterers, also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers.
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 our vessels may engage. We cannot assure you that, as our vessels age, market conditions will justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the
remainder of their useful lives. If we sell vessels, we are not certain that the price at which we sell them will equal or exceed their carrying amounts at that time.
Our vessels may suffer damage and we may face unexpected costs, which could adversely affect our cash flow and financial condition.
If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired. The costs of repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. We may not have insurance that is sufficient to cover all or any of these costs or
losses and may have to pay costs not covered by our insurance. The loss of earnings while our vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings
and reduce the amount of cash that we have available for dividends.
Because we generate substantially all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur a portion of our expenses, hold a portion of our indebtedness and have obligations under two of our newbuild contracts in other
currencies, exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
We generate substantially all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but in 2006 and 2007, incurred approximately 17.7% and 19.1%, respectively, of our expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As of
December 31, 2007, of our aggregate indebtedness of $322.9 million, CHF86.4 million (the equivalent of $76.7 million) was denominated in Swiss francs and ¥8.5 billion (the equivalent of $75.8 million) was
denominated in Japanese yen, however, we subsequently converted all of the indebtedness in these currencies into U.S. dollars except for CHF12.9 million (the equivalent of $12.99 million), which remained
outstanding as of March 31, 2008. The contract prices, in an aggregate amount of $75.5 million (¥8.5 billion), under two of our newbuild contracts are also denominated in Japanese yen. The difference in currencies
could lead to fluctuations in our net income due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, in particular the euro and the Japanese yen. For example, from January 1, 2006 to
December 31, 2007, the value of the U.S. dollar declined by approximately 19.6% as compared to the euro and declined by approximately 4.5% as compared to the Japanese yen. We have not hedged our currency
exposure, and as a result, our U.S. dollar denominated results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends could suffer.
Restrictive covenants in our existing credit facilities impose, and any future credit facilities will impose, financial and other restrictions on us.
Our existing credit facilities impose, and any future credit facility will impose, operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions in our existing credit facilities generally limit most of our
Subsidiaries ability to, among other things:
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pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such dividend;
enter into long-term charters for more than 13 months;
incur additional indebtedness, including through the issuance of guarantees;
change the flag, class or management of the vessel mortgaged under such facility or terminate or materially amend the management agreement relating to such vessel;
create liens on their assets;
make loans;
make investments;
make capital expenditures;
undergo a change in ownership or control or permit a change in ownership and control of our Manager;
sell the vessel mortgaged under such facility;
permit the Hajioannou family to reduce its shareholding in us below 51%; and
permit our chief executive officer to change.
Therefore, we may need to seek permission from our lenders in order to engage in some corporate actions. Our lenders interests may be different from ours, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able
to obtain our lenders permission when needed. This may limit our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, finance our future operations or pursue business opportunities.
Certain of our existing credit facilities require our Subsidiaries to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial covenants. Depending on the credit facility, certain of our Subsidiaries are subject
to financial ratios and covenants requiring that these Subsidiaries:
ensure that the value of the vessel mortgaged under the applicable credit facility does not fall below 100% to 120%, as applicable, of the outstanding amount of the loan;
ensure that outstanding amounts in currencies other than the U.S. dollar do not exceed 100% or 110%, as applicable, of the U.S. dollar equivalent amount specified in the relevant credit agreement for
the applicable period by, if necessary, providing cash collateral security in an amount necessary for the outstanding amounts to meet this threshold; and
ensure that we comply with certain financial covenants under the guarantees described below.
The covenants described above are those contained in certain of our Subsidiaries existing credit facilities. In addition, under guarantees we have entered into and which are effective from the closing of
this offering with respect to certain of our Subsidiaries existing credit facilities (see the section entitled Description of IndebtednessOur Credit Facilities), we are subject to specified financial covenants.
Depending on the guarantee, these financial covenants include the following:
our total liabilities (on a consolidated basis, including those of our Subsidiaries) divided by our total consolidated assets (based on the current market value of all vessels owned by our Subsidiaries, and
the book value of all other assets, on an adjusted basis as set out in the relevant guarantee) must not exceed 70%;
the ratio of our aggregate debt to EBITDA must not at any time exceed 5.5:1 on a trailing 12 months basis;
our consolidated net worth (consolidated total assets less consolidated total liabilities) must not at any time be less than $175.0 million, or less than and $200.0 million, as adjusted to reflect, among
other things, the market value of our vessels to the extent it exceeds book value as set out in the relevant guarantee;
we must maintain minimum free liquidity of $500,000 on deposit with the relevant lender on a per vessel basis; and
we can pay dividends, subject to no event of default having occurred.
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In connection with these guarantees, we have also undertaken to ensure that a minimum of 51% of our shares shall remain directly or indirectly beneficially owned by the Hajioannou family for the
duration of the relevant credit facilities.
We have accepted commitment letters to enter into two $45.0 million credit facilities through two of our Subsidiaries. Upon the completion of this offering, we intend to guarantee the obligations of our
Subsidiaries under those two new credit facilities. Under guarantees we have entered into and which are effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the existing credit facilities of our
Subsidiaries Avstes Shipping Corporation, Efragel Shipping Corporation, Marindou Shipping Corporation, Pelea Shipping Ltd., Marathassa Shipping Corporation, Marinouki Shipping Corporation, Soffive Shipping
Corporation and Kerasies Shipping Corporation.
We expect that the restrictions and covenants that will be contained in any new credit facility will differ to those described above. See Description of Indebtedness for more information about our
Subsidiaries existing credit facilities, our new credit facilities and our future credit facilities.
A failure to meet our payment and other obligations or to maintain compliance with the financial covenants that will be in our new credit facilities could lead to defaults under our secured credit facilities.
Our lenders could then accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose on the vessels in our fleet securing those credit facilities. The loss of these vessels would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations
and financial condition.
Servicing our existing and future indebtedness will limit funds available for other purposes, such as the payment of dividends.
In addition to our existing outstanding secured indebtedness, and the two facilities of $45.0 million each for which we have accepted commitment letters, we intend to finance our growth program in part
with additional secured indebtedness. We will have to dedicate cash flow from operations to pay the principal and interest of this indebtedness. If we are not able to satisfy these obligations, we may have to
undertake alternative financing plans. The actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, any defaults by them and the market value of our fleet, among other things, may materially affect our ability to obtain
alternative financing. In addition, debt service payments under our existing and any future credit agreements or alternative financing may limit funds otherwise available for working capital, capital expenditures and
other purposes, such as the payment of dividends. If we are unable to meet our debt obligations, or if we otherwise default under any existing or future credit facilities, our lenders could accelerate our indebtedness
and foreclose on the vessels in our fleet securing those credit facilities. As of December 31, 2007, we had aggregate outstanding indebtedness of approximately $322.9 million
(based on the prevailing exchange
rates as of that date), and immediately after the closing of this offering, we expect to have aggregate indebtedness of $416.8 million plus the equivalent of ¥400 million in U.S. dollars as of May 27, 2008.
Following this offering, we expect to incur additional debt to finance our growth strategy and working capital requirements.
Our ability to obtain additional financing may be dependent on the creditworthiness of our charterers.
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 additional financing at all or other than at a higher than anticipated cost may materially affect our results of
operation and our ability to implement our business strategy.
We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our Subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations and to make dividend payments.
We are a holding company and our Subsidiaries, which are all wholly owned by us either directly or indirectly, conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant
assets other than the equity interests in our wholly owned Subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make dividend payments depends on our Subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. The ability of a
Subsidiary to make these distributions could be affected by a claim or other action by a third party,
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including a creditor, and the laws of the Republic of Liberia, where each of our Subsidiaries is incorporated, which regulate the payment of dividends by companies. If we are unable to obtain funds from our
Subsidiaries, our board of directors may exercise its discretion not to declare or pay dividends.
Prior to this offering, we have and expect to pay dividends comprising a substantial portion of our retained earnings. As a result, we will have limited cash reserves and would need to seek financing should
any circumstance arise that required significant liquid resources.
On December 31, 2007, we paid Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou aggregate dividends of $383.9 million, representing our retained earnings as of June 30, 2007. In March and April 2008, we
paid Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou aggregate dividends of $147.8 million, of which $56.9 million represented our retained earnings as of December 31, 2007. The dividends of $147.8 million were
funded using amounts due from our Manager. An estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million, which will be funded using amounts due from our Manager, reflecting a portion of estimated net income earned
from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering will also be declared and payable prior to the closing of this offering to Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou. Investors
in this offering will not be entitled to any portion of this dividend. As a result, immediately following the completion of this offering, our principal source of cash reserves will be (x) $16.0 million of cash on
hand, (y) $4.0 million of restricted cash in collateral accounts and (z) cash flow from operations. Accordingly, should circumstances arise that require significant liquid resources, we would have to obtain a loan
providing these funds from our existing outstanding and committed credit facilities, other lenders, our existing stockholder or other sources. There can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain such
financing on favorable terms or at all, and our business and results of operations could be adversely affected by this lack of liquidity.
We depend on our Manager to operate our business and our business could be harmed if our Manager failed to perform its services satisfactorily.
Pursuant to our management agreement, our Manager and its affiliates will provide us with our executive officers and will provide us with technical, administrative and commercial services (including
vessel maintenance, crewing, purchasing, shipyard supervision, insurance, assistance with regulatory compliance, financial services and office space). Our operational success will depend significantly upon our
Managers satisfactory performance of these services. Our business would be harmed if our Manager failed to perform these services satisfactorily. In addition, if the management agreement were to be terminated
or if its terms were to be altered, our business could be adversely affected, as we may not be able to immediately replace such services, and even if replacement services were immediately available, the terms
offered could be less favorable than those under our management agreement.
Our ability to compete for and enter into new period time and spot charters and to expand our relationships with our existing charterers will depend largely on our relationship with our Manager and its
reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. If our Manager suffers material damage to its reputation or relationships, it may harm our ability to:
renew existing charters upon their expiration;
obtain new charters;
successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints;
obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms;
maintain satisfactory relationships with our charterers and suppliers; and
successfully execute our business strategies.
If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and affect our profitability.
Although we may have rights against our Manager if it defaults on its obligations to us, you will have no recourse against our Manager.
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In addition, we have agreed, under our management agreement, to allow our Manager to continue to provide certain management services to an affiliate of our Manager, SafeFixing, that is engaged in the
business of chartering in vessels owned by other vessel owners for subsequent chartering out to third party customers. Although our Manager will be required to provide preferential treatment to our vessels with
respect to chartering arrangements under the management agreement, our Managers time and attention may be diverted from the management of our vessels because of its management of SafeFixings vessels.
Further, we may need to seek approval from our lenders to change our Manager.
Management fees are payable to our Manager regardless of our profitability.
Pursuant to our management agreement, we pay our Manager a fee of $575 per day per vessel for providing commercial, technical and administrative services and a fee of 1.0% on gross freight, charter
hire, ballast bonus and demurrage. In addition, we will pay our manager certain commissions and fees with respect to vessel purchases and newbuilds. The management fees do not cover expenses such as voyage
expenses, vessel operating expenses, maintenance expenses, crewing costs, insurance premiums, commissions and certain public company expenses such as directors and officers liability insurance, legal and
accounting fees and other similar third party expenses, which are reimbursed by us. The management fees are fixed until the second anniversary of our management agreement, and thereafter, will be adjusted every
year by agreement between us and our Manager. The management fees are payable whether or not our vessels are employed, and regardless of our profitability, and we have no ability to require our Manager to
reduce the management fees if our profitability decreases. If our profitability decreases, we may be contractually obligated to pay management fees which could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition.
Our Manager is a privately held company, and there is little or no publicly available information about it.
The ability of our Manager to continue providing services for our benefit will depend in part on its own financial strength. Circumstances beyond our control could impair our Managers financial strength.
Because our Manager is privately held, it is unlikely that information about its financial strength would become public or available to us prior to any default by our Manager under the management agreement. As
a result, an investor might have little advance warning of problems that affect our Manager, even though those problems could have a material adverse effect on us. As part of our reporting obligations as a public
company, we will disclose information regarding our Manager that has a material impact on us to the extent that we become aware of such information.
Our chief executive officer has affiliations with our Manager which could create conflicts of interest between us and our Manager.
Our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of our Manager through his wholly owned company, Machairiotissa Holdings Inc. This relationship could
create conflicts of interest between us, on the one hand, and our Manager, on the other hand. These conflicts may arise in connection with the chartering, purchase, sale and operation of the vessels in our fleet
versus vessels owned or chartered-in by other companies affiliated with our Manager or our chief executive officer. Currently, SafeFixing is the only such affiliate that operates vessels managed by our Manager,
however, to the extent we elect not to exercise our right of first refusal with respect to any drybulk vessel that may be acquired by Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, Vorini Holdings Inc., Machairiotissa
Holdings Inc., or any entity controlled by or under common control with Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, Vorini Holdings Inc., and/or Machairiotissa Holdings Inc., including SafeFixing (together, the
Hajioannou Entities), in the future, any of the Hajioannou Entities could acquire and operate such drybulk vessels under the management of our Manager in competition with us. Although, under our management
agreement, our Manager will be required to first provide us any chartering opportunities in the drybulk sector, our Manager is not prohibited from giving preferential treatment in other areas of its management to
vessels that are beneficially owned by related parties. These conflicts of interest may have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Please read the sections entitled Our Manager and Management Related
Agreements and Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.
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Our business depends upon certain employees who may not necessarily continue to work for us.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, upon our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, our chief operating officer, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, and certain other members of our senior
management and that of our Manager. Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou have substantial experience in the drybulk shipping industry and for 20 and eight years, respectively, have worked with us and
our Manager and its predecessor. They and others employed by us and our Manager are crucial to the execution of our business strategies and to the growth and development of our business. If these individuals
were no longer to be affiliated with us or our Manager, or if we were to otherwise cease to receive advisory services from them, we may be unable to recruit other employees with equivalent talent and experience,
and our business and financial condition could suffer. We do not intend to maintain key man life insurance on any of our executive officers.
The provisions in our restrictive covenant arrangements with our chief executive officer and chief operating officer restricting their ability to compete with us, like restrictive covenants generally, may not be
enforceable.
Our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, and our chief operating officer, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, have entered into restrictive covenant agreements with us under which they are precluded during the
term of their services with us as executives and directors and for one year thereafter (and, in the case of our chief executive officer, for the term of our management agreement with our Manager and one year
thereafter, if longer) from owning and operating drybulk vessels and from acquiring, investing or controlling any business that owns or operates such vessels. Courts generally do not favor the enforcement of such
restrictions, particularly when they involve individuals and could be construed as infringing on their ability to be employed or to earn a livelihood. Our ability to enforce these restrictions, should it ever become
necessary, will depend upon the circumstances that exist at the time enforcement is sought. A court may not enforce the restrictions as written by way of an injunction and we may not necessarily be able to
establish a case for damages as a result of a violation of the restrictive covenants. Please read the section entitled ManagementEmployment and Restrictive Covenant Agreements.
Our vessels call on ports located in Iran, which is subject to restrictions imposed by the United States government, which could be viewed negatively by investors and adversely affect the trading price of our
common stock.
From time to time, vessels in our fleet have called and/or may call on ports located in countries subject to sanctions and embargoes imposed by the United States government and countries identified by
the United States government as state sponsors of terrorism. From January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, vessels in our fleet have made 14 calls to ports in Iran out of a total of 695 calls on worldwide ports.
One of our vessels, the
Pedhoulas Leader
, also made one port call to Iran from July 7, 2007 to July 8, 2007 for the sole purpose of bunkering (refueling). Iran continues to be subject to sanctions and embargoes
imposed by the United States government and is identified by the United States government as a state sponsor of terrorism. Although these sanctions and embargoes do not prevent our vessels from making calls to
ports in these countries, potential investors could view such port calls negatively, which could adversely affect our reputation and the market for our common stock. 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.
We are incorporated in the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles of incorporation and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or the BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation
laws of a number of states in the United States. However, there have been few judicial cases in the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the laws 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. The rights of stockholders
of companies incorporated in the Marshall Islands may differ from the rights of stockholders of companies incorporated in the United States. While the BCA provides that it is to be interpreted
34
according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands and we cannot
predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as United States courts. Thus, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by our management,
directors or controlling stockholders than would stockholders of a corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction which has developed a more substantial body of case law in the corporate law area. For
more information with respect to how stockholder rights under Marshall Islands law compares to stockholder rights under Delaware laws, please read Marshall Islands Company Considerations.
It may be difficult to serve us with legal process or enforce judgments against us, our directors or our management.
We are incorporated under the laws of the Marshall Islands, and our business is operated primarily from our offices in Athens, Greece. In addition, a majority of our directors and officers are or will be
non-residents of the United States, and all of our assets and a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to
bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States if you believe that your rights have been infringed under securities laws or otherwise. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both within
and outside of the United States, judgments you may obtain in the United States courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of United States Federal
or state securities laws.
There is also substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or Greece would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on United States Federal or state securities
laws. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Marshall Islands, please read Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.
Risks Relating to the Offering
Because our common stock has never been publicly traded, a trading market may not develop for our common stock and stockholders may not be able to sell their stock.
Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our common stock. A liquid trading market for our common stock may not develop. The initial public offering price will be determined in
negotiations between the representatives of the underwriters, us and our existing stockholder and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market.
The price of our common stock may be volatile following completion of this offering.
The price of our common stock after this offering may be volatile and may fluctuate due to factors including:
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly and annual revenues and earnings and those of our publicly held competitors;
fluctuations in the drybulk market;
mergers and strategic alliances in the shipping industry;
market conditions in the shipping industry;
changes in government regulations;
revenues and earnings and those of our publicly held competitors;
shortfalls in our results of operations from levels forecasted by securities analysts;
payment of dividends;
announcements concerning us or our competitors;
the general state of the securities market; and
other developments affecting us, our industry or related industries or our competitors.
35
The drybulk sector of the shipping industry has been highly unpredictable and volatile. The market price for our common stock may also be volatile. Consequently, you may not be able to sell our
common stock at prices equal to or greater than those that you pay in this offering.
Vorini Holdings, our principal stockholder, will control the outcome of matters on which our stockholders are entitled to vote following this offering and its interests may be different from yours.
Vorini Holdings, which is controlled by our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, and our chief operating officer, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, will own approximately 81.7% of our outstanding common
stock after this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their overallotment option. This stockholder will be able to control the outcome of matters on which our stockholders are entitled to vote,
including the election of our entire board of directors and other significant corporate actions. The interests of this stockholder may be different from yours.
We will be a controlled company under the New York Stock Exchange rules, and as such we are entitled to exemption from certain New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards, and you may
not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance requirements.
After the consummation of this offering, our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, and our chief operating officer, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, through Vorini Holdings, will continue to control a majority
of our outstanding common stock. As a result, we will be a controlled company within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards. Under the New York Stock Exchange rules,
a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another company or group is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain New York Stock Exchange corporate governance
requirements, including: (a) the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors, (b) the requirement that the nominating committee be composed entirely of independent
directors and have a written charter addressing the committees purpose and responsibilities, (c) the requirement that the compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors and have a written
charter addressing the committees purpose and responsibilities and (d) the requirement of an annual performance evaluation of the nominating, corporate governance and compensation committees. Following this
offering, we intend to utilize certain of these exemptions. As a result, non-independent directors, including members of our management who also serve on our board of directors, will comprise the majority of our
board of directors and will serve on the nominating, corporate governance and compensation committee of our board of directors which, among other things, fixes the compensation of certain members of our
management and resolves governance issues regarding our company. Accordingly, in the future you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the New York
Stock Exchange corporate governance requirements.
If we do not implement all required accounting practices and policies, we may be unable to provide the required financial information in a timely and reliable manner.
Prior to this offering, as a privately held company, we did not adopt the financial reporting practices and policies required of a publicly traded company. Implementation of these practices and policies
could disrupt our business, distract our management and employees and increase our costs. If we fail to develop and maintain effective controls and procedures, we may be unable to provide the financial
information that a publicly traded company is required to provide in a timely and reliable fashion. Any such delays or deficiencies may limit our ability to obtain financing, either in the public capital markets or
from private sources, and thereby impede our ability to implement our growth strategy. In addition, any such delays or deficiencies may result in failure to meet the requirements for continued quotation of our
common stock on the New York Stock Exchange, which would adversely affect the liquidity of our common stock.
Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we will be required to include in each of our future annual reports on Form 20-F a report containing our managements assessment of the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a related attestation of our independent auditors. This requirement for an attestation of our independent auditors will first apply to us with respect
36
to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. After the completion of this offering, we will undertake a comprehensive effort in preparation for compliance with Section 404.
This effort will include the documentation, testing and review of our internal controls under the direction of our management. We cannot be certain at this time that all our controls will be considered effective.
Therefore, we can give no assurances that our internal control over financial reporting will satisfy the new regulatory requirements when they become applicable to us.
Future sales of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market following this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, may depress the market price for our common
stock. These sales could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities in the future.
Although we do not currently have any plans to sell additional shares of our common stock, we may issue additional shares of our common stock in the future and our stockholders may elect to sell large
numbers of shares held by them from time to time. The number of shares of common stock available for sale in the public market will be limited by restrictions applicable under securities laws and agreements
that we and our executive officers, directors and existing stockholder have entered into with the underwriters of this offering. Subject to certain exceptions, these agreements generally restrict us and our executive
officers, directors and existing stockholder from directly or indirectly offering, selling, pledging, hedging or otherwise disposing of our equity securities or any security that is convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for our equity securities and from engaging in certain other transactions relating to such securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of Merrill
Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.
We intend to enter into a registration rights agreement prior to the closing of this offering with Vorini Holdings, our existing stockholder, pursuant to which we will grant it and certain of its transferees
the right, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions and lock-up agreements, to require us to register under the Securities Act shares of our common stock held by them. Under the registration
rights agreement, Vorini Holdings and certain of its transferees will have the right to request us to register the sale of shares held by them on their behalf and may require us to make available shelf registration
statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period. In addition, those persons will have the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with
registered offerings initiated by us. Registration of such shares under the Securities Act would, except for shares purchased by affiliates, result in such shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the
Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of such registration. We refer you to the sections of this prospectus entitled Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsRegistration Rights Agreement,
Shares Eligible for Future Sale and Underwriting for further information regarding the circumstances under which additional shares of our common stock may be sold.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents could make it difficult for our stockholders to replace or remove our current board of directors or could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or
preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of the shares of our common stock.
Several provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult for our stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors in any one year, preventing them from
changing the composition of our management. In addition, the same provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that stockholders may consider favorable.
These provisions:
authorize our board of directors to issue blank check preferred stock without stockholder approval;
provide for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms;
prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors;
37
authorize the removal of directors only for cause;
prohibit stockholder action by written consent unless the written consent is signed by all stockholders entitled to vote on the action; and
establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings.
We have adopted a stockholder rights plan pursuant to which our board of directors may cause the substantial dilution of the holdings of any person that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our
board of directors.
These anti-takeover provisions, including the provisions of our prospective stockholder rights plan, could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a
result, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and your ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
Tax Risks
In addition to the following risk factors, you should read Tax ConsiderationsMarshall Islands Tax Considerations, Tax ConsiderationsLiberian Tax Considerations, and Tax ConsiderationsUnited States
Federal Income Tax Considerations for a more complete discussion of expected material Marshall Islands, Liberian and United States (or U.S.) Federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our
common stock.
We may earn United States source shipping income that will be subject to United States income tax, thereby reducing our cash available for distributions to you.
Under U.S. tax rules, our U.S. source shipping income (that is, income attributable to shipping transportation that begins and/or ends in the United States) will be subject to a 4% U.S. income tax (without
allowance for deductions). Our U.S. source shipping income may fluctuate, and we will not qualify for any exemption from this U.S. tax. Many of our charters contain provisions that obligate the charterers to
reimburse us for this 4% U.S. tax. To the extent we are not actually reimbursed by our charterers, the 4% U.S. tax will decrease our cash that is available for distributions to you.
For a more complete discussion, see the section entitled Tax ConsiderationsUnited States Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Our Shipping Income.
United States tax authorities could treat us as a passive foreign investment company, which could have adverse United States Federal income tax consequences to United States holders.
A foreign corporation will be treated as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. income tax purposes if either (a) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of
certain types of passive income or (b) at least 50% of the average value of the corporations assets produce or are held for the production of those types of passive income. For purposes of these tests, passive
income includes dividends, interest and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the
active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute passive income. U.S. stockholders of a PFIC are subject to a
disadvantageous U.S. income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their
shares in the PFIC.
Based on our operations as of the completion of this offering and our anticipated future operations, we believe that we should not be treated as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. There are legal
uncertainties involved in this determination, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will accept this position or that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable
year if there were to be changes in our assets, income or operations.
If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. stockholders will face adverse U.S. tax consequences. See Tax ConsiderationsUnited States Federal
38
Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of United States Holders for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. Federal income tax consequences to U.S. stockholders if we are treated as a PFIC.
The enactment of proposed legislation could affect whether dividends paid by us constitute qualified dividend income eligible for a preferential rate of United States Federal income taxation.
Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that would deny the preferential rate of U.S. Federal income tax currently imposed on qualified dividend income with respect to dividends received from
a non-U.S. corporation, unless the non-U.S. corporation either is eligible for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States or is created or organized under the laws of a foreign country that
has a comprehensive income tax system. Because the Marshall Islands has not entered into a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States and imposes only limited taxes on corporations organized under
its laws, it is unlikely that we could satisfy either of these requirements. Consequently, if this legislation were enacted, the preferential rate of U.S. Federal income tax discussed under Tax ConsiderationsUnited
States Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of United States HoldersDistributions on Our Common Stock may no longer be applicable to dividends received from us. As of the date hereof, it is not possible
to predict with any certainty whether the proposed legislation will be enacted.
If the regulations regarding the exemption from Liberian taxation for non-resident corporations issued by the Liberian Ministry of Finance were found to be invalid, the net income and cash flows of our
Liberian Subsidiaries and therefore our net income and cash flows would be materially reduced.
All of our Subsidiaries are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia. The Republic of Liberia enacted a new income tax act effective as of January 1, 2001 (the New Act) which does not
distinguish between the taxation of non-resident Liberian corporations, such as our Subsidiaries, which conduct no business in Liberia and were wholly exempt from taxation under the income tax law previously
in effect since 1977, and resident Liberian corporations which conduct business in Liberia and are, and were under the prior law, subject to taxation.
In 2004, the Liberian Ministry of Finance issued regulations exempting non-resident corporations engaged in international shipping (and not exclusively within Liberia) such as our Subsidiaries, from
Liberian taxation under the New Act retroactive to January 1, 2001. It is unclear whether these regulations, which ostensibly conflict with the express terms of the New Act adopted by the Liberian legislature, are
valid. However, the Liberian Ministry of Justice issued an opinion that the new regulations are a valid exercise of the regulatory authority of the Ministry of Finance. The Liberian Ministry of Finance has not at
any time since January 1, 2001 sought to collect taxes from any of our Subsidiaries.
If our Subsidiaries were subject to Liberian income tax under the New Act, they would be subject to tax at a rate of 35% on their worldwide income. As a result, their, and subsequently our, net income
and cash flows would be materially reduced. In addition, as the ultimate stockholder of our Liberian Subsidiaries, we would be subject to Liberian withholding tax on dividends paid by our Subsidiaries at rates
ranging from 15% to 20%, which would limit our access to funds generated by the operations of our Subsidiaries and further reduce our income and cash flows.
39
All statements in this prospectus that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The disclosure and analysis set forth in this prospectus includes assumptions, expectations,
projections, intentions and beliefs about future events in a number of places, particularly in relation to our operations, cash flows, financial position, plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in our
business and the markets in which we operate. These statements are intended as forward-looking statements. In some cases, predictive, future-tense or forward-looking words such as believe, intend,
anticipate, estimate, project, forecast, plan, potential, may, should, and expect and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of
identifying such statements. In addition, we and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements which are forward-looking statements, including in our periodic reports that we will
file with the SEC, other information sent to our security holders, and other written materials.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, such matters as:
future operating or financial results and future revenues and expenses;
future, pending or recent acquisitions, business strategy, areas of possible expansion and expected capital spending or operating expenses;
availability of crew, length and number of off-hire days, drydocking requirements and insurance costs;
general market conditions and shipping industry trends, including charter rates, vessel values and factors affecting supply and demand;
our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to make required payments under our credit facilities and obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and
other corporate activities;
our expectations about availability of vessels to purchase, the time that it may take to construct and deliver new vessels or the useful lives of our vessels;
our continued ability to enter into period time charters with our customers and secure profitable employment for our vessels in the spot market;
our expectations relating to dividend payments and ability to make such payments;
our ability to leverage to our advantage our Managers relationships and reputation within the drybulk shipping industry;
our anticipated general and administrative expenses;
environmental and regulatory conditions, including changes in laws and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;
risks inherent in vessel operation, including discharge of pollutants;
potential liability from future litigation; and
other factors discussed in the section entitled Risk Factors.
We caution that the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this prospectus and are not intended to give any assurance as to
future results. Assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and these differences can be material. The reasons for this include the
risks, uncertainties and factors described under the section of this prospectus entitled Risk Factors. As a result, the forward-looking events discussed in this prospectus might not occur and our actual results may
differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on any forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in our views or expectations or
otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all 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. We make no prediction or statement about the performance of our
common stock.
40
All of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are being sold by the selling stockholder. For information about the selling stockholder, see Principal and Selling Stockholders. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholder.
We intend to pay our stockholders quarterly dividends of $0.475 per share, or $1.90 per share per year, in February, May, August and November of each year. We expect to pay our initial dividend
following the completion of this offering in August 2008, calculated based on the pro rata amount of the quarterly dividend for the period from the closing of this offering until the end of the second quarter of
2008.
We expect that the dividend we intend to pay to stockholders following the completion of this offering will represent a significant portion of our cash flows from operations, however, we also expect to
retain a portion of our cash to help fund the future growth of our fleet. After giving pro forma effect to the removal of the Additional Companies (and the associated $112.4 million gain on their sale), the
activities of our Subsidiary Maxpente with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
(a vessel sold on January 9, 2007 immediately following its acquisition by Maxpente) and to the other adjustments (see Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements) with respect to our combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007, our net income on a pro forma basis was $87.8 million for 2007.
This reflects, on a pro forma basis, the operations of fewer vessels than we anticipate having in our fleet in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and a daily TCE rate below the average rate for which we already had, as of
December 31, 2007, period time charter commitments for the following percentages of our fleets anticipated available days: 200875.9%, 200950.6% and 201036.1%. We therefore expect that our contracted
revenues when compared with our anticipated operating expenses and financing costs will provide the liquidity necessary to support our dividend policy and our growth. As of December 31, 2007, our contracted
period time charter arrangements for 2008 through 2010 were expected to provide revenues of $347.1 million. Additionally, the contracted revenue from period time charters entered into as of December 31, 2007
is expected to be $66.5 million for 2011, and $156.1 million from January 1, 2012 onwards. Overall, as of December 31, 2007, the contracted revenue for January 1, 2008 onwards was $569.6 million.
However, in the event our cash needs are greater than expected, or our actual revenues (for example, if a charterer were to default), or the available capacity under our credit facilities are less than we
expect, the amounts available to pay dividends would be reduced or we could be unable to pay dividends. In such event, our board of directors may change our dividend policy. For example, we may incur
expenses or liabilities, including unbudgeted or extraordinary expenses, or decreases in revenues, including as a result of unanticipated off-hire days or loss of a vessel, that could reduce or eliminate the amount of
cash that we have available for distribution as dividends. The drybulk shipping charter market is cyclical and volatile. We cannot predict with assurance of accuracy the amount of cash flows our operations will
generate in any given period. Factors beyond our control may affect the charter market for our vessels and our charterers ability to satisfy their contractual obligations to us, and we cannot assure you that
dividends will actually be declared or paid. We intend to raise $200.0 million of additional borrowing capacity. If we are unable to secure this additional borrowing, our ability to pay dividends will be adversely
affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to pay regular quarterly dividends in the amounts stated above or elsewhere in this prospectus, and our ability to pay dividends will be subject to the limitations
set forth above and in the section of this prospectus entitled Risk Factors.
Following the settlement of intercompany balances with our Manager and with our owners and the payment of dividends prior to this offering to our current owners described under Dividend Payments
below, we expect to have approximately $16.0 million in available cash and $4.0 million in restricted cash in collateral accounts and aggregate indebtedness of $416.8 million plus the equivalent of ¥400 million in
U.S. dollars as of May 27, 2008 immediately after the closing of this offering.
We expect that any future debt agreements will have restrictions on us on the payment of dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such
dividend. In addition, Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than
41
from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares) or when a company is insolvent or if the payment of the dividend would render the
company insolvent.
We are a holding company with no material assets other than the stock of our Subsidiaries. This means that our ability to make dividend payments will also depend on the ability of our Subsidiaries to
distribute funds to us. Under the terms of our Subsidiaries credit agreements, following completion of this offering, our Subsidiaries will not be permitted to pay dividends to us if an event of default has occurred
and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such dividend. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit Facilities. In addition, the laws
of the Republic of Liberia, where each of our Subsidiaries is incorporated, generally prohibit the payment of dividends other than from surplus or when a company is insolvent or if the payment of the dividend
would render the company insolvent.
We believe that, under current U.S. law (which is scheduled to expire after 2010), our dividend payments from earnings and profits will constitute qualified dividend income and, as such, non-corporate
U.S. stockholders will generally be subject to a 15% U.S. Federal income tax rate with respect to such dividend payments. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable
return of capital to the extent of a U.S. stockholders tax basis in its common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Please see the section of this prospectus entitled Tax Considerations
for additional information relating to the tax treatment of our dividend payments. Please also see the section entitled Risk FactorsTax Risks for a discussion of proposed legislation affecting the taxation of
dividends received from non-U.S. corporations.
Dividend Payments Prior to this Offering
We paid a dividend of $383.9 million to our current owners in December 2007, which represented our retained earnings as of June 30, 2007. In March and April 2008, we paid our current owners an
aggregate dividend of $147.8 million, which was funded using amounts due from our Manager. Of the aggregate dividend of $147.8 million, $56.9 million represented retained earnings as of December 31, 2007.
An estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million, which will be funded using amounts due from our Manager, reflecting a portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately
prior to the closing of this offering will also be declared and payable prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this dividend.
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The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and combined capitalization as of December 31, 2007 on:
an actual combined basis for the Subsidiaries;
a pro forma as adjusted basis, giving effect to each of the following transactions which occurred (or will occur, in the case of the additional dividend) between January 2008 and the date of this offering:
Borrowings of $120.0 million by our Subsidiaries Efragel, Marindou and Avstes under three new credit facilities, all of which have been fully drawn. Of the total borrowings of $120.0 million,
$38.5 million was used to refinance an existing credit facility of Efragel and a bank loan of Marindou in the first quarter of 2008, resulting in net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million. Of the
net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million, (i) $16.0 million was retained by the Subsidiaries, and (ii) $65.5 million was advanced to our Manager.
Declaration and payment of a dividend in the amount of $147.8 million to our current owners, funded from amounts Due from Manager.
Estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million to be declared and be payable to our current owners by our Manager on our behalf prior to the closing of this offering. This dividend reflects a
portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of
this dividend.
Settlement of the remaining Due from Manager balance in the amount of $4.0 million through the transfer of $4.0 million in Restricted cash in collateral accounts held by our Manager to two
new restricted cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries, Petra and Pemer, as security for their respective loan facilities.
There has been no material change in our capitalization, or expected capitalization, between December 31, 2007 and the date of this prospectus, except as adjusted and described above.
The information presented below should be read in conjunction with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, our predecessor combined financial
statements and the related notes thereto and our pro forma combined condensed financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
As of December 31, 2007
Actual
Pro Forma As
(In thousands,
Cash and cash equivalents
$
16,000
Restricted cash
$
4,000
Debt(1):
Current portion of long-term debt
$
16,620
$
16,620
Long-term debt, net of current portion
306,267
387,753
Total debt
322,887
404,373
Owners equity:
Owners capital, no par value (2)
Retained earnings/(deficit)
56,875
(121,895
)
Total owners equity/(deficit)
56,875
(121,895
)
Total capitalization
$
379,762
$
282,478
43
Adjusted
except share data)
(1)
All of our debt is secured by mortgages on our vessels and other standard maritime liens. None of our outstanding debt as of December 31, 2007 is guaranteed by any other party and is solely the corporate
obligation of the relevant borrower. Under guarantees we have entered into and which are effective from the closing of this offering, we will become the guarantor of the reducing revolving credit facilities of
our Subsidiaries Efragel Shipping Corporation, Marindou Shipping Corporation, Avstes Shipping Corporation, Marathassa Shipping Corporation, Marinouki Shipping Corporation, Kerasies Shipping Corporation
and Soffive Shipping Corporation. Following the closing of this offering, we also intend to become the guarantor with respect to the proposed reducing revolving credit facilities of our Subsidiaries Eniaprohi
Shipping Corporation and Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation.
(2)
Our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share; as of the date of this prospectus, no shares were issued and outstanding; following our Reorganization,
which will occur following the date of this prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering, there will be 54,500,000 shares issued and outstanding.
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SELECTED COMBINED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The following table presents selected:
historical predecessor combined financial and operating data; and
pro forma combined financial and operating data.
The selected historical predecessor combined financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2006 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been derived from our
audited predecessor combined financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. The selected historical predecessor combined financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2005 have been derived
from our audited predecessor combined financial statements, which are not included in this prospectus.
We have not included our financial data for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 due to the unreasonable effort and expense of preparing such information.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial and operating data are derived from our unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements, which are included in this prospectus, and give effect to
the following transactions which occurred (or will occur in the case of the additional dividend) between January 2008 and the date of this offering:
Borrowings of $120.0 million by our Subsidiaries Efragel, Marindou and Avstes under three new credit facilities, all of which have been fully drawn. Of the total borrowings of $120.0 million, $38.5
million was used to refinance an existing credit facility of Efragel and a bank loan of Marindou in the first quarter of 2008, resulting in net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million. Of the net additional
indebtedness of $81.5 million, (i) $16.0 million was retained by the Subsidiaries, and (ii) $65.5 million was advanced to our Manager.
Additional interest expense with respect to the net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million described above.
Repayment of $10.1 million of Advances from Owners from amounts Due from Manager.
Declaration and payment of a dividend in the amount of $147.8 million to our current owners, funded from amounts Due from Manager.
Estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million will be declared and payable to our current owners by our Manager on our behalf prior to the closing of the initial public offering. This dividend reflects a
portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this
dividend.
Settlement of the remaining Due from Manager balance in the amount of $4.0 million through the transfer of $4.0 million in Restricted cash in collateral accounts held by our Manager to two new
restricted cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries, Petra and Pemer, as security for their respective loan facilities.
Removal of all activities from the historical predecessor financial statements of the Additional Companies, which will not be owned by us following the completion of this offering, and the activities of
our Subsidiary Maxpente with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, a vessel sold on January 9, 2007 immediately following its acquisition by Maxpente. We did not generate any operating revenues or
operating expenses with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, and Maxpente is expected to own the newbuild Hull No. 1075 upon its delivery to us. The Additional Companies have been included in our
predecessor combined financial statements, along with the Subsidiaries, because together, the Additional Companies and the Subsidiaries constituted all the vessel owning activities of Polys Hajioannou
and Nicolaos Hadjioannou during the relevant period.
Increase of $2.6 million in general and administrative expenses due to the implementation of the amended management agreements, as of January 1, 2008.
Pro forma earnings per share gives retroactive effect to our Reorganization, which involves the issuance (following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering) of 54.5
million shares of our common stock to the selling stockholder, and resulting capital structure following the closing of this offering. This offering will not involve the issuance of additional shares of our
common stock, as all shares of common stock sold in this offering will be sold by the selling stockholder.
45
The pro forma adjustments do not reflect an estimate of general and administrative expenses to increase as a result of becoming a public company, as such costs are not considered to be factually
supportable. However, we currently expect an annual increase of approximately $2.2 million as a result of becoming a public company upon completion of this offering.
The unaudited pro forma predecessor combined condensed financial and operating data is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not represent what our financial position or results of operation
would actually have been if the transactions and other events reflected in such statements had occurred during the relevant periods, and is not representative of our results of operations or financial position for any
future periods. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this unaudited pro forma predecessor combined financial and operating data.
Share data in the table below gives effect to the issuance of 54,500,000 shares of common stock, which will occur following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering.
This information should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our predecessor combined financial statements and the notes thereto and our unaudited pro forma combined condensed
financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should also read Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
46
As of December 31,
Pro Forma
As of
2005
2006
2007
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total current assets
$
159,538
$
282,021
$
98,883
$
18,513
Total fixed assets
232,655
253,448
308,340
308,340
Other non-current assets
405
314
434
4,434
Total assets
392,598
535,783
407,657
331,287
Total current liabilities
111,271
172,275
41,507
62,421
Derivative liabilities
242
242
Long-term debt, net of current portion
149,500
134,457
306,267
387,753
Time charter discount
2,766
2,766
Total owners equity
131,827
229,051
56,875
(121,895
)
Total liabilities and owners equity
392,598
535,783
407,657
331,287
Year Ended December 31,
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
FLEET DATA
(4)
Average number of vessels
9.2
11.5
10.7
10.3
Ownership days
3,370
4,208
3,914
3,778
Available days
3,350
4,208
3,914
3,778
Operating days
3,343
4,205
3,913
3,777
Fleet utilization
99.21%
99.94%
99.98%
99.99%
Time charter equivalent rates
$
23,713
$
22,550
$
42,327
$
42,604
Daily vessel operating expenses
$
3,076
$
3,106
$
3,176
$
3,263
December 31,
2007
December 31,
2007
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
With respect to the periods presented based on our historical predecessor combined statements of operations, pro forma earnings per share gives retroactive effect to our Reorganization and resulting capital structure following the completion of this offering. With respect to the periods presented based on our pro forma combined statements of operations, pro forma earnings per share reflects earnings per share after giving retroactive effect to our Reorganization and the other pro forma events as set forth in our unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements and resulting capital structure following the completion of this offering. See the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsOverview for more information on our Reorganization (as defined to such section) prior to this offering. This offering will not involve the issuance of additional shares of our common stock as all shares of common stock sold in this offering will be sold by the selling stockholder. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(2) |
|
EBITDA represents net income before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. EBITDA assists our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our fundamental performance from period to period and against the fundamental performance of other companies in our industry that provide EBITDA information. We believe that EBITDA is useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry because the calculation of EBITDA generally eliminates the effects of financings, income taxes and the accounting effects of capital expenditures and acquisitions, items which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance. EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net income and other operations data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as a measure of profitability. While EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operating results and |
47
performance, it is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA:
Net income
$
94,587
$
97,224
$
211,677
$
87,793
Depreciation
7,610
9,553
9,583
9,583
Interest expense
3,668
6,140
8,225
12,298
Interest income
(692
)
(775
)
(1,290
)
(1,195
)
Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges
63
180
166
117
EBITDA
$
105,236
$
112,322
$
228,361
$
108,596
(3)
Adjusted EBITDA represents our EBITDA after giving effect to the removal of the gain on sale of assets for the relevant periods. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP. Adjusted
EBITDA assists our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our fundamental performance with respect to our vessel operation, without including the gains we have received through the
sale of assets during the relevant periods. We believe that this removal of the gain on sale of assets allows us to better illustrate the operating results of our vessels for the periods indicated.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be
considered a substitute for net income and other operations data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as a measure of profitability. While Adjusted EBITDA may also be used as a measure of operating
results and performance, it is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Reconciliation of EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA:
EBITDA
$
105,236
$
112,322
$
228,361
$
108,596
Gain on sale of assets
(26,785
)
(37,015
)
(112,360
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
78,451
$
75,307
$
116,001
$
108,596
(4)
For a description of the items listed under this heading, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsFactors Affecting Our Results of Operations.
48
December 31,
2007
December 31,
2007
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance sheet and unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations presents our financial position as of December 31, 2007 and for the year
ended December 31, 2007 on a pro forma basis as if the transactions described below had occurred on December 31, 2007, in the case of the pro forma balance sheet, and January 1, 2007, in the case of the pro
forma statement of operations. The historical financial information has been adjusted to give effect to pro forma events that are directly attributable to such transactions.
Certain adjustments are based on currently available information and estimates and assumptions; therefore, the actual adjustments may differ from the pro forma adjustments. However, management believes
that the assumptions used provide a reasonable basis for presenting the transactions described below and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to the assumptions and are properly applied in the
unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance sheet and unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations.
These unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance sheet and unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations do not purport to represent what our financial position would actually have been
had the completion of this offering and the related transactions in fact occurred on the dates described below and only for the unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations, if our company did not include
the Additional Companies or the activities of the vessel sold by Maxpente during the relevant periods in the predecessor financial statements. Nor do they purport to project our financial position at any future date.
Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this unaudited pro forma predecessor combined financial and operating data.
This information should be read together with our predecessor combined financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The table should also be read together with
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance sheet assumes the following transactions occurred on December 31, 2007:
Carve-out of Additional Companies
As of December 31, 2007, all of the vessels of the Additional Companies have been sold and the remaining net assets distributed as a dividend. As a result, there are no remaining accounts of the
Additional Companies to be removed from the predecessor combined balance sheet.
Other adjustments
Borrowings of $120.0 million by our Subsidiaries Efragel, Marindou and Avstes under three new credit facilities, all of which have been fully drawn. Of the total borrowings of $120.0 million, $38.5
million was used to refinance an existing credit facility of Efragel and a bank loan of Marindou in the first quarter of 2008, resulting in net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million. Of the net additional
indebtedness of $81.5 million, (i) $16.0 million was retained by the Subsidiaries, and (ii) $65.5 million was advanced to our Manager.
Repayment of $10.1 million of Advances from Owners from amounts Due from Manager.
Declaration and payment of a dividend in the amount of $147.8 million to our current owners, funded from amounts Due from Manager.
Estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million will be declared and payable to our current owners by our Manager on our behalf prior to the closing of this offering. This dividend reflects a portion of
estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this dividend.
Settlement of the remaining Due from Manager balance in the amount of $4.0 million through the transfer of $4.0 million in Restricted cash in collateral accounts held by our Manager to two new
restricted cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries, Petra and Pemer, as security for their respective loan facilities.
49
The following unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 give effect to the following events as if they had occurred on January 1, 2007:
Carve-out of Additional Companies
Removal of all activities from the historical predecessor financial statements of the Additional Companies, which will not be owned by us following the completion of this offering, and the activities of
our Subsidiary Maxpente with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, a vessel sold on January 9, 2007 immediately following its acquisition by Maxpente. We did not generate any operating revenues or
operating expenses with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, and Maxpente is expected to own the newbuild Hull No. 1075 upon its delivery to us. The Additional Companies have been included in our
predecessor combined financial statements, along with the Subsidiaries, because together, the Additional Companies and the Subsidiaries constituted all the vessel owning activities of Polys Hajioannou
and Nicolaos Hadjioannou during the relevant period.
Pro forma earnings per share gives retroactive effect to our Reorganization, which involves the issuance (following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering) of 54.5
million shares of our common stock to the selling stockholder, and resulting capital structure following the closing of this offering. This offering will not involve the issuance of additional shares of our
common stock, as all shares of common stock sold in this offering will be sold by the selling stockholder.
Other Adjustments
Additional interest expense of $4.2 million with respect to borrowings of $120.0 million by our Subsidiaries Efragel, Marindou and Avstes under three new credit facilities, all of which have been fully
drawn. Of the total borrowings of $120.0 million, $38.5 million was used to refinance an existing credit facility of Efragel and a bank loan of Marindou in the first quarter of 2008, resulting in net
additional indebtedness of $81.5 million.
Increase of $2.6 million in general and administrative expenses due to the implementation of the amended management agreements as of January 1, 2008.
The pro forma adjustments do not reflect an estimate of general and administrative expenses to increase as a result of becoming a public company, as such costs are not considered to be factually
supportable. However, we currently expect an annual increase of approximately $2.2 million as a result of becoming a public company upon completion of this offering.
50
PRO FORMA PREDECESSOR COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
ASSETS
Historical
Other
Notes
Pro Forma
CURRENT ASSETS
120,000
(2
)
Cash and cash equivalents
(38,514
)
(2
)
16,000
(65,486
)
(3
)
Accounts receivable trade, net
1,717
1,717
65,486
(3
)
Due from Manager
(10,086
)
(4
)
(147,770
)
(5
)
96,370
(4,000
)
(7
)
Inventories
792
792
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
4
4
Total current assets
98,883
(80,370
)
18,513
FIXED ASSETS
Vessels, net
254,817
254,817
Advances for vessel acquisitions and vessels under construction
53,272
53,272
Other fixed assets, net
251
251
Total fixed assets
308,340
308,340
OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Restricted cash
$
4,000
(7
)
$
4,000
Deferred finance charges, net
434
434
Total assets
407,657
(76,370
)
331,287
LIABILITIES AND OWNERS EQUITY/(DEFICIT)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt
16,620
16,620
Unearned revenue
4,127
4,127
Trade accounts payable
1,202
1,202
Accrued liabilities
9,472
9,472
Advances from owners
10,086
(10,086
)
(4
)
Dividend Payable
31,000
(6
)
31,000
Total current liabilities
41,507
20,914
62,421
Long-term debt, net of current portion
306,267
120,000
(2
)
387,753
(38,514
)
(2
)
Derivatives liabilities
242
242
Time charter discount
2,766
2,766
OWNERS EQUITY/(DEFICIT)
Retained earnings/(deficit)
56,875
(147,770
)
(5
)
(121,895
)
(31,000
)
(6
)
Total owners equity/(deficit)
56,875
(178,770
)
(121,895
)
Total liabilities and owners equity/(deficit)
407,657
(76,370
)
331,287
51
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Predecessor
Adjustments
PRO FORMA PREDECESSOR COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Historical
Carve-out of
Notes
Subtotal
Other
Notes
Pro forma
REVENUES:
Revenues
172,057
(4,907
)
(1
)
167,150
167,150
Commissions
(6,209
)
182
(1
)
(6,027
)
(6,027
)
Net revenues
165,848
(4,725
)
161,123
161,123
EXPENSES:
Voyage expenses
(179
)
13
(1
)
(166
)
(166
)
Vessel operating expenses
(12,429
)
102
(1
)
(12,327
)
(12,327
)
Depreciation
(9,583
)
(9,583
)
(9,583
)
General and administrative expensesManagement fee to related party
(1,177
)
35
(1
)
(1,142
)
(2,617
)
(9
)
(3,759
)
Early redelivery cost
(21,438
)
(21,438
)
(21,438
)
Gain on sale of assets
112,360
(112,360
)
(1
)
Operating income
233,402
(116,935
)
116,467
(2,617
)
113,850
OTHER (EXPENSE)/INCOME:
Interest expense
(8,225
)
135
(1
)
(8,090
)
(4,208
)
(8
)
(12,298
)
Other finance costs
(161
)
(6
)
(1
)
(167
)
(167
)
Interest income
1,290
(95
)
(1
)
1,195
1,195
Loss on derivatives
(704
)
(704
)
(704
)
Foreign currency (loss)/gain
(13,759
)
(207
)
(1
)
(13,966
)
(13,966
)
Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges
(166
)
49
(1
)
(117
)
(117
)
Net income
211,677
(117,059
)
94,618
(6,825
)
87,793
Pro forma earnings per share, basic and diluted
3.88
(10
)
1.74
(10
)
1.61
Pro forma weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted
54,500,000
(10
)
54,500,000
(10
)
54,500,000
Notes to Adjustments to Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements
(1)
Reflects the removal of all activities from the historical predecessor financial statements of the Additional Companies, which will not be owned by us following the completion of this offering, and the
activities of our Subsidiary Maxpente with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, a vessel sold on January 9, 2007 immediately following its acquisition by Maxpente. We did not generate any operating
revenues or operating expenses with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, and Maxpente is expected to own the newbuild Hull No. 1075 upon its delivery to us.
The predecessor combined financial statements include the financial statements of the Subsidiaries and those of six Additional Companies, whose principal activity was the ownership of drybulk vessels and
that, from inception through December 31, 2007, were under the common control of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou. All vessels owned by the Additional Companies were sold prior to
December 31, 2007, and none of the Additional Companies will be owned by us following this offering. Maxpente also owned a vessel, the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, which was sold on January 9, 2007,
however, Maxpente is one of the 19 companies that will be contributed to us following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering and is included as a Subsidiary. Maxpente is
expected to own the newbuild Hull No. 1075 upon its delivery to us.
52
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Predecessor
Additional
Companies
adjustments
As of December 31, 2007, all of the vessels of the Additional Companies have been sold and the remaining net assets distributed as a dividend. As a result, there are no remaining accounts of the
Additional Companies to be removed from the predecessor combined balance sheet.
(2)
Reflects borrowings of $120.0 million under our three new credit facilities with our three Subsidiaries, Efragel, Marindou and Avstes, all of which have been fully drawn. Of the total borrowings of $120.0
million, $38.5 million was used to refinance an existing credit facility of Efragel and a bank loan of Marindou, resulting in net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million and a consequent increase in Cash
and cash equivalents.
(3)
Reflects the advance of Cash and cash equivalents to our Manager in the amount of $65.5 million from net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million, resulting in a consequent increase in Due from
Manager. The remaining cash from net additional indebtedness of $16.0 million will be retained by the Subsidiaries.
(4)
Reflects the repayment by our Manager on our behalf of Advances from owners in the amount of $10.1 million and a consequent decrease in Due from Manager.
(5)
Reflects the declaration and payment of a dividend in the amount of $147.8 million to our current owners by our Manager on our behalf and a consequent decrease in Due from Manager.
(6)
The estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million will be declared and payable to our current owners by our Manager on our behalf prior to the closing of the initial public offering. This dividend reflects
a portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this
dividend.
(7)
Reflects settlement of the remaining Due from Manager balance in the amount of $4.0 million in Restricted cash transferred from cash collateral account held by our Manager to two restricted cash
collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries Petra and Pemer as security for their respective loan facilities.
(8)
Reflects assumed additional interest expense with respect to borrowings of $120.0 million under our new credit facilities with our Subsidiaries Efragel, Marindou and Avstes. Of the total borrowings of
$120.0 million, $38.5 million was used to refinance an existing credit facility of Efragel and a bank loan of Marindou, resulting in net additional indebtedness of $81.5 million.
Name
New Debt (a)
New Debt
New Debt
Historical Debt
Historical
Incremental
Efragel
$
42,000
4.30
%*
$
1,831
$
24,630
$
874
$
957
Marindou
$
42,000
4.60
%*
$
1,959
$
13,884
$
420
$
1,539
Avstes
$
36,000
4.69
%*
$
1,712
$
0
$
0
$
1,712
Total
$
120,000
$
5,502
$
38,514
$
1,294
$
4,208
*
Represents the fixed five-year SWAP rate entered into in 2008 relevant to the specific new debt, plus the respective credit facility margin.
To illustrate sensitivity to fluctuations in the rate, an increase of 0.125% in the rate would have increased the assumed net interest expense with respect to these borrowings by $152,083 during the year
ended December 31, 2007.
(9)
Reflects assumed increase of $2.6 million due to the implementation of the amended management agreements as of January 1, 2008. Under our amended management agreements, as well as the new
management agreements to be implemented prior to this offering, the Manager receives a daily fee of $575 per vessel plus 1.0% on gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus, and demurrage from each of
the vessel owning companies in exchange for their management services. The total management fee for the year ended December 31, 2007 in the amount of $3.8 million, according to the amended
management agreements, is calculated based on the 3,889 aggregate vessel days outstanding and the aggregate gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus, and demurrage of $152.3
53
(In thousands)
Interest
Rate
(b)
Interest Cost
(c) = (a) x (b)
(In thousands)
Refinanced (d)
(In thousands)
Interest Cost
(e)
(In thousands)
Interest Cost
(c) - (e)
(In thousands)
million. The assumed increase of $2.6 million in the management fee is calculated as the difference between (i) the management fee as calculated under the amended management agreements of $3.8
million, and (ii) the management fee actually recorded for the year ended December 31, 2007 of $1.2 million.
(10)
Pro forma earnings per share gives retroactive effect to our Reorganization, which involves the issuance (following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering) of 54.5 million
shares of our common stock to the selling stockholder, and resulting capital structure following the closing of this offering. This offering will not involve the issuance of additional shares of our common
stock as all shares of common stock sold in this offering will be sold by the selling stockholder.
Sources and Uses of Funds
The following table sets forth the sources and uses of funds used to effect the transactions described above:
Sources of Funds:
(in millions)
Settlement of intercompany balances with our Manager
$
96.4
Additional indebtedness
$
120.0
Total
$
216.4
Uses of Funds:
Refinancing of existing debt
$
38.5
Restricted cash
$
4.0
Cash retained by Subsidiaries
$
16.0
Repayment of advances from owners
$
10.1
Declaration and payment of dividend (a)
$
147.8
Estimated additional dividend to be declared (b)
$
31.0
Total
$
247.4
Net (Sources of Funds less Uses of Funds) (b)
$
(31.0
)
(a)
Of the total dividend of $147.8 million paid to our current owners, $56.9 million represented retained earnings as at December 31, 2007.
(b)
The estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million will be declared and payable to our current owners by our Manager on our behalf prior to the closing this offering. This dividend reflects a portion of
estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Investors in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this dividend.
54
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our predecessor combined financial statements and the related notes, and the financial and
other information included elsewhere in this prospectus. Among other things, those financial statements include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the following information. The
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and are presented in U.S. dollars.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions about our future business. Our actual results may differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, and such
differences may be material. Please read
Forward-Looking Statements.
Overview
We are an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly grain, iron ore and coal, along worldwide shipping routes. We were incorporated on
December 11, 2007, under the laws of the Marshall Islands for the purpose of acquiring ownership of 19 Subsidiaries, each incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia, that either currently own vessels
or are scheduled to own vessels and that, since inception, have been under the common control of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou.
Following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering, the shares of the Subsidiaries will be contributed by Vorini Holdings, on behalf of its shareholders Polys Hajioannou and
Nicolaos Hadjioannou, to Safe Bulkers, Inc., in exchange for the issuance of 100% of the outstanding shares of Safe Bulkers, Inc. to Vorini Holdings. Immediately after this exchange, Polys Hajioannou will enter
into share sale and purchase agreements to effect the transfer of 1.5% of the outstanding shares in Vorini Holdings to each of Maria Hajioannou and Eleni Hajioannou, from Polys Hajioannous 90% shareholding
in Vorini Holdings. Nicolaos Hadjioannou will hold the remaining 10% of the outstanding shares in Vorini Holdings. These transactions are collectively referred to herein as the Reorganization. Following the
Reorganization, Safe Bulkers, Inc. will own each of the Subsidiaries and Vorini Holdings will be the sole stockholder of Safe Bulkers, Inc.
The predecessor combined financial statements included in this prospectus include the financial statements of the Subsidiaries and those of six Additional Companies, each incorporated under the laws of
the Republic of Liberia, whose principal activity was the ownership of drybulk vessels and that, from inception through December 31, 2007, were under the common control of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos
Hadjioannou. The Additional Companies have been included in our predecessor combined financial statements, along with the Subsidiaries, because together, the Additional Companies and the Subsidiaries
constituted all the vessel owning activities of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou during the relevant periods. However, all vessels owned by the Additional Companies were sold prior to December 31,
2007, and none of the Additional Companies will be owned by us following this offering. Maxpente also owned a vessel, the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, which was sold on January 9, 2007. However Maxpente is one of
the 19 companies that will be contributed to Safe Bulkers, Inc. following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering and is included as a Subsidiary, because Maxpente is expected to
own the newbuild Hull No. 1075 upon its delivery to us.
In March and April 2008 we settled all intercompany balances as of December 31, 2007 with our Manager and with our owners. In connection with this, in January 2008, our Manager repaid on our
behalf prior advances from owners in the amount of $10.1 million, resulting in a corresponding decrease in amounts due from our Manager. In March and April 2008, we paid a dividend of $147.8 million to Polys
Hajionnou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our current owners, which was funded from amounts due from our Manager. Finally, in order to settle the remaining amount of $4.0 million due from our Manager, $4.0
million in restricted cash in collateral accounts held by our Manager was transferred in April 2008 to two new restricted cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries, Petra and Pemer.
In addition to the dividend of $147.8 million paid to our current owners in March and April 2008, an estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million, which will be funded using amounts due from our
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Manager, reflecting a portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering will also be declared prior to the closing of this offering. Investors
in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this dividend.
In March 2008, we paid $7.7 million as advances for vessels under construction funded by advances from our current owners. On May 27, 2008, we will be required to pay an additional ¥400 million as
advances for a vessel under construction funded by advances from our current owners. These advances will be paid back to our current owners from either surpluses from operations or from future credit facilities.
Immediately after the closing of this offering, we expect to have $20.0 million in cash held by our Subsidiaries of which $16.0 million comprises cash and cash equivalents and $4.0 million comprises restricted
cash, aggregate indebtedness of $416.8 million plus the equivalent of ¥400 million in U.S. dollars as of May 27, 2008, and available borrowing capacity of $90.0 million under our two additional credit facilities for
which we have accepted commitment letters of $45.0 million each, to be entered into by the Subsidiaries Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi.
Our unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements, as reflected in the section entitled Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements, gives effect to (a) the removal of the
activities of all Additional Companies and the activities of Maxpente in connection with the sold vessel, the
Pedhoulas Farmer
; such removal affects only the predecessor combined statement of operations and not
the predecessor combined balance sheet, as all of the vessels of the Additional Companies have been sold and an amount equal to our retained earnings declared as a dividend. As a result there are no remaining
activities of the Additional Companies to be removed from the predecessor combined balance sheet, (b) the expected settlement of intercompany balances and advances from owners, payment of dividends and
incurrence of indebtedness described above and (c) our expected cash on hand and restricted cash of $20.0 million immediately after the closing of this offering. Our unaudited pro forma condensed financial
statements have been provided in order to reflect only the activities of the vessels in our fleet immediately following this offering, and the effects of these transactions on our company.
As of December 31, 2007 and as of the date of this prospectus, we own a fleet of 11 Japanese-built drybulk vessels, comprised of five Panamax, three Kamsarmax and three Post-Panamax class vessels,
with a total aggregate carrying capacity of 887,900 dwt. As of December 31, 2007, the vessels in our fleet had an average age of approximately 2.6 years.
We have contracted to acquire eight newbuilds, comprised of the following vessels: (a) four Post-Panamax class vessels, scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2008, first quarter of 2009, third
quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010, respectively; (b) two Capesize class vessels scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2010; and (c) two Kamsarmax class vessels scheduled for delivery in the first and
second quarters of 2010. Following delivery of the last of these newbuilds in May 2010, our fleet will consist of 19 vessels, with a total aggregate carrying capacity of 1,759,900 dwt and an average age of
approximately 3.2 years.
The average number of drybulk vessels in our fleet and the average age of the vessels in our fleet as of the end of the applicable period for the three years ended December 31, 2007 are set forth in the
table below.
Average Number and Average Age of Drybulk Vessels in Our Fleet
Year Ended
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
Average number of vessels
9.2
11.5
10.7
10.3
Average age of vessels
2.5
2.5
2.6
2.6
References in this Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to Safe Bulkers, the Company, us, we, our or similar terms when used in a historical
context refer to Safe Bulkers, Inc., the Subsidiaries, the Additional Companies, or to such entities collectively, and when used in the present tense or prospectively refer to Safe Bulkers, Inc. or any one or more of
its subsidiaries, including the Subsidiaries, or to such entities collectively.
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December 31,
December 31,
2007
Our Charters
We, through our Manager, actively manage the employment of our fleet between period time charters, which can last several years, and spot charters, which generally last up to three months. As of
December 31, 2007, 74.32% (on a dwt basis) of our fleet was deployed on period time charters with large consumers of marine drybulk transportation services, including Bunge, Cargill and Daiichi or their
respective affiliates. We have arranged to place six of our current vessels and two of our newbuilds under five-year period time charters commencing in late 2008, 2009 and 2010 and one of our newbuilds under a
20-year period time charter commencing in 2011. By chartering these vessels in advance, we have been able to take advantage of the recent strong market conditions, while at the same time, reducing our exposure
to charter rate fluctuations in late 2008, 2009 and 2010 when all of our newbuilds are delivered. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, we had arranged one- to three-year period time charters commencing in 2008
for the three vessels in our fleet which were deployed on spot charters as of December 31, 2007. Period time charters and trip time charters, which are a type of spot charter, are contracts for the use of a vessel
for a specific period of time during which the charterer pays substantially all the voyage expenses, such as port, canal and fuel costs, agents fees, extra war risks insurance and any other expenses related to the
cargoes, but the vessel owner pays the vessel operating expenses, which include costs for crewing, insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, maintenance and repairs, statutory and classification expense,
drydocking and intermediate and special surveys and other miscellaneous items. We have rarely deployed the vessels in our fleet on voyage charters, which is another type of spot charter, under which the vessel
owner typically pays for both voyage expenses and vessel operating expenses. As a result, generally, references to spot charters in this prospectus are to trip time charters.
Our Manager
Our operations are managed by our Manager, Safety Management Overseas S.A., under the supervision of our executive officers and our board of directors. Under our management agreement, our Manager
will provide us and our Subsidiaries with technical, administrative and commercial services for an initial term expiring two years following the completion of this offering, with automatic one-year renewals for an
additional eight years, at our option. Our Manager is ultimately owned by Machairiotissa Holdings, which is a corporation wholly owned by Polys Hajioannou.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our financial results are largely driven by the following factors:
Ownership days.
We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our
fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.
Available days.
We define available days (also referred to as voyage days) as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of off-hire days
associated with scheduled maintenance, which includes major repairs, drydockings, vessel upgrades or special or intermediate surveys. Available days are used 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 our available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to any reason, excluding scheduled
maintenance. Operating days are used to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.
Fleet utilization.
We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our ownership days during that period. During the three years ending
December 31, 2007, our average annual fleet utilization rate was approximately 99.74%. However, an increase in annual off-hire days could reduce our operating days, and therefore, our fleet utilization.
Fleet utilization is used to measure a companys ability to efficiently find suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the number of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons such as
scheduled repairs, vessel upgrades, drydockings or special surveys.
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Time charter equivalent rates.
We define time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, as our charter revenues less commissions and voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our
available days during the period. TCE rate is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on period time charters and trip time
charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts, while charter rates for vessels
on period time charters and trip time charters generally are expressed in such amounts. We have only rarely employed our vessels on voyage charter and, as a result, generally our TCE rates equal our
time charter rates.
Daily vessel operating expenses.
We define daily vessel operating expenses to include the costs for crewing, insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs, maintenance, statutory and
classification expense, drydocking, intermediate and special surveys and other miscellaneous items. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days
for the relevant period. Our ability to control our fixed and variable expenses, including our daily vessel operating expenses also affects our financial results. In addition, factors beyond our control, such
as developments relating to market premiums for insurance and the value of the U.S. dollar compared to currencies in which certain of our expenses, including certain crew wages, are denominated can
cause our vessel operating expenses to increase.
The following table reflects our ownership days, available days, operating days, fleet utilization, TCE rates and daily vessel operating expenses for the periods indicated:
Year Ended
Pro Forma
Year Ended
2005
2006
2007
Ownership days
3,370
4,208
3,914
3,778
Available days
3,350
4,208
3,914
3,778
Operating days
3,343
4,205
3,913
3,777
Fleet utilization
99.21%
99.94%
99.98%
99.99%
TCE rates
$
23,713
$
22,550
$
42,327
$
42,604
Daily vessel operating expenses
$
3,076
$
3,106
$
3,176
$
3,263
Revenues
Our revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the number of days during which our vessels operate and the amount of daily charter rates that our vessels earn under our charters,
which, in turn, are affected by a number of factors, including:
levels of demand and supply in the drybulk shipping industry;
the age, condition and specifications of our vessels;
the duration of our charters;
our decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and disposals;
the amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels;
the availability of our vessels, which is related to the amount of time that our vessels spend in drydock undergoing repairs and the amount of time required to perform necessary maintenance or upgrade
work; and
other factors affecting charter rates for drybulk vessels.
Revenues from our period time charters comprised 47.8% of our charter revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 48.9% of our charter revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007. The
revenues from our spot charters comprised 52.2% of our charter revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 51.1% of our charter revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007.
After giving effect to the removal of the Additional Companies and the activities of the sold vessel
Pedhoulas Farmer
from our company, our pro forma revenues from our period time charters comprised
49.3% of our charter revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 50.1% of our charter revenues
58
December 31,
December 31,
2007
for the year ended December 31, 2007, and our pro forma revenues from our spot charters comprised 50.7% of our charter revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 49.9% of our charter revenues for
the year ended December 31, 2007.
Our expected revenues, based on contracted charter rates, from our current period time charter arrangements for our drybulk vessels are shown for the periods indicated in the table below. Although these
expected revenues are based on contracted charter rates, any contract is subject to performance by the counterparties. If the charterers are unable to make charter payments to us, our results of operations and
financial condition will be materially adversely affected.
Contracted Revenues From Period Time Charters and Contracted Period Time Charter Days
2008
2009
2010
2011
On and After
Total
Contracted Revenues (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
$
149,571
$
105,611
$
91,869
$
66,508
$
156,081
$
569,640
Fleets Contracted Period Time Charter Days
3,062
2,459
2,369
1,890
4,527
14,307
Percentage of anticipated available days (7)
75.9%
50.6%
36.1%
27.4%
18.6%
32.3%
(1)
Annual revenue calculations are based on an assumed 365 revenue days per annum and include scheduled drydocking days.
(2)
Does not include the five-year period time charter with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd, or K-Line, entered into on March 5, 2008 pursuant to which K-Line will charter the
Marina
or a sister ship commencing in
the third or fourth quarter of 2008. The gross daily charter rates under this charter are $61,500, $51,500, $41,500, $31,500 and $21,500 during the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years, respectively, subject
to a 2.5% commission.
(3)
Does not include the 20-year period time charter with Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. entered into on February 7, 2008 pursuant to which Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. will charter the vessel to be named
Kanaris
commencing in the third or fourth quarter of 2011. The gross daily charter rate under this charter is $25,928 subject to a 2.5% commission.
(4)
Does not include the five-year period time charter with Shinwa entered into on March 13, 2008 pursuant to which Shinwa will charter the
Maritsa
or a sister ship commencing in the first quarter of 2010.
Pursuant to the charter, Shinwa may choose from among three charter rate structures, and must select among them prior to the commencement of the charter. Under the first option, the gross daily charter rates
under this charter are $32,000 during the first and second years, $28,000 during the third year and $24,000 during the fourth and fifth years; under the second option, the gross daily charter rates under this
charter are $32,500 during the first, second and third years and $21,250 during the fourth and fifth years; and under the third option, the gross daily charter rate under this contract is $28,000 during all five
years. In each case, gross daily charter rates under this charter are subject to a 1.25% commission.
(5)
Does not include the five-year period time charter with K-Line,
entered into in April 2008, pursuant to which K-Line will charter the
Pedhoulas Trader
commencing in July 2008. The gross daily charter rates
under this charter are $69,000, $56,500, $42,000, $20,000 and $20,000 during the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years, respectively, subject to a 1.00% commission.
(6)
Does not include the period time charter with Daiichi, entered into on April 17, 2008, pursuant to which Daiichi will charter the
Eleni
commencing in November 2008 through October 2009. The gross daily
charter rate under this charter is $77,000 per day, subject to a 1.25% commission.
(7)
Percentage of anticipated available days on and after January 1, 2012 is from January 1, 2012 to March 15, 2015.
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as of December 31, 2007 (1)
(U.S. dollar amounts in thousands)
January 1, 2012
Vessels operating on period time charters provide more predictable cash flows, but can yield lower profit margins than vessels operating in the spot market during periods characterized by favorable market
conditions. Vessels operating in the spot market generate revenues that are less predictable than those on period time charters, but may enable us to capture increased profit margins during periods of high drybulk
charter rates, although we are exposed to the risk of low drybulk charter rates, which may have a materially adverse impact on our financial performance. If we fix vessels on period time charters, future spot
market rates may be higher or lower than those rates at which we have time chartered our vessels. We are constantly evaluating opportunities to increase the number of our drybulk vessels employed on period
time charters, but only expect to enter into additional period time charters if we can obtain contract terms that satisfy our criteria.
Commissions
We pay (through our Manager) commissions ranging from 1.25% to 5.0% on our period time and trip time charters, which are a type of spot charter, to unaffiliated ship brokers, other brokers associated
with our charterers and to our charterers. These commissions are directly related to our revenues, from which they are deducted. We expect that the amount of our total commissions to unaffiliated ship brokers and
unaffiliated in-house brokers will continue to grow as the size of our fleet grows and revenues increase following delivery of our eight contracted newbuilds and as a result of additional vessel acquisitions. These
commissions do not include fees we pay to our Manager, which are described under General and Administrative Expenses.
Voyage Expenses
We charter our vessels primarily through period time charters and trip time charters under which the charterer is responsible for most voyage expenses, such as the cost of bunkers, port expenses, agents
fees, canal dues, extra war risks insurance and any other expenses related to the cargo. We are responsible for the remaining voyage expenses such as draft surveys, hold cleaning, postage and other minor
miscellaneous expenses related to the voyage. We generally do not employ our vessels on voyage charters under which we would be responsible for all voyage expenses, therefore we have not experienced during
the relevant periods, and do not expect to experience, material changes to our voyage expenses.
Vessel Operating Expenses
Vessel operating expenses include costs for crewing, insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs, maintenance, statutory and classification expense, drydocking, intermediate and special
surveys and other minor miscellaneous items. Due to the young age of our vessels, our main vessel operating expenses are costs for crewing, insurance, spares, stores and provisions, lubricants, taxes and other
miscellaneous items. We expect that crewing costs will continue to increase in the future due to the shortage in the supply of qualified personnel. In addition, we expect that insurance costs, drydocking and
maintenance costs will increase as our vessels age. Our total vessel operating expenses, which generally represent fixed costs, have historically increased as a result of the enlargement of our fleet. We expect these
expenses to increase further as a result of the acquisition of our eight contracted newbuilds in late 2008, 2009 and 2010 and as we further grow our fleet. Other factors beyond our control, some of which may
affect the shipping industry in general, including changes in the market price of lubricants due to increases in oil prices, may also cause these expenses to increase. In addition, a portion of our vessel operating
expenses, primarily crew wages to our Greek crew members, are in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. These expenses may increase or decrease as a result of fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against these
currencies.
Depreciation
We depreciate our drybulk vessels on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of each vessel. Depreciation is based on the cost of the vessel less its estimated residual value. We estimate the
useful life of our vessels to be 25 years from the date of delivery from the shipyard. Furthermore, we estimate the residual value of our vessels to be $182 per light-weight ton.
We do not amortize special survey and drydocking costs, but expense such costs as incurred.
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Vessels, Net
Vessels are recorded at their historical cost, which consists of the contract purchase price, any direct material expenses incurred upon acquisition (including improvements, on-site supervision expenses
incurred during the construction period, commissions paid, delivery expenses and other expenditures to prepare the vessel for her initial voyage) and financing costs incurred during the construction of the vessel.
Subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalized when it is determined that they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of
the vessels. If such factors are not met, such expenditures are not capitalized and, instead, are charged to expenses as incurred.
Our predecessor combined financial statements do not include any capitalized interest costs. We financed vessel construction through owners advances during the relevant periods and utilize the specific
loan method of accounting. As a result, no interest was capitalized as a component of vessel cost for our current vessels. Capitalized interest may be a component of vessel cost in the future, as we expect to
finance future vessel construction with additional bank debt instead of owners advances.
Since January 1, 2005, our Manager has received a commission of 1.0% of the contract price of vessel purchases upon delivery of our acquired vessels through separate arrangements with Itochu
Corporation, a trading house that has facilitated such purchases and which is also the counterparty in the applicable newbuild contracts. Itochu Corporation has also agreed to pay our Manager a 1.0% commission
on the contract prices of the
Eleni
and
Martine
, two of our newbuilds, payable upon each of our installment payments, including upon delivery, for these newbuilds. Under our management agreement with our
Manager, which will be entered into prior to the closing of this offering, for purchases of vessels including with respect to each of our contracted newbuilds, other than the
Eleni
and
Martine
, we will pay our
Manager a commission of 1.0% on the contract price of the relevant vessel for our Managers services in connection with finalizing the contract, arranging for various regulatory approvals and bank financing and
other administrative services. In addition, we will pay our Manager a flat fee of $375,000 per newbuild, for the on-premises supervision of all newbuilds we have agreed to acquire pursuant to shipbuilding
contracts, memoranda of agreement, or otherwise. These amounts payable to our Manager will be included as part of the vessel cost.
General and Administrative Expenses
During the period from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, we paid our Manager a management fee of $50,000 per year for each vessel in our fleet and a fee of 0.4% on gross freight, charter hire,
ballast bonus and demurrage, excluding any amortization of time charter discount to revenue. The management fee has been recorded as a general and administrative expense. We have amended the existing vessel
management agreements, and from January 1, 2008 we are now required to pay to our Manager a management fee of $575 per day per vessel and a fee of 1.0% on gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and
demurrage.
Following the date of this offering, and in addition to the fees described above, we will pay our Manager the commissions and fees with respect to vessel purchases and newbuilds described above in
Vessels, Net and the commissions with respect to vessel sales described below under Gain on Sale of Assets. Although we have not, within the past five years, deployed our vessels on bareboat charter and do
not currently have any plans to deploy our vessels on bareboat charter, under our management agreement, we will also provide our Manager with a fee of $250 per day per vessel deployed on bareboat charter for
providing commercial, technical and administrative services. We expect that the amount of our total management fees will increase following the delivery of our eight contracted newbuilds and as a result of
additional vessel acquisitions.
Our predecessor combined financial statements for prior periods show our results of operations as a private company when we did not pay any compensation to our directors and officers. After the
completion of this offering we will be a public company, and we expect to incur additional general and administrative expenses as a public company. We expect that the primary components of general and
administrative expenses, other than the management fees described above, will consist of expenses associated with being a public company, which include the preparation of disclosure documents, legal and
accounting costs,
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incremental director and officer liability insurance costs, director compensation and costs related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
After giving effect to the removal of the Additional Companies and the sold vessel
Pedhoulas Farmer
from our company, the increase of $2.6 million in fees payable to our Manager effective as of
January 1, 2008, together with our projected public company-related expenses and director remuneration of $2.2 million, our general and administrative expenses will increase by an estimated $4.8 million per year.
Interest Expense and Other Finance Costs
We incur interest expense on outstanding indebtedness under our existing credit facilities, which we include in interest expenses. We also incurred financing costs in connection with establishing those
facilities, which is included in our finance costs and amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges. Since December 31, 2007, we have incurred, and will incur in the future, additional interest expense on
our outstanding borrowings and future borrowings, including financing costs in connection with establishing our new credit facilities for our Subsidiaries Avstes, Efragel and Marindou, and two additional credit
facilities for which we have accepted commitment letters of $45.0 million each, to be entered into by the Subsidiaries Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi, respectively. For a description of our existing credit facilities, and
our proposed new credit facilities, please read Credit Facilities and Description of Indebtedness.
Inflation
Inflation has only a moderate effect on our expenses given current economic conditions. In the event that significant global inflationary pressures appear, these pressures would increase our operating,
voyage, administrative and financing costs.
Gain on Sale of Assets
The Additional Companies and the Subsidiary Maxpente each owned vessels that were sold prior to December 31, 2007. Below is a table listing the vessels, their classes, the name of the owning entities
prior to disposal and dates of disposal.
Vessel Name
Class
Owner
Disposal Date
Marina (
the
Old Marina) (1)
Panamax
Maripol Shipping Corporation
June 8, 2005
Pelopidas
Panamax
Pelodimous Shipping Corporation
November 30, 2006
Sophia (
the
Old Sophia) (1)
Panamax
Sofikal Shipping Corporation
April 11, 2006
Pedhoulas Farmer
Kamsarmax
Maxpente Shipping Corporation
January 9, 2007
Pedhoulas Fighter
Kamsarmax
Maxtria Shipping Corporation
January 26, 2007
Kanaris (the Old Kanaris) (1)
Panamax
Kanastro Shipping Corporation
February 20, 2007
Eleni (
the
Old Eleni) (1)
Panamax
Eleoussa Shipping Corporation
March 26, 2007
(1)
Certain of the sold vessels have the same name as certain vessels in our current fleet, and we refer to these sold vessels as the
Old Marina
,
Old Sophia, Old Kanaris
and
Old Eleni
, as applicable.
The aggregate gains on the sale of these assets were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
$
26.8 million
$
37.0 million
$
112.4 million
In connection with each of these asset sales, we have in the past paid our Manager, and will continue to pay our Manager under our management agreement, a commission of 1.0% of the sale price of the
vessel. We expect that revenue from vessel sales will decrease in the future as we do not expect to sell vessels at the same rate as vessels have been sold between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007. We
expect that commissions payable to our Manager on vessel sales will decrease for the same reason.
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Early Redelivery Cost
Early redelivery cost reflects amounts payable to charterers for early termination of a period time charter resulting from our request for early redelivery of a vessel. We generally request such early
redelivery when we would like to take advantage of a strong period time charter market environment and believe that an opportunity to enter into a similarly priced period time charter is not likely to be available
when the relevant vessel is originally scheduled to be redelivered.
We have entered into such arrangements for early redelivery and incurred such costs in the past, and we may continue to do so in the future, depending on market conditions. On March 9, 2007, we
agreed with the charterers of the
Stalo
to terminate the then-existing period time charter on the vessel. The period time charter had commenced on January 18, 2006, at a daily gross charter rate of $13,500, and
was contractually due to expire in May 2011. We desired to terminate the charter because the contracted charter rate was significantly lower than the charter rates that we could receive for the vessel in March
2007. Under the new agreement with the charterer, (a) we were required to pay the charterer $3.4 million upon termination of the old period time charter and redelivery of the vessel and (b) the charterer was
offered the opportunity to charter the
Marina
,
Sophia
and
Pedhoulas Leader
under period time charters for periods of up to 5 to 14 months at below-market rates. The effect of chartering these three vessels at
below-market rates for the agreed periods was determined to be $11.0 million and was recorded as a cost of terminating the existing period time charter on the
Stalo
. We also recognized a period time charter
discount for the same amount, which will be released to charter revenue over the period of the respective below-market rate period time charters. The total cost of the early termination of the
Stalo
period time
charter amounted to $14.4 million. The
Stalo
was subsequently fixed on two spot charters, at daily charter rates of $47,500 and $50,000, prior to entering into a two-year period time charter from July 2007 until
July 2009, at a daily charter rate of $48,500. These, together, are expected to generate revenues of $40.0 million, which is greater than the total cost of $14.4 million attributable to the early termination of the
Stalo
period time charter. We anticipate that additional revenues will be obtained from chartering the
Stalo
from July 2009 to May 2011, which is when the
Stalo
had originally been scheduled to be redelivered.
On September 20, 2007, we entered into an agreement, at our request, with the then-current charterer of the
Katerina
to terminate the charter earlier than the originally scheduled termination date of
November 9, 2007. That charter had commenced on August 9, 2006 at a daily gross charter rate of $23,125, which was significantly lower than the charter rates that we could receive for the vessel in September
2007. As compensation for early redelivery, we agreed to pay the charterers an amount equal to $1.1 million. The vessel was redelivered on September 30, 2007 and was subsequently fixed on a spot charter until
December 2007 at a daily charter rate of $78,000. The revenue earned by this subseqent charter during the period from September 30, 2007 until November 9, 2007 was $3.1 million, which was higher than the
$1.1 million cost of early redelivery of the
Katerina.
On October 17, 2007, we entered into an agreement, at our request, with the then-current charterer of the
Marina
to terminate the charter earlier than the originally scheduled termination date of May 22,
2008 in connection with the redelivery of the
Stalo
, as described above. The charter had commenced on March 26, 2007 at a daily gross charter rate of $25,000. The
Marina
was redelivered on January 30, 2008,
and the actual compensation payable to the charterer amounted to $6.5 million, compared to $6.7 million, which was the estimated amount as of December 31, 2007. The early redelivery costs recorded with the
predecessor combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 with respect to the
Marina
amounted to $5.5 million. This amount was comprised of the estimated compensation payable of
$6.7 million, which was offset in part by the remaining unamortized portion of the
Marinas
time charter discount of $1.2 million in connection with the
Stalo
redelivery transaction. The vessel was fixed on a spot
charter until April 23, 2008 at a daily rate of $56,500 and has been subsequently fixed on another spot charter until June 30, 2008.
The remaining early redelivery cost of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 and $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 represents cash compensation owed to various charterers
for agreeing to redeliver their respective chartered vessels for up to fifteen days earlier than the contractual expiry of the relevant period time charters. These costs are expensed in the periods incurred because no
replacement charter agreements were secured at the time of the applicable redelivery agreement.
63
On March 7, 2008, Petra agreed with the charterers of the
Pedhoulas Trader
to terminate the $54,000 daily fixed rate time charter which had commenced on February 9, 2008, and was due to expire by
July 24, 2008. We estimate that the compensation payable to the charterer for early redelivery of the vessel, which is expected to occur on May 30, 2008, will be approximately $800,000.
Results of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006
During the year ended December 31, 2007, we had an average of 10.7 drybulk vessels in our fleet. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we had an average of 11.5 drybulk vessels in our fleet.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, we acquired the following vessels:
Pedhoulas Leader
, a Kamsarmax class vessel and
Sophia
, a Post-Panamax class vessel.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, we sold the following vessels:
Old Kanaris
, a Panamax class vessel and
Old Eleni
, a Panamax class vessel. During this period, we also sold two Kamsarmax
class vessels, the
Pedhoulas Farmer
and the
Pedhoulas Fighter
, immediately upon their delivery to us from the shipyard during the same period, pursuant to agreements with the purchasers of these vessels.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we acquired the following vessels:
Stalo
, a Post-Panamax class vessel;
Marina
, a Post-Panamax class vessel;
Pedhoulas Merchant
, a Kamsarmax class vessel;
and
Pedhoulas Trader
, a Kamsarmax class vessel.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we sold the following vessels:
Pelopidas
, a Panamax class vessel and
Old Sophia
, a Panamax class vessel.
Revenues
Revenues increased by 73.8% or $73.1 million to $172.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2007, from $99.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006. This increase is attributable
primarily to an increase in the daily charter rates payable under our charters. Revenues were also affected by a decrease in the number of operating days due to sales of the
Kanaris
and the
Old Eleni,
which were
not offset by the deliveries of the
Pedhoulas Leader
and the
Sophia
. During the year ended December 31, 2007, our operating days decreased by 6.9% to 3,913 days, compared to 4,205 operating days for the year
ended December 31, 2006.
Commissions
Commissions to unaffiliated ship brokers, other brokers associated with our charterers and our charterers during the year ended December 31, 2007 amounted to $6.2 million, an increase of $2.5 million, or
67.6%, compared to $3.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 and were 3.74% and 3.60% of revenues during the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The increase in such
commissions resulted primarily from the increase in daily charter rates and was similarly affected by the decrease in operating days due to vessel sales.
Vessel operating expenses
Vessel operating expenses decreased by 5.3%, or $0.7 million to $12.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2007, from $13.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease is
primarily attributable to the 6.9% decrease in operating days during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006 resulting from vessel sales. The primary components of
our vessel operating expenses such as costs for crewing, and insurances, were moderately increased, while all other cost components decreased. During the year ended December 31, 2007 costs for crewing
increased by 3.0%, or $0.2 million, to $6.8 million, compared to $6.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2006. This increase was primarily due to the rising cost of crew salaries, in particular for our
Greek crew members who are paid in euros, as a result of the rising strength of the euro compared to the U.S. dollar since December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2007 the cost for insurance
increased by 7.7%, or $0.1 million, to $1.4 million, compared to $1.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, and the cost for lubricants during this period remained stable. Daily operating expenses
remained relatively
64
constant during the year ended December 31, 2007, at $3,176 per day, compared to $3,106 per day during the year ended December 31, 2006.
Depreciation
Depreciation expense remained constant during the year ended December 31, 2007, at $9.6 million compared to $9.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2006. This reflects the relatively constant
number of ownership days as a result of vessel acquisition and vessel sales.
General and administrative expensesManagement fee to related party
General and administrative expenses, which consisted of management fees paid to our Manager, increased 20.0%, or $0.2 million, to $1.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2007, from
$1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 due to an increase in our revenues.
Interest expense
Interest expense increased $2.1 million, or 34.4%, to $8.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $6.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in interest expense
was due to the increase in the weighted average amount of loans outstanding to $241.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to $183.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, as
well as the increase in the weighted average interest rate during the year ended December 31, 2007 to 3.35% from 3.27% during the year ended December 31, 2006. See Credit Facilities.
Loss on derivatives
Loss on derivatives decreased $1.3 million, or 64.14%, to a loss of $0.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2007, from a loss of $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006. The
decrease of $1.3 million includes the effect from foreign exchange derivatives as well as from interest rate derivatives. The effect from foreign exchange derivatives, which amounts to a decrease of $1.5 million in
losses, was due to the declining volume of derivatives contracts in the periods under comparison, as on December 31, 2007 there were no derivative contracts outstanding, versus a notional amount of $13.5 million
of such contracts on December 31, 2006. The effect of the interest rate swap concluded on the Kerasies loan amounted to a loss of $0.2 million, representing the negative fair value as of December 31, 2007. No
interest rate derivatives were outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
Foreign currency (loss)/gain
Foreign currency (loss)/gain was $(13.8) million during the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to $(3.3) million during the year ended December 31, 2006, representing a change of $10.5 million
resulting primarily from more unfavorable currency translation between the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc. As two loans in foreign currencies were converted during 2007 to the U.S.
dollar, the outstanding percentage of principal in foreign currencies was reduced to 47.3% as of December 31, 2007, reducing the possibility of foreign currency differences in the future.
Gain on sale of assets
Gain on sale of assets for the year ended December 31, 2007 reflects the sale of the
Old Kanaris
,
Old Eleni
,
Pedhoulas Farmer
and
Pedhoulas Fighter
to third party drybulk operators for an aggregate
contract price of $220.2 million, representing a gain of $112.4 million over the net book value of such vessels at the time of sale. In connection with these sales, we paid our Manager an aggregate of $2.2 million
in commissions. Gain on sale of assets for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflects the sale of the
Pelopidas
and the
Old Sophia
to third party drybulk operators for an aggregate contract price of $78.1 million,
representing a gain of $37.0 million over the net book value of such vessels at the time of sale. In connection with these sales, we paid our Manager an aggregate of $0.8 million in commissions.
65
Year ended December 31, 2006 compared to year ended December 31, 2005
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we had an average of 11.5 drybulk vessels in our fleet. During the year ended December 31, 2005, we had an average of 9.2 drybulk vessels in our fleet.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we acquired the following vessels:
Stalo
, a Post-Panamax class vessel;
Marina
, a Post-Panamax class vessel;
Pedhoulas Merchant
, a Kamsarmax class vessel;
and
Pedhoulas Trader
, a Kamsarmax class vessel.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we sold the following vessels:
Pelopidas
, a Panamax class vessel and
Old Sophia
, a Panamax class vessel.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, we acquired the following vessels:
Maritsa
, a Panamax class vessel and
Old Eleni
, a Panamax class vessel.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, we sold the following vessel:
Old Marina
, a Panamax class vessel.
Revenues
Revenues increased 19.4%, or $16.1 million, to $99.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, from $82.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. This increase is attributable
primarily to an increase in the number of operating days resulting from vessel acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we had a total of 4,205 operating days, compared to 3,343 operating days
during the year ended December 31, 2005, representing an increase of 25.8%. Revenues were also affected by a decrease in average daily charter rates throughout the drybulk shipping industry during the year
ended December 31, 2006. For example, the average one-year daily period time charter rates for Panamax class vessels was $22,475 during 2006 compared to $27,854 during 2005. Please see the section of this
prospectus entitled The International Drybulk Shipping Industry for a discussion of the historical market for time charter rates.
Commissions
Commissions to unaffiliated ship brokers, other brokers associated with our charterers and our charterers during the year ended December 31, 2006 amounted to $3.7 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or
15.6%, compared to $3.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2005, and comprised 3.7% of revenues during the year ended December 31, 2006 and 3.9% of revenues during the year ended December 31,
2005. The increase in such commissions resulted primarily from the increase in the number of operating days resulting from vessel acquisitions and was offset in part by the decrease in our average daily charter
rates.
Vessel operating expenses
Vessel operating expenses increased 26.0%, or $2.7 million, to $13.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, from $10.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase is
primarily attributable to the 25.8% increase in operating days due to vessel acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the primary components of our vessel operating expenses, costs for crewing,
increased by 22.2% to $6.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 from $5.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2005, and for lubricants increased by 50.0% to $1.5 million during the year
ended December 31, 2006 from $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. Daily operating expenses remained relatively constant at $3,106 per day during the year ended December 31, 2006 and
$3,076 per day during the year ended December 31, 2005.
Depreciation
Depreciation expense increased 26.3%, or $2.0 million, to $9.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, from $7.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase was primarily
the result of an increase in the number of our vessels, the higher cost of our new vessels and an increase in the number of ownership days during the year ended December 31, 2006.
66
General and administrative expensesManagement fee to related party
General and administrative expenses, which consisted of management fees paid to our Manager, increased 25.0%, or $0.2 million, to $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, from
$0.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2005 due to the increase in the number of vessels in our fleet and an increase in our revenues.
Interest expense
Interest expense increased $2.4 million, or 64.9%, to $6.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 from $3.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in interest expense
was due to the higher interest rates of our loans as well as the increase in the amounts outstanding under our credit facilities during the relevant periods. The weighted average interest rate during the year ended
December 31, 2006 was 3.27% compared to 2.30% during the year ended December 31, 2005. The weighted average amount of loans outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2006 was $183.0 million,
while during the year ended December 31, 2005, the weighted average was $157.0 million. See Credit Facilities.
Loss on derivatives
Loss on derivatives decreased $1.2 million, or 37.5% to a loss of $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, from a loss of $3.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. The
decrease of $1.2 million was due to the declining volume of derivatives contracts in the periods under comparison, as on December 31, 2006 there were outstanding derivatives contracts of notional amount of
$13.5 million versus notional amount $38.3 million on December 31, 2005.
Foreign currency (loss)/gain
Foreign currency (loss)/gain decreased $16.8 million, or 124.4%, to a loss of $3.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, from a gain of $13.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2005
primarily as a result of unfavorable currency translation between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc.
Gain on sale of assets
Gain on sale of assets during the year ended December 31, 2006 reflects the sale of the
Pelopidas
and the
Old Sophia
to third party drybulk operators for an aggregate contract price of $78.1 million,
representing a gain of $37.0 million over the net book value of such vessels at the time of sale. In connection with these sales, we paid our Manager an aggregate of $0.8 million in commissions. Gain on sale of
assets during the year ended December 31, 2005 reflects the sale of the
Old Marina
to a third party drybulk operator for an aggregate contract price of $46.6 million, representing a gain of $26.8 million over the
net book value of this vessel at the time of sale. In connection with this sale, we paid our Manager $0.5 million in commissions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our principal source of funds has been advances provided by our owners, operating cash held on our behalf by our Manager, long-term bank borrowings of the Subsidiaries and the Additional
Companies and cash from vessel sales held on our behalf by our Manager. In the past, our principal use of funds has been capital expenditures to establish, grow and maintain our fleet, comply with international
shipping standards, environmental laws and regulations, fund working capital requirements, make repayments of bank loans and owners advances and, more recently, pay dividends.
As of December 31, 2007, we, through the Subsidiaries, had an aggregate of $322.9 million (based on prevailing exchange rates as of that date) outstanding under various credit agreements to finance the
purchase of the vessels owned by such entities, comprised of outstanding amounts in U.S. dollars, Japanese yen and Swiss francs. As of December 31, 2007, none of the Additional Companies had any borrowings
outstanding. In connection with this indebtedness, we are currently exposed to currency fluctuations. As of December 31, 2007, of our aggregate indebtedness, CHF86.5 million (the equivalent of $76.7 million,
based
67
on an exchange rate of CHF1.1267:$1.00 on December 31, 2007) was denominated in Swiss francs and ¥8.5 billion (the equivalent of $75.8 million, based on an exchange rate of ¥112.35:$1.00 on December 31,
2007) was denominated in Japanese yen. We have historically borrowed amounts under our credit facilities in currencies other than the U.S. dollar due to the lower interest rates applicable to borrowings in such
currencies. However, since January 1, 2008, we have converted a significant portion of the outstanding amounts under our credit facilities in currencies other than the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollar amounts, resulting
in a further reduction of the percentage of outstanding principal amount denominated in foreign currencies from 47.3% on December 31, 2007 to approximately 3.5% as of March 31, 2008, reducing our exposure
to currency fluctuations. We intend to convert the amount of CHF12.9 million (the equivalent of $12.99 million) that was outstanding as of March 31, 2008 under the loan agreement into the U.S. dollar at a time
when we deem market conditions to be more favorable. We have not hedged our currency exposure and, as a result, prior to the conversion of our loan to the U.S. dollar, our available funds may be affected by
changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Swiss franc. Following the conversion, we will still be exposed to currency fluctuations with respect to the Japanese yen and the euro in connection with
certain of our newbuild contracts, two of which are denominated in Japanese yen, and certain of our vessel operating expenses, such as crew wages to our Greek crew members, which are denominated in euros.
Since December 31, 2007, we, through three of our Subsidiaries, have entered into three new credit agreements, under which we have borrowed an aggregate of $120.0 million. We have used these
borrowings to refinance $38.5 million of our existing debt, repay advances from owners and pay dividends. We are also intending to enter into a proposed new credit facility of $200.0 million before the end of
2009, part of which will be used to finance capital expenditures, including a portion of the contract prices of our eight contracted newbuilds,
payment of advances to current owners, compliance with international
shipping standards, environmental laws and regulations and working capital. In addition, we have accepted commitment letters to enter into two additional credit facilities for $45.0 million each to finance capital
expenditures, including newbuild contracts, and to provide working capital with respect to two of our newbuilds scheduled for delivery in late 2008 and early 2009. For more details on the two new credit facilities,
see New Credit Facilities and Description of Indebtedness.
We will require capital to fund ongoing operations, including expenses we incur as a public company following the completion of this offering, the payment of dividends and the construction and
acquisition of new vessels and to service existing indebtedness and any other indebtedness that we may incur in the future. Following the completion of this offering and taking into account generally expected
market conditions, we anticipate that internally generated cash flow and borrowings under our credit facilities, including our two new credit facilities of $45.0 million each with respect to our newbuilds, will be
sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet, including our working capital requirements, and the payment of dividends until the end of 2009. At that time, we expect to require additional indebtedness to partially
fund our remaining commitments of an estimated $180.6 million with respect to our newbuilds.
In March and April 2008 we settled all intercompany balances as of December 31, 2007 with our Manager and with our owners. In connection with this, in January 2008, our Manager repaid on our
behalf prior advances from owners in the amount of $10.1 million, resulting in a corresponding decrease in amounts due from our Manager. In March and April 2008, we paid a dividend of $147.8 million to Polys
Hajionnou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our current owners, which was funded from amounts due from our Manager. Finally, in order to settle the remaining amount of $4.0 million due from our Manager, $4.0
million in restricted cash in collateral accounts held by our Manager was transferred in April 2008 to two new restricted cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries, Petra and Pemer.
In addition to the $147.8 milllion dividend paid to our current owners in March and April 2008, an estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million, which will be funded using amounts due from our
Manager, reflecting a portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering will also be declared prior to the closing of this offering. Investors
in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of either of this dividend.
In March 2008, we paid $7.7 million as advances for vessels under construction funded by advances from our current owners. On May 27, 2008, we will be required to pay an additional ¥400 million as
advances for a vessel under construction funded by advances from our current owners. These advances will be paid back to our current owners from either surpluses from operations or from future
68
credit facilities. Immediately after the closing of this offering, we expect to have $20.0 million in cash held by our Subsidiaries of which $16.0 million comprises cash and cash equivalents and $4.0 million
comprises restricted cash, aggregate indebtedness of $416.8 million plus the equivalent of ¥400 million in U.S. dollars as of May 27, 2008, and available borrowing capacity of $90.0 million under our two additional
credit facilities for which we have accepted commitment letters of $45.0 million each, to be entered into by the Subsidiaries Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi.
We intend, following the completion of this offering, to pay a quarterly dividend of $0.475 per share, or $1.90 per share per year and expect to pay our first dividend following this offering in August
2008, calculated based on the pro rata amount of the quarterly dividend for the period from the closing of this offering until the end of the second quarter of 2008. We expect that the dividend we intend to pay to
stockholders following the completion of this offering will represent a significant portion of our cash flows from operations. We intend to raise $200.0 million of additional borrowing capacity. If we are unable to
secure this additional borrowing, our ability to pay dividends will be adversely affected.
We also expect to retain a portion of our cash to help fund the future growth of our fleet, other capital expenditures and debt repayments, as determined by our board of directors. After giving pro forma
effect to the removal of the Additional Companies (and the associated $112.4 million gain on their sale), the activities of our Subsidiary Maxpente with respect to the
Pedhoulas Farmer
(a vessel sold on January
9, 2007 immediately following its acquisition by Maxpente) and to the other adjustments (see Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements) with respect to our combined statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 2007, our net income on a pro forma basis was $87.8 million for 2007. This reflects, on a pro forma basis, the operations of fewer vessels than we anticipate having in
our fleet in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and a daily TCE rate below the average rate for which we already had, as of December 31, 2007, period time charter commitments for the following percentages of our fleets
anticipated available days: 200875.9%, 200950.6% and 201036.1%. We therefore expect that our contracted revenues when compared with our anticipated operating expenses and financing costs will provide the
liquidity necessary to support our dividend policy and our growth. As of December 31, 2007, our contracted period time charter arrangements for 2008 through 2010 were expected to provide revenues of $347.1
million. Additionally, the contracted revenue from period time charters is expected to be $66.5 million for 2011 and $156.1 million from January 1, 2012 onwards. Overall, as of December 31, 2007, the contracted
revenue for these years is $569.6 million. However, in the event our future liquidity needs are greater than expected, it could reduce or eliminate the cash available for distributions as dividends. In such event, our
board of directors may change our dividend policy.
Our Subsidiaries are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia, which generally prohibit the payment of dividends other than from surplus or net profits, or while a company is insolvent or
would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. Additionally, under the terms of certain of our existing credit facilities, our Subsidiaries are not permitted to pay dividends if an event of default
has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such dividends.
Cash Flows
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Operating Activities
The cash we generate from operating activities is reflected as cash used in operating activities for all periods presented, mainly as a result of our arrangements with our Manager. Under our arrangements
with our Manager, our Manager undertakes the execution of all financial transactions on our behalf with respect to third parties and our owners. As a result, all of our cash from a period, including cash from
operating activities, investing activities and financing activities, is maintained in the name of our Manager and is reflected as amounts Due from Manager in the predecessor combined statements of cash flows for
such period.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, amounts Due from Manager decreased by $143.0 million (which includes the $88.4 million of net cash provided by investing activities shown below in the section
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Investing Activities and the $366.9 million of net cash used in financing activities shown below in the section Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Financing Activities) compared
to an increase of $83.0 million (which includes the $33.8 million of net cash used in investing
69
activities shown below in the section Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Investing Activities and the $46.6 million of net cash provided by financing activities shown below in the section Net Cash (Used
in)/Provided by Financing Activities) for the year ended December 31, 2006. This decrease of $143.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2007, was mainly due to settlement of intercompany accounts
with our Manager and our owners, including dividend payments of $383.9 million, partially offset by increased proceeds from long term debt. The increase in amounts Due from Manager for the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, remained relatively steady at $83.0 million (which includes the $33.8 million of net cash used in investing activities shown below in the section Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by
Investing Activities and the $46.6 million of net cash provided by financing activities shown below in the section Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Financing Activities) for the year ended December 31, 2006,
compared to $80.5 million (which includes the $6.1 million of net cash used in investing activities shown below in the section Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Investing Activities and the $28.4 million of net
cash provided by financing activities shown below in the section Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Financing Activities) for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Following this offering, our cash will be maintained in bank accounts in our name and monthly transfers will be made to our Manager in order for our Manager to pay the operating and voyage expenses
of our vessels.
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Investing Activities
Net cash flows provided by investing activities were $88.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to net cash flows used in investing activities of $(33.8) million for the year ended
December 31, 2006. This increase of $122.2 million from 2006 is attributable to an increase in proceeds from the sale of vessels, as during the year ended December 31, 2007, we sold four vessels, while during
the year ended December 31, 2006, we sold two vessels. The increase of $27.7 million in net cash flows used by investing activities to $(33.8) million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to
$(6.1) million during the year ended December 31, 2005 is attributable to the increase in payments related to vessel acquisitions, and vessel construction and the increase in proceeds from the sale of vessels.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we paid $110.2 million with respect to vessel acquisitions, and received $76.4 million from the sale of assets compared to payments of $52.2 million and receipt of
proceeds from the sale of vessels of $46.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2005.
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash flows (used in) financing activities were $(366.9) million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to net cash flows provided by financing activities of $46.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006. This decrease is largely attributable to a $144.1 million increase in our repayment of owners advances compared to 2006 and dividend payments of $383.9 million, partially offset by a
$138.6 million increase in proceeds from long-term debt compared to 2006. Net cash flows from financing activities increased 64.1%, or $18.2 million, to $46.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2006,
from $28.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase is largely due to a net increase in advances from owners (after repayment) of $44.5 million to $44.8 million during the year ended
December 31, 2006, compared to $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. It is also attributable to a decrease in the net proceeds from long-term debt of $26.4 million to $1.9 million during the
year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $28.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2005.
Credit Facilities
We, through the Subsidiaries, have entered into a number of credit facilities in connection with financing the acquisition of our vessels. The table below summarizes certain terms of our existing credit
facilities in effect as of December 31, 2007. As of that date, none of the Additional Companies had any existing credit facilities.
70
Lender
Subsidiary Party
Outstanding
Interest
Maturity
Remaining Repayment
DEN NORSKE BANK
Marindou
CHF15.3 million
($13.6 million)
LIBOR plus
0.75% per annum
May 14, 2013
11 semi-annual installments: CHF
700,000 for the first through third
installments; CHF 800,000 for the
fourth through 10th; and CHF
7,600,000 for the 11th installment
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (5)
Kerasies
$40.0 million
LIBOR plus
0.575% per
annum
Dec. 13, 2019
24 semi-annual installments:
$800,000 for each of the first six
installments; $1.1 million for each
of the seventh to 18th installments;
$1.3 million for each of the 19th
to 23rd installments and $15.7
million for the 24th installment
DNB NOR BANK ASA (6)
Efragel
CHF16.6 million
and ¥1.0 billion
(together, $23.8
million)
LIBOR plus
0.75% per annum
Nov. 15, 2014
14 semi-annual installments: CHF
721,050 and JPY 44,420,000 for
the first and second installments;
CHF 650,000 and JPY 39,978,000
for the third through 13th
installments; and CHF 7,991,360
and JPY 493,062,000 for the 14th
installment
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (7)
Marathassa
(
Maritsa)
$11.6 million and
CHF13.5 million
(together, $23.6
million)
LIBOR plus
0.675% per
annum
Feb. 18, 2017
19 semi-annual installments:
$477,500 and CHF 550,000 for the
first installment; $407,500 and
CHF 470,000 for each of the
second to 18th installments; and
$4.2 million and CHF 4,941,600
for the 19th installment
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (8)
Marinouki
(
Marina
)
¥3.4 billion ($30.4
million)
LIBOR plus
0.675% per
annum
Mar. 4, 2018
21 semi-annual installments: JPY
52,000,000 for each of the first
three installments; JPY 78,000,000
for each of the fourth to ninth
installments; JPY 92,000,000 for
each of the 10th to the 20th
installments; and JPY
1,783,059,940 million on the 21st
installment
DEUTSCHE SCHIFFSBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (9)
Staloudi (
Stalo
)
$30.4 million
LIBOR plus
0.65% per annum
May 30, 2016
Tranche A: 17 semi-annual
installments: $687,500 each with
an additional balloon payment of
$14.6 million due with the last
installment
BAYERISCHE HYPO-UND VEREINSBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (10)
Petra
$2.0 million and
CHF41.1 million
(together, $38.4
million)
LIBOR plus
0.65% per annum
Jan. 18, 2019
23 semi-annual installments: CHF
1,250,000 for each of the first 22
installments; and $2.0 million and
CHF 13,563,000 for the 23rd
installment
BAYERISCHE HYPO-UND VEREINSBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (11)
Pemer
¥4.1 billion ($36.2
million)
LIBOR plus
0.65% per annum
Mar. 7, 2019
23 semi-annual installments: JPY
116,400,000 for each of the first
22 installments; and JPY
1,513,200,000 million for the 23rd
installment
DNB NOR BANK ASA (12)
Pelea
$41.4 million
LIBOR plus
0.575% per
annum
June 14, 2019
23 semi-annual installments:
$650,000 for each of the first five
installments; $750,000 for the sixth
through to the 11th installment;
$1.19 million for the 12th through
to the 22nd installment; and $19.32
million for the 23rd installment
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (13)
Soffive
$45.0 million
LIBOR plus
0.575% per
annum
Nov. 17, 2019
24 semi-annual installments:
$900,000 for each of the first six
installments; $1.2 million for each
of the seventh to 18th installments;
$1.5 million for each of the 19th
to the 23rd installments; and $17.7
million for the final installment.
(Encumbered
Vessel) (1)
Principal
Amount (2)
Rate
Installments as of
December 31, 2007 (3)
ASA (4)
(
Maria)
(
Katerina
)
(
Efrossini
)
Tranche B: 17 semi-annual
installments: $112,500 each with
an additional balloon payment of
$2.3 million due with the last
installment (9)
(
Pedhoulas
Trader
)
(
Pedhoulas
Merchant
)
(
Pedhoulas
Leader
)
(
Sophia
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
As of December 31, 2007, the Vassos , owned by Avstes, was unencumbered. We entered into a new credit facility in the amount of $36.0 million with DnB NOR Bank ASA on April 17, 2008, under which we have mortgaged the Vassos .
|
71
(2)
Swiss franc, or CHF, amounts translated to U.S. dollars have been translated at a rate of CHF1.1267:$1.00, and Japanese yen, or ¥, amounts translated to U.S. dollars have been translated at a rate of
¥112.35:$1.00, the exchange rates in effect on December 31, 2007. We have converted a significant portion of the outstanding amounts under our current credit facilities denominated in currencies other than
the U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2007 and intend to convert the remainder in the future. See Subsequent EventsConversion of Certain Outstanding Borrowings to U.S. Dollar Amounts.
(3)
Remaining installment payments listed based on U.S. dollar amounts set forth in credit agreement and may be payable in the equivalent amount in the relevant optional currency if amounts are outstanding in
an optional currency. Actual amounts payable in U.S. dollars may differ from contract repayment amounts based on fluctuations of the optional currency-to-U.S. dollar exchange rate.
(4)
Loan Agreement between Den Norske Bank ASA and Marindou, dated May 12, 2003 (the Old Marindou loan). The Old Marindou loan was refinanced on January 14, 2008, as described in more detail in
New Credit Facilities below.
(5)
Loan Agreement between RBS and Kerasies, dated December 13, 2007. Pursuant to a supplemental loan agreement dated May 23, 2008, the margin will increase to 0.750% per annum from the date of the
closing of this offering.
(6)
Loan Agreement between DnB NOR BANK ASA and Efragel, dated November 11, 2004 (the Old Efragel loan). The Old Efragel loan was refinanced on January 17, 2008, as described in more detail in
New Credit Facilities below.
(7)
Loan Agreement between RBS and Marathassa, dated February 16, 2005. Pursuant to a supplemental loan agreement dated May 23, 2008, the margin will increase to 0.750% per annum from the date of the
closing of this offering.
(8)
Loan Agreement between RBS and Marinouki, dated March 1, 2006. On March 19, 2008, amounts outstanding in Japanese yen under the Marinouki credit facility were converted into U.S. dollar amounts and
the total amount outstanding was increased by $4.0 million as a result of currency exchange losses to the lender from the conversion, so that following the conversion and increase, the remaining balance of
the credit facility was $32.6 million. Pursuant to a supplemental loan agreement dated May 23, 2008, the margin will increase to 0.750% per annum from the date of the closing of this offering.
(9)
Loan Agreement between Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft and Staloudi, dated May 29, 2006, as amended December 3, 2007 and May 13, 2008.
(10)
Loan Agreement between Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft, or Bayerische, and Petra, dated January 11, 2007. On January 18, 2008, amounts outstanding in Swiss francs under the Petra
credit facility were converted into U.S. dollar amounts so that following the conversion the remaining balance of the credit facility was $38.2 million.
(11)
Loan Agreement between Bayerische and Pemer, dated March 7, 2007. On March 7, 2008, amounts outstanding in Japanese yen under the Pemer credit facility were converted into U.S. dollar amounts so that
following the conversion the remaining balance of the credit facility was $38.2 million.
(12)
Loan Agreement between DnB NOR BANK ASA and Pelea, dated June 12, 2007. Pursuant to a supplemental loan agreement dated May 22, 2008, the margin will increase to 0.700% per annum from the
date of the closing of this offering.
(13)
Loan Agreement between RBS and Soffive, dated November 19, 2007. Pursuant to a supplemental loan agreement dated May 23, 2008, the margin will increase to 0.750% per annum from the date of the
closing of this offering.
The credit facilities are secured as follows:
first priority mortgages over the vessels owned by the respective borrowers; and
first priority assignment of all earnings and insurances from the mortgaged vessels.
The credit facilities also impose operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions in our existing credit facilities generally limit our Subsidiaries ability to, among other things:
72
pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such dividend;
enter into long-term charters for more than 13 months;
incur additional indebtedness, including through the issuance of guarantees;
change the flag, class or management of the vessel mortgaged under such facility or terminate or materially amend the management agreement relating to such vessel;
create liens on their assets;
make loans;
make investments;
make capital expenditures;
undergo a change in ownership or control or permit a change in ownership and control of our Manager;
sell the vessel mortgaged under such facility;
permit the Hajioannou family to reduce its shareholding in us below 51%; and
permit our chief executive officer to change.
Our existing credit facilities also require certain of our Subsidiaries to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial covenants. Depending on the credit facility, certain of our Subsidiaries are
subject to financial ratios and covenants requiring that these Subsidiaries:
ensure that the value of the vessel mortgaged under the applicable credit facility not fall below 100% to 120%, as applicable, of the outstanding amount of the loan;
ensure that outstanding amounts in currencies other than the U.S. dollar do not exceed 100% or 110%, as applicable, of the U.S. dollar equivalent amount specified in the relevant credit agreement for
the applicable period by, if necessary, providing cash collateral security in an amount necessary for the outstanding amounts to meet this threshold; and
ensure that we comply with certain financial covenants under the guarantees described below.
As of December 31, 2006, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. Although we were in breach of certain covenants as of December 31, 2007 prohibiting the entry into charters for a term longer
than the maximum specified duration, which resulted in the payment of dividends to shareholders being a breach of covenant under the applicable loan agreements, all of these breaches were subsequently waived
in writing by the relevant lenders in February 2008.
The covenants described above are those contained in our existing credit facilities. In addition, under guarantees we have entered into and which are effective from the closing of this offering with respect
to certain of our Subsidiaries existing credit facilities (see the section entitled Description of IndebtednessOur Credit Facilities), we are subject to specified financial covenants. Depending on the guarantee, these
financial covenants include the following:
our total liabilities (on a consolidated basis, including those of our Subsidiaries) divided by our total consolidated assets (based on the current market value of all vessels owned by our Subsidiaries, and
the book value of all other assets, on an adjusted basis as set out in the relevant guarantee) must not exceed 70%;
the ratio of our aggregate debt to EBITDA must not at any time exceed 5.5:1 on a trailing 12 months basis;
our consolidated net worth (consolidated total assets less consolidated total liabilities) must not at any time be less than $175.0 million, or less than and $200.0 million, as adjusted to reflect, among
other things, the market value of our vessels to the extent it exceeds book value as set out in the relevant guarantee;
we must maintain minimum free liquidity of $500,000 on deposit with the relevant lender on a per vessel basis; and
we can pay dividends, subject to no event of default having occurred.
73
In connection with these guarantees, we have also undertaken to ensure that a minimum of 51% of our shares shall remain directly or indirectly beneficially owned by the Hajioannou family for the
duration of the relevant credit facilities.
Based on the terms of the commitment letters to enter into two new credit facilities of $45.0 million each that we have accepted from DnB NOR Bank ASA, the new credit facilities will contain covenants
substantially similar to the covenants described above. Pursuant to those commitment letters, we will also guarantee the obligations of our Subsidiaries under those credit facilities and certain financial covenants
will apply to us, including a consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated interest coverage ratio, debt-to-cash flow and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, and minimum tangible net worth. In addition, these credit facilities will
contain a covenant that the Hajioannou family maintain its majority interest in us.
The covenants that may be contained in any new credit facility, however, may differ from the covenants described above.
For additional information regarding our existing credit facilities see Description of Indebtedness.
New Credit Facilities
New Marindou Credit Facility
In January 2008, our Subsidiary Marindou entered into a ten-year, $42.0 million multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA, which we refer to as the New Marindou
credit facility, to refinance existing indebtedness and provide working capital. We borrowed $42.0 million on January 14, 2008 under the New Marindou credit facility. Subject to certain requirements, borrowings
may be made and outstanding amounts may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss francs, Japanese yen and euros.
The interest rate under the New Marindou credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% per annum, which will increase to 0.700% per annum following the closing of this offering. The facility amount
will be reduced by semi-annual reductions starting July 14, 2008. The amount of each of the first to sixth reductions will be each $750,000; the amount of the seventh to 12th reductions will be each $1.0 million;
the amount of the thirteenth through 20th reductions will be each $1.7 million; and a final reduction of $18.0 million will occur together with the 20th scheduled reduction.
Our obligations under the New Marindou credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Maria
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
revenues and any insurance proceeds. In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary
Marindou under this credit facility and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Credit Facilities).
New Efragel Credit Facility
In January 2008, our Subsidiary Efragel entered into a ten-year, $42.0 million multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA, which we refer to as the New Efragel credit
facility, to refinance existing indebtedness and provide working capital. We borrowed $42.0 million on January 17, 2008 under the New Efragel credit facility. Subject to certain requirements, borrowings may be
made and outstanding amounts may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss francs, Japanese yen and euros.
The interest rate under the New Efragel credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% per annum, which will increase to 0.700% per annum following the closing of this offering. The facility amount
will be reduced by semi-annual reductions starting July 17, 2008. The amount of each of the first to sixth reductions will be each $750,000; the amount of the seventh to 12th reductions will be each $1.0 million;
the amount of the thirteenth through 20th reductions will be each $1.7 million; and a final reduction of $18.0 million will occur together with the 20th scheduled reduction.
Our obligations under the New Efragel credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Efrossini
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
revenues and any insurance proceeds. In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Efragel
74
under this credit facility and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit
Facilities).
Avstes Credit Facility
On April 17, 2008, our Subsidiary Avstes entered into a ten-year, $36.0 million multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA, which we refer to as the Avstes credit
facility. We drew down the full amount of $36.0 million on April 18, 2008 under the Avstes credit facility and advanced this amount to our Manager, so that our Manager could pay dividends to our current
owners on our behalf. Subject to certain requirements, borrowings may be made and outstanding amounts may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss francs,
Japanese yen and euros.
The interest rate under the Avstes credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.80%, and the margin that will apply following this offering will be agreed prior to the closing of this offering. We will incur
a commitment fee on any unused portion of the amount available under the Avstes credit facility at a rate of 0.20% per year.
The facility amount will be reduced by 20 semi-annual reductions starting on October 18, 2008. The amount of each reduction will be $0.9 million and a balloon reduction of $18.0 million will occur
together with the final scheduled reduction.
Our obligations under the Avstes credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Vassos
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter revenues
and any insurance proceeds. In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Avstes under this
credit facility and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit
Facilities).
Eniaprohi Credit Facility
We accepted a commitment letter from DnB NOR Bank ASA on April 3, 2008 to enter into a 10-year multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility pursuant to which we will borrow, through our
subsidiary Eniaprohi, $45.0 million and which we refer to in this prospectus as the Eniaprohi credit facility. Borrowings under this credit facility will be used to finance construction of our newbuild
Eleni
upon
its delivery from the shipyard.
The commitment letter provides that the Eniaprohi credit facility will initially bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.90%, and the margin that will apply following this offering will be agreed prior to
the closing of this offering. We will incur a commitment fee on the unused portion of the amount available under the Eniaprohi credit facility at a rate of 0.20% per year.
The facility amount will be reduced by 20 semi-annual reductions starting six months from the date of the delivery of the vessel. The amount of each reduction will be $1.125 million and a balloon
reduction of $22.5 million will occur together with the final scheduled reduction.
The obligations under the Eniaprohi credit facility will be initially secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Eleni
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including
charter revenue and any insurance proceeds. In addition, the commitment letter provides that following this offering, we will guarantee the obligations of our subsidiary Eniaprohi under this credit facility and
certain financial covenants will apply to us, including a consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated interest coverage ratio, debt-to-cash flow and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, and minimum tangible net worth. In addition,
there will be a covenant that the Hajioannou family maintain its majority interest in us.
Eniadefhi Credit Facility
We accepted a commitment letter from DnB NOR Bank ASA on April 3, 2008 to enter into a 10-year multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility pursuant to which we will borrow, through our
subsidiary Eniadefhi, $45.0 million and which we refer to in this prospectus as the Eniadefhi credit
75
facility. Borrowings under this credit facility will be used to finance construction of our newbuild
Martine
upon its delivery from the shipyard.
The commitment letter provides that the Eniadefhi credit facility will initially bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.90%, and the margin that will apply following this offering will be agreed prior to
the closing of this offering. We will incur a commitment fee on the unused portion of the amount available under the Eniadefhi credit facility at a rate of 0.20% per year.
The facility amount will be reduced by 20 semi-annual reductions starting six months from the date of the delivery of the vessel. The amount of each reduction will be $1.125 million and a balloon
reduction of $22.5 million will occur together with the final scheduled reduction.
The obligations under the Eniadefhi credit facility will be initially secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Martine
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including
charter revenue and any insurance proceeds. In addition, the commitment letter provides that following this offering, we will guarantee the obligations of our subsidiary Eniadefhi under this credit facility and
certain financial covenants will apply to us, including a consolidated leverage ratio, and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, and minimum tangible net worth. In addition, there will be a covenant that the Hajioannou family
maintain their majority interest in us.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2007 were:
Payments Due by Period
Total
Less than
1-3 years
3-5 years
More than
(Dollars in thousands)
Long-term debt obligations (1)
$
322,887
$
16,620
$
51,856
$
42,636
$
211,775
Interest payments (1) (2)
96,571
12,284
32,975
18,601
32,711
Payments to our manager (3)
30,883
3,577
11,857
8,186
7,264
Newbuild contracts
434,650
76,334
358,316
Total
$
884,991
$
108,815
$
455,004
$
69,423
$
251,750
(1)
Amounts include obligations under the Old Efragel credit facility and Old Marindou facility, which were repaid in full using funds received from the New Efragel credit facility and New Marindou credit
facility. See Credit FacilitiesNew Credit Facilities.
Amounts do not include obligations under the following credit facilities entered into after December 31, 2007:
the New Efragel credit facility, dated January 11, 2008, under which we borrowed $42.0 million on January 17, 2008;
(b)
the New Marindou credit facility, dated January 11, 2008, under which we borrowed $42.0 million on January 14, 2008; and
(c)
the Avstes credit facility, dated April 17, 2008, under which we borrowed $36.0 million on April 18, 2008.
The payments due by period for the New Efragel facility are expected to be $0.8 million to December 2008, $4.8 million from January 2009 to December 2011, $4.0 million from January 2012 to
December 2013 and $32.5 million after January 1, 2014.
The payments due by period for the New Marindou facility are expected to be $0.8 million to December 2008, $4.8 million from January 2009 to December 2011, $4.0 million from January 2012 to
December 2013 and $32.5 million after January 1, 2014.
The payments due by period for the Avstes facility are expected to be $0.9 million to December 2008, $5.4 million from January 2009 to December 2011, $3.6 million from January 2012 to December
2013 and $26.1 million after January 1, 2014.
(2)
Amounts shown reflect estimated interest payments we expect to make with respect to our long-term debt obligations. The interest payments reflect an assumed LIBOR-based applicable interest rate of
76
1 year
(To December
2008)
(January 2009
December 2011)
(January 2012
December 2013)
5 years
(After
January 1,
2014)
(a)
4.1875% for amounts outstanding in U.S. dollars, 1.05125% for amounts outstanding in Japanese yen and 2.975% for amounts outstanding in Swiss francs with respect to our existing credit facilities, plus the
relevant margin of the applicable credit facility. Additionally, in calculating the interest payments for the first three years of the Kerasies credit facility we have used the fixed swap rate of 4.0925% plus the
applicable loan margin. See Interest Rate Risk. We have converted a substantial portion of our outstanding amounts under our credit facilities in currencies other than the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollar amounts
and we intend to convert the remaining outstanding amounts into U.S. dollar amounts at a time when we deem market conditions to be more favorable. See Credit Facilities and Description of
Indebtedness.
(3)
The amounts presented in the table above as contractual obligations to the Manager have been calculated on the basis of the management agreement with our Manager that will be effective prior to the closing
of this offering. No interest is payable with respect to these obligations if paid on a timely basis; therefore, no interest payments are included in these amounts. Under these management arrangements, from
January 1, 2008 through the second anniversary of the completion of this offering, we will pay our Manager $575 per vessel per day, per vessel for certain commercial, technical and administrative services, a
fee of 1.0% of the gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage collected from the employment of our ships and a commission 1.0% of the contract price of any vessels sold on our behalf. In
addition, under our management agreement, for the two year period following completion of our offering, we will pay our Manager a commission of 1.0% of the contract price of any vessels bought on our
behalf (other than the
Eleni
and the
Martine
) and $375,000 per newbuild for the on-premises supervision of newbuilds we have agreed to acquire pursuant to shipbuilding contracts, memoranda of agreement, or
otherwise.
Capital Expenditures
We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with our newbuild program. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we acquired two Kamsarmax class vessels and two Post-Panamax
class vessels, and during the year ended December 31, 2007, we acquired one Kamsarmax class vessel and one Post-Panamax class vessel. During the year ended December 31, 2006 and the year ended December
31, 2007, we funded $72.5 million and $46.3 million, respectively, of the remaining installment payments on these vessels with owners advances. Subsequently, we repaid these owners advances through bank
loans.
Our current commitments for capital expenditures are related to our eight contracted newbuilds, which have a total contract price of $404.2 million and ¥8.5 billion (together, the equivalent of $479.7 million,
based on a ¥112.35/$1.00 exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2007). During the year ended December 31, 2006 we funded ¥1.1 billion (the equivalent of $9.4 million, based on a average ¥116.77/$1.00 exchange
rate in effect at the time of payment in August 31, 2006), of the contract prices of these newbuilds with advances from owners. Of this amount we repaid $5.4 million in 2007 from bank loans, and we repaid the
remaining balance in January 2008, from the two new credit facilities. During the year ended December 31, 2007 we paid an additional $43.8 million which was funded from surplus of operations. We paid on
March 4, 2008, ¥800 million (the equivalent of $7.7 million based on a ¥104.15/$1.00 exchange rate) funded by advances from owners, which will be repaid from either surpluses from operations or future credit
facilities, in relation to newbuilds of Subsidiaries Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi. We will also be required to pay, on May 27, 2008, an additional amount of ¥400 million in relation to the newbuild of Eniaprohi funded
by advances from owners, which will be repaid from either surpluses from operations or future credit facilities. In addition, we expect to pay $32.2 million funded from surplus of operations during 2008, in
relation to newbuilds of Subsidiaries Maxpente and Eptaprohi. Simultaneously with this payment, Maxpente and Eptaprohi are required to provide the relevant shipyard with bank performance guarantees in the
aggregate amount of $32.2 million covering the payment of the subsequent installments under the respective newbuild contracts. The security for such bank guarantees will be provided by our current owners, and
following this offering it will be provided by Maxpente and Eptaprohi.
We are scheduled to take delivery of these eight newbuilds in late 2008, 2009 and 2010. The remaining balance of the contract prices are $368.2 million and ¥7.5 billion as of December 31, 2007, including
certain additional amounts for adjustments (together, the equivalent of $434.7 million, based on a ¥112.35/$1.00 exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2007), as provided under our newbuild contracts,
77
including certain third party seller interest expenses and adjustments for early delivery. With respect to the delivery of the
Eleni
, which the shipyard has agreed to deliver in the fourth quarter of 2008, earlier than
the originally scheduled delivery date of January 31, 2009, we are required to pay an additional amount of ¥591,500 (the equivalent of $5,265, based on ¥112.35/$1.00 exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2007)
per day for each day between the actual delivery of the
Eleni
and January 31, 2009. We expect that the
Eleni
will be delivered on or around November 10, 2008, and the amount payable, assuming delivery on
such date, would be ¥48.5 million (the equivalent of $0.4 million, based on a ¥112.35/$1.00 exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2007).
We intend to fund these commitments with available cash, borrowings
under our two credit facilities for which we have accepted commitment letters of $45.0 million each to be entered into by the Subsidiaries Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi and a portion of available borrowings under an
additional proposed secured facility of $200.0 million which we intend to obtain before the end of 2009.
We may incur additional capital expenditures as the remaining price for two newbuilds is denominated in Japanese yen. As of December 31, 2007, the remaining purchase price for these newbuilds was ¥7.4
billion (the equivalent of $65.9 million, based on a ¥112.35/$1.00 exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2007). The amount described above with respect to the early delivery of the
Eleni
is also denominated in
Japanese yen. We have not hedged this currency exposure and, as a result, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Japanese yen may lead to fluctuations in the amount of actual capital necessary to
make the installment payments under such contracts. To the extent we require additional capital to make installment payments under these contracts due to currency fluctuations, we intend to fund such payments
with borrowings described above.
To the extent that we are unable to enter into the two credit facilities for which we have accepted commitment letters of $45.0 million each to be entered into by the Subsidiaries Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi
or enter into the additional secured facility before the end of 2009 as decribed above on terms acceptable to us, we will need to find alternative financing. If we are unable to find alternative financing, we will not
be capable of funding all of our commitments for capital expenditures relating to our eight contracted newbuilds, which could adversely impact the dividends we intend to pay following this offering, and materially
adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to market risks relating to changes in interest rates because we, through the Subsidiaries, have floating rate debt outstanding. During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, we paid
interest under our existing credit facilities based on LIBOR applicable to deposits in the currency of the outstanding amounts (or in the case of outstanding amounts in euros, EURIBOR) plus a margin. As an
indication of the extent of our sensitivity to interest rate changes:
with respect to our borrowings in U.S. dollars, a one percent increase in LIBOR applicable to the U.S. dollar would have increased our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $3.8
million to $4.4 million, and a one percent increase in LIBOR applicable to the U.S. dollar would have increased our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $3.9 million to $4.5
million;
with respect to our borrowings in Japanese yen, a one percent increase in LIBOR applicable to Japanese yen would have increased our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $1.1
million to $1.8 million, and a one percent increase in LIBOR applicable to Japanese yen would have increased our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $0.3 million to $0.6
million;
with respect to our borrowings in Swiss francs, a one percent increase in LIBOR applicable to Swiss francs would have increased our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $3.2
million to $4.3 million, and a one percent increase in LIBOR applicable to Swiss francs would have increased our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $1.7 million to $2.4
million; and
with respect to our borrowings in euros, a one percent increase in EURIBOR would have no effect on our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007, as there were no loan
78
outstandings in Euros on December 31, 2007 and as for the year ended December 31, 2006, would have increased our interest expense by $0.3 million.
The following table sets forth the sensitivity of our existing loans in U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2007, assuming that all amounts outstanding in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into
U.S. dollar amounts by the end of December 31, 2007 as to a 100 basis point increase in LIBOR during the next five years on the same basis, and reflects the additional interest expense.
Year
Amount
2008
$
3.2 million
2009
$
3.1 million
2010
$
2.9 million
2011
$
2.7 million
2012
$
2.5 million
We expect to have sensitivity to interest rate changes with respect to future credit facilities.
Prior to December 14, 2007, we had not entered into any interest rate swap arrangements. Set forth below is our interest rate swap arrangement as of December 31, 2007:
Loan Facility
Counter party
Initial notional
Inception
Expiry
Swap rate
New Kerasies
RBS
$40.0 million
December 14, 2007
December 14, 2010
4.0925
%
The initial notional amount of the swap arrangement is equal to the principal amount. The interest rate swap does not meet hedge accounting criteria under SFAS 133 Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities and as such is accounted for as a trading derivative. In addition, we entered into six additional swap agreements after December 31, 2007, which are described in the section
Subsequent EventsInterest Rate Swap Agreements. We may determine to employ similar financial instruments from time to time in the future in order to minimize our interest rate exposure.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars, but for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2007 we incurred approximately 17.7% and 19.1%, respectively, of our
expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As of December 31, 2007, approximately 8.3% of our outstanding accounts payable were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (mainly in euro,
Japanese yen and Swiss francs). In addition, as of December 31, 2007, $76.7 million (based on a currency exchange rate of CHF1.1267:$1.00 in effect as of that date), or 23.8%, of our outstanding borrowings
under our credit facilities were in Swiss francs and $75.8 million (based on a currency exchange rate of ¥112.35:$1.00 in effect as of that date), or 23.5%, of our outstanding borrowings under our credit facilities
were in Japanese yen. Our borrowings denominated in foreign currencies are subject to exchange rate risk and their value fluctuates with changes in exchange rates. A hypothetical 10% immediate and uniform
adverse move in all currency exchange rates affecting our borrowings from the rates in effect as of December 31, 2007, would have increased the fair value of our borrowings by approximately 5.2% and the U.S.
dollar equivalent of outstanding indebtedness by $16.9 million.
However, since December 31, 2007, we have converted all of the indebtedness in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars except for CHF 12.9 million (the equivalent of $12.99 million) which remained
outstanding as of March 31, 2008. As a result, only 3.5% of our loans that were outstanding as of March 31, 2008 were denominated in foreign currencies.
While, from time to time, we have in the past used financial derivatives in the form of foreign exchange forward agreements to mitigate the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations, currently, no
such instruments are in place.
With respect to our outstanding accounts payable, as of December 31, 2007, we had approximately $0.1 million in currencies other than U.S. dollars, primarily Japanese yen. Our accounts payable
denominated in foreign currency are subject to exchange rate risk and their value fluctuates with changes in exchange rates. A hypothetical 10% immediate and uniform adverse move in all currency exchange rates
affecting our accounts payable from the rates in effect as of December 31, 2007, would have increased the fair value of our accounts payable by approximately $13,853.
79
amount
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any other transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered material off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies
We have prepared our predecessor combined financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates in the application of our accounting policies based on our best
assumptions, judgments and opinions. We base these estimates on the information currently available to us and on various other assumptions we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may
differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Following is a discussion of the accounting policies that involve a high degree of judgment and the methods of their application. For a further
description of our material accounting policies, please read Note 2 to our predecessor combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Revenue and Related Expense Recognition
We generate revenues from charterers for the charter hire of our vessels. Vessels are chartered mainly under time charters, where a contract is entered into for the use of a vessel for a specific voyage or a
specific period of time and at a specified daily charter rate. Time charter revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided. Revenues from a time charter may also include ballast bonus,
which is an amount paid by the charterer for repositioning the vessel at the charterers disposal (delivery point) that is recognized as revenue over the term of the charter, and other miscellaneous revenues from
vessel operations. Expenses relating to our time charters are vessel operating expenses and certain voyage expenses, which are paid for by us. These expenses are recognized as incurred. Vessel operating expenses
that we pay for include costs for crewing, insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs, maintenance, statutory and classification expense, drydocking, intermediate and special surveys and other minor
miscellaneous items. Voyage expenses that we pay for include costs for draft surveys, hold cleaning, postage and other minor miscellaneous expenses related to the voyage and recognize as incurred. The charterer
is responsible for paying the cost of bunkers and other voyage expenses (e.g., port expenses, agents fees, canal dues, extra war risks insurance and any other expenses related to the cargo).
Vessels can also be chartered under voyage charter, where a contract is made for the use of a vessel under which we are paid freight on the basis of moving cargo from a loading port to a discharge port.
During the periods presented, there was only one instance where a vessel was employed under voyage charter. Under a voyage charter, revenues are recognized on a pro-rata basis over the duration of the voyage
from load port to discharge port. Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated. Related expenses are operating expenses, bunkers and voyage expenses, which are
recognized as incurred and are all paid for by us. Demurrage income represents payments by the charterer to us when loading or discharging time exceeds the stipulated time in the voyage charter and is
recognized when earned and collection is reasonably assured. Dispatch expense represents payments by us to the charterer when loading or discharging time is less then the stipulated time in the voyage charter and
is recognized as incurred.
Revenue is recognized when a charter agreement exists, the vessel is made available to the charterer and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured. Unearned revenue represents revenue
received prior to the balance sheet date relating to services to be rendered after the balance sheet date. Commissions (address and brokerage), regardless of charter type, are always paid by us and are deferred and
amortized over the related charter period and are presented as a separate line item in revenues to arrive at net revenues in the accompanying predecessor combined statements of operations.
Accounting for Special Survey and Drydocking Costs
Special survey and drydocking costs are expensed in the period incurred and are included in vessel operating expenses in our predecessor combined statements of operations.
Vessels, Net
Vessels are stated at their historical cost, which consists of the contracted purchase price and any direct material expenses incurred upon acquisition (including improvements, on site supervision expenses
80
incurred during the construction period, commissions paid, delivery expenses and other expenditures to prepare the vessel for her initial voyage) less accumulated depreciation. Financing costs incurred during the
construction period of the vessels are also capitalized and included in vessels cost based on the specific loan method. No interest was capitalized in any of the periods presented in our predecessor combined
financial statements. Certain subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalized if it is determined that they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve
the efficiency or safety of the vessels.
Vessels Depreciation
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of a vessel, after considering the estimated residual value. Management estimates the useful life of our vessels to be
25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
We apply SFAS No. 144,
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets
(SFAS 144), which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived
assets. The standard requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used or disposed of by an entity be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the asset is less than its carrying
amount, we are required to evaluate the asset for an impairment loss. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset as provided by third parties. In this respect, management regularly
reviews the carrying amount of our vessels in connection with the estimated recoverable amount for each of our vessels. No impairment loss was recorded for any of the periods presented.
Subsequent Events
New Credit Facilities
Between January and April 2008, we incurred additional debt of $120.0 million.
Below is a list of new credit facilities for which we have entered into credit agreements since December 31, 2007:
We, through our Subsidiary Marindou, have entered into a new reducing revolving credit facility under which we borrowed an aggregate of $42.0 million on January 14, 2008 of which $13.9 million
was used to refinance Marindous existing loans.
We, through our Subsidiary Efragel, have entered into a new reducing revolving credit facility under which we borrowed an aggregate of $42.0 million on January 17, 2008, of which $24.6 million was
used to refinance Efragels existing loans.
We, through our Subsidiary Avstes, have entered into a new reducing revolving credit facility under which we borrowed an aggregate of $36.0 million on April 18, 2008, all of which was advanced to
our Manager to pay dividends to our current owners on our behalf.
We have used the amounts borrowed under our new credit facilities to refinance loans, as described above, repay advances to owners and pay dividends to our current owners prior to this offering. The
remaining $16.0 million is held by our subsidiaries and will be used to fund working capital, in addition to the two cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million each that are held in the names of Petra and Pemer.
New Interest Rate Swap Transactions
Subsequent to December 31, 2007, we entered into the following interest rate swap transactions with respect to the various credit facilities in order to manage interest costs and the risk associated with
changing interest rates with respect to these loans.
81
Loan Facility
Counter Party
Initial notional
Inception
Expiry
Swap rate
(in thousands)
New Marindou
DnB NOR Bank ASA
$
42,000
January 14, 2008
January 14, 2013
3.95
%
New Efragel
DnB NOR Bank ASA
$
42,000
January 17, 2008
January 17, 2013
3.65
%
Petra
Bayerische
$
38,171
February 19, 2008
January 18, 2013
2.885
%
Pemer
Bayerische
$
38,168
March 7, 2008
March 7, 2013
2.745
%
Marinouki
RBS
$
32,620
March 19, 2008
March 5, 2013
2.73
%
Avstes
DnB NOR Bank ASA
$
36,000
April 25, 2008
April 18, 2013
3.89
%
amount
The initial notional amounts of all the above transactions are equal to the principal amounts of the respective loans and are reduced during the term of the relevant swap transaction based on the expected principal outstanding under the respective facility. Under all the swap transactions, the counterparty will make semi-annual floating-rate payments to us for the relevant amount based on the six month USD LIBOR, and we will make semi-annual payments to the counterparty on the relevant amount at the respective fixed swap rates set out in the table above. In the Petra and Pemer transactions, Bayerische has the right to cancel each swap on January 18, 2011 and March 7, 2011, respectively, and on six-month intervals thereafter. In the Marinouki transaction, RBS has the right to cancel the swap on March 5, 2011 and on six- month intervals thereafter.
We entered into these interest rate swap agreements to mitigate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and at a time when we believed long-term interest rates were reasonably low. No interest rate swap meets hedge accounting criteria under SFAS 133. Although we are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance in connection with such swap agreements, because the counterparties, DNB NOR Bank ASA, Bayerische and RBS are major financial institutions, we consider the risk of loss due to their nonperformance to be minimal.
Conversion of Certain Outstanding Borrowings to U.S. Dollar Amounts
We have converted or refinanced certain outstanding amounts under our credit facilities in currencies other than the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollar amounts since January 1, 2008 according to the schedule below:
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Subsidiary |
Amount outstanding as of
|
Conversion/refinancing date |
||||||||||||
Marindou (2) |
|
CHF15,300,000 |
|
January 14, 2008 |
||||||||||
Efragel (2) |
|
¥1,021,660,000; |
|
January 17, 2008 |
||||||||||
|
|
CHF16,583,460 |
|
|
||||||||||
Petra |
|
CHF39,813,000 |
|
January 18, 2008 |
||||||||||
Pemer |
|
¥3,957,600,000 |
|
March 7, 2008 |
||||||||||
Marinouki |
|
¥3,419,059,940 |
|
March 19, 2008 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
Amounts include only the amounts in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and do not include amounts under the applicable credit facility already outstanding in U.S. dollars. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(2) |
|
These amounts were repaid using funds borrowed under new credit facilities. Borrowings under new credit facilities are in U.S. dollars.
|
The following credit facility remains outstanding in currencies other than US dollars as of March 31, 2008 and will be converted in the future:
|
|
|
|||||
Subsidiary |
Amount outstanding |
||||||
Marathassa |
|
CHF12,931,600 |
Settlement of Intercompany Balances, Owners Advances and Payment of Dividend.
In March and April 2008 we settled all intercompany balances as of December 31, 2007 with our Manager and with our owners. In connection with this, in January 2008, our Manager repaid on our behalf prior advances from owners in the amount of $10.1 million, resulting in a corresponding decrease in amounts due from our Manager. In March and April 2008, we paid a dividend of $147.8 million to Polys Hajionnou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our current owners, which was funded from amounts due from our
82
Manager. Finally, in order to settle the remaining amount of $4.0 million due from our Manager, $4.0 million in restricted cash in collateral accounts held by our Manager was transferred in April 2008 to two new
restricted cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries, Petra and Pemer.
In addition to the $147.8 milllion dividend paid to our current owners in March and April 2008, an estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million, which will be funded using amounts due from our
Manager, reflecting a portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering will also be declared prior to the closing of this offering. Investors
in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this dividend.
On March 4, 2008, our Subsidiaries Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi paid ¥800 million ($7.7 million based on the exchange rate of ¥104.15/$1.00 in effect on the day of the payment) in relation to newbuilds
ordered, which was funded by current owners advances. On May 27, 2008, we will be required to pay an additional ¥400 million in relation to the newbuild ordered by Eniaprohi, to be funded by current owners
advances. After this offering we expect to pay back to our current owners these amounts from either surpluses from operations or future credit facilities.
Following these transactions, and immediately after the completion of this offering, we expect to have $20.0 million of cash held by our Subsidiaries, of which $16.0 million comprises cash and cash
equivalents and $4.0 million comprises restricted cash.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and SFAS 3
(SFAS 154). SFAS 154 requires retrospective
application to prior periods financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless it is impracticable. Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 20,
Accounting Changes,
previously
required most voluntary changes in accounting principles be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS 154 was
effective for us as of December 31, 2006, and has not had a material impact on our predecessor combined financial statements.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
(FIN 48), which supplements SFAS No. 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes,
by defining the
confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is more-likely-than-not to be
sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date. The more-likely-than-not threshold represents a positive assertion by management that a company is entitled to the economic benefits of a tax
position. If a tax position is not considered more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits, no benefits of the position are to be recognized.
Moreover, the more-likely-than-not threshold must continue to be met in each reporting period to support continued recognition of a benefit. At adoption, companies must adjust their financial statements to
reflect only those tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained as of the adoption date. Any necessary adjustment would be recorded directly to retained earnings in the period of adoption and reported
as a change in accounting principle. FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on our financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157,
Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157)
. SFAS 157 addresses standardizing the measurement of fair value for companies that are required to use a fair
value measure of recognition for recognition or disclosure purposes. The FASB defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measure date. SFAS 157 is effective for us for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have any effect on our
results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 108,
Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying
Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements
(SAB 108). SAB 108 provides guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the
83
purpose of a materiality assessment. SAB 108 establishes an approach that requires quantification of financial statement errors based on the effects of each of the companys balance sheet and statement of
operations and the related financial statement disclosures. SAB 108 permits existing public companies to record the cumulative effect of initially applying this approach in the first year ending after November 15,
2006 by recording the necessary correcting adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of that year with the offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained
earnings. Additionally, the use of the cumulative effect transition method requires detailed disclosure of the nature and amount of each individual error being corrected through the cumulative adjustment and how
and when it arose. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have any effect on our predecessor combined financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB Staff issued Financial Statement Position (FSP) No. AUG AIR-1,
Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities
, (FSP No. AUG AIR-1). FSP No. AUG AIR-1
prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in annual and interim financial reporting periods, if no liability is required to be recorded for an asset
retirement obligation based on a legal obligation for which the event obligating the entity has occurred. FSP No. AUG AIR-1 also requires disclosures regarding the method of accounting for planned major
maintenance activities and the effects of implementing the FSP. The guidance in FSP No. AUG AIR-1 was effective for us as of January 1, 2007. The adoption of FSP No. AUG AIR-1 did not have any effect on
our predecessor combined financial statements as we do not utilize the accrue-in-advance method.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
(SFAS 159), which permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entitys first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have any effect
on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised),
Business Combinations
(SFAS 141 (revised)). SFAS No. 141 (revised) relates to business combinations and requires the acquirer to
recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. SFAS No. 141 (revised) applies
prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply it before
that date. We must adopt this standard as of January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS No. 141 (revised) on our financial position, results of operations and cash
flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statementsan amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51
(SFAS 160), which establishes
accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest,
changes in a parents ownership interest and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 also establishes reporting requirements that provide sufficient
disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective as of the beginning of an entitys fiscal year that begins after
December 15, 2008, which will be our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 160 on our financial position, results of operations and cash
flows.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
(SFAS 161) which requires enhanced disclosures in respect of derivative instruments
and hedging activities. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. We are currently evaluating the
impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 161 on our financial statements.
84
THE INTERNATIONAL DRYBULK SHIPPING INDUSTRY
All the information and data presented in this section, including the analysis of the various sectors of the drybulk shipping industry, has been provided by Drewry. Drewry has advised that the statistical and
graphical information contained herein is drawn from its database and other sources. In connection therewith, Drewry has advised that: (a) certain information in Drewrys database is derived from estimates or
subjective judgments; (b) the information in the databases of other maritime data collection agencies may differ from the information in Drewrys database; (c) while Drewry has taken reasonable care in the
compilation of the statistical and graphical information and believes it to be accurate and correct, data compilation is subject to limited audit and validation procedures.
Industry Overview
The marine transportation industry provides the only practicable and cost-effective means of transporting large volumes of basic commodities and finished products over long distances. In 2007,
approximately 3.0 billion tons of drybulk cargo were transported by sea, comprising more than one-third of all international seaborne trade. The breakdown of all seaborne trade by main commodity type is shown
below.
World Seaborne Trade: 2001 & 2007
(1)
Compound annual growth rate.
Source: Drewry.
Drybulk cargo is cargo that is shipped in large quantities and can be easily stowed in a single hold with little risk of cargo damage. Drybulk cargoes consist primarily of the major (iron ore, coal and
grain) and minor bulk commodities, and the following is an overview of the major and minor bulk cargoes:
Iron Ore.
Until the start of the 1990s, when it was overtaken by the combined steam and coking coal sectors, iron ore was the largest sector of the drybulk trade. It remains, however, the primary cargo
of the largest vessels in the drybulk fleet. Used principally as the primary raw material in steel making, iron ore imports are dominated by Europe, Japan, China, South Korea and the United States. The
primary exporters of iron ore are Brazil, Australia and India. Other significant exporters include Canada, Sweden, South Africa, Venezuela, Mauritania, Peru and Chile.
Coal.
There are two principal types of coal: steam (or thermal) coal and coking (or metallurgical) coal. The main exporters of coal are Australia, South Africa, Russia, Indonesia, United States, Colombia
and Canada. The main importers of coal are Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India and China. The coking coal market is closely linked to demand from integrated steel makers who use coking coal
in blast furnaces to make pig iron which, in turn, is
85
converted into steel. Steam coal is mainly used in the production of electricity, and the transportation of steam coal is the backbone of the Capesize and Panamax markets. Increases in steam coal
demand have been significant, as both developed and developing nations require increasing amounts of electric power.
Grain.
Grains include wheat, coarse grains (corn, barley, oats, rye and sorghum), and oil seeds extracted from different crops such as soybeans and cottonseeds. In general, wheat is used for human
consumption, while coarse grains are used as feed for livestock. Oil seeds are used to manufacture vegetable oil for human consumption or industrial use, while their protein-rich residue is used as raw
material in animal feed. The principal exporters of grain are Canada, United States, Europe, Australia and South America. The principal importers are Japan, South Korea, China, South East Asia, the
Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Grain production and trade volumes are subject to both growing conditions and natural disasters, which affect crop yields and demand patterns, and grain trade
volumes are also affected by population growth, rising per capita income, price volatility and government regulations.
Minor Bulk Cargoes.
Minor bulk cargoes include steel products, forest products, agricultural products, bauxite and alumina, phosphates, petcoke, cement, sugar, salt, minerals, scrap metal and pig iron.
Minor drybulk cargoes are not a major component of Capesize or Panamax class vessel demand, although Panamax class vessels also transport cargoes such as bauxite, phosphate rock, sulphur, some
fertilizers, various other ores and minerals and a few agribulks.
Demand for Drybulk Vessels
The drybulk trade is influenced by the underlying demand for the drybulk commodities which, in turn, is influenced by the level of worldwide economic activity. Generally, growth in gross domestic
product, or GDP, and industrial production correlate with peaks in demand for marine drybulk transportation services. The following chart demonstrates a steady increase in world dry cargo trade since 2001.
Source: Drewry.
86
Drybulk Seaborne Trade: 2001 to 2007
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
CAGR(1)
Coal
565
570
619
650
675
701
761
5.1%
Iron Ore
452
484
524
587
660
722
785
9.6%
Grain
235
245
240
248
253
262
269
2.3%
Minor Bulks
890
920
957
1,025
1,049
1,086
1,161
4.5%
Total
2,142
2,219
2,340
2,510
2,637
2,771
2,976
5.6%
Annual
1.61
3.59
5.45
7.26
5.06
5.08
7.40
(1)
Compound annual growth rate.
Source: Drewry.
Moreover, the drybulk shipping market over the last two years has displayed strong industry fundamentals, driven primarily by:
economic growth and urbanization in China, Russia, Brazil, India and the Far East, with attendant increases in steel production, power generation and grain consumption, leading to greater demand for
marine drybulk transportation services; and
inefficient transportation bottlenecks due to long-term under-investment in global transportation infrastructure and high demand for drybulk commodities.
Globally, total seaborne trade in all drybulk commodities increased from 2.1 billion tons in 2001 to 3.0 billion tons in 2007, representing a CAGR (compound average growth rate) of 5.6%. Another
industry measure of vessel demand is ton-miles, which is calculated by multiplying the volume of cargo moved on each route by the distance of such voyage. Between 2001 and 2007, ton-mile demand in the
drybulk sector increased by 49.9% to 15.8 billion ton-miles, equivalent to a CAGR of 7.0%. The following table illustrates this measure.
Drybulk Vessel Demand (1): 2001 to 2007
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
CAGR
Coal
2,583
2,583
2,910
3,386
3,638
3,831
4,186
8.4%
Iron Ore
2,580
2,741
3,050
3,463
3,858
4,259
4,632
10.2%
Grain
1,360
1,256
1,290
1,317
1,341
1,389
1,424
0.8%
Minor Bulks
3,991
4,215
4,366
4,689
4,794
5,143
5,514
5.5%
Total
10,514
10,795
11,616
12,854
13,632
14,621
15,756
7.0%
(1)
Includes vessel demand for bulk carriers below 10,000 dwt
Source: Drewry
Historically, certain economies have acted as the primary drivers of drybulk trade. In the 1990s, Japan was the driving force of increases in ton-miles when buoyant Japanese industrial production stimulated
demand for imported drybulk commodities. More recently, China and, to a lesser extent India, have been the main drivers behind the recent increase in seaborne drybulk trade as high levels of economic growth
have generated increased demand for imported raw materials. Chinese imports of coal, iron ore and, more recently, steel products (China used to be an exporter of steel products but, due to its own high demand,
now needs to import steel products) have also increased sharply in the last five years, thereby creating additional demand for drybulk vessels. Chinese imports of iron ore alone increased from 55.3 million tons in
1999 to more than 370 million tons in 2007. Elsewhere, rising demand for imported coal to support the power generation sector in India has stimulated additional demand for bulk carriers, especially in the
panamax sector.
87
(Million Tons)
2001/2007 %
Change %
(Billion Ton-Miles)
2001/2007 %
The following table illustrates Chinas and Indias gross domestic product growth rates compared to those of the United States, Europe, Japan and the world during the periods indicated.
Real GDP Growth: 2001 to 2007
GNP
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007P
Global
2.4
3.0
4.1
5.3
4.7
5.2
5.1
USA
0.3
1.6
2.7
3.9
3.2
3.3
2.2
Europe
1.7
1.1
1.1
2.1
1.6
2.8
2.7
Japan
0.4
-0.3
1.8
2.7
1.9
2.2
1.8
China
7.5
8.3
10.0
10.1
10.4
10.7
11.3
India
4.4
4.7
7.4
7.0
8.7
9.2
8.8
P = provisional
Source: Drewry
Demand for drybulk vessel capacity is also affected by the operating efficiency of the global fleet, with port congestion, which has been a feature of the market since 2004, absorbing fleet capacity and
therefore leading to a tighter balance between supply and demand.
In evaluating demand factors for drybulk vessel capacity, it is important to bear in mind that drybulk vessels can be the most versatile element of the global shipping fleets in terms of employment
alternatives. Drybulk vessels seldom operate on round trip voyages. Rather, the norm is triangular or multi-leg voyages. Hence, trade distances assume greater importance in the demand equation. As an example,
the vessel demand arising from shipping one ton of iron ore from Brazil to China is three times the demand arising from transporting one ton of iron ore from Australia to China, due to the difference in voyage
lengths.
The following map represents the major global drybulk trade routes:
88
(Percent Change Previous Period)
Economy
Seasonality
Two of the three largest commodity drivers of the drybulk industry, coal and grains, are affected by seasonal demand fluctuations. Thermal coal is linked to the energy markets and in general encounters
upswings towards the end of the year in anticipation of the forthcoming winter period as power supply companies try to increase their stocks, or during hot summer periods when increased electricity demand is
required for air conditioning and refrigeration purposes. Grain production is also seasonal and is driven by the harvest cycle of the northern and southern hemispheres. However, with four nations and the European
Union representing the largest grain producers (the United States, Canada and the European Union in the northern hemisphere and Argentina and Australia in the southern hemisphere), harvests and crops reach
seaborne markets throughout the year. Taken as a whole, seasonal factors mean that the market for drybulk vessels is often stronger during the winter months.
Supply of Drybulk Vessels
The global drybulk vessel fleet is divided into four categories, based on a vessels carrying capacity. These categories consist of:
VLOC.
Very large ore carriers are in excess of 200,000 deadweight tons (dwt) and are a comparatively new sector of the fleet, with the vessels built to exploit economies of scale on long haul iron ore
routes.
Capesize.
Capesize vessels have carrying capacities of more than 110,000 (dwt). These vessels generally operate along long haul iron ore and coal trade routes. Only the largest ports around the world
possess the infrastructure to accommodate vessels of this size.
Panamax.
Panamax class vessels have a carrying capacity of between 60,000 and 110,000 dwt. These vessels were initially designed to meet the physical restrictions of the Panama Canal locks (hence
their name Panamax - the largest vessels able to transit the Canal), making them more versatile than larger vessels. Panamax class vessels carry coal, grains, and, to a lesser extent, minerals such as
bauxite/ alumina and phosphate rock. As the availability of Capesize class vessels has dwindled, Panamax class vessels have also been used to haul iron ore cargoes. Panamax class vessels are regarded
as the workhorses of the drybulk sector, with the ability to carry a wide range of different types of cargo and to trade in ports around the world. Within the Panamax sector there are also certain sub-
groups referred to as Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax. Kamsarmax class vessels are typically between 80,000 and 90,000 dwt and are built with a higher cubic capacity than the standard Panamax
class vessels. The Kamsarmax class vessel is ideally placed to take advantage of the current high demand for iron ore and associated minerals. They combine the versatility of the Panamax build, with
the economies of scale advantage of a greater lift, which should enhance trading flexibility. Post-Panamax class vessels refer to drybulk vessels between 60,000 and 110,000 dwt, but with design
specifications that prevent them from transiting the Panama Canal. Most Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels are gearless; and therefore must be served by shore based cargo handling
equipment. However, there are a small number of vessels with onboard cranes, a feature which enhances the trading flexibility of the ship, as they can operate in ports which have poor infrastructure in
terms of loading and unloading facilities.
Handymax/Supramax.
Handymax vessels have a carrying capacity of between 40,000 and 60,000 dwt. These vessels operate on a large number of geographically dispersed global trade routes, carrying
primarily grains and minor bulks. Vessels below 60,000 dwt are sometimes built with on-board cranes enabling them to load and discharge cargo in countries and ports with limited infrastructure.
Generally, this type of vessel offers good trading flexibility and can therefore be used in a wide variety of trades. Supramax bulk carriers can be defined as ships between 50,000 to 60,000 dwt, normally
offering cargo loading and unloading flexibility with on-board cranes, while at the same time possessing the cargo carrying capability approaching conventional panamax bulk carriers.
Handysize.
Handysize vessels have a carrying capacity of up to 40,000 dwt. These vessels are almost exclusively carrying minor bulk cargo. Increasingly, ships of this type operate on regional trading
routes, and may serve as trans-shipment feeders for larger vessels. Handysize vessels are
89
well suited for small ports with length and draft restrictions. Their cargo gear enables them to service ports lacking the infrastructure for cargo loading and unloading.
Drybulk Vessels Indicative Deployment by Size Category
Cargo
Handysize
Handymax
Supramax
Panamax
Kamsarmax
Capesize
Vloc
Iron Ore
X
X
Coal
X
X
X
X
X
Grains
X
X
X
Alumina, Bauxite
X
X
X
Steel Products
X
X
X
X
Forest Products
X
X
Fertilizers
X
X
X
Minerals
X
X
X
Minor Bulks-Other
X
X
X
X
Source: Drewry
The supply of drybulk shipping capacity, measured by the amount of suitable vessel tonnage available to carry cargo, is determined by the size of the existing worldwide drybulk fleet, the number of new
vessels on order, the scrapping of older vessels and the number of vessels out of active service (i.e., laid up or otherwise not available for hire). In addition to prevailing and anticipated freight rates, factors that
affect the rate of newbuild, scrapping and laying-up include newbuild prices, second-hand vessel values in relation to scrap prices, costs of bunkers and other voyage expenses, costs associated with classification
society surveys, normal maintenance and insurance coverage, the efficiency and age profile of the existing fleets in the market and government and industry regulation of marine transportation practices.
The supply of drybulk vessels is not only a result of the number of vessels in service, but also the operating efficiency of the fleet. For example, during times of very heavy commodity demand,
bottlenecks develop in the form of port congestion, which absorbs fleet capacity through delays in loading and discharging of cargo. A particularly extreme example occurred during the steam coal demand boom in
1980, when enormous queues developed at the main coal loading ports in the United States and Australia. In recent years a similar situation has developed in Australia, where port delays at the main exporting
terminals have reduced fleet supply.
As of January 31, 2008, the world fleet of drybulk vessels consisted of 6,767 vessels, totaling 394.9 million dwt in capacity. As of January 31, 2008, the average age of drybulk vessels in service was
approximately 15.2 years. These figures are, however, based on pure drybulk vessels and exclude a small number of combination vessels.
The following table presents the world drybulk vessel fleet by size as of January 31, 2008.
Drybulk Vessel Fleet: January 2008
Size Category
Deadweight
Number of
% of Total
Total
% of Total
Handysize
1039,999
2,915
43.1
77.8
19.7
Handymax
4059,999
1,594
23.6
76.7
19.4
Panamax
6079,999
1,330
19.7
95.2
24.1
Kamsarmax
80109,999
168
2.5
14.7
3.7
Capesize
110199,999
661
9.8
108.5
27.5
Vloc
200,000+
99
1.5
22.0
5.6
Total
6,767
100.0
394.9
100.0
Source: Drewry
90
Type
Tonnes
Vessels
Fleet
(number)
Capacity
(million dwt)
Fleet
(dwt)
The following table illustrates the age profile of the global drybulk vessel fleet as of January 31, 2008.
Drybulk Vessel Fleet Age Profile: January 2008
Age (Years)
Handysize
Handymax
Panamax
Kamsarmax
Capesize
Vloc
Total Fleet
% of
05
10.2
27.3
25.2
10.3
35.2
10.3
118.5
30.0%
610
8.9
15.9
26.6
1.6
22.3
1.5
76.8
19.5%
1115
6.5
11.4
13.9
0.8
23.2
1.6
57.4
14.5%
1620
3.8
5.4
8.2
0.4
10.6
4.7
33.1
8.4%
2125
22.3
12.5
13.8
0.9
12.8
3.7
66.0
16.7%
26+
26.0
4.2
7.5
0.7
4.5
0.2
43.1
10.9%
Total
77.7
76.7
95.2
14.7
108.6
22.0
394.9
100.0%
Average Age
20.4
11.4
12.2
5.5
11
9.6
15.2
Source: Drewry
There are over 1,400 different owners of drybulk vessels and ownership of the fleet is therefore quite fragmented. In the Panamax sector alone there are nearly 500 different owners of Panamax bulk
carriers. The following table lists the leading players in the Panamax drybulk vessel fleet as of January 1, 2008.
Top 20 Owners of Panamax Bulk Carriers: January 1, 2008
Company
No. of
Dwt
COSCO (Hong Kong)
30
2,129,905
COSCO Bulk Carrier
29
2,019,940
DryShips Inc.
29
2,130,646
K-Line
28
2,306,658
Quintana Maritime
25
1,967,385
MOL Mitsui OSK Lines
22
1,793,161
NYK Line
22
1,914,852
Pacific Carriers
20
1,615,854
Marmaras Nav. Ltd.
14
1,149,317
Cido Shipping
13
997,942
Diana Shipping Inc.
13
968,242
IRISL
13
953,907
Shoei Kisen K.K.
13
989,252
Enterprises Shpg.
11
808,878
Excel Maritime Carr.
11
787,242
Fukujin Shipping
11
845,627
Nissen Kaiun K.K.
11
843,570
Safety Management
11
887,900
Augustea Ship Mngt
10
744,795
Golden Union
10
682,867
Source: Drewry.
NB:
The above fleets are owned vessels only and do not include vessels operated pursuant to long-term time charter agreements. Quintana Maritime and Excel Maritime Carriers have subsequently merged.
Following the Reorganization, the reference in the table above to Safety Management should be read as a reference to Safe Bulkers, Inc..
91
(Millions of Dwt)
1039,999
4059,999
6079,999
80109,999
110199,999
200,000+
Total
*(years)
Vessels
The supply of drybulk vessels is dependent on the delivery of new vessels and the removal of vessels from the global fleet, either through scrapping or loss. As of January 31, 2008, the global drybulk
orderbook amounted to 224.5 million dwt, or 55.2% of the existing drybulk fleet. Although the orderbook is large by historical standards it should be remembered that there is 109 million dwt of dry bulk carrier
tonnage that is more than twenty years of age.
Drybulk Vessel Orderbook: January 2008
Size
Deadweight
Number of
Orderbook as
Total Capacity
Orderbook as
Handysize
1039,999
598
23.4
18.5
23.8
Handymax
4059,999
760
29.7
42.4
55.3
Panamax
6079,999
205
8.0
15.0
15.8
Kamsarmax
80109,999
398
15.5
34.4
234.7
Capesize
110199,999
491
19.2
83.6
77.1
Vloc
200,000+
109
4.3
28.5
129.4
Total
2,561
100.0
222.4
56.4
Source: Drewry
The following table provides information with respect to expected delivery dates for the drybulk vessels on order as of January 31, 2008.
92
Category
Tonnes
Vessels
% of Existing
FleetNo
Million Dwt
% of Existing
FleetDwt
The level of scrapping activity is generally a function of scrapping prices in relation to current and prospective charter market conditions, as well as operating, repair and survey costs. Given the recent
strong chartering environment, there has been minimal scrapping activity in the drybulk sector and the average age at which vessels are scrapped has increased. The following table illustrates the scrapping rates of
drybulk vessels for the periods indicated.
Drybulk Vessel Scrapping: 2001 to 2007
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Handysize
No
62
64
25
5
4
21
9
Dwt
1,408,000
1,556,000
597,000
113,000
109,000
474,843
198,792
Handymax
No
40
25
29
0
4
10
1
Dwt
1,492,000
938,000
1,103,000
0
165,000
380,439
33,527
Panamax
No
28
18
7
1
3
8
2
Dwt
1,870,000
1,200,000
465,000
95,000
202,000
538,785
141,346
Capesize
No
3
8
2
1
2
2
0
Dwt
401,000
997,000
248,000
123,000
247,000
296,000
0
Total
No
133
115
63
7
13
41
12
Dwt
5,171,000
4,691,000
2,413,000
331,000
723,000
1,690,067
373,665
Source: Drewry.
Charter Market
Drybulk vessels are employed in the market through a number of different chartering options. The general terms typically found in these types of contracts are described below.
Time Charters.
A time charter involves the use of the vessel for a number of months or years or for a trip between specific delivery and redelivery positions (also known as a trip time charter). The
charterer pays all voyage-related costs. The owner of the vessel receives semi-monthly charter hire payments on a U.S. dollar-per-day basis and is responsible for the payment of all vessel operating
expenses and capital costs of the vessel.
Voyage Charter.
A voyage charter involves the carriage of a specific amount and type of cargo on a load port-to-discharge port basis, subject to various cargo handling terms. Most of these charters are
of a single voyage nature, as trading patterns do not encourage round voyage trading. The owner of the vessel receives one payment derived by multiplying the tonnage of cargo loaded on board by the
agreed upon freight rate expressed on a U.S. dollar-per-ton basis. The owner is responsible for the payment of all voyage and operating expenses, as well as the capital costs of the vessel.
Spot Charter.
Spot chartering activity involves chartering either on a single voyage or a trip time charter.
Contract of Affreightment.
A contract of affreightment, or CoA, relates to the carriage of multiple cargoes over the same route and enables the CoA holder to nominate different vessels to perform the
individual voyages. Essentially, it constitutes a series of voyage charters to carry a specified amount of cargo during the term of the CoA, which usually spans a number of years. All of the ships
operating expenses, voyage expenses and capital costs are borne by the ship owner. Freight normally is agreed on a U.S. dollar-per-ton basis.
Bareboat Charter.
A bareboat charter involves the use of a vessel usually over longer periods of time ranging over several years. In this case, all voyage related costs, mainly vessel fuel and port dues,
as well as all vessel-operating expenses, such as day-to-day operations, maintenance, crewing and insurance, are for the charterers account. The owner of the vessel receives monthly charter hire
payments on a U.S. dollar per day basis and is responsible only for the payment of capital costs related to the vessel.
93
(Millions of Dwt)
Charter Rates
Charter (or hire) rates paid for drybulk vessels are generally a function of the underlying balance between vessel supply and demand. Over the past 25 years, drybulk cargo charter rates have passed
through cyclical phases and changes in vessel supply and demand have created a pattern of rate peaks and troughs. In 2003 and 2004, rates for all sizes of drybulk vessels strengthened to what was then the
highest rates ever and in 2007 rates for all sizes of drybulk vessels strengthened to their highest levels ever. In December 2007 and January 2008, charter rates for drybulk vessels decreased from their highs. The
most important driver of this upsurge in charter rates was the high level of demand for raw materials imported by China. After 2004, although exhibiting volatility, rates remained at comparatively high levels but
were volatile.
In the time charter market, rates vary depending on the length of the charter period as well as vessel specific factors, such as age, speed and fuel consumption. Generally, short-term time charter rates are
higher than long-term charter rates. The market benchmark tends to be a 12-month time charter rate, based on a modern vessel. The following charts show one-year time charter rates for Capesize, Panamax,
Handymax and Handysize class vessels between 1996 and January 2008. As indicated in these charts, during the period from January 2005 to January 2008, the Panamax time charter average daily rates for one
year period time charters experienced a low of $25,000 and a high of $81,000.
Source: Drewry.
94
Drybulk VesselsOne Year Time Charter Rates: 2001 to 2008
Size Category
Handysize
Handymax
Panamax
Capesize
2001
5,629
8,472
9,543
14,431
2002
4,829
7,442
9,102
13,608
2003
8,289
13,736
17,781
30,021
2004
14,413
31,313
36,708
55,917
2005
12,021
23,038
27,854
49,333
2006
12,558
21,800
22,475
45,646
2007
23,021
43,946
52,229
102,875
January 2008
29,500
60,100
73,000
164,000
Source: Drewry.
The Baltic Exchange, an independent organization comprised of shipbrokers, shipping companies and other shipping players, provides daily independent shipping market information and has created freight
rate indices reflecting the average freight rates (that incorporate actual business concluded as well as daily assessments provided to the exchange by a panel of independent shipbrokers) for the major bulk vessel
trading routes. These indices include the Baltic Panamax Index, or BPI, the index with the longest history and, more recently, the Baltic Capesize Index, or BCI.
The following chart details the movement of the BPI, BCI and Baltic Handymax Index from 1999 to the end of January 2008:
95
(Period AveragesU.S. Dollars per Day)
DWT
2628,000
1015 years old
5055,000
15 years old
7075,000
15 years old
170,000+
15 years old
Vessel Prices
The recent strength in each of the main shipping sectors, tankers, drybulk and containers, has triggered an upsurge in newbuild activity. In addition, newbuild demand is also strong for Liquefied Natural
Gas, or LNG, vessels and other specialized vessels. This is significant because the near term availability of newbuild berths for vessel delivery before the end of 2010 is scarce, which directly impacts the supply of
new vessels to the market. Thus, the combination of shortage of berth space, rising demand for vessels and rising raw material costs (especially the price of steel), has greatly increased newbuild prices. The
following chart indicates the change in newbuild prices for drybulk vessels for the period indicated.
Source: Drewry.
96
In the secondhand market, the steep increase in newbuild prices and the strength in the charter market have also affected vessel prices. With vessel earnings running at relatively high levels and a limited
availability of newbuild berths, the ability to deliver a vessel early has resulted in increases in secondhand prices, especially for modern tonnage. Consequently, secondhand prices of five year old Panamax and
Capesize class vessels have reached higher levels than those of comparably sized newbuilds.
*
Modern vessels of 1-5 years age, except Handysize which includes vessels that are 10-15 years old.
Source: Drewry.
The above newbuild prices are for forward delivery (usually 18-24 months) while the secondhand prices are for immediate delivery, which places upward pressure on secondhand prices.
97
Overview
We are an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly grain, iron ore and coal, along worldwide shipping routes for some of the worlds largest
consumers of marine drybulk transportation services. Our current fleet of 11 Japanese-built drybulk vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 887,900 dwt and an average age of 2.6 years as of December 31,
2007, is one of the worlds youngest fleets of Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels. Our current fleet is comprised of five Panamax, three Kamsarmax and three Post-Panamax class vessels. Our
fleet is expected to almost double (on a dwt basis) by May 2010 as the result of the delivery of eight contracted newbuilds, comprised of two Kamsarmax, four Post-Panamax and two Capesize class vessels. Upon
delivery of the last of our eight contracted newbuilds in May 2010, our fleet will be comprised of 19 vessels, having an aggregate carrying capacity of 1,759,900 dwt and an average age of 3.2 years.
We employ our vessels on both period time charters and spot charters with some of the worlds largest consumers of marine drybulk transportation services, including Bunge, Cargill and Daiichi or their
affiliates, which together accounted for 69.2% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007. Bunge, Cargill and Daiichi accounted for 29.9%, 21.1% and 18.2%, respectively, of our revenues during that
period. We believe our customers, some of which have been chartering our vessels or vessels of our affiliates for over 20 years, enter into period time and spot charters with us because of the quality of our young,
modern vessels and our record of safe, efficient operations. We intend to deploy our vessels on a mix of period time and spot charters according to our assessment of market conditions. We rarely place our vessels
on voyage charters and, consequently, when we trade our vessels in the spot market, we employ them under trip time charters, with a duration of three months or less. The vessels we deploy on period time
charters provide us with relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates, while the vessels we deploy in the spot market allow us to take advantage of attractive spot charter rates during periods of strong
charter market conditions.
We have recently entered into five-year period time charters, which are scheduled to commence in late 2008, 2009 and 2010, for six vessels in our current fleet, and two of our newbuilds, and have
entered into a 20-year period time charter commencing in 2011 for one of our newbuilds. By chartering these vessels in advance, we have been able to take advantage of the recent strong market conditions, while
at the same time, reducing our exposure to charter rate fluctuations in late 2008, 2009 and 2010 when all of our newbuilds are delivered. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, we had arranged one- to three-year
period time charters commencing in 2008 for the three vessels in our fleet which were deployed on spot charters as of December 31, 2007. As a result, as of December 31, 2007, we have period time charter
commitments for approximately 75.9%, 50.6% and 36.1% of our fleets anticipated available days in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and our contracted period time charter arrangements for 2008 through 2010
are expected to provide revenues of $347.1 million.
During 2006 and 2007, we had fleet utilization of 99.94% and 99.98%, respectively, our vessels achieved daily time charter equivalent rates of $22,550 and $42,327, respectively, and we generated
revenues of $99.0 million and $172.1 million, respectively. In addition, during 2006 and 2007, our gain on sale of assets was $37.0 million and $112.4 million, respectively, and our net income was $97.2 million
and $211.7 million, respectively.
We are controlled by the Hajioannou family, which has a long history of operating and investing in the international shipping industry, including a long history of vessel ownership. Vassos Hajioannou, the
late father of Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer, and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our chief operating officer, first invested in shipping in 1958. Since that time, the Hajioannou familys presence within the
drybulk shipping industry has become well-established and continues to grow. Polys Hajioannou has been actively involved in the industry since 1987, when he joined the predecessor of our affiliated management
company, Safety Management Overseas S.A., which we refer to as Safety Management or our Manager. Nicolaos Hadjioannou joined Safety Management in 1999. Over the past 13 years, under the leadership
of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, we have renewed our fleet by selling ten drybulk vessels during periods of what we viewed as favorable secondhand market conditions and contracting to acquire 29
drybulk newbuilds. As a result, we have maintained an average age for the vessels in our fleet of 3.2 years
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as of the end of each year from 1995 to 2007 and we continue to maintain a modern fleet of vessels with advanced designs that provide operational advantages. Also under their leadership, we have expanded the
classes of drybulk vessels in our fleet and the aggregate carrying capacity of our fleet has grown from 146,000 dwt in 1995 to 887,900 dwt currently. The quality and size of our current fleet, together with our
long-term relationships with several of our charter customers, are, we believe, the results of our long-term strategy of maintaining a young, high quality fleet, our broad knowledge of the drybulk industry and our
strong management team. In addition to benefiting from the experience and leadership of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, we also benefit from the expertise of our Manager which, along with its
predecessor, has specialized in drybulk shipping since 1965, providing services to over 30 drybulk vessels. A number of our Managers key management and operational personnel have been continuously employed
with Safety Management and its predecessor companies for over 25 years.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that we possess a number of strengths that provide us with a competitive advantage in the drybulk shipping industry, including:
Young fleet of Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels.
With a carrying capacity of 887,900 dwt, our fleet is one the worlds youngest fleets of Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax
class vessels. Vessels of these class sizes are considered highly flexible and are capable of carrying a wide variety of drybulk cargoes and accessing all major ports. Our current fleet of 11 Japanese-built vessels
had an average age of 2.6 years as of December 31, 2007, as compared to the average age of 11.5 years for the world fleet of Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels. After delivery in May 2010 of
the last of our eight contracted newbuilds, our combined fleet of 19 drybulk vessels will have an average age of 3.2 years. The vessels in our current fleet are designed to lift more cargo on the same draft,
compared to the industry average, to have lower-than-average fuel consumption and to have larger-than-average generators, which offer greater operational efficiency and safety than smaller generators.
Significant contracted growth at attractive prices.
We have contracts for eight drybulk newbuilds which, upon delivery, will add an aggregate 872,000 dwt in capacity to our fleet, almost doubling the
aggregate carrying capacity of our current fleet. These newbuilds are comprised of two Japanese-built Post-Panamax class vessels, with contract prices of approximately $37.7 million (¥4.3 billion) per vessel,
scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009, two South Korean-built Post-Panamax class vessels, with contract prices of $73.5 million per vessel, scheduled for delivery in the third
quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010, two Chinese Capesize class vessels, with contract prices of $80.0 million and $81.0 million, respectively, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2010, and two South
Korean-built Kamsarmax class vessels, with contract prices of $48.1 million per vessel, subject to price adjustments not to exceed $3.9 million, scheduled for delivery in the first and second quarters of 2010. The
contract prices for our newbuilds, which are subject to certain adjustments such as reimbursement of certain third-party seller interest expenses and payments for early delivery at our request, are significantly below
the current market prices for vessels with similar specifications and delivery dates.
Reputation for operating excellence.
We believe our Manager has established a history of providing excellent service to leading drybulk charterers using our young and well-maintained fleet. We ensure
our vessels are maintained to a high standard through comprehensive maintenance and inspection programs completed under the supervision of our Managers dedicated technical management team. Our Managers
high operating standards resulted in a very limited number of unscheduled off-hire days for our vessels, as reflected by our vessels being utilized on an average 99.74% of available days for the three years ended
December 31, 2007. We also believe that our focus on operational excellence has enabled us to develop our strong relationships with high quality charters such as Bunge, Cargill and Daiichi. This operational focus
has resulted in lower hull and machinery insurance premiums, maintenance expenses and operating costs that create cost advantages to us.
Long-term relationships with key industry players.
We, through our Manager, have established long-term relationships with many of our customers by providing reliable service and consistently meeting
customers expectations. Our policy is to charter our vessels primarily to charterers who directly use our vessels without sub-chartering them to third parties. We find that developing and maintaining relationships
with the direct users of our services allows us to develop strong relationships with these customers, which
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results in significant repeat business and gives us insight into the underlying demand for the commodities that our vessels carry. Our Manager has also developed strong relationships with shipyards, including the
Tsuneishi and IHI shipyards in Japan from which we have ordered 20 newbuilds over the past 13 years.
Long history of investing in the drybulk shipping industry.
Our Manager and its affiliates have been focused solely on the drybulk business since the founding of our Managers predecessor in 1965. Our
management team and key management and operational personnel at our Manager consist of experienced executives, many of whom have more than 25 years of experience in the drybulk shipping industry. Our
management team and Manager have demonstrated their ability to successfully manage our business throughout varying cycles in the drybulk industry, and our management team employs an opportunistic approach
to selling vessels and investing in newbuilds. Since 1995, we have sold ten vessels and acquired and taken delivery of 21 newbuilds, and we currently have eight newbuilds on order. In addition, we believe the
significant drybulk industry experience of our management team and Manager enhances our ability to strategically balance period time and spot charter deployment of our fleet over the drybulk industry cycle.
Our Business Strategy
Our primary objectives are to profitably grow our business, increase distributable cash flow per share and maximize value to our stockholders by pursuing the following strategies:
Pursue a balanced chartering strategy.
We have historically chartered our vessels on both period time charters of up to five years and spot charters, which we believe has given us flexibility in responding
to market developments and assisted us in enhancing the charter rates our vessels earn, while still providing significant contracted revenue. We intend to continue to employ our drybulk vessels on a mix of period
time and spot charters and, according to our assessment of market conditions, adjust the mix of these charters to take advantage of the relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates associated with long-term
period time charters or to profit from attractive spot rates during periods of strong charter market conditions. For example, we have recently entered into five-year period time charters, which are scheduled to
commence in late 2008, 2009 and 2010, for six vessels in our current fleet, and two of our newbuilds, and have entered into a 20-year period time charter commencing in 2011 for one of our newbuilds. By
chartering these vessels in advance, we have been able to take advantage of the recent strong market conditions, while at the same time, reducing our exposure to charter rate fluctuations in late 2008, 2009 and
2010 when all of our newbuilds are delivered.
Strategically expand the size of our fleet.
We intend to grow our fleet through timely and selective investment in newbuild contracts for drybulk vessels in a manner that is accretive to cash flow per
share. Although we intend to focus on Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class newbuilds, we will monitor market conditions regularly and may purchase drybulk vessels of other sizes or contract for
secondhand drybulk vessels when those acquisitions would, in our view, present favorable investment opportunities. When acquiring vessels, we prefer to invest in groups of vessels, including vessels that will be
sister ships to vessels we already own, in order to take advantage of the operational flexibility and economies of scale that sister ships afford us and our charterers.
Continue to operate a high-quality fleet.
We intend to maintain a young fleet that meets the highest industry standards by strategically replacing existing vessels with newbuilds that have the technical
specifications and advanced designs to allow us to continuously provide our customers with modern, high-quality vessels that meet their needs. During the past 13 years, we have sold ten vessels and acquired 21
newbuilds, which has allowed us to maintain a fleet with an average age of 3.2 years as of the end of each year from 1995 to 2007. As of December 31, 2007, the average age of the vessels in our current fleet
was 2.6 years, and upon delivery of the last of our contracted newbuilds in May 2010, the average age of the vessels in our fleet will be 3.2 years. We preserve the quality of our vessels through a comprehensive
maintenance and inspection program supervised by our experienced, affiliated Manager.
Capitalize on track record and relationships.
We intend to capitalize on our Managers track record of strong operating performance, as demonstrated by its long-term relationships with reputable high-
quality charterers. We believe our safety as an operator and our long-term client relationships have helped us build relationships with financial institutions and shipyards, respectively, which provide us with
attractive
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growth opportunities. We intend to continue to utilize these relationships to profitably charter Panamax class or larger drybulk vessels to charterers who are the end-users of our services.
Our Fleet
General.
Our fleet is currently comprised of 11 vessels, of which five are Panamax, three are Kamsarmax and three are Post-Panamax class vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 887,900 dwt and
an average age of 2.6 years as of December 31, 2007. Upon delivery of the last of our eight contracted newbuilds in May 2010, our fleet will be comprised of five Panamax, five Kamsarmax, seven Post-Panamax
and two Capesize class vessels, the aggregate carrying capacity of our 19 vessels will be 1,759,900 dwt, and the average age of the vessels in our fleet will be 3.2 years.
As a result of our fleets low average age and our Managers technical and commercial management expertise, we have historically experienced lower maintenance and hull and machinery insurance costs
and relatively fewer unscheduled off-hire days than the industry in general. Our fleet is also attractive to customers because a substantial majority of our vessels, including all of our current vessels, have been or
are being manufactured in Japanese shipyards, which are known for constructing high-quality vessels. These Japanese-built vessels are designed to lift more cargo on the same draft, compared to the industry
average and to have lower-than-average fuel consumption. All of our vessels, including our newbuilds, have been manufactured or are being manufactured to high specifications to provide our customers with
vessels that provide certain operational advantages. Such specification improvements include the installation of larger-than-average generators, which offer greater operational efficiency and safety than smaller
generators, central ballast control consoles and larger-than-average ballast pumps, which simplify and expedite the ballasting and de-ballasting of our vessels, and un-manned UMS engine rooms, which reduce on-
board operating crew and related expenses. Certain of our vessels also have 16 mooring drums, instead of the more common ten mooring drums, which is necessary for trading in certain Japanese ports in the
winter, and our double-hulled vessels have flush cargo holds with limited obstructions, which allows for faster loading and discharging in ports.
Our current fleet is comprised of three groups of sister ships, and, upon delivery of our eight scheduled newbuilds, our fleet will be comprised of six groups of sister ships. Each group has been built based
upon the same design specifications and, therefore, uses the same parts and equipment. We believe that maintaining a fleet that includes sister ships enhances the revenue generating potential of our fleet by
providing us with operational and scheduling flexibility to more efficiently deploy our vessels. Under many of our long-term period time charters, we retain the right to substitute sister ships, and subject to certain
adjustments, other similar vessels, for the nominated vessel. The uniform nature of sister ships also improves our operating efficiency by allowing our Manager and crews to apply their acquired technical and
operational knowledge of one vessel to all vessels of the same series and creates economies of scale that enable us to realize cost savings when maintaining, supplying and crewing our vessels. When acquiring new
vessels, such as our newbuilds, we prefer to make acquisitions so that each new vessel has at least one sister ship.
Our vessels operate worldwide within the trading limits imposed by our insurance terms, and the main trade routes traveled are (a) transatlantic voyages from the east coast of South America to Europe;
(b) Europe to East Asia; (c) Australia or Indonesia to Japan; and (d) Indonesia or Australia through the Atlantic Ocean to Europe or the Mediterranean.
Under U.S. laws and regulations, certain countries are identified as state sponsors of terrorism. U.S. laws place restictions on investments in Iran and on U.S. persons doing business with such countries.
We believe that we are in compliance with these laws and regulations and intend to remain in compliance. From January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, vessels in our fleet made 14 calls to ports in Iran out
of a total of 695 calls on worldwide ports, and may make port calls in Iran or other such countries in the future, given that the charterers and not the Company determine the destinations of the vessels they charter
from us. One of our vessels, the
Pedhoulas Leader
, also made one port call to Iran from July 7, 2007 to July 8, 2007 for the sole purpose of bunkering (refueling). The total gross revenue that the vessels in our
fleet earned from voyages to ports located in Iran for each of 2005, 2006 and 2007 was $6.56 million, $0.24 million and $13.59 million, respectively, representing approximately 8%, 0.24% and 8% of the total
gross revenue across our entire fleet for each of those respective periods. From January 1, 2008 through
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March 31, 2008, total revenue from calls to these ports was $4.52 million, representing approximately 9% of total voyage revenue over this period. We have no business operations, employees, assets or liabilities
in countries identified under U.S. laws and regulations as state sponsors of terrorism, and we believe that we have no direct or indirect business connections with the governments or persons or entities controlled
by the governments in such countries, although we have engaged a third party agent (which we believe is not controlled by the Iranian government) to provide services associated with the transportation of crew
members to and from our vessels calling at Iranian ports. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our CompanyOur vessels call on ports located in Iran, which is subject to restrictions imposed by the United States
government, which could be viewed negatively by investors and adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
Each of our vessels is, or in the case of newbuilds will be, owned by a separate wholly owned Subsidiary incorporated in Liberia. All of our current vessels fly the Cyprus flag.
The table below presents information with respect to our drybulk vessel fleet, including our newbuilds, and its deployment as of December 31, 2007.
Vessel Name
Dwt
Month and
Country
Charterer
Charter
Charter Rate
Commissions (3)
Time Charter
Sister
Current Fleet
($/day)
Panamax class
Efrossini
(Efragel
76,000
Feb. 2003
Japan
Cargill
Spot
$
88,750
4.375
%
Spot
A
NYK
Time
$
69,600
/
59,600
/
Feb. 2008
49,600
(7)
4.50
%
Feb. 2011
Maria
(Marindou Shipping
76,000
Apr. 2003
Japan
NCS
Spot
$
89,000
5.0
%
Spot
A
Daiichi
Time
$
67,000
/
Feb. 2008
46,000
(8)
1.25
%
Feb. 2011
Vassos
(Avstes Shipping
76,000
Feb. 2004
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
43,000
3.75
%
Oct. 2007
A
Daiichi
Time
$
29,000
1.25
%
Jan. 2009
Katerina
(Kerasies Shipping
76,000
May 2004
Japan
Bunge
Spot
$
80,000
3.75
%
Spot
A
Bunge
Time
$
62,000
3.75
%
Feb. 2008
Maritsa
(Marathassa Shipping
76,000
Jan. 2005
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
44,500
3.75
%
June 2007
A
Bunge
Time
$
53,500
3.75
%
Jan. 2008
Kamsarmax class
Pedhoulas Merchant
(Pemer Shipping Ltd.
82,300
Mar. 2006
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
38,500
3.75
%
Nov. 2007
B
Pedhoulas Trader
(Petra Shipping Ltd.
82,300
May 2006
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
46,500
1.25
%
July 2007
B
Pedhoulas Leader
(Pelea Shipping Ltd.
82,300
Mar. 2007
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
36,750
3.75
%
Dec. 2007
B
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(Subsidiary Owner)
Year
Built (1)
Built
Type
(2)
Period (4)
Ship (5)
Shipping Corporation
(Efragel)) (6)
Corporation
(Marindou)) (6)
Corporation
(Avstes)) (6)
Nov. 2008
Jan. 2014
Corporation
(Kerasies)) (6)
Feb. 2009
Corporation
(Marathassa)) (6) (9)
Jan. 2008
Jan. 2009 (10)
(Pemer))
Jan. 2009
(Petra)) (11)
Feb. 2008
(Pelea))
Feb. 2010
Vessel Name
Dwt
Month and
Country
Charterer
Charter
Charter Rate
Commissions (3)
Time Charter
Sister
Current Fleet
($/day
)
Post-Panamax class
Stalo
(Staloudi Shipping
87,000
Jan. 2006
Japan
Intermare
Time
$
48,500
5.0
%
July 2007
C
Daiichi
Time
$
34,160
1.25
%
Apr. 2010
Marina
(Marinouki Shipping
87,000
Jan. 2006
Japan
Bunge
Time
$
25,000
3.75
%
Mar. 2007
C
Sophia
(Soffive Shipping
87,000
June 2007
Japan
Bunge
Time
$
24,000
3.75
%
July 2007
C
Daiichi
Time
$
34,720
1.25
%
Nov. 2008
Subtotal
887,900
Newbuilds
Kamsarmax class
Hull No. 2054
(Maxdeka Shipping
81,000
Mar. 2010
South
D (14
)
Hull No. 2055
81,000
May 2010
South
D (14
)
Post-Panamax class
Eleni
(Eniaprohi Shipping
87,000
Nov. 2008
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
34,160
1.25
%
Apr. 2010
C
Martine
(Eniadefhi
87,000
Mar. 2009
Japan
Daiichi
Time
$
40,500
1.25
%
Mar. 2009
C
Hull No. 1039
(Maxdodeka Shipping
92,000
July 2009
South
E (14
)
Hull No. 1050
(Maxdekatria Shipping
92,000
Mar. 2010
South
E (14
)
Capesize class
Hull No. 1074
(Eptaprohi Shipping
176,000
Mar. 2010
China (16)
F
Hull No. 1075
(Maxpente Shipping
176,000
Jan. 2010
China (16)
F
Current Fleet
Subtotal
872,000
TOTAL
1,759,900
(Subsidiary Owner)
Year
Built (1)
Built
Type
(2)
Period (4)
Ship (5)
Corporation
(Staloudi)) (6) (12)
Transport
GmbH
Sept. 2009
Mar. 2015
Corporation
(Marinouki)) (13) (12)
Jan. 2008
Corporation
(Soffive)) (6) (12)
Aug. 2008
Nov. 2013
Corporation
(Maxdeka))
Korea
(Maxenteka Shipping
Corporation
(Maxenteka))
Korea
Corporation
(Eniaprohi)) (12), (15)
Mar. 2015
Shipping
Corporation
(Eniadefhi)) (12)
Mar. 2014
Corporation
(Maxdodeka))
Korea
Corporation
(Maxdekatria))
Korea
Corporation
(Eptaprohi))
(tbn Kanaris)
Corporation
(Maxpente)) (17)
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(1)
For newbuilds, the dates shown reflect the expected delivery dates. See footnote (15) below for additional information regarding the expected delivery date of the
Eleni
.
(2)
Quoted charter rates are gross charter rates.
(3)
Commissions reflect payments made to third party brokers or our charterers, and do not include the 1.0% fee payable on gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage to our Manager pursuant to our
vessel management agreements with our Manager as of January 1, 2008 and pursuant to our new management agreement that will be in place following this offering.
(4)
The start dates listed reflect either actual start dates or, in the case of contracted charters that had not commenced as of December 31, 2007, scheduled start dates. Actual start dates may differ from the
scheduled start dates depending on the terms of the charter and market conditions, and we generally have the option under our charter contracts to deliver the vessel within 30 to 60 days prior to or after the
scheduled start date.
Redelivery dates listed are the expected redelivery dates. Actual redelivery dates may differ from the expected redelivery dates depending on the terms of the charter and market conditions. Charterers under
our charter contracts generally have a period of between 30 and 60 days during which they can redeliver the vessel.
(5)
Each vessel with the same letter is a sister ship of each other vessel that has the same letter.
(6)
This vessel was under period time or spot charter as of December 31, 2007, and, as of that date, was scheduled to commence a future period time charter as indicated in footnote (4) above. Information for
both the charter under which the vessel was deployed as of December 31, 2007 and the future period time charter has been provided for this vessel. To the extent there is an interim period between the end of
the current charter and the future period time charter, we expect to employ such vessel in the spot market during such period.
(7)
The gross daily charter rates to be paid by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) for the
Efrossini
are $69,600, $59,600 and $49,600 during the first, second and third years, respectively.
(8)
The daily charter rates to be paid by Daiichi for the
Maria
are $67,000 during 2008 and $46,000 during 2009 and 2010.
(9)
On March 13, 2008, we entered a five-year period time charter with Shinwa Kaiun Kaisha Tokyo (Shinwa) pursuant to which Shinwa will charter the
Maritsa
or a sister ship commencing in the first quarter
of 2010. Pursuant to the charter, Shinwa may choose from among three charter rate structures, and must select among them prior to the commencement of the charter. Under the first option, the gross daily
charter rates under this charter are $32,000 during the first and second years, $28,000 during the third year and $24,000 during the fourth and fifth years; under the second option, the gross daily charter rates
under this charter are $32,500 during the first, second and third years and $21,250 during the fourth and fifth years; and under the third option, the gross daily charter rate under this charter is $28,000 during
all five years. In each case, gross daily charter rates under this charter are subject to a 1.25% commission.
(10)
The
Maritsa
time charter with Bunge was scheduled to commence in February 2008, but we agreed in January 2008 to early delivery of the vessel in exchange for a payment by Bunge in the amount of
$75,000.
(11)
On January 24, 2008, we entered into a time charter with Bunge pursuant to which we agreed to charter the
Pedhoulas Trader
commencing February 9, 2008 and due to expire by July 24, 2008 at a gross
daily charter rate of $54,000. On March 3, 2008, we agreed with Bunge to terminate the charter. We estimate that the compensation payable to the charterer for early redelivery of the vessel, which is
expected to occur on May 30, 2008, will be approximately $800,000. In April 2008, we entered a five-year period time charter with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., or K-Line, pursuant to which K-Line will
charter the
Pedhoulas Trader
commencing July 2008. The gross daily charter rates under this charter are $69,000, $56,500, $42,000, $20,000 and $20,000 during the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years,
respectively, subject to a 1.00% commission.
(12)
Double-hulled vessel.
104
(13)
On March 5, 2008, we entered a five-year period time charter with K-Line pursuant to which K-Line will charter the
Marina
or a sister ship commencing in the third or fourth quarter of 2008. The gross
daily charter rates under this charter are $61,500, $51,500, $41,500, $31,500 and $21,500 during the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years, respectively, subject to a 2.5% commission.
(14)
These Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class newbuilds are being built in different shipyards than our current Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels, but may be subject to similar operational treatment as
the current vessels of the same class because they have substantially the same specifications as the current vessels. Under certain of our charter contracts, we are able to substitute these newbuilds for the
current vessels nominated under the charter contract, although in certain cases, such substitution may result in a discount in the charter rate.
(15)
Delivery date for this newbuild reflects agreement with the shipyard to deliver the newbuild in the fourth quarter of 2008, which is earlier than the originally scheduled delivery date of January 31, 2009 in
the applicable newbuild contract, for an additional fee of $5,265 (¥591,500) per day for each day between the actual delivery date and the January 31, 2009 originally scheduled delivery date. On April 17,
2008, we entered a period time charter with Daiichi pursuant to which Daiichi will charter the
Eleni
commencing in November 2008 through October 2009. The gross daily charter rate under this charter is
$77,000 per day, subject to a 1.25% commission.
(16)
This vessel is being built at the Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd. (Rongsheng) shipyard.
(17)
On February 7, 2008 we entered into a 20-year period time charter with Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. pursuant to which Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. will charter the vessel to be named
Kanaris
commencing in the
third or fourth quarter of 2011. The gross daily charter rate under this charter is $25,928 subject to a 2.5% commission. The obligations of Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. have been guaranteed by Tata Power
Company Limited and Coastal Gujarat Power Limited, two companies which are part of the Tata Group of companies. During the expected interim period between the scheduled delivery of the
Kanaris
and
the commencement of this period time charter, we expect to employ the
Kanaris
in the spot market or on a period time charter.
Our main focus is on Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels because these vessels have the flexibility to handle a wide variety of drybulk cargoes and are able to access all major ports. In
addition, unlike smaller drybulk vessels, Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels are able to efficiently transport the major drybulk commodities, coal, iron ore, coal and grain, to Asian markets. We
believe that our focus on Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class vessels allows us to enter into stronger relationships with customers, including specific departments at our customers that specialize in the
types of cargo that are transported by these vessel classes. This focus also helps us better meet the needs of our customers and enables us to develop greater expertise in the management of a targeted group of
drybulk vessel classes.
Newbuilds
. We intend to grow our fleet through selective investment in drybulk newbuild contracts in order to both renew our fleet, by replacing vessels as they age with more modern vessels with
advanced designs, and to increase the number of vessels in our fleet. Since 1995, we have acquired and taken delivery of 21 newbuilds, and we currently have eight newbuilds on order. Our currently contracted
newbuilds are comprised of two Japanese-built Post-Panamax class vessels, with contract prices of approximately $37.7 million (¥4.3 billion) per vessel (plus an estimated additional cost of $0.4 million for early
delivery of one of these vessels), scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009, two South Korean-built Post-Panamax class vessels, with contract prices of $73.5 million per vessel,
scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, two Chinese-built Capesize class vessels, with contract prices of $80.0 million and $81.0 million, scheduled for delivery in the first
quarter of 2010 and two South Korean-built Kamsarmax class vessels, with contract prices of $48.1 million per vessel, scheduled for delivery in the first and second quarters of 2010. In addition to payment of the
contract prices for the newbuilds, we are required to make payments for certain adjustments, under our newbuild contracts, such as reimbursement of certain third-party seller interest expenses with respect to Hull
Nos. 2054 and 2055 and payments for early delivery, if requested by us. For example, with respect to the delivery of the
Eleni
, which the shipyard has agreed to deliver in the fourth quarter of 2008, earlier than
the originally scheduled delivery date of January 31, 2009, we are required to pay an additional
105
amount of $5,265 (¥591,500) per day for each day between the actual delivery of the
Eleni
and January 31, 2009. We expect that the
Eleni
will be delivered on or around November 10, 2008, and the amount
payable, assuming delivery on such date, would be $431,687 (¥48.5 million). The actual amount of such adjustment-related payments that will need to be made with respect to our newbuilds will depend on whether
adjustments are made prior to delivery of the newbuilds.
Although we intend to focus on Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax class newbuilds, we monitor market conditions regularly and may acquire secondhand drybulk vessels or vessels of other sizes
when those acquisitions would, in our view, present favorable investment opportunities. Examples of this are our newbuild contracts for two Capesize class vessels. We believe that the addition of these Capesize
class vessels represents a reasonable expansion of the fleet towards larger sizes, provides our customers with additional flexibility and should generate attractive returns due to the attractive contract prices for the
vessels and early delivery time from the shipyard.
Chartering of Our Fleet
We currently deploy the vessels in our fleet under period time charters and trip time charters, a type of spot charter, to transport bulk cargoes, particularly grain, iron ore and coal, along worldwide
shipping routes. We intend to employ our drybulk vessels on a mix of period time and spot charters and, according to our assessment of market conditions, adjust the mix of these charters to take advantage of the
relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates associated with long-term period time charters or to profit from attractive spot rates during periods of strong charter market conditions. We have recently entered
into five-year period time charters, which are scheduled to commence in late 2008, 2009 and 2010, for six vessels in our current fleet, and two of our newbuilds, and have entered into a 20-year time charter
commencing in 2011 for one of our newbuilds. By chartering these vessels in advance, we have been able to take advantage of the recent strong market conditions, while at the same time, reducing our exposure to
charter rate fluctuations in late 2008, 2009 and 2010 when all of our newbuilds are delivered. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, we had arranged one- to three-year period time charters commencing in 2008
for the three vessels in our fleet which were deployed on spot charters as of December 31, 2007. As a result, as of December 31, 2007, we had time charter commitments for approximately 75.9%, 50.6% and
36.1% of our fleets anticipated available days in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and our contracted period time charter arrangements for 2008 through 2010, are expected to provide revenues of $347.1 million.
We monitor developments in the drybulk shipping industry on a regular basis and seek to adjust the charter hire periods for our vessels according to our assessment of market conditions. Our Manager,
which in combination with its predecessor has over 40 years of experience in managing drybulk vessels, balances our charters between period time charters and spot charters. We are constantly evaluating
opportunities to increase the number of our drybulk vessels employed on period time charters, but only expect to enter into additional period time charters with financially strong charterers on terms that reflect the
value of our vessels. In addition, we have on occasion requested to terminate a charter earlier than scheduled when either we would like to take advantage of a strong long-term period time charter market
environment and believe that an opportunity to enter into a subsequent long-term period time charter is not likely to be available when the relevant vessel is originally scheduled to be redelivered or when our
vessel is otherwise chartered pursuant to a period time charter that is expected to generate lower charter revenues than would otherwise be available based on prevailing charter rates and market conditions.
Set forth below are brief descriptions of the types of charters under which our vessels may be employed.
Time Charters
: A time charter is a contract to charter a vessel for a fixed period of time at a set daily rate and can last from a few days up to several years. Under our time charters the charterer pays for
most voyage expenses, such as port, canal and fuel costs, agents fees, extra war risks insurance and any other expenses related to the cargoes, and we pay for vessel operating expenses, which include, among
other costs, costs for crewing, provisions, stores, lubricants, insurance, maintenance and repairs, drydocking and intermediate and special surveys.
Period time charters: Period time charters are time charters lasting from three months up to several years.
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Trip time charters: A trip time charter is a short-term time charter that can last from a few days up to three months and consists of a limited number of trips between ports. Vessels deployed on trip
time charters are considered to be deployed in the spot market.
Voyage Charters
: Voyage charters are generally contracts to carry a specific cargo from a load port to a discharge port, including positioning the vessel at the load port. Under a voyage charter, the
charterer pays an agreed upon total amount or on a per cargo ton basis, and we pay for both vessel operating expenses and voyage expenses. Vessels deployed on voyage charters are considered to be deployed in
the spot market. We infrequently enter into voyage charters.
Spot Charters
: Spot chartering activity involves chartering either on a voyage charter or a trip time charter. Because we employ our vessels on voyage charters only infrequently, references to spot
charters in this prospectus generally refer to trip time charters unless otherwise indicated.
Contracts of Affreightment
: We also, infrequently, enter into contracts of affreightment, under which our vessels are used to carry multiple cargoes over the same route over a number of years.
Our Customers
Our customers, since 2005, have included over 30 national, regional and international companies, including Bunge, Cargill, Daiichi, Intermare Transport G.m.b.H., NYK and NCS, or their affiliates, which
were chartering our vessels as of December 31, 2007. In addition, in February, 2008 we entered into a 20-year period time charter with Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd., an affiliate of the Tata Group of companies,
pursuant to which Eastern Energy Pte. Ltd. will charter the newbuild to be named
Kanaris
commencing in 2011. In March and April of 2008, we entered into two separate five-year period time charters with
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., or K-Line, pursuant to which K-Line will charter the
Marina
or a sister ship commencing in the third or fourth quarter of 2008 and K-Line will charter the
Pedhoulas Trader
commencing in July 2008. In March 2008, we also entered into a five-year period time charter contract with Shinwa pursuant to which Shinwa will charter the
Maritsa
or a sister ship commencing in the first
quarter of 2010. Our customers include leading drybulk charterers, some of which have been chartering our vessels or vessels of our affiliates for over 20 years. We seek to charter our vessels primarily to
charterers who intend to use our vessels without sub-chartering them to third parties. We find that developing and maintaining relationships with the end-users of our services allows us to develop strong
relationships with these customers and develop a better understanding of the commodities carried by our vessels. A prospective charterers financial condition and reliability are also important factors in negotiating
employment for our vessels.
Below is a brief description of our relationship with three of our largest customers with which we have strong relationships and which, as of December 31, 2007, were chartering nine of our vessels on
spot or period time charters:
Bunge Limited and its affiliates
: Bunge is a leading agribusiness and food company based in the United States. We have transported a variety of cargoes, including grain, coal and iron ore, for Bunge since
2002. Between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2007, we made approximately 90 voyages and transported over 6.2 million metric tons (Mt) of cargo for Bunge. As of December 31, 2007, we had one spot
charter and two period time charters in place with Bunge, and in the first quarter of 2008, commenced two one-year period time charters with Bunge.
Cargill International S.A. and its affiliates
: Cargill is an international provider of food and agriculture products and services based in the United States. We have transported a variety of cargoes, including
grain, coal and iron ore, for Cargill since the early 1990s. Between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2007, we made approximately 60 voyages and transported over 3.5 Mt of cargo for Cargill. As of December
31, 2007, we had one spot charter in place with Cargill.
Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and its affiliates
: Daiichi is a global provider of maritime transportation services based in Japan that also engages in commodities trading. In 2007, we solidified our relationship
with Daiichi with a series of period time charters to transport coal with an aggregate of more than 32 years of employment, as of December 31, 2007, and as of that date, had vessels deployed on five period time
charters with Daiichi. As of December 31, 2007, we also were scheduled to commence five additional five-year period time charters and one additional two-year period time charter with Daiichi at
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various times between 2008 and 2010. These charters have established our company as one of Daiichis largest non-Japanese drybulk shipping associates.
See Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our CompanyWe depend upon a limited number of customers for a large part of our revenues and the loss of one or more of these customers could adversely affect our
financial performance.
Corporate Matters
Safe Bulkers, Inc. was incorporated on December 11, 2007, under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, for the purpose of acquiring ownership of our 19 Subsidiaries, each incorporated under
the laws of the Republic of Liberia, that either currently own vessels or are scheduled to own vessels. Each of these subsidiaries, since inception, has been under the common control of Polys Hajioannou and
Nicolaos Hadjioannou. Following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering, each of these Subsidiaries will be transferred or contributed to Safe Bulkers, Inc. by Vorini Holdings, a
Marshall Islands corporation that will be majority owned by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, with Maria Hajioannou and Eleni Hajiannou having minority shareholdings. See Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsOverview for more information on our Reorganization, which will occur following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this
offering. Following the closing of this offering, we will conduct our business operations through these Subsidiaries. Each of our vessels is owned by one of these Subsidiaries.
Management of Our Fleet
Our chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer, collectively referred to in this prospectus as our executive officers, provide strategic management for our company
and also supervise the management of our day-to-day operations by our Manager. We expect that all of the executive officers, except for the chief financial officer, will allocate a substantial majority of their time
to our business. With respect to the chief financial officer, all of his time will be allocated to our business. Our arrangements with our Manager and its performance are reviewed by our board of directors. Prior to
this offering, we will be entering into a management agreement pursuant to which our Manager provides us and our subsidiaries with technical, administrative, commercial and certain other services for an initial
term expiring on the second anniversary of the completion of this offering, with automatic one-year renewals for an additional eight years, unless we provide notice of non-renewal 12 months prior to the end of
the then-current term. Our Manager reports to us and our board of directors through our executive officers.
Historically, our Manager only rarely managed vessels other than those in our fleet and currently it does not manage any other companies vessels, with the exception of certain services provided to
SafeFixing, an affiliate of our Manager, which is in the business of chartering-in third party vessels for subsequent chartering to customers. Our Manager has agreed that, during the term of our management
agreement and for a period of one year following its termination, our Manager will not provide management services to, or with respect to, any drybulk vessels other than (a) on our behalf, (b) with respect to
certain drybulk vessels chartered in by SafeFixing or (c) with respect to drybulk vessels that are owned or operated by the Hajioannou Entities, which include Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, Vorini
Holdings and Machairiotissa Holdings, and drybulk vessel businesses that are acquired, invested in or controlled by the Hajioannou Entities, subject in each case to compliance with, or waivers of, the restrictive
covenant agreements entered into between us and the Hajioannou Entities. See Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and ManagementEmployment and Restrictive Covenant Agreements for a
description of our restrictive covenant agreements entered into with the Hajioannou Entities. We believe we will continue to derive significant benefits from our relationship with our Manager.
Our Manager has also agreed that if one of our drybulk vessels and a drybulk vessel owned or operated by any of the Hajioannou Entities are both available and meet the criteria for a charter being
arranged by our Manager, our drybulk vessel will receive such charter.
Following this offering, and until the second anniversary of the completion of this offering, in return for providing technical, administrative and commercial management of our vessels, including human
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resources, financial and other administrative services such as bookkeeping, audits and accounting services, banking and financial services, client and investor relations services and office space, our Manager will
receive a management fee of $575 per day per vessel. Thereafter, these fees will be adjusted every year by agreement between us and our Manager. In return for chartering services rendered to us, our Manager
will also receive a fee of 1.0% on all freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage for each vessel. Our Manager will also receive a commission of 1.0% based on the contract price of any vessel bought or
sold by it on our behalf, including the acquisition of each of our contracted newbuilds other than the two Post-Panamax class vessels being built in the IHI shipyard in Japan. With respect to these two Post-
Panamax class vessels, our Manager will receive a commission of 1.0% based on the contract prices of those vessels through separate agreements with the Itochu Corporation, the trading house facilitating the IHI
newbuild sales and the counterparty to the applicable newbuild contracts, and not pursuant to the management agreement. We will also pay our Manager a flat supervision fee of $375,000 per newbuild, which we
will capitalize, for the on-premises supervision by selected engineers and others on the Managers staff of newbuilds we have agreed to acquire pursuant to shipbuilding contracts, memoranda of agreement, or
otherwise.
For more information on the services provided by our Manager pursuant to our management agreement, please read the section entitled Our Manager and Management Related Agreements.
Competition
We operate in highly competitive markets that are based primarily on supply and demand. Our business fluctuates in line with the main patterns of trade of the major drybulk cargoes and varies according
to changes in the supply and demand for these items. We believe we differentiate ourselves from our competition by providing young, modern vessels with advanced designs and technological specifications.
Having all of our current fleet and a majority of our current and contracted fleet built in Japanese shipyards, we believe, provides us with an advantage in attracting large, well-established customers, including
Japanese customers.
The drybulk sector is characterized by relatively low barriers to entry. According to Drewry, ownership of drybulk vessels is highly fragmented and, as of January 31, 2008, was divided among over 1,400
independent drybulk vessel owners. As of January 31, 2008, nearly 500 of these owners owned Panamax class drybulk vessels, with at least 20 owning at least ten such vessels. Some of these competitors have
larger fleets and greater financial resources than we do, which may make them more competitive. In general, we compete with other owners of Panamax class or larger drybulk vessels for charters based upon
price, customer relationships, operating expertise, professional reputation and size, age, location and condition of the vessel.
For a more detailed description of our competitive environment, please read The International Drybulk Shipping Industry.
Crewing and Shore Employees
Upon completion of this offering, we will have four shore-based employees, all of whom will be provided by our Manager. This management team will consist of our chief executive officer, president,
chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Our Manager is responsible for the technical management of our fleet and therefore also handles the recruiting, either directly or through a crewing agent, of the
senior officers and all other crew members for our vessels. Our Manager currently crews our vessels primarily with Greek senior officers and Filipino officers and seamen. We believe the streamlining of crewing
arrangements through our Manager ensures that all of our vessels will be crewed with experienced crews that have the qualifications and licenses required by international regulations and shipping conventions. As
of December 31, 2007, 231 people served on board the vessels in our fleet, and our Manager employed 34 people, all of whom were shore-based.
Permits and Authorizations
We are required by various governmental and other agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates and financial assurances with respect to each of our vessels. The kinds of permits, licenses,
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certificates and financial assurances required by governmental and other agencies depend upon several factors, including the commodity being transported, the waters in which the vessel operates, the nationality of
the vessels crew and the type and age of the vessel. All permits, licenses, certificates and financial assurances currently required to operate our vessels have been obtained. Additional laws and regulations,
environmental or otherwise, may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of doing business.
Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance
General
The operation of our fleet includes risks such as mechanical failure, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities and
labor strikes as well as personal injury and loss of life. In addition, the operation of any oceangoing vessel is subject to the inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental
mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon owners, operators and
demise charterers of vessels trading in the United States exclusive economic zone for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance more expensive for vessel owners and operators
trading in the United States market.
Our Manager is responsible for arranging insurance for all our vessels on terms specified in our management agreement, which we believe are in line with standard industry practice. In accordance with
our management agreement, our Manager will procure and maintain hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance, freight, demurrage and defense coverage and protection and indemnity coverage with mutual
assurance associations. Due to our low incident rate and young age of our fleet, we are generally able to procure relatively low hull and machinery insurance rates.
While our insurance coverage for our drybulk vessel fleet is in amounts that we believe to be prudent to protect us against normal risks involved in the conduct of our business and consistent with standard
industry practice, our Manager may not be able to maintain this level of coverage throughout a vessels useful life. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that all risks are adequately insured against, that any
particular claim will be paid or that adequate insurance coverage will always be able to be obtained at reasonable rates.
Hull and machinery and war risks insurance
Our marine hull and machinery insurance covers risks of partial loss or actual or constructive total loss from collision, fire, grounding, engine breakdown and other insured risk up to an agreed amount per
vessel. Our war risks insurance covers risks of partial loss or actual or constructive total loss from confiscation, seizure, capture, vandalism, sabotage and other war-related risks. Our vessels will each be covered up
to at least their fair market value after meeting certain deductibles per incident per vessel. We also maintain increased value coverage for each of our vessels. Under this increased value coverage, in the event of
the total loss of a vessel, we are entitled to recover amounts not recoverable under our hull and machinery policy due to under-insurance.
Protection and indemnity insurance
Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance provided by mutual marine protection and indemnity associations, or P&I Clubs, formed by vessel owners to provide protection
from large financial loss to one club member by contribution towards that loss by all members.
Protection and indemnity insurance covers our third-party and crew liabilities in connection with our shipping activities. This includes third-party liability, crew liability and other related expenses resulting
from the injury or death of crew members, passengers and other third parties, the loss or damage to cargo, third-party 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.
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Unless otherwise provided by the international conventions that limit the liability of vessel owners and subject to the capping discussed below, our coverage, except for pollution, will be unlimited.
Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is limited to $1.0 billion per vessel per incident. We are a member of a P&I Club that is a member of the International Group of P&I
Clubs (the International Group). The P&I Clubs that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the worlds commercial blue-water tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to
reinsure each individual P&I Clubs liabilities. The International Group exists to arrange collective insurance and reinsurance for P&I Clubs, to represent the views of vessel owners and charterers who belong to those
P&I Clubs on matters of concern to the shipping industry and to provide a forum for the exchange of information. Each of the constituent P&I Clubs is an independent, non-profit making mutual insurance association,
providing cover for its vessel owners and charterer members against liabilities of their respective businesses. Each P&I Club is controlled by its members through a board of directors elected from the membership.
The board of directors retains responsibility for strategic and policy issues, but delegates the technical running of the P&I Club to full-time managers.
Although the P&I Clubs compete with each other for business, they have found it beneficial to pool their larger risks under the auspices of the International Group. This pooling is regulated by a contractual
agreement which defines the risks that are to be pooled and exactly how these are to be shared among the participating P&I Clubs. The pool provides a mechanism for sharing all claims in excess of $6.0 million up
to a limit of about $4.5 billion. For a layer of claims between $50.0 million and $2.0 billion the P&I Clubs in the International Group purchase reinsurance from the commercial market. The pooling system provides
participating P&I Clubs with reinsurance protection, at cost, at much higher levels than would normally be available in the commercial reinsurance market. As a member of a P&I Club that is a member of the
International Group, we are subject to periodic assessments payable to the P&I Clubs mainly based on our claims record, as well as the claims record of the International Group, all other members of the individual
P&I Clubs and members of the pool of P&I Clubs comprising the International Group.
Inspection by Classification Societies
Every oceangoing vessel must be classed by a classification society. The classification society certifies that the vessel is in class, signifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the classification society. In addition, each vessel must comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the vessels country of registry, or flag state, as well as the
international conventions of which that flag state is a member. A vessels compliance with international conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances of its flag state can be confirmed by the applicable flag
state, port state control or, upon application or by official order, the classification society, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned.
The classification society also undertakes, upon request, other surveys and checks that are required by regulations and requirements of the flag state. These surveys are subject to agreements made in each
individual case or to the regulations of the country concerned.
All areas subject to survey as defined by the classification society are required to be surveyed at least once per class period, unless shorter intervals between surveys are prescribed elsewhere. The period
between two subsequent surveys of each area must not exceed five years. The maintenance of class, regular and extraordinary surveys of a vessels hull and machinery, including the electrical plant, and any special
equipment classed are required to be performed as follows:
Annual Surveys.
For oceangoing vessels, annual surveys are conducted for its hull and machinery, including the electrical plant, and for any special equipment classed, at intervals of 12 months from the
date of commencement of the class period indicated in the certificate.
Intermediate Surveys.
Extended annual surveys are referred to as intermediate surveys and typically are conducted on the occasion of the second or third annual surveys after commissioning and after
each class renewal.
Class Renewal / Special Surveys.
Class renewal surveys, also known as special surveys, are more extensive than intermediate surveys and are carried out at the end of each five year period. During
the special survey the vessel is thoroughly examined, including thickness-gauging to
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determine any diminution in the steel structures. Should the thickness be found to be less than class requirements, the classification society would prescribe steel renewals. It may be expensive to have
steel renewals pass a special survey if the vessel is aged or experiences excessive wear and tear. A vessel owner has the option of arranging with the classification society for the vessels machinery to
be on a continuous survey cycle, according to which all machinery would be surveyed within a five-year cycle. At an owners application, the surveys required for class renewal may be split according
to an agreed schedule to extend over the entire period of class.
Most vessels are also drydocked every 24 to 36 months for inspection of their underwater parts and for repairs related to inspections. If any defects are found, the classification surveyor will issue a
recommendation or condition of class which must be rectified by the vessel owner within the prescribed time limits. If In Water Survey (IWS) notation is assigned by class, as is the case for our vessels, the
vessel owner has the option of carrying out an underwater inspection of the vessel in lieu of drydocking up to the tenth anniversary of vessel delivery, subject to certain conditions, thereby generally achieving a
higher utilization for the relevant vessel.
In general, insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel be certified as in class by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of
Classification Societies (IACS). All of our vessels are certified as being in class by Lloyds Register of Shipping, which is a member of IACS.
The following table lists the dates of our recent drydockings and special surveys, and the dates by which we expect to carry out the next drydockings and special surveys for the vessels in our current
drybulk vessel fleet:
Vessel Name
Drydocking
Special Survey
Efrossini
April 2008
April 2008
Maria
May 2008
May 2008
Vassos
March 2008
February 2009
Katerina
July 2008
May 2009
Maritsa
February 2009
January 2010
Pedhoulas Merchant
March 2010 (1)
March 2011 (1)
Pedhoulas Trader
May 2010 (1)
May 2011 (1)
Pedhoulas Leader
February 2011 (1)
March 2012 (1)
Stalo
January 2010 (1)
January 2011 (1)
Marina
January 2010 (1)
January 2011 (1)
Sophia
June 2011 (1)
June 2012 (1)
(1)
For these vessels, we have the ability to carry out in-water survey of the vessel in lieu of drydocking, subject to certain conditions, which allows us to achieve a higher utilization of the relevant vessel. In the
event of an in-water survey as part of a particular intermediate survey, drydocking would be required for the following special survey.
Drydocking can be undertaken as part of a special survey if the drydocking occurs within 15 months prior to the special survey deadline.
Environmental and Other Regulations
General
Government regulation significantly affects the ownership and operation of our vessels. Our vessels are subject to international conventions and national, state and local laws and regulations in force in
international waters and the countries in which they operate or are registered, including those governing the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of oil spills and the
management of other contamination, air emissions, water discharges and ballast water. These laws and regulations include OPA 90, the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (CERCLA), the U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA) and Clean Air Act (CAA), the International Convention for Prevention of Pollution from Ships, the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS) and implementing regulations adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the
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European Union (EU) and other international, national and local regulatory bodies. Compliance with these laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and
implementation of certain operating procedures. Our fleet, however, is young and modern and complies with all current requirements. Under our management agreement, our Manager will assume technical
management responsibility for our fleet, including compliance with all applicable government and other regulations. If our management agreement with our Manager terminates, we would attempt to hire another
party to assume this responsibility, including compliance with the regulations described herein. In such event we may be unable to hire another party to perform these and other services for a fixed fee, as is the
case with our Manager. However, due to the nature of our relationship with our Manager, we do not expect our management agreement to be terminated early.
A variety of governmental and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities (such as the U.S. Coast Guard, harbor
master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administration (country of registry), charterers and terminal operators. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, financial assurances and
certificates for the operation of our vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of our vessels.
We believe that the heightened level of environmental and quality concerns among insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers is leading to greater inspection and safety requirements on all vessels
and may accelerate the scrapping of older vessels throughout the drybulk shipping industry. Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to the 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 U.S. and
international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessels is in substantial compliance with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to us as of the date of this prospectus. However, because
such laws and regulations are subject to frequent change and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, such future requirements may limit our ability to do business, increase our operating costs, force the
early retirement of our vessels and/or affect their resale value, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. However, we believe that the nature of our
young, modern fleet is such that we will not be exposed to the same level of risk faced by owners of older, less modern vessels.
The International Maritime Organization
Our vessels are subject to standards imposed by the IMO, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention of pollution by ships. The IMO has adopted regulations that are designed to
reduce pollution in international waters, both from accidents and from routine operations, and has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for oil pollution in international waters and a signatorys
territorial waters. For example, Annex III of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) regulates the transportation of marine pollutants and imposes standards on
packing, marking, labeling, documentation, stowage, quantity limitations and pollution prevention. These requirements have been expanded by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, which imposes
additional standards for all aspects of the transportation of dangerous goods and marine pollutants by sea.
In September 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from vessels. Annex VI became effective on May 19, 2005, and sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide
emissions from vessel exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons. 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. We have obtained International Air Pollution Prevention Certificates for all our vessels, and believe that maintaining compliance with
Annex VI will not have an adverse financial impact on the operation of our vessels. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could adversely affect our ability to manage our
vessels. For example, the United States in February 2007 proposed a series of amendments to Annex VI regarding emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. The emissions program
described in this proposal would reduce air pollution from ships by establishing a new tier of
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performance-based standards for marine diesel engines on all vessels and by establishing stringent emission requirements for ships that operate in certain coastal areas with particular air quality concerns. If these
amendments are implemented and are applied to existing vessels (as opposed to vessels manufactured after the effective date), we may incur costs to install additional pollution control equipment in our vessels.
In March 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention, which imposes strict liability on ship owners for pollution
damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention also requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance in specified
amounts to cover their liability for relevant pollution damage. As of November 2007, the Bunker Convention had been ratified by a sufficient number of nations for entry into force, and the Bunker Convention
will become effective on November 21, 2008.
The operation of our vessels is also affected by the requirements set forth in the IMOs International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code. The ISM
Code requires vessel owners or any other person, such as a manager or bareboat charterer, who has assumed responsibility for the operation of a vessel from the vessel owner and on assuming such responsibility
has agreed to take over all the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code, to develop and maintain an extensive SMS, or Safety Management System, that includes the adoption of a safety and
environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a Safety
Management Certificate for each vessel they operate from the government of the vessels flag state. The certificate verifies that the vessel operates in compliance with its approved SMS. Currently, our Manager
has the requisite documents of compliance and safety management certificates for each of the vessels in our fleet for which the certificates are required by the IMO. Our Manager is required to renew these
documents of compliance and safety management certificates every five years. Compliance is externally verified on an annual basis for the Manager and between the second and third years for each vessel by the
applicable flag state. Although all our vessels are currently ISM Code-certified, there can be no assurance that such certification will be maintained indefinitely.
Noncompliance by a vessel owner, manager or bareboat charterer with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, invalidate existing insurance or decrease available insurance coverage for
the affected vessels and result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard and EU authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be
prohibited from trading in U.S. and EU ports.
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990
OPA 90 established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection of the environment from oil spills and cleanup of oil spills. OPA 90 applies to discharges of any oil from a vessel,
including discharges of fuel and lubricants. OPA 90 affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes
the United States territorial sea and its two hundred nautical mile exclusive economic zone. While our vessels do not carry oil as cargo, they do carry lubricants and fuel oil, or bunkers, which subjects our
vessels to the requirements of OPA 90.
Under OPA 90, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are responsible parties and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the discharge of pollutants 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 pollutants from their vessels, including
bunkers. OPA 90 defines these other damages broadly to include:
natural resource damages and the costs of assessment thereof;
real and personal property damage;
net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees and other lost revenues;
lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to property or natural resource damages; and
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net cost of public services necessitated by a spill response, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards and loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
OPA 90 preserves the right to recover damages under other existing laws, including maritime tort law.
As a result of 2006 amendments to OPA 90, the liability of responsible parties under OPA 90 was increased to the greater of $950 per gross ton or $800,000 per non-tank vessel (subject to periodic
adjustment for inflation). These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was directly caused by violation of applicable U.S. safety, construction or operating regulations or by a responsible partys gross
negligence or willful misconduct, or if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with oil removal activities.
Under OPA 90, all owners and operators of vessels over 300 gross tons are required to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet their
potential liabilities under OPA 90. Current U.S. Coast Guard regulations require evidence of financial responsibility in the amount of $900 per gross ton for non-tank vessels, which includes the former OPA 90
liability limit of $600 per gross ton for non-tank vessels and the CERCLA liability limit of $300 per gross ton (see The U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act below for
further details). On February 5, 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard proposed a new rule that will increase the amounts of required financial responsibility to reflect the July 2006 increases in OPA 90 liability. Under the
regulations, owners and operators may evidence their financial responsibility by showing proof of insurance, surety bond, guarantee, letter of credit or self-insurance. An owner or operator of a fleet of vessels is
required only to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest maximum liability under OPA 90. Under the self-insurance provisions, the
vessel owner or operator must have a net worth and working capital, measured in assets located in the United States against liabilities located anywhere in the world, that exceeds the applicable amount of financial
responsibility. We have complied with the U.S. Coast Guard regulations by providing a financial guarantee evidencing sufficient self-insurance. We have satisfied these requirements and obtained a U.S. Coast
Guard certificate of financial responsibility for all of our vessels.
The U.S. Coast Guards regulations concerning certificates of financial responsibility provide, in accordance with OPA 90, that claimants may bring suit directly against an insurer or guarantor that
furnishes certificates of financial responsibility. In the event that such insurer or guarantor is sued directly, it is prohibited from asserting any contractual defense that it may have had against the responsible party
and is limited to asserting those defenses available to the responsible party and the defense that the incident was caused by the willful misconduct of the responsible party. Certain organizations, which had typically
provided certificates of financial responsibility under pre-OPA 90 laws, including the major protection and indemnity organizations, have declined to furnish evidence of insurance for vessel owners and operators if
they are subject to direct actions or required to waive insurance policy defenses. This requirement may have the effect of limiting the availability of the type of coverage required by the U.S. Coast Guard and
could increase our costs of obtaining this insurance for our fleet, as well as the costs of our competitors that also require such coverage.
We currently maintain, for each of our vessels, oil pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1.0 billion per incident. Although our vessels carry a relatively small amount of bunkers, a spill
of oil from one of our vessels could be catastrophic under certain circumstances. We also carry hull and machinery and protection and indemnity insurance to cover the risks of fire and explosion. Losses as a
result of fire or explosion could be catastrophic under some conditions. While we believe that our present insurance coverage is adequate, not all risks can be insured and there can be no guarantee that any specific
claim will be paid, or that we will always be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates. If the damages from a catastrophic spill exceeded our insurance coverage, the payment of those
damages could have a severe, adverse effect on us and could possibly result in our insolvency.
Title VII of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 amended OPA 90 to require the owner or operator of any non-tank vessel of 400 gross tons or more that carries oil of any kind as a
fuel for main propulsion, including bunkers, to prepare and submit a response plan for each vessel. These vessel response plans include detailed information on actions to be taken by vessel personnel to prevent or
mitigate any discharge or substantial threat of such a discharge of ore from the vessel due to operational activities or casualties. All of our vessels have U.S. Coast Guard-approved response plans.
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OPA 90 specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and some states have enacted legislation
providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. In some cases, states which have enacted such legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessels owners responsibilities under these laws. We
intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.
The U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
CERCLA applies to spills or releases of hazardous substances other than petroleum or petroleum products, whether on land or at sea. CERCLA imposes joint and several liability, without regard to fault,
on the owner or operator of a ship, vehicle or facility from which there has been a release, along with other specified parties. Costs recoverable under CERCLA include cleanup and removal costs, natural resource
damages and governmental oversight costs. Liability under CERCLA is generally limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $0.5 million per vessel carrying non-hazardous substances ($5.0 million for vessels
carrying hazardous substances), unless the incident is caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct or a violation of certain regulations, in which case liability is unlimited. As described above, owners and
operators of vessels must establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet their potential liabilities under CERCLA.
The U.S. Clean Water Act
The CWA prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in navigable waters and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. It also imposes substantial liability
for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under the more recently enacted OPA 90 and CERCLA, discussed above. Currently, under U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) regulations that have been in place since 1978, vessels are exempt from the requirement to obtain CWA permits for the discharge in U.S. ports of ballast water and other substances incidental to
the normal operation of vessels. However, on March 30, 2005, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California ruled in
Northwest Environmental Advocates v. EPA
, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS
5373, that the EPA exceeded its authority in creating an exemption for ballast water. On September 18, 2006, the court issued an order granting permanent injunctive relief to the plaintiffs, invalidating the blanket
exemption in the EPAs regulations for all discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel as of September 30, 2008, and directing the EPA to develop a system for regulating all discharges from vessels
by that date. Under the courts ruling, owners and operators of vessels visiting U.S. ports would be required to comply with any CWA permitting program to be developed by the EPA or face penalties. Although
the EPA has appealed this decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, it is proceeding with development of the regulations. In June 2007, the EPA provided notice of its intention to promulgate rules regarding
the regulation of ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels and solicited public comment. We cannot predict the outcome of the litigation, but, if the courts order is
ultimately upheld, we will incur certain costs to obtain CWA permits for our vessels and meet any related treatment requirements. While we do not believe that the costs associated with obtaining such permits and
meeting related treatment requirements would be material, it is difficult to predict the overall impact of CWA permitting requirements on our business. In addition, various states have also enacted legislation
restricting ballast water discharges and the introduction of non-indigenous species considered to be invasive. These and any similar restrictions enacted in the future could increase the costs of operating in the
relevant waters.
The U.S. Clean Air Act
The CAA requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. To address emissions from large ocean-going vessels, the EPA issued
Tier 1 emissions standards in 2003 for Category 3 marine diesel engines, which are compression-ignition diesel marine engines at or above 30 liters per-cylinder displacement, on vessels operating in U.S. waters.
This Tier 1 standard is the nitrogen oxides limit contained in Annex VI of MARPOL. In November 2007, the EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking announcing its intention to propose more
stringent emission standards for new Category 3 marine engines. The standards under consideration are
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consistent with the United States proposal to amend Annex VI of MARPOL, as discussed above. If these amendments are implemented and apply to existing vessels (as opposed to vessels manufactured after the
effective date), we may incur costs to install additional pollution control equipment on our vessels to comply. The CAA also requires states to adopt State Implementation Plans, or SIPs, designed to attain national
health-based air quality standards in primarily major metropolitan and/or industrial areas. Several SIPs regulate emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations by requiring the installation of vapor
control equipment. In addition, individual states, including California, have attempted to regulate vessel emissions within state waters. Although the California rules were recently struck down by the Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals as preempted by the CAA, the state intends to request further judicial review. It could also seek a waiver from the EPA to allow the adoption of such standards. New or more stringent federal or
state air emission regulations could require significant capital expenditures to retrofit vessels and could otherwise increase our operating costs.
Other environmental initiatives
The EU has adopted legislation that (1) requires member states to refuse access to their ports by certain substandard vessels, according to vessel type, flag and number of previous detentions; (2) obliges
member states to inspect at least 25% of vessels using their ports annually and increase surveillance of vessels posing a high risk to maritime safety or the marine environment; (3) provides the EU with greater
authority and control over classification societies, including the ability to seek to suspend or revoke the authority of negligent societies; and (4) requires member states to impose criminal sanctions for certain
pollution events, such as the unauthorized discharge of tank washings. It is also considering legislation that will affect the operation of vessels and the liability of owners for oil pollution. While we do not believe
that the costs associated with our compliance with these adopted and proposed EU initiatives will be material, it is difficult to predict what additional legislation, if any, may be promulgated by the EU or any other
country or authority. For example, in October 2007, the Commission of the European Communities proposed an Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union. Under the proposal, the Commission indicated
that it will, among other things, support international efforts to diminish air pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions, from ships, and will consider additional proposals in these areas at the European level.
The U.S. National Invasive Species Act (NISA) was enacted in 1996 in response to growing reports of harmful organisms being released into U.S. ports through ballast water taken on by vessels in
foreign ports. Under NISA, the U.S. Coast Guard adopted regulations in July 2004 imposing mandatory ballast water management practices for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks entering U.S. waters.
These requirements can be met by performing mid-ocean ballast exchange, by retaining ballast water on board the vessel or by using environmentally sound alternative ballast water management methods approved
by the U.S. Coast Guard. However, mid-ocean ballast exchange is mandatory for vessels heading to the Great Lakes or Hudson Bay. Mid-ocean ballast exchange is the primary method for compliance with the U.S.
Coast Guard regulations, since holding ballast water can prevent vessels from performing cargo operations upon arrival in the United States and alternative methods are still under development. Vessels that are
unable to conduct mid-ocean ballast exchange due to voyage or safety concerns may discharge minimum amounts of ballast water (in areas other than the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay), provided that they comply
with record keeping requirements and document the reasons they could not follow the required ballast water management requirements. The U.S. Coast Guard is developing a proposal to establish ballast water
discharge standards, which could set maximum acceptable discharge limits for various invasive species or lead to requirements for active treatment of ballast water. A number of bills relating to ballast water
management have been introduced in the U.S. Congress, but it is difficult to predict which, if any, will be enacted. Several states, including Michigan and California, have adopted legislation or regulations relating
to the permitting and management of ballast water discharges. A challenge to the Michigan law was dismissed by the federal district court and is now under appeal in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. If the
Michigan law is upheld, other states could adopt similar requirements that could increase the costs of operation in state waters.
At the international level, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments in February 2004 (the BWM Convention). The BWM
Conventions implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water
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exchange requirements (beginning in 2009), to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits. The BWM Convention will not enter into force until 12 months after it has been adopted by 30 states, the
combined merchant fleets of which represent not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the worlds merchant shipping. As of March 31, 2008, the BWM Convention had been adopted by 13 states, representing
3.62% of the worlds tonnage. Each vessel in our current fleet has been issued a BWM plan Statement of Compliance by the classification society with respect to the applicable IMO regulations and guidelines.
If mid-ocean ballast exchange is made mandatory at the international level, or if ballast water treatment requirements or options are instituted, the cost of compliance could increase for oceangoing vessels.
Although we do not believe that the costs of compliance with a mandatory mid-ocean ballast exchange would be material, it is difficult to predict the overall impact of such a requirement on our business.
Greenhouse Gas Regulation
In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force. Pursuant to the Protocol, adopting countries are required to implement national
programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, generally referred to as greenhouse gases, which are suspected of contributing to global warming. Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international
shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol. However, the European Union has indicated that it intends to propose an expansion of the existing European Union emissions trading scheme to include emissions of
greenhouse gases from vessels. In the United States, the California Attorney General and a coalition of environmental groups in October 2007 petitioned the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from ocean-
going vessels under the Clean Air Act. Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, European Union, or individual countries where we operate that restrict emissions of
greenhouse gases could entail financial impacts on our operations that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.
Vessel security regulations
A number of initiatives have been introduced in recent years intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (the MTSA) came into effect.
To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations in July 2003 requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to SOLAS created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. This new chapter came into effect in July
2004 and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or ISPS Code.
Among the various requirements are:
on-board installation of automatic information systems to enhance vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications;
on-board installation of ship security alert systems;
the development of vessel security plans; and
compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
The U.S. Coast Guard 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 International Ship Security Certificate that attests to the vessels compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. We have implemented the various security measures addressed by the
IMO, SOLAS and the ISPS Code, and we have approved ISPS certificates and plans on board all our vessels, which have been certified by the applicable flag state.
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Properties
We have no freehold or leasehold interest in any real property. We occupy office space at 32 Avenue Karamanli, 16605 Voula, Athens, Greece that is provided to us as part of the services we receive
under our management agreement. Other than our vessels, we do not have any material property.
Legal Proceedings
We have not been involved in any legal proceedings which may have, or have had a significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity, nor are we aware of any
proceedings that are pending or threatened which may have a significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
The nature of our business exposes us to the risk of lawsuits for damages or penalties relating to, among other things, personal injury, property casualty and environmental contamination. 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. However, such claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.
Exchange Controls
Under Marshall Islands law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other
payments to non-resident and non-citizen holders of our common stock.
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Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers. The business address of each of our executive officers and directors listed below is 32 Avenue Karamanli, 16605
Voula, Athens, Greece. Our telephone number at that address is 011-30-210-895-7070. Our board of directors will be elected annually on a staggered basis, and each elected director will hold office for a three-year
term. The following directors or nominees for director have been determined by our board of directors to be independent: Basil Sakellis, Frank Sica and Ole Wikborg. 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
Polys Hajioannou
41
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Class I Director
Dr. Loukas Barmparis
45
President and Class II Director
Konstantinos Adamopoulos
45
Chief Financial Officer and Class III Director
Nicolaos Hadjioannou
29
Chief Operating Officer and Class I Director
Basil Sakellis
29
Class II Director Nominee*
Frank Sica
57
Class III Director Nominee*
Ole Wikborg
52
Class I Director Nominee*
*
Has agreed to join our board of directors upon completion of this offering.
Certain biographical information about each of these individuals is set forth below. The term of our Class I directors expires in 2010, the term of our Class II directors expires in 2009 and the term of our
Class III directors expires in 2008.
Polys Hajioannou
is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our board of directors. Mr. Hajioannou also serves with our Manager, and prior to its inception, our Managers predecessor Alassia
Steamship Co., Ltd., which he joined in 1987. Mr. Hajioannou was elected as a member of the board of directors of the Union of Greek Shipowners in 2005 and has served on the board since that time. Mr.
Hajioannou is also a founding member of the Union of Cyprus Shipowners. Mr. Hajioannou holds a bachelor of science degree in nautical studies from Sunderland University.
Dr. Loukas Barmparis
is our President and a member of our board of directors. Dr. Barmparis also serves as the technical manager of our Manager, which he joined in February 2006, and is the
technical manager of the affiliated Alasia Development S.A., which he joined in January 2006, where he is responsible for project development. Prior to joining our Manager and Alasia Development S.A., from
1999 to 2005 and from 1993 to 1995, Dr. Barmparis was employed at N. Daskalantonakis Group, Grecotel, one of the largest hotel chains in Greece, as technical manager and project development general manager.
During the interim period between 1995 and 1999, Dr. Barmparis was employed at Exergia S.A. as an energy consultant. Dr. Barmparis holds a master of business administration from the Athens Laboratory of
Business Administration, a doctorate from the Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, a master of applied science from the University of Toronto and a diploma in mechanical engineering from the
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Konstantinos Adamopoulos
is our Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors. Prior to joining us, Mr. Adamopoulos was employed at Calyon, a financial institution, as a senior
relationship manager in shipping finance for 14 years. Prior to this, from 1990 to 1993, Mr. Adamopoulos was employed by the National Bank of Greece in London as an account officer for shipping finance and
in Athens as deputy head of the export finance department. Prior to this, from 1987 to 1989, Mr. Adamopoulos served as a finance officer in the Greek Air Force. Mr. Adamopoulos holds an M.B.A. in finance
from the City University Business School and a bachelor of science in business administration from the Athens School of Economics and Business Science.
Nicolaos Hadjioannou
is our Chief Operating Officer and a member of our board of directors. Mr. Hadjioannou also serves with our Manager, which he joined in 1999. Mr. Hadjioannou is a member of
the board of directors of the Union of Cyprus Shipowners and a member of the independent committee of the Norwegian Hull Club.
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Basil Sakellis
has agreed to join our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Mr. Sakellis has been an associate of European Capital Financial Services Limited, a private equity firm based in
London, since 2006. In 2005, Mr. Sakellis worked for McKinsey & Company in London. From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Sakellis was an analyst and then an associate at NM Rothschild & Sons Ltd in London. Mr. Sakellis
received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 2006 and his Masters in Engineering from Imperial College, University of London, in 2000.
Frank Sica
has agreed to join our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Mr. Sica has served as a Managing Partner at Tailwind Capital, a private equity firm, since 2006. From 2004 to
2005, Mr. Sica was a Senior Advisor to Soros Private Funds Management. During that period he was also President of Menemsha Capital Partners, Ltd., a private investment firm. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Sica
was President of Soros Private Funds Management LLC, which oversaw the direct real estate and private equity investment activities of Soros. In 1998, Mr. Sica joined Soros Fund Management, where he was a
Managing Director responsible for Soros private equity investments. From 1988 to 1998, Mr. Sica was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. In 1996, Mr. Sica was elevated to Co-CEO of Morgan Stanleys
Merchant Banking Division, whose principal operating unit was Morgan Stanley Capital Partners. Prior to 1988, Mr. Sica was a Managing Director in Morgan Stanleys mergers and acquisitions department. From
1974 to 1977, Mr. Sica was an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Sica is a graduate of Wesleyan University, where he received a B.A. degree, and of the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College,
where he received his M.B.A. Mr. Sica is also a director of CSG Systems International, an account management and billing software company for communication industries, JetBlue Airways Corporation, a
commercial airline, NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation, a real estate finance company, Onvoy, Inc., a provider of telecommunication services, and Kohls Corporation, an owner and operator of department stores.
Ole Wikborg
has agreed to join our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Mr. Wikborg has been involved in the marine and shipping industry in various capacities for over 30 years. Since
2002, Mr. Wikborg has served as a director, senior underwriter and member of the management team of the Norwegian Hull Club, based in Oslo, Norway. From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Wikborg also served as a
member and chairman of the Ocean Hull Committee of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI), and since 2006 has served as Vice President and a member of the Executive Board of the IUMI. Since
1997, Mr. Wikborg has served as a board member of the Central Union of Marine Insurers, based in Oslo, and is presently that organizations Vice Chairman. From 1997 until 2002, Mr. Wikborg served as the
senior vice president of the marine division of the Energy Zurich Protector Insurance Company AS, based in Oslo and Zurich, and from 1993 until 1997 served as a senior underwriter for the marine division of
Protector Insurance Company AS, based in Oslo. Prior to his career in the field of marine insurance, Mr. Wikborg served in the Royal Norwegian Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Compensation of Directors and Senior Management
We did not pay our directors prior to this offering. Beginning in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, non-executive directors will receive annual fees in the amount of $40,000 plus reimbursement
for their out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Chairman of the audit committee, Frank Sica, will receive the annual equivalent of $60,000 in the form of shares of our common stock.
The members of our senior management, prior to this offering, have not and will not receive any compensation from us. We do not have any employment contracts with any of our executive officers, who
are provided to us by our Manager, and we do not have any service contracts with any of our non-executive directors that provide for benefits upon termination of their services.
Board of Directors
Upon the consummation of this offering, we will have seven members on our board of directors. The board of directors may change the number of directors to not less than three, nor more than 15, by a
vote of a majority of the entire board. Each director shall be elected to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified,
except in the event of death, resignation or removal. A vacancy on the board created by death, resignation, removal (which may only be for cause), or failure of the stockholders to elect the entire class of directors
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to be elected at any election of directors or for any other reason, may be filled only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, at any special
meeting called for that purpose or at any regular meeting of the board of directors.
Following the completion of this offering, Vorini Holdings, a company controlled by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou will continue to control a majority of our outstanding common stock. As a
result, we will be a controlled company within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards. Under the New York Stock Exchange rules, a company of which more than 50% of
the voting power is held by another company or group is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain New York Stock Exchange corporate governance requirements, including: (a) the
requirement that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors, (b) the requirement that the nominating committee be composed entirely of independent directors and have a written charter
addressing the committees purpose and responsibilities, (c) the requirement that the compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors and have a written charter addressing the committees
purpose and responsibilities and (d) the requirement of an annual performance evaluation of the nominating, corporate governance and compensation committees. Following this offering, a majority of our board of
directors will be non-independent directors and our nominating, corporate governance and compensation committee will include non-independent directors, as permitted under this exemption.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Audit committee
Upon consummation of this offering, our audit committee will consist of Ole Wikborg, Basil Sakellis and Frank Sica as Chairman. We believe that Frank Sica qualifies as an audit committee financial
expert, as such term is defined in Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. The audit committee will be responsible for:
the hiring or termination of independent auditors and approving any non-audit work performed by such auditor;
approving the overall scope of the audit;
assisting the board in monitoring the integrity of our financial statements, the independent accountants qualifications and independence, the performance of the independent accountants and our internal
audit function and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
annually reviewing an independent auditors report describing the auditing firms internal quality-control procedures, any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer
review, of the auditing firm;
discussing the annual audited financial and quarterly statements with management and the independent auditor;
discussing earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earning guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies;
discussing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;
meeting separately, periodically, with management, internal auditors and the independent auditor;
reviewing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and managements response;
setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors;
annually reviewing the adequacy of the audit committees written charter;
reporting regularly to the full board of directors;
evaluating the board of directors performance; and
handling such other matters that are specifically delegated to the audit committee by the board of directors from time to time.
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Nominating, corporate governance and compensation committee
Upon consummation of this offering, our nominating, corporate governance and compensation committee will consist of Ole Wikborg, Basil Sakellis and Frank Sica as Chairman. The nominating, corporate
governance and compensation committee will be responsible for:
developing and recommending criteria for selecting new directors;
screening and recommending to the board of directors individuals qualified to become executive officers;
developing and recommending to the board of directors compensation for board members;
overseeing compliance with any applicable compensation reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange;
overseeing evaluations of the board of directors, its members and committees of the board of directors; and
handling such other matters that are specifically delegated to the nominating, corporate governance and compensation committee by the board of directors from time to time.
Codes of Conduct and Ethics
Prior to consummation of this offering, the board of directors will approve and adopt a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for all officers and employees, a Code of Conduct for the chief executive
officer and senior financial officers and a Code of Ethics for directors, copies of which will be available on our website and upon written request by our stockholders at no cost.
Employees
We have four executive officers. Our Manager employs, and provides us with, all four of our executive officers, including our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, our president, Dr. Loukas
Barmparis, our chief operating officer, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and our chief financial officer, Konstantinos Adamopoulos. Our Manager is responsible for paying any salaries payable to our executive officers.
Share Ownership
The common stock beneficially owned by our directors and executive officers and/or entities affiliated with these individuals is disclosed in the section entitled Principal and Selling Stockholders below.
Employment and Restrictive Covenant Agreements
We have not entered into any employment agreements with our employees.
We have entered into restrictive covenant agreements with each of Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer, and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our chief operating officer. In the case of Polys Hajioannou, the
restricted period is the longer of (a) the term of the management agreement and one year following its termination and (b) the term of his services as director or employment with us and for one year following the
termination of his services and employment with us. In the case of Nicolaos Hadjioannou, the restricted period is the term of his services as director or employment with us and for one year following the
termination of his services and employment with us. Pursuant to the terms of these restrictive covenant agreements, during the restricted period these executive officers will be prohibited from (i) owning or
operating any drybulk vessels and (ii) acquiring or investing in any business involved in the ownership or operation of drybulk vessels (a drybulk vessel business). Notwithstanding these restrictions, Polys
Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou are permitted to engage in the restricted activities in the following circumstances:
(a)
pursuant to their involvement with us;
(b)
pursuant to their involvement with our Manager, subject to compliance with, or waivers of, the management agreement;
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(c)
with respect to certain permitted acquisitions (as defined below), provided that (i) any commercial management of drybulk vessels controlled by the restricted individuals and entities in connection with
such permitted acquisition is performed by our Manager and (ii) the restricted individuals and entities comply with the requirements for permitted acquisitions described below;
(d)
with respect to certain permitted activities of SafeFixing, which are described in more detail below, provided that any commercial management of drybulk vessels chartered-in by SafeFixing is performed
by our Manager; or
(e)
pursuant to their passive ownership of up to 9.99% of the outstanding voting securities of any publicly traded company that is engaged in the drybulk vessel business.
As noted above, Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities are permitted to engage in restricted activities with respect to two types of permitted acquisitions. One such
permitted acquisition is an acquisition of a drybulk vessel or an acquisition or investment in a drybulk vessel business, on terms and conditions as to price that are not more favorable, and on such other terms and
conditions that are not materially more favorable, than those first offered to us and refused by a majority of our independent directors. The second type of permitted acquisition is an acquisition of a group of
vessels or a business that includes non-drybulk vessels and non-drybulk businesses, provided that less than 50% of the fair market value of the acquisition is attributable to drybulk vessels or drybulk vessel
businesses. Under this second type of permitted acquisition, we must be promptly given the opportunity to buy the drybulk vessels or drybulk vessel businesses included in the acquisition for its fair market value
plus certain break-up costs.
Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities are also permitted to engage in restricted activities with respect to certain permitted activities of SafeFixing. SafeFixing is
controlled by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou and is engaged in the business of chartering in vessels from third-party vessel owners for subsequent chartering out to customers. Under the restrictive
covenant agreement, we will have the option of chartering-in vessels that SafeFixing has chartered in as of the closing of this offering, if such vessel is not subject to a charter out arrangement with a customer or
the current charter out arrangement terminates or expires. In addition, with respect to any vessels chartered-in by SafeFixing after the closing of this offering, we will have the option to charter in such vessels from
SafeFixing within 10 business days following notice of entry into the charter-in agreement between SafeFixing and the third-party vessel owner.
Equity Compensation Plans
We have not adopted any equity compensation plans, although we have agreed to provide the Chairman of the audit committee, Frank Sica, as part of his remuneration, the annual equivalent of $60,000 in
the form of shares of our common stock.
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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the date of this prospectus and upon completion of this offering, by:
each of our directors and director nominees;
each of our executive officers;
all of our executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group;
each person known to us to beneficially own more than five percent of our common stock; and
the selling stockholder.
The selling stockholder in this offering is Vorini Holdings, which following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering, will be wholly owned by members of the Hajioannou
family. As set forth in the table below, members of the Hajioannou family, through Vorini Holdings, will, following the Reorganization, be the beneficial owners of 54,500,000 shares of our common stock,
representing 100% of our issued and outstanding shares. Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our chief operating officer control Vorini Holdings. Information with respect to the
Hajioannou family and Vorini Holdings and their material relationships with us is provided under Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.
Following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering, the shares of the Subsidiaries will be contributed by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou to Safe Bulkers, Inc.
through Vorini Holdings, a company controlled by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, in exchange for the issuance of 100% of the outstanding shares of Safe Bulkers, Inc. to Vorini Holdings (the
Reorganization). Following the Reorganization, Safe Bulkers, Inc. will own each of the Subsidiaries and Vorini Holdings will be the sole stockholder of Safe Bulkers, Inc. See the section entitled Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of OperationsOverview for more information on our Reorganization, which will occur following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the
closing of this offering.
Vorini Holdings, the selling stockholder, is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the sale of our common stock in this offering.
Upon closing of this offering, we will have one class of common stock outstanding. Each outstanding share of our common stock will entitle our stockholders, including the selling stockholder listed in this
table, to one vote. As of the date of this prospectus, none of the outstanding shares of our common stock were held in the United States.
Identity of Person or Group
Shares of Common
Shares to
Shares of Common
Shares to
Shares of Common
Number
Percentage
Number
Percentage
Number
Percentage
Officers and Directors
Polys Hajioannou (1)
54,500,000
100
%
10,000,000
44,500,000
81.7
%
1,500,000
43,000,000
78.9
%
Dr. Loukas Barmparis
Konstantinos Adamopoulos
Nicolaos Hadjioannou (1)
54,500,000
100
%
10,000,000
44,500,000
81.7
%
1,500,000
43,000,000
78.9
%
Basil Sakellis
Frank Sica
Ole Wikborg
All officers and directors as a group (7 persons)
54,500,000
100
%
10,000,000
44,500,000
81.7
%
1,500,000
43,000,000
78.9
%
5% Beneficial Owner/Selling Stockholder
Vorini Holdings Inc. (2)
54,500,000
100
%
10,000,000
44,500,000
81.7
%
1,500,000
43,000,000
78.9
%
(1)
By virtue of shares owned indirectly through Vorini Holdings, our sole stockholder.
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Stock Beneficially
Held Prior to the
Offering
be sold
in this
offering
Stock Beneficially
Held Following
the Offering
be sold
upon Full
Exercise of
Overallotment
Option
Stock Beneficially
Held Following Full
Exercise of the
Overallotment
Option
of
Shares
of
Shares
of
Shares
(2)
Vorini Holdings is controlled by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, who together hold the majority of the shares in the company. The address of Vorini Holdings is 32 Avenue Karamanli, 16605
Voula, Athens, Greece.
Any shares that may be acquired by these individuals following this offering are not included in the above table.
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OUR MANAGER AND MANAGEMENT RELATED AGREEMENTS
Our Manager, Safety Management Overseas S.A., is ultimately owned by Machairiotissa Holdings Inc., or
Machairiotissa, which is wholly owned by Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer. Our
Manager, along with its predecessor, has provided services to our vessels since 1965 and continues to provide technical, administrative and certain commercial services which support our business, as well as
comprehensive ship management services such as technical supervision and commercial management, including chartering our vessels, pursuant to our management agreement described below. As of December 31,
2007, 231 people served on board the vessels in our fleet, and our Manager employed 34 people, all of whom were shore-based.
Management Agreement
Under our management agreement, our Manager is responsible for providing us with technical, administrative and certain commercial services, which include the following:
Technical services
These services include managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory compliance and compliance with the law of the flag state of each vessel and of
the places where the vessel operates, ensuring classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging the hire of qualified officers and crew, training,
transportation and lodging, insurance (including handling and processing all claims) of, and appropriate investigation of any charterer concerns with respect to, the crew, conducting union negotiations concerning the
crew, performing normally scheduled drydocking and general and routine repairs, arranging insurance for vessels (including marine hull and machinery, protection and indemnity and risks insurance), purchasing
stores, supplies, spares, lubricating oil and maintenance capital expenditures for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants, providing technical support, shoreside support, shipyard supervision and
attending to all other technical matters necessary to run our business.
Commercial services
These services include chartering the vessels which we own, assisting in our chartering, locating, purchasing, financing and negotiating the purchase and sale of our vessels, supervising the design and
construction of newbuilds, and such other commercial services as we may reasonably request from time to time.
Administrative services
These services include administering payroll services, assistance with the preparation of our tax returns and financial statements, assistance with corporate and regulatory compliance matters not related to
our vessels, procuring legal and accounting services, assistance in complying with U.S. and other relevant securities laws, human resources (including provision of our executive officers and directors of our
Subsidiaries), cash management and bookkeeping services, development and monitoring of internal audit controls, disclosure controls and information technology, assistance with all regulatory and reporting
functions and obligations, furnishing any reports or financial information that might be requested by us and other non-vessel related administrative services, assistance with office space, providing legal and financial
compliance services, overseeing banking services (including the opening, closing, operation and management of all of our accounts including making deposits and withdrawals reasonably necessary for the
management of our business and day-to-day operations), arranging general insurance and director and officer liability insurance (at our expense), providing all administrative services required for any subsequent
debt and equity financings and attending to all other administrative matters necessary to ensure the professional management of our business.
Reporting Structure
Our Manager reports to us and our board of directors through our executive officers.
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Compensation of Our Manager
Under our management agreement, and until the second anniversary of this offering, in return for providing technical, commercial and administrative services, our Manager receives a fee of $575 per vessel
per day for vessels in our fleet, pro rated for the number of calendar days that we own or charter-in each vessel and $250 per day, per vessel for bareboat charters. Our Manager also receives a fee of 1.0% on all
gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage with respect to each vessel in our fleet. Further, our Manager receives a commission of 1.0% based on the contract price of any vessel bought or sold by it
on our behalf, including each of our contracted newbuilds other than the two Post-Panamax class vessels being built by the IHI shipyard in Japan. For these two Post-Panamax class vessels, our Manager will
receive a commission of 1.0% based on the contract prices of the vessels through separate agreements with Itochu Corporation. We also pay our Manager a flat fee of $375,000 per newbuild, for the on-premises
supervision of all newbuilds we have agreed to acquire pursuant to shipbuilding contracts, memoranda of agreement, or otherwise. The management fees are fixed until the second anniversary of this offering, and
are not subject to adjustment for euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuations or deflation during that period. After the second anniversary of this offering, these fees will be adjusted every year by agreement
between us and our Manager.
The management fees do not cover expenses such as voyage expenses, vessel operating expenses, maintenance expenses, crewing costs, insurance premiums, commissions and certain public company
expenses such as directors and officers liability insurance, legal and accounting fees and other similar third party expenses, which are reimbursed by us.
Each year, our Manager prepares and submits to us a detailed draft budget for the next calendar year, which includes a statement of estimated revenue, estimated general and administrative expenses and a
proposed budget for capital expenditures, repairs or alterations. Once approved by us, this draft budget becomes the approved budget. We advance, on a monthly basis, all vessel operating expenses with respect to
each vessel in our fleet to enable our Manager to arrange for the payment of such expenses on our behalf. To the extent the amounts advanced are greater or less than the actual vessel operating expenses of our
fleet for each quarter, our Manager or us, as the case may be, will pay the other the difference at the end of such quarter, although our Manager may instead choose to credit such amount against future vessel
operating expenses to be advanced for future quarters.
Term and Termination Rights
Subject to the termination rights described below, the initial term of our management agreement expires on the second anniversary of this offering. Upon expiration of the initial term or any renewal term,
our management agreement automatically renews for one-year periods until the tenth anniversary of this offering, at which point the agreement will expire. In addition to the termination provisions outlined below,
we are able to terminate our management agreement at any point after the initial term upon 12 months notice to our Manager.
Our Managers termination rights
Our Manager may terminate our management agreement prior to the end of its term if:
any money payable by us is not paid when due or if due on demand, within ten business days following demand by our Manager;
we default in the performance of any other material obligation under the management agreement and the matter is unresolved within 20 business days after we receive written notice of such default from
our Manager;
the management fee determined by arbitration in respect of any annual period following the initial term is unsatisfactory to our Manager, in which case the Manager may terminate upon 12 months
written notice to us;
any acquisition of our shares or a merger, consolidation or similar transaction results in any person or group acquiring 40% or more of the total voting power of our or the resulting entitys
outstanding voting securities, and such percentage represents a higher percentage of such voting power than that held by the Hajioannou Entities, collectively; or
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there is a change in directors after which a majority of the members of our board of directors are not continuing directors.
Continuing directors means, as of any date of determination, any member of our board of directors who was:
a member of our board of directors on the date immediately after the closing of this offering; or
nominated for election or elected to our board of directors with the approval of a majority of the directors then in office who were either directors immediately after the closing of this offering or whose
nomination or election was previously so approved.
Our termination rights
In addition to certain standard termination rights, we may terminate our management agreement prior to the end of its term if:
our Manager defaults in the performance of any material obligation under our management agreement and the matter is not resolved within 20 business days after our Manager receives from us written
notice of such default; or
any money payable by our Manager to us or third parties under our management agreement is not paid or accounted for within ten business days following written notice by us.
Non-Competition
Our Manager has agreed that, during the term of our management agreement and for one year after its termination, our Manager will not provide any management services to, or with respect to, any
drybulk vessels, other than in the following circumstances:
(a)
pursuant to its involvement with us; or
(b)
with respect to drybulk vessels that are owned or operated by the Hajioannou Entities and drybulk vessel businesses that are acquired, invested in or controlled by the Hajioannou Entities, subject in each
case to compliance with, or waivers of, the restrictive covenant agreement entered into between us and the Hajioannou Entities, described below.
Our Manager has also agreed that if one of our drybulk vessels and a drybulk vessel owned or operated by any of the Hajioannou Entities are both available and meet the criteria for a charter being fixed
by our Manager, our drybulk vessel will receive such charter.
Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our chief operating officer, and the other Hajioannou Entities, including SafeFixing, have also agreed to restrictions on their ownership
or operation of any drybulk vessels or the acquisition, investment in or control of any business involved in the ownership or operation of drybulk vessels, subject to certain exceptions. For a description of our
restrictive covenant agreements with Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjiannou and other Hajioannou Entities, please read the sections entitled Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and
ManagementEmployment and Restrictive Covenant Agreements.
Sale of Our Manager
Our Manager has agreed that, during the term of the management agreement and for one year after its termination, our Manager will not transfer, assign, sell or dispose of all or substantially all of its
business that is necessary for the performance of its services under the management agreement without the prior written consent of our board of directors. Furthermore, during such period, in the event of any
proposed change in control of our Manager, we have a 30-day right of first offer to purchase our Manager.
For these purposes, a proposed change in control of our Manager means (a) the approval of the board of directors of our Manager or the stockholders of our Manager of a proposed sale of all or
substantially all of the assets or property of our Manager necessary for the performance of its services under the management agreement, (b) the approval of our Managers stockholders of a proposed sale of our
Managers shares that would result in the Hajioannou Entities owning less than 80% of the outstanding voting securities of our Manager or (c) the approval of our Managers stockholders of a proposed merger,
consolidation or similar transaction, as a result of which the Hajioannou Entities would beneficially own less than 80% of the outstanding voting securities of the resulting entity following such transaction.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Management Related Agreements
For a description of our management agreement, please read the section entitled Our Manager and Management Related Agreements. We believe the fees and commissions set forth in our management
agreement are no more than the rates we would pay to an unaffiliated third party to provide us with comparable management services.
Our Manager is an affiliate of Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer, and SafeFixing is an affiliate of Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer, and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our chief operating
officer.
Restrictive Covenant Agreements
Under restrictive covenant agreements entered into with us, Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities, including SafeFixing, have agreed to restrictions on their ownership
or operation of any drybulk vessels or the acquisition, investment in or control of any business involved in the ownership or operation of drybulk vessels, subject to the exceptions described below.
In the case of Polys Hajioannou, the restricted period continues until the later of (a) one year following the termination of the management agreement and (b) one year following the termination of his
services and employment with us. In the case of Nicolaos Hadjioannou, the restricted period continues until one year following the termination of his services and employment with us. In the case of the other
Hajioannou Entities, including SafeFixing, the restricted period continues until one year following the termination of the management agreement. Notwithstanding these restrictions, Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos
Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities are permitted to engage in the restricted activities in the following circumstances:
(a)
pursuant to their involvement with us;
(b)
pursuant to their involvement with our Manager, subject to compliance with, or waivers of, the management agreement;
(c)
with respect to certain permitted acquisitions (as defined below), provided that (i) any commercial management of drybulk vessels controlled by the restricted individuals and entities in connection with
such permitted acquisition is performed by our Manager and (ii) the restricted individuals and entities comply with the requirements for permitted acquisitions described below;
(d)
with respect to certain permitted activities of SafeFixing, which are described in more detail below, provided that any commercial management of drybulk vessels chartered-in by SafeFixing is performed
by our Manager; and
(e)
pursuant to their passive ownership of up to 9.99% of the outstanding voting securities of any publicly traded company that is engaged in the drybulk vessel business.
As noted above, Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities are permitted to engage in restricted activities with respect to two types of permitted acquisitions. One such
permitted acquisition is an acquisition of a drybulk vessel or an acquisition or investment in a drybulk vessel business, on terms and conditions as to price that are not more favorable, and on such other terms and
conditions that are not materially more favorable, than those first offered to us and refused by a majority of our independent directors. The second type of permitted acquisition is an acquisition of a group of
vessels or a business that includes non-drybulk vessels and non-drybulk vessel businesses, provided that less than 50% of the fair market value of the acquisition is attributable to drybulk vessels or drybulk vessel
businesses. Under this second type of permitted acquisition, we must be promptly given the opportunity to buy the drybulk vessels or drybulk vessel businesses included in the acquisition for its fair market value
plus certain break-up costs.
Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities are also permitted to engage in restricted activities with respect to certain permitted activities of SafeFixing. SafeFixing is
controlled by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou and is engaged in the business of chartering in vessels from third-party vessel owners for subsequent chartering out to customers. Under the restrictive
130
covenant agreement, we will have the option of chartering in from SafeFixing vessels that SafeFixing has chartered in from third parties as of the closing of this offering, if such vessel is not subject to a charter
out arrangement with a customer or the current charter out arrangement terminates or expires. In addition, with respect to any vessels chartered-in by SafeFixing after the closing of this offering, we will have the
option to charter in such vessels from SafeFixing within 10 business days following notice of entry into the charter-in agreement between SafeFixing and the third-party vessel owner.
Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities, including SafeFixing, have also agreed that if one of our drybulk vessels and a drybulk vessels owned or operated by any of the
Hajioannou Entities are both available and meet the criteria for a charter being fixed by our Manager, our drybulk vessels will receive such charter.
In addition, Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities have agreed that in the event of any proposed change in control of SafeFixing, we have a 15-day right of first offer
to purchase SafeFixing.
For these purposes, a proposed change in control of SafeFixing means (a) the approval of the board of directors of SafeFixing or the stockholders of SafeFixing of a proposed sale of all or substantially all
of the assets or property of SafeFixing, (b) the approval of SafeFixings stockholders of a proposed sale of SafeFixingss shares that would result in one or more of Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the
other Hajioannou Entities, collectively, owning less than 50.1% of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of SafeFixing or (c) the approval of SafeFixings stockholders of a proposed merger,
consolidation or similar transaction, as a result of which one or more of Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and the other Hajioannou Entities, collectively, would beneficially own less than 50.1% of the
voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the resulting entity following such transaction.
Reorganization and Certain Related Transactions
Following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering, the shares of the Subsidiaries will be contributed by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou to Safe Bulkers, Inc.
through Vorini Holdings, a company controlled by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, in exchange for the issuance of 100% of the outstanding shares of Safe Bulkers, Inc. to Vorini Holdings (the
Reorganization). Following the Reorganization, Safe Bulkers, Inc. will own each of the Subsidiaries and Vorini Holdings will be the sole stockholder of Safe Bulkers, Inc. See the section entitled Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of OperationsOverview for more information on our Reorganization, which will occur following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the
closing of this offering.
In March and April 2008 we settled all intercompany balances as of December 31, 2007 with our Manager and with our owners. In connection with this, in January 2008, our Manager repaid on our
behalf prior advances from owners in the amount of $10.1 million, resulting in a corresponding decrease in amounts due from our Manager. In March and April 2008, we paid an aggregate dividend of $147.8
million to Polys Hajionnou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, our current owners, which was funded from amounts due from our Manager. Finally, in order to settle the remaining amount of $4.0 million due from our
Manager, $4.0 million in restricted cash in collateral accounts held by our Manager was transferred in April 2008 to two new restricted cash collateral accounts of $2.0 million held by each of our Subsidiaries,
Petra and Pemer.
In addition to the aggregate dividend of $147.8 million paid to our current owners in March and April 2008, an estimated additional dividend of $31.0 million, which will be funded using amounts due
from our Manager, reflecting a portion of estimated net income earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of this offering will also be declared prior to the closing of this offering.
Investors in this offering will not be entitled to receive any portion of this dividend.
Registration Rights Agreement
We intend to enter into a registration rights agreement prior to the closing of this offering with Vorini Holdings, our existing stockholder, pursuant to which we will grant it and certain of its transferees
the right, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, including restrictions included in
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the lock-up agreements to which Vorini Holdings will be a party, to require us to register under the Securities Act shares of our common stock held by those persons. Under the registration rights agreement,
Vorini Holdings and certain of its transferees will have the right to request us to register the sale of shares held by them on their behalf and may require us to make available shelf registration statements
permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period. In addition, those persons will have the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered
offerings initiated by us. Immediately after this offering, Vorini Holdings will own 44,500,000 shares entitled to these registration rights, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their overallotment option.
Other Transactions
We have, in the past, used advances from owners to finance vessel acquisitions. During the period from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, we received an aggregate of $246.0 million in net
advances from owners. No interest is payable with respect to these advances, and, in respect of the same period, we had repaid $326.2 million of such advances with funds received either from subsequent bank
debt, or from proceeds of sale of vessels where no bank debt had been obtained. Please see Note 10 of our predecessor combined financial statements for more information on these advances.
Our current owners advanced the amount of $7.7 million to our Subsidiaries, Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi, in order to fund on March 4, 2008, payments to shipyards of ¥800 million (the equivalent of $7.7
million based on the exchange rate of ¥104.15/$1.00). We will also be required to pay, on May 27, 2008, an additional amount of ¥400 million to be advanced from our current owners in relation to the newbuild of
Eniaprohi to the relevant shipyard. After this offering, we expect to pay back these amounts to our current owners.
Since April 9, 2008, two cash collateral deposits of $2.0 million each for credit facilities of our Subsidiaries Petra and Pemer have been maintained in their names, which deposits were previously
maintained in the name of our Manager on behalf of those Subsidiaries.
Three of our previously sold vessels, which were sold to third party buyers, have, since their sale, been chartered for periods ranging from 10 months to 38 months by SafeFixing, an affiliate of Polys
Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou and our Manager.
The security for the bank performance guarantee to be entered into by our Subsidiaries Eptaprohi and Maxpente of $32.2 million relating to Hull H1074 and Hull H1075 in favor of the relevant shipyard
will be provided by our current owners, and following this offering it will be provided by Eptaprohi and Maxpente.
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The following is a summary of the material provisions of the instruments evidencing our indebtedness. It does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to all of the provisions of the
documents evidencing our indebtedness, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Unless otherwise indicated, Swiss franc, or CHF, amounts translated
to U.S. dollars have been translated at a rate of CHF1.1267:$1.00, and Japanese yen, or ¥, amounts translated to U.S. dollars have been translated at a rate of ¥112.35:$1.00, the exchange rates in effect on
December 31, 2007
.
Our Credit Facilities
As of December 31, 2007, we, through the Subsidiaries, had an aggregate of $322.9 million outstanding under various credit agreements to finance the purchase of the vessels owned by such entities,
comprised of outstanding amounts in U.S. dollars, Japanese yen and Swiss francs. As of December 31, 2007, of our aggregate indebtedness, CHF86.5 million (the equivalent of $76.8 million, based on an exchange
rate of CHF1.1267:$1.00 on December 31, 2007) was denominated in Swiss francs and ¥8.5 billion (the equivalent of $75.8 million, based on an exchange rate of ¥112.35:$1.00 on December 31, 2007) was
denominated in Japanese yen. We have historically borrowed amounts under our credit facilities in currencies other than the U.S. dollar due to the lower interest rates applicable to borrowings in such currencies.
Since December 31, 2007, we, through two of our Subsidiaries, have entered into two new credit facilities relating to our vessels the
Maria
and the
Efrossini
under which we borrowed an additional $84.0 million,
of which $38.5 million was used to refinance existing indebtedness related to those vessels. In April 2008, we, through our Subsidiary Avstes, also entered into a new credit facility to borrow an additional $36.0
million, which was advanced to our Manager to enable the payment of dividends to our current owners. Since December 31, 2007, we have also accepted commitment letters for two new credit facilities in the
amounts of $45.0 million each. The weighted average interest rate on all of our indebtedness during the year ended December 31, 2007 was 3.35% compared to 3.27% during the year ended December 31, 2006.
Below is a description of the material terms of each such credit facility. See also Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit Facilities for additional
information with respect to our credit facilities.
Old Marindou Shipping Corporation Credit Facility
On May 12, 2003, our Subsidiary Marindou entered into a ten-year, $16.0 million multi-currency credit facility with Den Norske Bank ASA, which we refer to in this section as the Old Marindou credit
facility. As of December 31, 2007, there was CHF15.3 million (the equivalent of approximately $13.6 million) outstanding under the Old Marindou credit facility, which amount was repaid in its entirety and
replaced with a new credit facility entered into by Marindou on January 11, 2008 relating to the
Maria
. See New Marindou Credit Facility.
Old Efragel Shipping Corporation Credit Facility
On November 11, 2004, our Subsidiary Efragel entered into a ten-year, $30.0 million multi-currency secured reducing revolving credit facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA, which we refer to in this section
as the Old Efragel credit facility. As of December 31, 2007, there was CHF16.6 million and ¥1.0 billion (together, the equivalent of approximately $23.8 million) outstanding under the Old Efragel credit facility,
which amount was repaid in its entirety and replaced with a new credit facility entered into by Efragel on January 11, 2008 relating to the
Efrossini
. See New Efragel Credit Facility.
Marathassa Shipping Corporation Credit Facility
On February 16, 2005, our Subsidiary Marathassa entered into a 12-year, $28.0 million multi-currency credit facility with RBS, which we refer to in this section as the Marathassa credit facility, to
refinance a portion of the purchase price of the
Maritsa
and to provide working capital. We borrowed $28.0 million on February 18, 2005 under the Marathassa credit facility, and, as of December 31, 2007, there
was $11.6 million and CHF13.5 million (together, the equivalent of approximately $23.6 million) outstanding
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under the Marathassa credit facility. Subject to certain requirements, borrowings may be made and outstanding amounts may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss
francs, Japanese yen, Canadian dollars, euros and British pounds sterling.
The interest rate under the Marathassa credit facility is LIBOR applicable to deposits in the relevant currency (or, in the case of tranches denominated in euros, EURIBOR) plus a margin of 0.675% per
annum, which will increase to 0.750% annum following the closing of this offering. The average interest rate (including the margin) for the outstanding balance translated into U.S. dollars during the years 2005,
2006 and 2007 was 3.012%, 3.962% and 4.589%, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, there were 19 remaining semi-annual installments, payable as follows: $477,500 and CHF550,000 for the first installment;
$407,500 and CHF470,000 for each of the second to 18th installments; and $4.2 million and CHF4.9 million for the 19th installment.
Our obligations under the Marathassa credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Maritsa
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
revenues and any insurance proceeds.
In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Marathassa under this credit facility
and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit Facilities).
Marinouki Shipping Corporation Credit Facility
On March 1, 2006, our Subsidiary Marinouki entered into a secured 12-year, $30.4 million multi-currency credit facility with RBS, which we refer to in this section as the Marinouki credit facility, to
refinance a portion of the purchase price of the
Marina
and to provide working capital. We borrowed $30.4 million on March 3, 2006 under the Marinouki credit facility, and, as of December 31, 2007, there was
¥3.4 billion (the equivalent of approximately $30.4 million) outstanding under the Marinouki credit facility. On March 19, 2008, amounts outstanding in Japanese yen under the Marinouki credit facility were
converted into U.S. dollar amounts so that following the conversion the remaining balance of the credit facility was $32.6 million.
The interest rate under the Marinouki credit facility is LIBOR applicable to deposits in the relevant currency (or, in the case of tranches denominated in euros, EURIBOR) plus a margin of 0.675% per
annum, which will increase to 0.750% annum following the closing of this offering. The average interest rate (including the margin) for the outstanding balance translated into U.S. dollars during the years 2006
and 2007 was 4.548% and 2.114%, respectively. Following the conversion of the credit facility into U.S. dollar amounts on March 19, 2008, the remaining principal amount of the loan is payable in 20 semi-annual
installments as follows: the first two installments of $545,000 each; the 3rd to 8th installments of $767,000 each; the 9th to 20th installments of $877,000 each and a final balloon installment of $16.4 million
payable together with the final installment.
Our obligations under the Marinouki credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Marina
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
revenues and any insurance proceeds.
In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Marinouki under this credit facility
and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit Facilities).
Staloudi Shipping Corporation Credit Facility
On May 29, 2006, our Subsidiary Staloudi entered into a ten-year, $30.0 million multi-currency secured credit facility with Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft, which we refer to in this section as the
Staloudi credit facility, to partly finance the construction cost of the
Stalo
. The Staloudi credit facility consists of two tranches as follows: (a) Tranche A in the amount of up to $25.5 million and (b) Tranche B
in the amount of up to $4.5 million. Only amounts under Tranche A may be borrowed or converted into optional currencies other than the U.S. dollar; amounts under Tranche B are limited to U.S. dollars. We
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borrowed $25.5 million under Tranche A and $4.5 million under Tranche B on May 29, 2006 under the Staloudi credit facility, and, as of December 31, 2007, there was $30.4 million outstanding under the
Staloudi credit facility, comprised of $26.3 million outstanding under Tranche A and $4.2 million outstanding under Tranche B. Subject to certain requirements, borrowings may be made and outstanding amounts
may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss francs, Japanese yen, Canadian dollars, euros and British pounds sterling.
The interest rate under the Staloudi credit facility is LIBOR applicable to deposits in the relevant currency (or in the case of tranches denominated in euros, EURIBOR) plus a margin of 0.65% per annum.
The average interest rate (including the margin) for the outstanding balance translated into U.S. dollars during the years 2006 and 2007 was 3.444% and 3.542%, respectively. Beginning on November 30, 2006, we
began repaying the principal amount of this loan. Pursuant to an amendment dated December 3, 2007, the remaining 17 semi-annual installments are payable as follows: Tranche A: $687,500 each, with an
additional balloon payment of $14.6 million due at the last installment and Tranche B: $112,500 each, with an additional balloon payment of $2.3 million due at the last installment.
Our obligations under the Staloudi credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Stalo
, by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter revenues and
any insurance proceeds.
Petra Shipping Ltd. Credit Facility
On January 11, 2007, our Subsidiary Petra entered into a 12-year, $36.0 million multi-currency credit facility with Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft, or Bayerische, which we refer to in
this section as the Petra credit facility, to finance the purchase price of the
Pedhoulas Trader
. We borrowed $36.0 million on January 16, 2007 under the Petra credit facility, and, as of December 31, 2007, there
was CHF41.1million and $2.0 million (together, the equivalent of approximately $38.4 million) outstanding under the Petra credit facility. On January 18, 2008, amounts outstanding in Swiss francs under the Petra
credit facility were converted into U.S. dollar amounts and the multi-currency option was eliminated so that following the conversion the remaining balance of the credit facility was $38.2 million.
The interest rate under the Petra credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% per annum. The average interest rate (including the margin) for the outstanding balance translated into U.S. dollars during
the year ended December 31, 2007 was 3.371%. Following conversion of the credit facility into U.S. dollar amounts on January 18, 2008, the remaining principal amount of the loan is payable as follows: 21 semi-
annual installments of $1.1 million each plus a final repayment installment of $15.1 million.
Our obligations under the Petra credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Pedhoulas Trader
, by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
revenues and any insurance proceeds and by a cash collateral deposit of $2.0 million (or an equivalent amount in an optional currency), deposited on behalf of Petra by our Manager, which will gradually be
reduced after three years following drawdown under the Petra credit facility. Since April 9, 2008, the cash collateral deposit has been maintained in the name of Petra.
Pemer Shipping Ltd. Credit Facility
On March 7, 2007, our Subsidiary Pemer entered into a 12-year, $36.0 million multi-currency credit facility with Bayerische, which we refer to in this section as the Pemer credit facility, to finance the
purchase price of the
Pedhoulas Merchant
. We borrowed $36.0 million
on March 7, 2007 under the Pemer credit facility, and, as of December 31, 2007, there was ¥4.1 billion (the equivalent of approximately $36.2
million) outstanding under the Pemer credit facility. On March 7, 2008, amounts outstanding in Japanese yen under the Pemer credit facility were converted into U.S. dollar amounts and the multi-currency option
was eliminated so that following the conversion the remaining balance of the credit facility was $38.2 million.
The interest rate under the Pemer credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% per annum. The average interest rate (including the margin) for the outstanding balance translated into U.S. dollars during
the year ended December 31, 2007 was 1.500%. Following conversion of the credit facility into U.S. dollar
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amounts on March 7, 2008, the remaining principal amount of the loan is payable as follows: 21 semi-annual installments of $1.1 million each plus a final repayment installment of $15.1 million.
Our obligations under the Pemer credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Pedhoulas Merchant
, by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
revenues and any insurance proceeds and by a cash collateral deposit of $2.0 million (or an equivalent amount in an optional currency), deposited on behalf of Pemer by our Manager, which will gradually be
reduced after three years following drawdown under the Pemer credit facility. Since April 9, 2008, the cash collateral deposit has been maintained in the name of Pemer.
Pelea Shipping Ltd. Credit Facility
On June 12, 2007, our Subsidiary Pelea entered into a 12-year, $42.0 million secured multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility with DnB Nor Bank ASA, which we refer to in this section as the
Pelea credit facility, to refinance post-delivery costs with respect to the
Pedhoulas Leader
.
We borrowed $42.0 million
on June 12, 2007
under the Pelea credit facility, and as of December 31, 2007, there was $41.4 million outstanding under the Pelea credit facility. Subject to certain
requirements, borrowings may be made and outstanding amounts may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss francs, Japanese yen and euros. We may prepay all
loans at any time without penalty upon 14 business days prior notice, however, we are responsible for indemnifying the lender for any costs incurred by it if we make a repayment other than on the last day of an
interest period under the agreement. Amounts that have been prepaid may be re-borrowed subject to the availability reduction described in the next paragraph.
The total amounts available for borrowing under the Pelea credit facility are reduced semi-annually beginning after December 12, 2007 until June 12, 2019, the maturity date, at which time the Pelea credit
facility will terminate, as follows: the first six reductions are in the amount of $650,000 each; the seventh through 12th reductions are in the amount of $750,000 each; the 13th through 23rd reductions are in the
amount of $1.2 million each; and the final reduction is in the amount of $20.5 million.
The interest rate under the Pelea credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.575% per annum, which will increase to 0.700% per annum following the closing of this offering. The average interest rate
(including the margin) for the outstanding balance translated into U.S. dollars during the year ended December 31, 2007 was 6.008%. We incur a commitment fee on the unused portion of the amount available
under the Pelea credit facility at a rate of 0.15% per year.
We are subject to customary conditions precedent before we may borrow under the Pelea credit facility, including that no event of default is ongoing and there having occurred no material adverse effect
on our ability to perform our payment obligations under the Pelea credit facility.
Our obligations under the Pelea credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Pedhoulas Leader
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
revenue, and any insurance proceeds. In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Pelea
under this credit facility and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit
Facilities).
Soffive Shipping Corporation Credit Facility
On November 19, 2007, our Subsidiary Soffive entered into a secured 12-year, $45.0 million multi-currency credit facility with RBS, which we refer to in this section as the Soffive credit facility, to
refinance a portion of the purchase price of the
Sophia
. We borrowed approximately $45.0 million under the Soffive credit facility on November 19, 2007 and as of December 31, 2007, there was $45.0 million
outstanding under the Soffive credit facility.
The interest rate under the Soffive credit facility is LIBOR applicable to deposits in the relevant currency (or, in the case of tranches denominated in euros, EURIBOR) plus a margin of 0.575% per
annum, which will increase to 0.750% per annum following the closing of this offering. The average
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interest rate (including the margin) for the outstanding balance translated into U.S. dollars during the year ended December 31, 2007 was 5.445%. The principal is payable in 24 semi-annual installments, the first
such installment to be paid on May 20, 2008, as follows: $900,000 for each of the first six installments; $1.2 million for each of the seventh to 18th installments; $1.5 million for each of the 19th to the 23rd
installments; and $17.7 million for the final installment.
Our obligations under the Soffive credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Sophia
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter revenues
and any insurance proceeds.
In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Soffive under this credit facility and
certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit Facilities).
Kerasies Credit Facility
On December 13, 2007, our Subsidiary Kerasies entered into a 12-year, $40.0 million multi-currency credit facility with RBS, which we refer to as the Kerasies credit facility, to refinance existing
indebtedness and provide working capital. We borrowed $40.0 million under the Kerasies credit facility on December 14, 2007 and as of December 31, 2007, there was $40.0 million outstanding under the Kerasies
credit facility.
The interest rate under the Kerasies credit facility is LIBOR applicable to deposits in the relevant currency (or, in the case of tranches denominated in euros, EURIBOR) plus a margin of 0.575% per
annum, which will increase to 0.750% per annum following the closing of this offering. The average interest rate (including the margin) for the outstanding balance translated into U.S. dollars during the year 2007
was 5.575%. The principal is payable in 24 semi-annual installments, the first such installment to be paid on June 14, 2007, as follows: $800,000 for each of the first six installments; $1.1 million for each of the
seventh to 18th installments; $1.3 million for each of the 19th to the 23rd installments; and $15.7 million for the final installment.
Our obligations under the Kerasies credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Katerina
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter revenues
and any insurance proceeds.
In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Kerasies under this credit facility and
certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit Facilities).
New Marindou Credit Facility
On January 11, 2008, our Subsidiary Marindou entered into a ten-year, $42.0 million multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility with DnB NOR BANK ASA, which we refer to in this section as the
New Marindou credit facility, to refinance the existing indebtedness under the Old Marindou credit facility and provide working capital. We borrowed $42.0 million on January 14, 2008 under the New Marindou
credit facility. Subject to certain requirements, borrowings may be made and outstanding amounts may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss francs, Japanese yen
and euros.
The interest rate under the New Marindou credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% per annum, which will increase to 0.700% per annum following the closing of this offering. The facility amount
will be reduced by semi-annual reductions starting July 14, 2008, as follows: the amount of each of the first to sixth reductions will be each $750,000; the amount of the seventh to 12th reductions will be each
$1.0 million; the amount of the thirteenth through 20th reductions will be each $1.7 million; and a final reduction of $18.0 million will occur together with the 20th scheduled reduction.
Our obligations under the New Marindou credit facility will be secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Maria
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
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revenue and any insurance proceeds. In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Marindou
under this credit facility and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit
Facilities).
New Efragel Credit Facility
On January 11, 2008, our Subsidiary Efragel entered into a ten-year, $42.0 million multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility with DnB Nor Bank ASA, which we refer to in this section as the New
Efragel credit facility, to refinance the existing indebtedness under the Old Efragel credit facility and provide working capital. We borrowed $42.0 million on January 17, 2008 under the New Efragel credit
facility. Subject to certain requirements, borrowings may be made and outstanding amounts may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss francs, Japanese yen and
euros.
The interest rate under the New Efragel credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% per annum, which will increase to 0.700% per annum following the closing of this offering. The facility amount
will be reduced by semi-annual reductions starting July 17, 2008, as follows: the amount of each of the first to sixth reductions will be each $750,000; the amount of the seventh to 12th reductions will be each
$1.0 million; the amount of the thirteenth through 20th reductions will be each $1.7 million; and a final reduction of $18.0 million will occur together with the 20th scheduled reduction.
Our obligations under the New Efragel credit facility will be secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Efrossini
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter
revenue and any insurance proceeds. In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Efragel
under this credit facility and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit
Facilities).
Avstes Credit Facility
.
On April 17, 2008, our Subsidiary Avstes entered into a ten-year, $36.0 million multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA, which we refer to as the Avtses credit
facility. We drew down the full amount of $36.0 million on April 18, 2008 under the Avstes credit facility and advanced this amount to our Manager, so that our Manager could pay dividends to our current
owners on our behalf. Subject to certain requirements, borrowings may be made and outstanding amounts may be converted into the following optional currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar: Swiss francs,
Japanese yen and euros.
The interest rate under the Avstes credit facility is LIBOR plus a margin of 0.80%, and the margin that will apply following this offering will be agreed prior to the closing of this offering. We will incur
a commitment fee on the unused portion of the amount available under the Avstes credit facility at a rate of 0.20% per year.
The facility amount will be reduced by 20 semi-annual reductions starting on October 18, 2008. The amount of each reduction will be $0.9 million and a balloon reduction of $18.0 million will occur
together with the final scheduled reduction.
Our obligations under the Avstes credit facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Vassos
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including charter revenues
and any insurance proceeds. In addition, under a guarantee we have entered into and which is effective from the closing of this offering, we are the guarantor of the obligations of our Subsidiary Avstes under this
credit facility and certain financial covenants will apply to us as described above (see the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCredit
Facilities).
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Eniaprohi Credit Facility
We accepted a commitment letter from DnB NOR Bank ASA on April 3, 2008 to enter into a 10-year multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility pursuant to which we will borrow, through our
subsidiary Eniaprohi, $45.0 million and which we refer to in this prospectus as the Eniaprohi credit facility. Borrowings under this credit facility will be used to finance construction of our newbuild
Eleni
upon
its delivery from the shipyard.
The commitment letter provides that the Eniaprohi credit facility will initially bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.90%, and the margin that will apply following this offering will be agreed prior to
the closing of this offering. We will incur a commitment fee on the unused portion of the amount available under the Eniaprohi credit facility at a rate of 0.20% per year.
The facility amount will be reduced by 20 semi-annual reductions starting six months from the date of delivery of the
Eleni
, as follows: the amount of each reduction will be $1.125 million and a balloon
reduction of $22.5 million will occur together with the final scheduled reduction.
The obligations under the Eniaprohi credit facility will be initially secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Eleni
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including
charter revenue and any insurance proceeds. In addition, the commitment letter provides that following this offering, we will guarantee the obligations of our subsidiary Eniaprohi under this credit facility and
certain financial covenants will apply to us, including a consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated interest coverage ratio, debt-to-cash flow and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, and minimum tangible net worth. In addition,
there will be a covenant that the Hajioannou family maintain their majority interest in us.
Eniadefhi Credit Facility
We accepted a commitment letter from DnB NOR Bank ASA on April 3, 2008 to enter into a 10-year multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility pursuant to which we will borrow, through our
subsidiary Eniadefhi, $45.0 million and which we refer to in this prospectus as the Eniadefhi credit facility. Borrowings under this credit facility will be used to finance construction of our newbuild
Martine
upon its delivery from the shipyard.
The commitment letter provides that the Eniadefhi credit facility will initially bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.90%, and the margin that will apply following this offering will be agreed prior to
the closing of this offering. We will incur a commitment fee on the unused portion of the amount available under the Eniadfehi credit facility at a rate of 0.20% per year.
The facility amount will be reduced by 20 semi-annual reductions starting six months from the date of delivery of the
Martine
, as follows: the amount of each reduction will be $1.125 million and a
balloon reduction of $22.5 million will occur together with the final scheduled reduction.
The obligations under the Eniadefhi credit facility will be initially secured by a first-priority mortgage over the
Martine
and by a first-priority assignment of our earnings related to the vessel, including
charter revenue and any insurance proceeds. In addition, the commitment letter provides that following this offering, we will guarantee the obligations of our subsidiary Eniadefhi under this credit facility and
certain financial covenants will apply to us, including a consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated interest coverage ratio, debt-to-cash flow and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, and minimum tangible net worth. In addition,
there will be a covenant that the Hajioannou family maintain their majority interest in us.
Covenants and Events of Default
Our existing credit facilities contain various covenants limiting the ability of certain of our Subsidiaries to:
pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such dividend;
enter into long-term charters for more than 13 months;
incur additional indebtedness, including through the issuance of guarantees;
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change the flag, class or management of a vessel mortgaged under the credit facility or terminate or materially amend the management agreement relating to such vessel;
create liens on their assets, including the vessel;
make loans;
make investments;
make capital expenditures;
undergo a change in ownership or control or permit a change in ownership and control of our Manager;
sell the vessel mortgaged under such facility;
permit the Hajioannou family to reduce its shareholding in us below 51%; and
permit our chief executive officer to change.
Certain of the credit facilities also contain requirements that the value of the vessel mortgaged under the applicable credit facility not fall below 100 to 120%, as applicable, of the outstanding amount of
the loan. Under certain of the credit facilities, outstanding amounts in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may not exceed at any time 100% or 110%, as applicable, of the U.S. dollar equivalent amount specified
in the relevant credit facility for the applicable period. In the event the outstanding amounts in non-U.S. currencies exceed the applicable threshold amount, the borrower has to either make a loan prepayment or
provide cash collateral security in an amount necessary for the outstanding amounts to comply with the above requirement. Also, under certain of the credit facilities, we must ensure that we comply with certain
financial covenants under the guarantees described below.
In addition, under guarantees we have entered into and which are effective from the closing of this offering with respect to certain of our Subsidiaries existing credit facilities (see the section entitled
Description of IndebtednessOur Credit Facilities), we are subject to specified financial covenants. Depending on the guarantee, these financial covenants include the following:
our total liabilities (on a consolidated basis, including those of our Subsidiaries) divided by our total consolidated assets (based on the current market value of all vessels owned by our Subsidiaries, and
the book value of all other assets, on an adjusted basis as set out in the relevant guarantee) must not exceed 70%;
the ratio of our aggregate debt to EBITDA must not at any time exceed 5.5:1 on a trailing 12 months basis;
our consolidated net worth (consolidated total assets less consolidated total liabilities) must not at any time be less than $175.0 million, or less than and $200.0 million, as adjusted to reflect, among
other things, the market value of our vessels to the extent it exceeds book value as set out in the relevant guarantee;
we must maintain minimum free liquidity of $500,000 on deposit with the relevant lender on a per vessel basis; and
we can pay dividends, subject to no event of default having occurred.
Based on the terms of the commitment letters to enter into two new credit facilities of $45.0 million each that we have accepted from DnB NOR Bank ASA, those new credit facilities will contain
covenants substantially similar to the covenants described above. Pursuant to those commitment letters, we will also guarantee the obligations of our Subsidiaries under those credit facilities and certain financial
covenants will apply to us, including a consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated interest coverage ratio, debt-to-cash flow and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, and minimum tangible net worth. In addition, these credit
facilities will contain a covenant that the Hajioannou family maintain their majority interest in us.
The credit facilities contain customary events of default, including nonpayment of principal or interest, breach of covenants or material inaccuracy of representations, default under other material
indebtedness, bankruptcy and change of control of certain of our Subsidiaries.
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Interest Rate Swap Transactions
Prior to December 14, 2007, we had not entered into any interest rate swap arrangements. Set forth below is our interest rate swap arrangement as of December 31, 2007:
Loan Facility
Counter party
Initial notional
Inception
Expiry
Swap rate
New Kerasies
RBS
$
40.0 million
December 14, 2007
December 14, 2010
4.0925
%
The initial notional amount of the swap arrangement is equal to the principal amount. The interest rate swap does not meet hedge accounting criteria under SFAS 133 Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities and as such is accounted for as a trading derivative. Although we are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance in connection with such swap
arrangement, because the counterparty RBS is a major financial institution, we consider the risk of loss due to nonperformance to be minimal.
Subsequent to December 31, 2007, we entered into the following interest rate swap transactions with respect to the various credit facilities in order to manage interest costs and the risk associated with
changing interest rates with respect to these loans.
Loan Facility
Counter Party
Initial notional
Inception
Expiry
Swap rate
(in thousands)
New Marindou
DnB NOR Bank ASA
$
42,000
January 14, 2008
January 14, 2013
3.95%
New Efragel
DnB NOR Bank ASA
$
42,000
January 17, 2008
January 17, 2013
3.65%
Petra
Bayerische
$
38,171
February 19, 2008
January 18, 2013
2.885%
Pemer
Bayerische
$
38,168
March 7, 2008
March 7, 2013
2.745%
Marinouki
RBS
$
32,620
March 19, 2008
March 5, 2013
2.73%
Avstes
DnB NOR Bank ASA
$
36,000
April 25, 2008
April 18, 2013
3.89%
The initial notional amounts of all the above transactions are equal to the principal amounts of the respective loans and are reduced during the term of the relevant swap transaction based on the expected
principal outstanding under the respective facility. Under all the swap transactions, the counterparty will make semi-annual floating-rate payments to us for the relevant amount based on the six month USD LIBOR,
and we will make semi-annual payments to the bank on the relevant amount at the respective fixed swap rates set out in the table above. In the Petra and Pemer transactions, Bayerische has the right to cancel the
respective swap on January 18, 2011 and March 7, 2011, respectively, and on six-month intervals thereafter. In the Marinouki transaction, RBS has the right to cancel the swap on March 5, 2011 and on six-
monthly intervals thereafter.
We entered into these interest rate swap agreements to mitigate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and at a time when we believed long-term interest rates were reasonably low. No interest rate swap
meets hedge accounting criteria under SFAS 133. Although we are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance in connection with such swap agreements, because the counterparties, DnB NOR
Bank ASA, Bayerische and RBS are major financial institutions, we consider the risk of loss due to their nonperformance to be minimal.
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amount
amount
The following is a description of the material terms of our articles of incorporation and bylaws that will be in effect prior to completion of this offering. We refer you to our articles of incorporation and
bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Purpose
Our purpose, as stated in our articles of incorporation, is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Business Corporations Act of the
Marshall Islands, or the BCA. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws do not impose any limitations on the ownership rights of our stockholders.
Authorized Capitalization
Under our articles of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of the date
of this prospectus and 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. Of this blank check preferred
stock, 1,000,000 shares have been designated Series A Participating Preferred Stock in connection with our adoption of a stockholder rights plan as described below under Stockholder Rights Plan. Upon
completion of this offering, we will have outstanding 54,500,000 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock. All of our shares of stock are in registered form.
Immediately prior to this offering, there was no public market for our common stock. Although our common stock has been approved for listing on the NYSE, we cannot assure you that a market for our
common stock will develop or if it develops that it will be sustained.
Common stock
As of the date of this prospectus, we have no shares of common stock outstanding. Upon completion of this offering, we will have outstanding 54,500,000 shares of common stock, of which Vorini will
own 44,500,000 or 43,000,000 shares if the underwriters overallotment option is exercised in full, out of 200,000,000 shares authorized to be issued. Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to
one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive
ratably all dividends, if any, declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. Please read the section entitled Dividend Policy. 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 preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock
will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of common stock do not have conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights,
preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock which we may issue in the future.
Preferred stock
Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors, without any further vote or action by our stockholders, to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, of which 1,000,000
shares have been designated Series A Participating Preferred Stock, in connection with our adoption of a stockholder rights plan as described below under Stockholder Rights Plan, and to determine, with respect
to any series of preferred stock established by our board of directors, the terms and rights of that series, including:
the designation of the series;
the number of shares of the series;
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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.
Stockholder Meetings
Under our bylaws, annual stockholder meetings will be held at a time and place selected by our board of directors. The meetings may be held inside or outside of the Marshall Islands. Special meetings
may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board of Directors. Our board of directors may set a record date between 15 and 60 days before the date
of any meeting to determine the stockholders that will be eligible to receive notice and vote at the meeting.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Our bylaws permit stockholder action by unanimous written consent.
Directors
Under our bylaws, our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at each annual meeting of the stockholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. There is no provision for
cumulative voting.
Pursuant to the provision of our bylaws, the board of directors may change the number of directors to not less than three, nor more than 15, by a vote of a majority of the entire board. Each director shall
be elected to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, except in the event of death, resignation or removal. A
vacancy on the board created by death, resignation, removal (which may only be for cause), or failure of the stockholders to elect the entire class of directors to be elected at any election of directors or for any
other reason, may be filled only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, at any special meeting called for that purpose or at any regular meeting
of the board of directors. The board of directors has the authority to fix the amounts which shall be payable to the members of our board of directors for attendance at any meeting or for services rendered to us.
Dissenters Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the BCA, our stockholders have the right to dissent from various corporate actions, including any merger or sale of all, or substantially all, of our assets not made in the usual course of our
business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. In the event of any amendment of our articles of incorporation, a stockholder also has the right to dissent and receive payment for their shares if the
amendment alters certain rights in respect of those shares. The dissenting stockholder must follow the procedures set forth in the BCA to receive payment. In the event that we and any dissenting stockholder 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 stockholder is fixed by the court after reference, if the court so elects, to the
recommendations of a court-appointed appraiser.
Stockholders Derivative Actions
Under the BCA, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder 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.
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Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The BCA authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors and officers to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors fiduciary duties.
Our bylaws include a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions taken as a director to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Our bylaws provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by law. We are also expressly authorized to advance certain expenses (including attorneys fees and
disbursements and court costs) to our directors and officers and carry directors and officers insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe
that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty.
These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.
In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Several provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, which are summarized in the following paragraphs, 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 stockholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these
anti-takeover provisions could also delay, defer or prevent (a) the merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise that a stockholder might consider in its best
interest, including attempts that may result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by the stockholders, and (b) the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Blank check preferred stock
Under the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our stockholders, to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock,
of which 1,000,000 shares have been designated Series A Participating Preferred Stock, in connection with our adoption of a stockholder rights plan as described below under Stockholder Rights Plan. 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.
Classified board of directors
Our articles of incorporation provide for a board of directors 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 stockholders who do not agree with the policies of the board of
directors from removing a majority of the board of directors for two years.
Election and removal of directors
Our articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our bylaws require parties other than the board of directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the
election of directors. Our bylaws also provide that our directors may be removed only for cause. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
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Calling of special meeting of stockholders
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer or a majority of our
Board of Directors.
Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations
Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in
writing to the corporate secretary.
Generally, to be timely, a stockholders notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the previous years
annual meeting. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders notice. These provisions may impede stockholders ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of
stockholders or to make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.
Stockholder Rights Plan
Each share of our common stock includes a 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 at a purchase price
of $25.00 per unit, subject to specified adjustments. The rights are issued pursuant to a stockholder rights agreement between us and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent. Until a right is
exercised, the holder of a right will have no rights to vote or receive dividends or any other stockholder rights.
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 or a permitted offer, the rights should not
interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors. The adoption of the rights agreement was approved by our existing stockholder prior to this offering.
We have summarized the material terms and conditions of the rights agreement and the rights below. For a complete description of the rights, we encourage you to read the stockholder rights agreement,
which we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Detachment of rights
The rights are attached to all certificates representing our outstanding common stock and will attach to all common stock certificates we issue prior to the rights distribution date that we describe below.
The rights are not exercisable until after the rights distribution date and will expire at the close of business on the tenth anniversary date of the adoption of the rights plan, unless we redeem or exchange them
earlier as described below. The rights will separate from the common stock and a rights distribution date will occur, subject to specified exceptions, on the earlier of the following two dates:
ten days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons or an acquiring person has acquired or obtained the right to acquire beneficial ownership of 15% or
more of our outstanding common stock; or
ten business days following the start of a tender or exchange offer that would result, if closed, in a person becoming an acquiring person.
Our existing stockholder and its affiliates are excluded from the definition of acquiring person for purposes of the rights, and therefore their ownership or future share acquisitions cannot trigger the
rights. Specified inadvertent owners that would otherwise become an acquiring person, including those who would have this designation as a result of repurchases of common stock by us, will not become
acquiring persons as a result of those transactions.
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Our board of directors may defer the rights distribution date in some circumstances, and some inadvertent acquisitions will not result in a person becoming an acquiring person if the person promptly
divests itself of a sufficient number of shares of common stock.
Until the rights distribution date:
our common stock certificates will evidence the rights, and the rights will be transferable only with those certificates; and
any new shares of common stock will be issued with rights and new certificates will contain a notation incorporating the rights agreement by reference.
As soon as practicable after the rights distribution date, the rights agent will mail certificates representing the rights to holders of record of common stock at the close of business on that date. After the
rights distribution date, only separate rights certificates will represent the rights.
We will not issue rights with any shares of common stock we issue after the rights distribution date, except as our board of directors may otherwise determine.
Flip-in event
A flip-in event will occur under the rights agreement when a person becomes an acquiring person. If a flip-in event occurs and we do not redeem the rights as described under the heading Redemption
of rights below, each right, other than any right that has become void, as described below, will become exercisable at the time it is no longer redeemable for the number of shares of common stock, or, in some
cases, cash, property or other of our securities, having a current market price equal to two times the exercise price of such right.
If a flip-in event occurs, all rights that then are, or in some circumstances that were, beneficially owned by or transferred to an acquiring person or specified related parties will become void in the
circumstances the rights agreement specifies.
Flip-over event
A flip-over event will occur under the rights agreement when, at any time after a person has become an acquiring person:
we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction; or
50% or more of our assets, cash flows or earning power is sold or transferred.
If a flip-over event occurs, each holder of a right, other than any right that has become void as we describe under the heading Flip-in event above, will have the right to receive the number of shares of
common stock of the acquiring company having a current market price equal to two times the exercise price of such right.
Antidilution
The number of outstanding rights associated with our common stock is subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or subdivision, combination or reclassification of our common stock
occurring prior to the rights distribution date. With some exceptions, the rights agreement does not require us to adjust the exercise price of the rights until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the
exercise price. It also does not require us to issue fractional shares of our preferred stock that are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share, and, instead we may make a cash adjustment based on the
market price of the common stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise. The rights agreement reserves us the right to require, prior to the occurrence of any flip-in event or flip-over event that, on
any exercise of rights, that a number of rights must be exercised so that we will issue only whole shares of stock.
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Redemption of rights
At any time until ten days after the date on which the occurrence of a flip-in event is first publicly announced, we may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price of $0.01 per
right. The redemption price is subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring before the date of redemption. At our option, we may pay that redemption price in cash,
shares of common stock or any other consideration our board of directors may select. The rights are not exercisable after a flip-in event until they are no longer redeemable. If our board of directors timely orders
the redemption of the rights, the rights will terminate on the effectiveness of that action.
Exchange of rights
We may, at our option, exchange the rights (other than rights owned by an acquiring person or an affiliate or an associate of an acquiring person, which have become void), in whole or in part. The
exchange must be at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per right, subject to specified adjustments at any time after the occurrence of a flip-in event and prior to:
any person other than our existing stockholder becoming the beneficial owner of common stock with voting power equal to 50% or more of the total voting power of all shares of common stock entitled
to vote in the election of directors; or
the occurrence of a flip-over event.
Amendment of terms of rights
While the rights are outstanding, we may amend the provisions of the rights agreement only as follows:
to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
to make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of holders of rights, excluding the interests of any acquiring person; or
to shorten or lengthen any time period under the rights agreement, except that we cannot change the time period when rights may be redeemed or lengthen any time period, unless such lengthening
protects, enhances or clarifies the benefits of holders of rights other than an acquiring person.
At any time when no rights are outstanding, we may amend any of the provisions of the rights agreement, other than decreasing the redemption price.
Transfer Agent
The registrar and transfer agent for the common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Listing
Our common stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SB.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of this offering, we will have 54,500,000 shares of common stock outstanding. Of these shares, only the 10,000,000 shares sold in this offering, or 11,500,000 shares if the underwriters
over allotment option is exercised in full, will be freely transferable in the United States without restriction under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates, which will be
subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Prior to this offering, our existing stockholder will be our sole stockholder. After the consummation of this offering, our existing stockholder
will continue to own 44,500,000, or 43,000,000 if the underwriters exercise their allotment option in full, shares of common stock which were acquired in private transactions not involving a public offering and
these shares are therefore treated as restricted securities for purposes of Rule 144. Restricted securities may not be resold except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an
exemption from those registration requirements, such as the exemptions provided by Rule 144, Regulation S and other exemptions under the Securities Act. Upon consummation of this offering, our existing
stockholder will have rights to require, or participate in, the registration under the Securities Act of the 44,500,000 shares of our common stock it will hold upon completion of this offering (assuming no exercise
of the underwriters overallotment option). Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming fully tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon
the effectiveness of the applicable registration statement, except for shares purchased by affiliates.
In general, under Rule 144, our existing stockholder or any other affiliate of ours, who owns restricted shares that were acquired from the issuer or another affiliate at least six months ago, and following
the 90th day after the completion of this offering, would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of (a) 1% of the then outstanding shares of our
common stock, which would be approximately 545,000 shares immediately after this offering and (b) an amount equal to the average weekly reported volume of trading in shares of our common stock on all
national securities exchanges and/or reported through the automated quotation system of registered securities associations during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with
the SEC. Sales in reliance on Rule 144 are also subject to other requirements regarding the manner of sale, notice and availability of current public information about us. As defined in Rule 144, an affiliate of
an issuer is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, that same issuer.
The restricted securities held by our existing stockholder, officers and directors will be subject to the underwriters 180-day lock-up agreement. Under the lock-up agreement, our existing stockholder,
officers and directors have agreed during the period beginning from the date of the prospectus and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, not to offer, sell, contract to sell
or otherwise dispose of any of our common stock or other securities which are substantially similar to the common stock or which are convertible or exchangeable into securities which are substantially similar to
the common stock, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC. These agreements do not apply to transfers to immediate family
or donees who receive such securities as bona fide gifts; provided that such transferees agree to substantially the same transfer restrictions on the securities they receive.
As a result of these lock-up agreements and rules of the Securities Act, the restricted shares held by our existing stockholder will be available for sale in the public market, subject to certain volume and
other restrictions, as mentioned above, as follows:
Days After the Date of this Prospectus
Number of Shares
Comment
Date of prospectus
None
Shares not locked up and eligible for sale
freely or under Rule 144.
180 days
44,500,000
Lock-up of officers and directors and our
existing stockholder released; shares will
be eligible for sale subject to compliance
with Rule 144.
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Eligible for Sale
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock, and no reliable prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales or the availability of shares for sale will have
on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. Nevertheless, sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market or the perception that those sales may occur, could
adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.
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MARSHALL ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS
Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles of incorporation and bylaws and by the Business Corporations Act of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or BCA. The provisions of the BCA
resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. For example, the BCA allows the adoption of various anti-takeover measures such as stockholder rights plans. While the
BCA also provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the
BCA in the Marshall Islands. Accordingly, we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as United States courts and you may have more difficulty in protecting your
interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling stockholders than would stockholders of a corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction which has developed a substantial body
of case law. The following table provides a comparison between the statutory provisions of the BCA and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to stockholders rights.
Marshall Islands
Delaware
Stockholder Meetings
Held at a time and place as designated in the
bylaws.
May be held at such time or place as
designated in the certificate of incorporation or
the bylaws, or if not so designated, as
determined by the board of directors.
May be held in or outside of the Marshall
Islands.
May be held in or outside of Delaware.
Notice:
Notice:
- Whenever stockholders are required to take
action at a meeting, written notice shall state
the place, date and hour of the meeting, unless
it is the annual meeting indicate that it is being
issued by or at the direction of the person
calling the meeting, and if such meeting is a
special meeting such notice shall also state the
purpose for which it is being called.
- Whenever stockholders are required to take
any action at a meeting, a written notice of the
meeting shall be given which shall state the
place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and
the means of remote communication, if any.
- A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be
given personally or sent by mail not less than
15 nor more than 60 days before meeting.
- Written notice shall be given not less than ten
nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
Stockholders Voting Rights
Any action required to be taken by a meeting
of stockholders may be taken without a meeting
if consent is in writing and is signed by all the
stockholders entitled to vote.
With limited exceptions, stockholders may act
by written consent to elect directors.
Any person authorized to vote may authorize
another person to act for him or her by proxy.
Any person authorized to vote may authorize
another person or persons to act for him or her
by proxy.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation, a majority of shares entitled to
vote constitutes a quorum. In no event shall a
quorum consist of fewer than one-third of the
shares entitled to vote at a meeting.
For stock corporations, a certificate of
incorporation or bylaws may specify the number
to constitute a quorum, but in no event shall a
quorum consist of less than one-third of shares
entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of
such specifications, a majority of shares entitled
to vote shall constitute a quorum.
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Marshall Islands
Delaware
When a quorum is once present to organize a
meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent
withdrawal of any stockholders.
When a quorum is once present to organize a
meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent
withdrawal of any stockholders.
The articles of incorporation may provide for
cumulative voting in the election of directors.
The certificate of incorporation may provide for
cumulative voting.
Any two or more domestic corporations may
merge into a single corporation if approved by
the board and if authorized by a majority vote
of the holders of outstanding shares at a
stockholder meeting.
Any two or more corporations existing under
the laws of the state may merge into a single
corporation pursuant to a board resolution and
upon the majority vote by stockholders of each
constituent corporation at an annual or special
meeting.
Any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition
of all or substantially all the assets of a
corporation, if not made in the corporations
usual or regular course of business, once
approved by the board, shall be authorized by
the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares
of those entitled to vote at a stockholder
meeting.
Every corporation may at any meeting of the
board sell, lease or exchange all or substantially
all of its property and assets as its board deems
expedient and for the best interests of the
corporation when so authorized by a resolution
adopted by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding stock of a corporation entitled to
vote.
Any domestic corporation owning at least 90%
of the outstanding shares of each class of
another domestic corporation may merge such
other corporation into itself without the
authorization of the stockholders of any
corporation.
Any corporation owning at least 90% of the
outstanding shares of each class of another
corporation may merge the other corporation
into itself and assume all of its obligations
without the vote or consent of stockholders;
however, in case the parent corporation is not
the surviving corporation, the proposed merger
shall be approved by a majority of the
outstanding stock of the parent corporation
entitled to vote at a duly called stockholder
meeting.
Any mortgage, pledge of or creation of a
security interest in all or any part of the
corporate property may be authorized without
the vote or consent of the stockholders, unless
otherwise provided for in the articles of
incorporation.
Any mortgage or pledge of a corporations
property and assets may be authorized without
the vote or consent of stockholders, except to
the extent that the certificate of incorporation
otherwise provides.
Directors
The board of directors must consist of at least
one member.
The board of directors must consist of at least
one member.
Number of members can be changed by an
amendment to the bylaws, by the stockholders,
or by action of the board pursuant to the
bylaws.
Number of board members shall be fixed by the
bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation
fixes the number of directors, in which case a
change in the number shall be made only by
amendment of the certificate of incorporation.
If the board of directors is authorized to change
the number of directors, it can only do so by a
majority of the entire board and so long as no
decrease in the number shall shorten the term of
any incumbent director.
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Marshall Islands
Delaware
Removal:
Removal:
- Any or all of the directors may be removed
for cause by vote of the stockholders.
- Any or all of the directors may be removed,
with or without cause, by the holders of a
majority of the shares entitled to vote unless the
certificate of incorporation otherwise provides.
- If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws
so provide, any or all of the directors may be
removed without cause by vote of the
stockholders.
- In the case of a classified board, stockholders
may effect removal of any or all directors only
for cause.
Dissenters Rights of Appraisal
Stockholders have a right to dissent from a
merger or sale of all or substantially all assets
not made in the usual course of business, and
receive payment of the fair value of their
shares.
With limited exceptions, appraisal rights shall
be available for the shares of any class or series
of stock of a corporation in a merger or
consolidation.
A holder of any adversely affected shares who
does not vote on, or consent in writing to, an
amendment to the articles of incorporation has
the right to dissent and to receive payment for
such shares if the amendment:
The certificate of incorporation may provide
that appraisal rights are available for shares as a
result of an amendment to the certificate of
incorporation, any merger or consolidation or
the sale of all or substantially all of the assets.
- alters or abolishes any preferential right of
any outstanding shares having preference;
- creates, alters, or abolishes any provision or
right in respect to the redemption of any
outstanding shares;
- alters or abolishes any preemptive right of
such holder to acquire shares or other securities;
or
- excludes or limits the right of such holder to
vote on any matter, except as such right may be
limited by the voting rights given to new shares
then being authorized of any existing or new
class.
Stockholders Derivative Actions
An action may be brought in the right of a
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor,
by a holder of shares or of voting trust
certificates or of a beneficial interest in such
shares or certificates. It shall be made to appear
that the plaintiff is such a holder at the time of
bringing the action and that he was such a
holder at the time of the transaction of which
he complains, or that his shares or his interest
therein devolved upon him by operation of law.
In any derivative suit instituted by a stockholder
of a corporation, it shall be averred in the
complaint that the plaintiff was a stockholder of
the corporation at the time of the transaction of
which he complains or that such stockholders
stock thereafter devolved upon such stockholder
by operation of law.
Complaint shall set forth with particularity the
efforts of the plaintiff to secure the initiation of
such action by the board of directors or the
reasons for not making such effort.
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Marshall Islands
Delaware
Such action shall not be discontinued,
compromised or settled, without the approval of
the High Court of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands.
Reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees,
may be awarded if the action is successful.
Corporation may require a plaintiff bringing a
derivative suit to give security for reasonable
expenses if the plaintiff owns less than 5% of
any class of stock and the shares have a value
of less than $50,000.
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The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands, Liberian and U.S. Federal income tax considerations relevant to an investment decision by a prospective investor with respect to the
acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.
This discussion is general in nature and therefore does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning our common stock to all categories of investors, some of which (such as dealers in
securities, banks, thrifts or other financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons that hold our common stock as part of a straddle,
conversion transaction or hedge, persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), investors that are paying the alternative
minimum tax, investors whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of our common stock) may be subject to
special rules.
This discussion deals only with holders who purchase our common stock in connection with this offering and hold our common stock as a capital asset (
i.e.
, for investment purposes).
If you are considering investing in our common stock, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences arising in your particular situation under U.S. Federal, state,
local or foreign tax laws of acquiring, owning and disposing of our common stock.
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
In the opinion of Cozen OConnor, our counsel as to matters of the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the following are the material Marshall Islands tax consequences of our activities to us
and to you as a holder of our common stock who is not a citizen of, does not reside in, maintain offices in or engage in business in the Marshall Islands.
We are a non-resident domestic Marshall Islands corporation. Because we do not, and we do not expect that we will, conduct business or operations in the Marshall Islands, and because all documentation
related to this offering will be executed outside of the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains and, so long as you are not a citizen or resident of
the Marshall Islands, you will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation or withholding on dividends and other distributions (including upon a return of capital) we make to you. In addition, so long as you are not
a citizen or resident of the Marshall Islands, you will not be subject to Marshall Islands stamp, capital gains or other taxes on your purchase, holding or disposition of our common stock, and you will not be
required by the Republic of the Marshall Islands to file a tax return relating to our common stock.
Liberian Tax Considerations
In the opinion of Cozen OConnor, our counsel as to matters of the laws of the Republic of Liberia, the following are the material Liberian tax consequences of the activities of our Liberian Subsidiaries.
The Republic of Liberia enacted a new income tax act effective as of January 1, 2001, or the New Act. In contrast to the income tax law previously in effect since 1977, the New Act does not
distinguish between the taxation of non-resident Liberian corporations, such as our Liberian Subsidiaries, which conduct no business in Liberia and were wholly exempt from taxation under the prior law, and
resident Liberian corporations which conduct business in Liberia and are (and were under the prior law) subject to taxation.
In 2004, the Liberian Ministry of Finance issued regulations exempting non-resident corporations engaged in international shipping (and not engaged in shipping exclusively within Liberia), such as our
Liberian Subsidiaries, from Liberian taxation under the New Act retroactive to January 1, 2001. It is unclear whether these regulations, which ostensibly conflict with the provisions of the New Act, are a valid
exercise of the regulatory authority of the Liberian Ministry of Finance such that the regulations can be considered unquestionably enforceable. However, an opinion dated December 23, 2004 addressed by the
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia to The LISCR Trust Company stated
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that the regulations are a proper exercise of the powers of the regulatory authority of the Ministry of Finance. The Liberian Ministry of Finance has not at any time since January 1, 2001 sought to collect taxes
from any of our Liberian Subsidiaries.
If, however, our Liberian Subsidiaries were subject to Liberian income tax under the New Act, they would be subject to tax at a rate of 35% on their worldwide income. As a result, their, and
subsequently our, net income and cash flow would be materially reduced. In addition, as the ultimate stockholder of the Liberian Subsidiaries, we would be subject to Liberian withholding tax on dividends paid by
our Liberian Subsidiaries at rates ranging from 15% to 20%.
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion represents the opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP regarding the material U.S. Federal income tax consequences to us of our activities and, subject to the limitations referred
to above under Tax Considerations, to you as a holder of our common stock.
The following discussion of U.S. Federal income tax matters is based on the Code, judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Department
of the Treasury, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address any U.S. state or local taxes.
Taxation of Our Shipping Income
Subject to the discussion of effectively connected income below, unless exempt from U.S. income tax under the rules contained in Section 883 of the Code, a non-U.S. corporation is, under the rules of
Section 887 of the Code, subject to a 4% U.S. income tax in respect of its gross U.S. source shipping income (without the allowance for deductions).
For this purpose, shipping income means income that is derived from:
(a)
the use of vessels,
(b)
the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time, operating or bareboat charter basis,
(c)
the participation in a pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating agreement or other joint venture it directly or indirectly owns or participates in that generates such income or
(d)
the performance of services directly related to those uses.
For this purpose, 50% of the shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends (but that does not both begin and end) in the United States constitutes U.S. source shipping income.
Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States is generally considered to be 100% U.S. source shipping income. Although there can be no assurance, we do not expect
to engage in transportation that produces income that is considered to be 100% U.S. source shipping income. Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. ports is generally
considered to be 100% non-U.S. source shipping income, which is not subject to any U.S. income tax.
Under Section 883 of the Code, a non-U.S. corporation will be exempt from U.S. income tax on its U.S. source shipping income if:
(a)
it is organized in a foreign country (or the country of organization) that grants an equivalent exemption to U.S. corporations; and
(b)
either
(i)
more than 50% of the value of its 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 U.S. corporations; or
(ii)
its stock is primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market in its country of organization, in another country that grants an equivalent exemption to U.S. corporations, or in
the United States.
We believe that, following this offering, we will not satisfy the requirements of Section 883 of the Code because of our ownership structure. As a result, we will be subject to the 4% U.S. income tax on
our
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U.S. source shipping income. Since we expect that no more than 50% of our shipping income would be treated as U.S. source shipping income, we expect that the maximum effective rate of U.S. income tax on
our gross shipping income would not exceed 2%. Many of our charters contain a provision that obligates the charterer to reimburse us for the 4% U.S. income tax we are required to pay in respect of the vessel
that is subject to the relevant charter.
Since the exemption of Section 883 of the Code will not apply to us, our U.S. source shipping income that is considered to be effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business would
be subject to the U.S. corporate income tax currently imposed at rates of up to 35% (net of applicable deductions). In addition, we may be subject to the 30% U.S. branch profits taxes on earnings effectively
connected with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of our 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:
(a)
we had, or were considered to have, a fixed place of business in the United States involved in the earning of U.S. source shipping income, and
(b)
substantially all of our U.S. source shipping income was attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of a vessel that followed a published schedule with repeated sailings at
regular intervals between the same points for voyages that begin or end in the United States.
We believe that we will not have, or permit circumstances that would result in having, any vessel sailing to or from 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 expect that none of our U.S. shipping income will be effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
Taxation of Gain on Sale of Assets
Regardless of whether we qualify for the exemption under Section 883 of the Code, we will not be subject to U.S. 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 (as determined under U.S. 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. We expect that any sale of a vessel will be so structured that it will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
Taxation of United States Holders
You are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of our common stock and you are a U.S. citizen or resident, a 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 that trust.
If a partnership holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a
partnership holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor.
Distributions on Our Common Stock
Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies (or PFICs) below, any distributions with respect to our common stock that you receive from us will generally constitute dividends,
which may be taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income as described below, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. tax principles). Distributions
in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in our common stock (on a dollar-for-dollar basis) and thereafter as capital gain.
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Because we are not a U.S. corporation, if you are a U.S. corporation (or a U.S. entity taxable as a corporation), you will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any
distributions you 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.
If you are an individual, trust or estate, dividends you receive from us should be treated as qualified dividend income taxed at a preferential rate of 15% (through 2010), provided that:
(a)
the common stock is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the New York Stock Exchange);
(b)
we are not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (see the discussion below under PFIC Status);
(c)
you own our 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;
(d)
you are not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property; and
(e)
certain other conditions are met.
Special rules may apply to any extraordinary dividend. Generally, an extraordinary dividend is a dividend in an amount which is equal to (or in excess of) 10% of your adjusted tax basis (or fair market
value in certain circumstances) in a share of our common stock. If we pay an extraordinary dividend on our common stock that is treated as qualified dividend income and if you are an individual, estate or
trust, then any loss derived by you from a subsequent sale or exchange of such common stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
There is no assurance that dividends you receive from us will be eligible for the preferential 15% rate. Dividends you receive from us that are not eligible for the preferential rate of 15% will be taxed at
the ordinary income rates.
In addition, even if we are not a PFIC, under proposed legislation, dividends of a corporation incorporated in a country without a comprehensive income tax system paid to U.S. holders who are
individuals, estates or trusts would not be eligible for the 15% tax rate. Although the term comprehensive income tax system is not defined in the proposed legislation, we believe this rule would apply to us
because we are incorporated in the Marshall Islands. As of the date hereof, it is not possible to predict with certainty whether or in what form the proposed legislation will be enacted.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock
Provided that we are not a PFIC for any taxable year, you 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 you from such sale, exchange or other disposition and your tax basis in such stock. Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if your 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. Your ability to deduct capital losses against ordinary income is subject to limitations.
PFIC Status
Special U.S. income tax rules apply to you if you hold stock in a non-U.S. corporation that is classified as a passive foreign investment company (or PFIC) for U.S. income tax purposes. In general,
we will be treated as a PFIC in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either:
(a)
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
(b)
at least 50% of the average value of our assets during such taxable year consists of passive assets
(i.e.
, assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income).
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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 subsidiarys stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services will not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income
will generally constitute passive income (unless we are treated under certain special rules as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business).
Since we have chartered all our vessels to unrelated charterers on the basis of period time and spot charter contracts (and not on the basis of bareboat charters) and since we expect to continue to do so,
we believe that we should not be treated as having been a PFIC in 2007, and should not become a PFIC. We believe that, although there is no legal authority directly on point, our gross income derived from our
time charter activities should constitute active service income (as opposed to passive rental income) and, as a result, our vessels should constitute active assets (as opposed to passive assets) for purposes of
determining whether we are a PFIC. We believe there is legal authority supporting this position, consisting of case law and IRS pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time
charters as service income for other tax purposes. However, we have not sought, and we do not expect to seek, an IRS ruling on this matter. As a result, the IRS or a court could disagree with our position. No
assurance can be given that this result will not occur. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid, to the extent possible, being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year,
we cannot assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the future, or that we can avoid PFIC status in the future.
As discussed below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, you generally would be subject to one of three different U.S. income tax regimes, depending on whether or not you make
certain elections.
Taxation of U.S. Holders That Make a Timely QEF Election
If we were a PFIC and if you make a timely election to treat us as a Qualifying Electing Fund for U.S. tax purposes (a QEF Election), you would be required to report each year your pro rata share
of our ordinary earnings and our net capital gain for our taxable year that ends with or within your taxable year, regardless of whether we make any distributions to you. Such income inclusions would not be
eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Your adjusted tax basis in our common stock would be increased to reflect such taxed but undistributed earnings and profits.
Distributions of earnings and profits that had previously been taxed would result in a corresponding reduction in your adjusted tax basis in our common stock and would not be taxed again once distributed. You
would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. Even if you make a QEF Election for one of our taxable years, if we were a PFIC for a prior taxable
year during which you held our common stock and for which you did not make a timely QEF Election, you would also be subject to the more adverse rules described below under Taxation of U.S. Holders That
Make No Election.
You would make a QEF election with respect to any year that our company is treated as a PFIC by completing and filing IRS Form 8621 with your U.S. income tax return in accordance with the relevant
instructions. If we were to become aware that we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, we would notify all U.S. holders of such treatment and would provide all necessary information to any U.S.
holder who requests such information in order to make the QEF election described above.
Taxation of U.S. Holders That Make a Timely Mark-to-Market Election
Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we believe, our common stock is treated as marketable stock, you would be allowed to make a mark-to-market election
with respect to our common stock, provided you complete and file IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions. If that election is made, you generally would include as ordinary income in each
taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our common stock at the end of the taxable year over your adjusted tax basis in our common stock. You also would be permitted an ordinary loss in
respect of the excess, if any, of your adjusted tax basis in our 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
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the mark-to-market election). Your tax basis in our common stock would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock would
be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common stock would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-
market gains previously included by you.
Taxation of U.S. Holders That Make No Election
Finally, if we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and if you did not make either a QEF Election or a mark-to-market election for that year, you would be subject to special rules with respect to
(a) any excess distribution (that is, the portion of any distributions received by you on our common stock in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by you in the three
preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, your holding period for our common stock) and (b) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. Under these special rules:
(i)
the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over your aggregate holding period for our common stock;
(ii)
the amount allocated to the current taxable year would be taxed as ordinary income; and
(iii)
the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the
deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
If you were to die while owning our common stock, your successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such stock for U.S. tax purposes.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
You are a non-U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of our common stock (other than a partnership for U.S. tax purposes) and you are not a U.S. holder.
Distributions on Our Common Stock
You generally will not be subject to U.S. income or withholding taxes on dividends received from us with respect to our common stock, unless that income is effectively connected with your conduct of a
trade or business in the United States. If you are entitled to the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with respect to those dividends, that income generally is taxable in the United States only if it is
attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Stock
You generally will not be subject to U.S. income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock, unless:
(a)
the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If you are entitled to the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with respect to that gain, that gain
generally is taxable in the United States only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States; or
(b)
you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met.
If you are engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. tax purposes, you will be subject to U.S. tax with respect to your income from our 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) in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder. In addition, if you are a corporate non-U.S.
holder, your earnings and profits that are attributable to the effectively connected income (subject to certain adjustments) may be subject to an additional U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or at a lower rate
as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
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United States Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, if you are a non-corporate U.S. holder, dividend payments (or other taxable distributions) made within the United States will be subject to information reporting requirements and backup
withholding tax if you:
(1)
fail to provide us with an accurate taxpayer identification number;
(2)
are notified by the IRS that you have failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on your federal income tax returns; or
(3)
in certain circumstances, fail to comply with applicable certification requirements.
If you are a non-U.S. holder, you may be required to establish your exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying your status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY,
as applicable.
If you sell our common stock to or through a U.S. office or broker, the payment of the sales 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 our 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 outside the United States, if you sell our common stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. person or has certain other connections with
the United States.
Backup withholding tax is not an additional tax. Rather, you generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under backup withholding rules that exceed your income tax liability by accurately
completing and timely filing a refund claim with the IRS.
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OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
We estimate the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of our common stock in this offering, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, as follows:
SEC registration fee
$
9,943
Printing and engraving expenses
150,000
Legal fees and expenses
1,910,000
Accountants fees and expenses
1,700,000
NYSE fee
50,685
FINRA fee
25,825
Transfer agents fees and expenses
3,000
Miscellaneous costs
135,000
Total
$
3,984,453
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Vorini Holdings, as the selling stockholder, intends to offer the shares of common stock through the underwriters. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Credit Suisse Securities (USA)
LLC are acting as joint bookrunning managers of the offering and as representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions described in an underwriting agreement among us,
the underwriters and the selling stockholder, the selling stockholder has agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters severally have agreed to purchase from the selling stockholder, the number of shares
listed opposite their names below.
Underwriters
Number
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
Jefferies & Company, Inc.
Dahlman Rose & Company, LLC.
DnB NOR Markets, Inc.
Total
10,000,000
The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that
the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
We and the selling stockholder have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be
required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and
other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers
to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Discounts and Commission
The representatives have advised us and the selling stockholder that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the initial public offering price on the cover of this prospectus and
to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $
per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may re-allow, a discount not in excess of $
per share to other dealers. After the
initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.
The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds to the selling stockholder. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their
overallotment options.
Per Share
Without
With
Public offering price
$
$
$
Underwriting discount
$
$
$
Proceeds to the selling stockholder
$
$
$
The expenses of this offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $3.9 million and are payable by us.
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of Shares
Incorporated
Overallotment
Option
Overallotment
Option
Overallotment Option
The selling stockholder has granted options to the underwriters to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise
these options for 30 days from the date of this prospectus solely to cover any overallotments. If the underwriters exercise these options, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting
agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriters initial amount reflected in the above table.
No Sales of Similar Securities
Together with our directors, our officers and the selling stockholder, which is our sole existing stockholder, we have agreed, with certain exceptions, not to sell or transfer any shares of our common stock
for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of the representatives. Specifically, we, our directors, our officers and the selling stockholder have agreed, subject to certain
exceptions, not directly or indirectly, to:
offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any shares of common stock;
sell any option or contract to purchase any shares of common stock;
purchase any option or contract to sell any shares of common stock;
grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any shares of common stock;
lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares of common stock;
request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the common stock; or
enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any shares of common stock whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled
by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.
These lock-up provisions apply to our common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with our common stock. These provisions also apply to common
stock owned now or acquired later by such persons or for which such persons later acquire the power of disposition. In the event that either (a) during the last 17 days of the 180-day period referred to above, we
issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs or (b) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results or become aware
that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions described above will continue to apply until the expiration of
the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event. The lock-up provisions do not apply to transfers to immediate family or donees who
receive such securities as bona fide gifts; provided that such transferees agree to substantially the same transfer restrictions on the securities they receive.
NYSE Listing
Our common stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SB. In order to meet the requirements for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, the
underwriters have undertaken to sell a minimum number of shares to a minimum number of beneficial owners as required by the New York Stock Exchange.
Before this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined through negotiations among us and the representatives. In addition to
prevailing market conditions, the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price will be:
the valuation multiples of publicly traded companies that the representatives believe to be comparable to us;
our financial information;
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the history of, and the prospects for, our company and the industry in which we compete;
an assessment of our management, its past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, our future revenues;
the present state of our development; and
the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours.
An active trading market for the shares may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering the shares will not trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.
The underwriters do not expect to sell more than 5% of the shares in the aggregate to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representatives may engage
in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.
If the underwriters create a short position in the common stock in connection with the offering,
i.e.
, if they sell more shares than are listed on the cover of this prospectus, the representatives may reduce
that short position by purchasing shares in the open market. The representatives may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the overallotment options described above. Purchases of the
common stock to stabilize its price or to reduce a short position may cause the price of the common stock to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases.
The representatives may also impose a penalty bid on underwriters and selling group members. This means that if the representatives purchase shares in the open market to reduce the underwriters short
position or to stabilize the price of such shares, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those shares. The imposition of a penalty bid may
also affect the price of the shares in that it discourages resales of those shares.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the common
stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued
without notice.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering, or by their
affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular underwriter, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may
allocate a limited number of shares of common stock for sale to their online brokerage customers. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the representatives on the same basis as other
allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriters website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of this
prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as underwriter and should not be relied upon by
investors.
Notices to Certain European Residents
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the
164
Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of common stock described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member
state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the common stock that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant
member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an
offer of securities may be offered to the public in that relevant member state at any time:
to any legal entity that is authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
to any legal entity that has two or more of (a) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (b) a total balance sheet of more than
43,000,000; and (c) an annual net turnover of
more than
50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;
to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters; or
in any other circumstances that do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
Each purchaser of common stock described in this prospectus located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a qualified investor within
the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.
For purposes of this provision, the expression an offer to the public in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the
offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus
Directive in that member state, and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.
The sellers of the common stock have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of common stock through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the
underwriters with a view to the final placement of the common stock as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the common stock, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any
further offer of the common stock on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.
This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive (Qualified
Investors) that are also (a) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the Order) or (b) high net worth entities, and
other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). This prospectus and its contents are
confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a
relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Each underwriter will represent, warrant and agree that (i) it has communicated or caused to be communicated and will only
communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 (the FSMA))
received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and (ii) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions
of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the offering of the shares as contemplated by this prospectus in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the common stock described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or
by the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The common stock has not been offered or sold and will not be offered
165
or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the common stock has been or will be:
released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or
used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the common stock to the public in France.
Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:
to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint dinvestisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance
with, Article L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier; or
to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or
in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1
°
-or-2
°
-or 3
°
of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des
Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à lépargne).
The common stock may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French
Code monétaire et financier.
Marshall Islands
The common stock has not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The underwriters and their affiliates may from time to time in the future engage in transactions with us and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business.
DnB NOR Bank ASA, an affiliate of DnB NOR Markets Inc., provides financial services to certain of our subsidiaries, including acting as a lender under credit facilities entered into by these subsidiaries.
Poten Capital Services LLC, a FINRA member firm, is acting as an underwriter in connection with this offering but will not receive any allocation of shares of common stock. It will receive a fee from
the other underwriters equal to 10% of the aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions for services it performs in connection with this offering. The address of Poten Capital Services LLC is 805 Third
Avenue, New York, New York 10022.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporateds address is 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLCs address is Eleven Madison Avenue, New
York, New York 10010.
Jefferies & Company, Inc.s address is 520 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. DnB NOR Markets, Inc.s address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166. Dahlman Rose & Company
LLCs address is 142 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
166
Other Relationships
The validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus, the matter of enforcement of judgments in the Marshall Islands, Marshall Islands tax considerations and Liberian tax considerations will be
passed upon for us by Cozen OConnor, New York, New York. United States legal matters related to this offering and certain matters relating to U.S. federal income taxation will be passed upon for us by
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York. The underwriters are being represented by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, New York, New York.
The combined financial statements of the predecessor businesses of Safe Bulkers, Inc. as of December 31, 2006 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, included in this
prospectus have been audited by Deloitte, Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein and elsewhere in the registration
statement, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Safe Bulkers, Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and for the period from December 11, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007, included in this prospectus, have been audited by
Deloitte, Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm as stated in their report appearing herein and elsewhere in the registration statement, and are included in reliance
upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The discussions contained under the sections of this prospectus entitled Prospectus SummaryDrybulk Industry Trends, Risk Factors, Business and The International Drybulk Shipping Industry have
been reviewed by Drewry Shipping Consultants, Ltd., or Drewry, which has confirmed to us that they accurately describe the international drybulk shipping markets, as indicated in the consent of Drewry included
as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act of which this prospectus is a part.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the common stock offered hereby. For the purposes of this section, the term registration statement
means the original registration statement and any and all amendments including the schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or any amendment. This prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement we have filed. For further information regarding us and the common stock offered in this prospectus, you should review the full registration statement, including
the exhibits attached thereto. The registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington,
D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1-800-SEC-0330, and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at
its principal office in Washington, D.C. The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically
with the SEC.
We will furnish holders of common stock with annual reports containing audited financial statements and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm, and intend to make available
quarterly reports containing selected unaudited financial data for the first three quarters of each fiscal year. The audited financial statements will be prepared in accordance with GAAP and those reports will include
a Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section for the relevant periods. As a foreign private issuer, we will be exempt from the rules under the Exchange
Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to stockholders, but will be required to furnish those proxy statements to stockholders under New York Stock Exchange rules. Those proxy statements
are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. In
167
addition, as a foreign private issuer, we will be exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to short-swing profit reporting and liability.
Drewry Shipping Consultants, Ltd., or Drewry, has provided us with statistical and graphical information contained in the sections of this prospectus entitled Prospectus SummaryDrybulk Industry Trends,
Risk Factors, Business and The International Drybulk Shipping Industry relating to the drybulk shipping industry. We believe that the information and data supplied by Drewry is accurate in all material
respects and we have relied upon such information for purposes of this prospectus. Drewry has advised us that this information is drawn from its databases and other sources and that:
certain information in Drewrys database is derived from estimates or subjective judgments;
the information in the databases of other maritime data collection agencies may differ from the information in Drewrys database; and
while Drewry has taken reasonable care in the compilation of the statistical and graphical information and believes it to be accurate and correct, data compilation is subject to limited audit and validation
procedures.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are a Marshall Islands corporation and our executive offices are located outside of the United States in Athens, Greece. Our registered address in the Marshall Islands is Trust Company Complex,
Ajeltake Roade, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. The name of our registered agent at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. A majority of our directors and officers
and some of the experts in this prospectus reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our directors, officers and experts are located outside of the United
States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside of the United States,
judgments you may obtain in U.S. courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. Federal or state securities laws.
Furthermore, there is substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or Greece would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on U.S. Federal or state securities laws.
168
Following are definitions of shipping terms used in this Prospectus.
Annual Survey
The inspection of a vessel by a classification society, on behalf of the country whose flag a vessel flies, or the flag state, that takes place every year.
Ballast
A voyage during which the ship is not laden with cargo.
Bunkers
Heavy fuel oil used to power a vessels engines.
Capesize
A drybulk vessel with a cargo-carrying capacity exceeding 100,000 dwt. These vessels generally operate along long haul iron ore and coal trade routes. Only the largest ports around the world possess the
infrastructure to accommodate vessels of this size.
Charter
The hire of a vessel for a specified period of time or to carry a cargo for a fixed fee from a loading port to a discharging port. The contract for a charter is called a charterparty.
Charterer
The individual or company hiring a vessel.
Charter Rate
The amount of money agreed between the charterer and the ship-owner accrued on a daily or monthly basis that is used to calculate the vessels charter hire.
Classification Society
An independent organization that certifies that a vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules of such organization and complies with the applicable rules and regulations
of the country of residence of such vessel and the international conventions of which that country is a member. A vessel that receives its certification is referred to as being in class as of the date of issuance.
Contract of Affreightment
A contract of affreightment, or CoA, relates to the carriage of specific quantities of cargo with multiple voyages over the same route and over a specific period of time, which usually
spans a number of years. A CoA does not designate the specific vessels or voyage schedules that will transport the cargo, thereby providing both the charterer and ship owner greater operating flexibility than with
voyage charters alone. The charterer has the flexibility to determine the individual voyage scheduling at a future date while the ship owner may use different ships to perform these individual voyages. As a result
CoAs are mostly entered into by large fleet operators such as pools or ship owners with large fleets of the same vessel type. All of the ships operating, voyage and capital costs are borne by the ship owner while
the freight rate normally is agreed on a per cargo ton basis.
Deadweight Ton
dwt
A unit of a vessels capacity for cargo, fuel oil, stores and crew, measured in tons. A vessels dwt or total deadweight is the total weight the vessel can carry when loaded to a particular
load line.
Double-Hull
Hull construction design in which a vessel has an inner and outer side and bottom separated by void space, usually two meters in width.
Draft
Vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the vessels keel.
Drybulk
Non-liquid cargoes of commodities shipped in an unpackaged state.
Drybulk Vessels
Vessels that are specially designed and built to carry large volumes of cargo in bulk cargo form.
Drydocking
The removal of a vessel from the water for inspection and/or repair of those parts of a vessel which are below the water line. During drydockings, which are required to be carried out periodically,
certain mandatory classification society inspections are carried out and relevant certifications issued. All vessels are surveyed on a five-year cycle during which the intermediate survey occurs between the second
and the third year and the special survey occurs prior to the end of the fifth year. Most vessels are drydocked during the intermediate survey, however an in-water survey may be undertaken in lieu of drydocking
up to the tenth anniversary of vessel delivery, subject to certain conditions. All vessels are drydocked as part of their special survey.
Freight
Money paid to the ship-owner by a charterer for the use of a vessel under a voyage charter. Such payment is usually made on a lump-sum basis upon loading or discharging the cargo and is derived by
multiplying the tons of cargo loaded on board by the cost per cargo ton, as agreed to transport that cargo between the specific ports.
169
Gross Ton
Unit of 100 cubic feet or 2.831 cubic meters used in arriving at the calculation of gross tonnage.
Handymax
Handymax class vessels have a cargo carrying capacity of between 30,000 to 50,000
dwt. These vessels operate on a large number of geographically dispersed global trade routes, carrying primarily
grains and minor bulks. Vessels below 60,000 dwt are sometimes built with on-board cranes enabling them to load and discharge cargo in countries and ports with limited infrastructure.
Handysize
Handysize class vessels have a cargo carrying capacity of up to 30,000 dwt. These vessels carry exclusively minor bulk cargo. Increasingly, these vessels are operating on regional trading routes.
Handysize class vessels are well suited for small ports with length and draft restrictions that may lack the infrastructure for cargo loading and unloading.
Hull
The shell or body of a vessel.
International Maritime Organization
IMO
A United Nations agency that issues international trade standards for shipping.
Intermediate Survey
The inspection of a vessel by a classification society surveyor which takes place between two and three years before and after each special survey for such vessel pursuant to the rules of
international conventions and classification societies.
ISM Code
The International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, as adopted by the IMO.
Kamsarmax
A Panamax class drybulk vessel with a cargo carrying capacity between 80,000 and 90,000 dwt.
Metric Ton
Mt
A unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms.
Newbuild
A newly constructed vessel.
Off-Hire
The period in which a vessel is unable to perform the services for which it is immediately required under a period time charter. Off-hire periods can include days spent on repairs, drydocking and surveys,
whether or not scheduled.
OPA
The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (as amended).
Orderbook
A reference to currently placed orders for the construction of vessels (e.g., the Panamax orderbook).
Panamax
A drybulk vessel of approximately 60,000 to 100,000 dwt of maximum length, depth and draft, generally capable of passing fully loaded through the Panama Canal. The ability of most Panamax class
vessels to pass through the Panama Canal makes them more versatile than larger vessels. Panamax class vessels carry coal, grains, and, to a lesser extent, minor bulks, including steel products, forest products and
fertilizers. The term Panamax has become more broadly understood to include vessels with large dimensions, such as Kamsarmax class vessels and Post-Panamax class vessels, which are too large to traverse the
Panama Canal.
Period Time Charter
Contract for hire of a ship for a period of three months or longer under which the ship owner is paid charter rate on a per day basis for the period of time. Under a period time charter, the
vessel owner is responsible for providing the crew and paying operating costs while the charterer is responsible for paying the voyage costs. Any delays at port or during the voyages are the responsibility of the
charterer, save for certain specific exceptions such as loss of time arising from vessel breakdown and routine maintenance.
Post-Panamax
A Panamax class vessel with a cargo carrying capacity of between 80,000 and 100,000 dwt, with design specifications that prevent it from transiting the Panama Canal.
Protection and Indemnity Insurance
Insurance obtained through a mutual association formed by vessel owners to provide liability insurance protection from large financial loss to one member through contributions
towards that loss by all members.
Scrapping
The disposal of old or damaged vessel tonnage by way of sale as scrap metal.
Short-Term Period Time Charter
A period time charter which lasts less than approximately 12 months.
Single Hull
A hull construction design in which a vessel has only one hull.
170
Sister Ships
Vessels of the same class and specification that were built by the same shipyard.
SOLAS
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, as amended, adopted under the auspices of the IMO.
Special Survey
The inspection of a vessel by a classification society surveyor which takes place a minimum of every four years and a maximum of every five years.
Spot Charter
A spot charter is an industry term referring to both voyage and trip time charters of a duration of three months or less. These charters are referred to as spot charters or spot market charters due to
their short-term duration, consisting mostly of a single voyage between one load port and one discharge port.
Spot Market
The market for immediate chartering of a vessel, usually for single voyages.
Strict Liability
Liability that is imposed without regard to fault.
Tanker
Vessel designed for the carriage of liquid cargoes in bulk with cargo space consisting of many tanks. Tankers carry a variety of products including crude oil, refined petroleum products and liquid
chemicals.
TCE
Period time charter equivalent, a standard industry measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel. The TCE rate achieved on a given voyage is expressed in U.S. dollars/day and is generally
calculated by subtracting voyage expenses, including bunkers and port charges, and commissions from revenue and dividing the net amount (period time charter equivalent revenues) by the round-trip voyage
duration. TCE is a standard seaborne transportation industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a seaborne transportation companys performance despite changes in the mix
of charter types (i.e., spot charters, period time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed during specific periods.
Ton
1,000 kilograms.
Trip time charter
A trip time charter is a short-term period time charter where the vessel performs one or more voyages between load port(s) and discharge port(s) and the charterer pays a fixed daily hire rate on
a semi-monthly basis for use of the vessel. The difference between a trip time charter and a voyage charter is only in the form of payment for use of the vessel and the respective financial responsibilities of the
charterer and ship owner as described under period time charter and voyage charter.
Vessel Operating Expenses
The costs for crewing, insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs, maintenance, statutory and classification expense, drydocking, intermediate and special surveys and
other miscellaneous items. Vessel operating expenses exclude fuel and port charges, which are known as voyage expenses. For a period time charter, the vessel owner pays vessel operating expenses.
Voyage Charter
A voyage charter involves the carriage of a specific amount and type of cargo from specific load port(s) to specific discharge port(s), subject to various cargo handling terms. Most of these charters
are of a single voyage nature between two specific ports, as trading patterns do not encourage round voyage trading. The owner of the vessel receives one payment derived by multiplying the tons of cargo loaded
on board by the cost per cargo ton, as agreed to transport that cargo between the specific ports. The owner is responsible for the payment of all expenses including voyage, operating and capital costs of the vessel.
The charterer is typically responsible for any delay at the loading or discharging ports.
Voyage Expenses
Expenses incurred in connection with a vessels traveling from a loading port to a discharging port, such as the cost of bunkers, port expenses, agents fees, canal dues, extra war risks insurance,
draft surveys, hold cleaning, postage and other miscellaneous expenses related to the cargo and voyage.
Weighted Average Age
The weighted average age of a fleet is the sum of the age of each vessel in the fleet in each year from its delivery from the builder, weighted by the vessels dwt in proportion to the total
dwt of the fleet or each respective year.
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PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
F-1
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of the Predecessor Businesses of Safe Bulkers, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the Predecessor Businesses of Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2006, and 2007, and the related combined statements
of operations, owners equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. The combined financial statements include the accounts of the companies as defined in Note 1 to
the Companys accompanying financial statements. These companies are under common ownership and management. These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the companies management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The companies are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the companies internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of the Predecessor Businesses of Safe Bulkers Inc. as of December 31, 2006, and
2007, and the combined results of their operations and their combined cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America.
Deloitte
F-2
Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A.
Athens, Greece
May 15, 2008, except for Note 20(b)(v), as to which the date is May 23, 2008
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
December 31
(Audited)
(Unaudited)
Notes
2006
2007
Pro forma
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Accounts receivable trade, net
1,445
1,717
1,717
Due from Manager
3
239,367
96,370
96,370
Inventories
633
792
792
Assets held for sale
6
40,504
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
72
4
4
Total current assets
282,021
98,883
98,883
FIXED ASSETS:
Vessels, net
4
202,601
254,817
254,817
Advances for vessel acquisition and vessels under construction
5
50,565
53,272
53,272
Other fixed assets, net
7
282
251
251
Total fixed assets
253,448
308,340
308,340
OTHER NON CURRENT ASSETS:
Deferred finance charges, net
8
314
434
434
Total assets
535,783
407,657
407,657
LIABILITIES AND OWNERS EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt
9
8,273
16,620
16,620
Liability directly associated with assets held for sale
23,705
Unearned revenue
1,287
4,127
4,127
Trade accounts payable
1,051
1,202
1,202
Accrued liabilities
17
1,938
9,472
9,472
Derivative liabilities
16
577
Advances from owners
10
135,444
10,086
10,086
Dividends payable
178,770
Total current liabilities
172,275
41,507
220,277
Derivative liabilities
16
242
242
Long-term debt, net of current portion
9
134,457
306,267
306,267
Time charter discount
18
2,766
2,766
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
13
OWNERS EQUITY/(DEFICIT):
Owners capital
11
Retained earnings/(deficit)
229,051
56,875
(121,895
)
Total owners equity/(deficit)
229,051
56,875
(121,895
)
Total liabilities and owners equity/(deficit)
535,783
407,657
407,657
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these predecessor combined statements.
F-3
PREDECESSOR COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Note 21
2007
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Notes
Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
REVENUES:
Revenues
14
82,877
99,040
172,057
Commissions
(3,211
)
(3,731
)
(6,209
)
Net revenues
79,666
95,309
165,848
EXPENSES:
Voyage expenses
(228
)
(420
)
(179
)
Vessel operating expenses
15
(10,366
)
(13,068
)
(12,429
)
Depreciation
4, 7
(7,610
)
(9,553
)
(9,583
)
General and administrative
3
(803
)
(1,006
)
(1,177
)
Early redelivery cost
18
(150
)
(21,438
)
Gain on sale of assets
4, 5, 6
26,785
37,015
112,360
Operating income
87,444
108,127
233,402
OTHER (EXPENSE)/INCOME:
Interest expense
9
(3,668
)
(6,140
)
(8,225
)
Other finance costs
(124
)
(116
)
(161
)
Interest income
692
775
1,290
Loss on derivatives
(3,171
)
(1,963
)
(704
)
Foreign currency gain/(loss)
13,477
(3,279
)
(13,759
)
Amortization and write-off of
8
(63
)
(180
)
(166
)
Net income
94,587
97,224
211,677
Pro forma earnings per share,
22
1.74
1.78
3.88
Pro forma weighted average
54,500,000
54,500,000
54,500,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these predecessor combined statements.
F-4
PREDECESSOR COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollarsexcept for share and per share data)
expensesManagement fee to
related party
deferred finance charges
basic and diluted (unaudited) in $
number of shares, basic and
diluted (unaudited)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Owners capital
Retained earnings
Total owners equity
Balance, January 1, 2005
37,240
37,240
Net income
94,587
94,587
Balance, December 31, 2005
131,827
131,827
Net income
97,224
97,224
Balance, December 31, 2006
229,051
229,051
Net income
211,677
211,677
Dividends paid
(383,853
)
(383,853
)
Balance, December 31, 2007
56,875
56,875
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these predecessor combined statements.
F-5
PREDECESSOR COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OWNERS EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
December 31,
2005
2006
2007
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income
94,587
97,224
211,677
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation
7,610
9,553
9,583
Gain on sale of assets
(26,785
)
(37,015
)
(112,360
)
Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges
63
180
166
Time charter discount
2,766
Unrealized foreign exchange loss/(gain)
(13,575
)
4,331
13,877
Unrealized loss/(gain) of derivatives
2,792
(1,824
)
(335
)
(Increase)/decrease in:
Accounts receivable trade
(2,315
)
1,014
(272
)
Due from Manager
(80,545
)
(82,961
)
142,997
Inventories
(67
)
(297
)
(159
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
466
265
68
(Decrease)/increase in:
Trade accounts payable
(279
)
(360
)
151
Accrued liabilities
634
1,069
7,507
Unearned revenue
(4,935
)
(3,985
)
2,840
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Operating Activities
(22,349
)
(12,806
)
278,506
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Vessel acquisitions including advances for vessels under construction and other fixed assets
(52,187
)
(110,211
)
(127,875
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
46,122
76,376
216,291
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Investing Activities
(6,065
)
(33,835
)
88,416
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt
74,447
60,400
199,000
Principal payments of long-term debt
(46,170
)
(58,474
)
(56,425
)
Advances from owners
51,910
110,049
83,997
Repayment of advances to owners
(51,616
)
(65,245
)
(209,355
)
Dividends paid
(383,853
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
(157
)
(89
)
(286
)
Net Cash Provided by/(Used in) Financing Activities
28,414
46,641
(366,922
)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
0
0
0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
0
0
0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
0
0
0
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest:
3,302
5,177
7,622
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these predecessor combined statements.
F-6
PREDECESSOR COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
***PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
1. Basis of Presentation and General Information:
Safe Bulkers, Inc., referred to herein as Safe Bulkers, was formed on December 11, 2007 under the laws of the Marshall Islands for the purpose of acquiring an ownership interest in 19 companies, all
incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia, that either currently own drybulk vessels or are scheduled to own drybulk vessels (the Subsidiaries) currently under the common control of Polys
Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou. Together, these Subsidiaries own and operate a fleet of 11 drybulk vessels (the Existing Vessels) and are scheduled to acquire an additional eight newbuilds (the
Newbuilds).
In addition to the Subsidiaries, the accompanying predecessor combined financial statements include the financial statements of six companies (the Additional Companies), all incorporated under the laws
of the Republic of Liberia, that are under the common control of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou and whose principal activity was the ownership of drybulk vessels. All vessels owned by the
Additional Companies, and the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, a vessel previously owned by the Subsidiary, Maxpente Shipping Corporation (Maxpente), were sold prior to December 31, 2007 (the Sold Vessels). None of
the Additional Companies will be contributed to Safe Bulkers. Maxpente, which previously owned the Sold Vessel, the
Pedhoulas Farmer
, has entered into a contract for the acquisition of a newbuild, and therefore
will be contributed to Safe Bulkers as a Subsidiary. The Subsidiaries and the Additional Companies are collectively referred to in the notes to the predecessor combined financial statements as the Company.
Safe Bulkers commenced preparation for an initial public offering of its common shares in the United States, and intends to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Currently, no public market
exists for these shares. Under the Articles of Incorporation, as of December 31, 2007, the authorized capital stock of Safe Bulkers was 500 shares of common stock with par value of $0.001 per share. On May 9,
2008, the Articles of Incorporation were amended, so that the authorized capital stock of Safe Bulkers was increased to 200,000,000 shares of common stock with par value of $0.001 per share, none of which is
issued or outstanding. Following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering, the shares of the Subsidiaries will be contributed to Safe Bulkers by Vorini Holdings Inc., a Marshall
Islands corporation controlled by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou (Vorini Holdings), in exchange for the issuance of 100% of the outstanding shares of Safe Bulkers to Vorini Holdings (the
Reorganization).
Following the Reorganization, Safe Bulkers will own each of the Subsidiaries, and Vorini Holdings will be the sole stockholder of Safe Bulkers. Accordingly, the accompanying predecessor combined
financial statements of the Company have been presented as if the Subsidiaries and Additional Companies were consolidated subsidiaries of the Company for all periods presented and using the historical carrying
costs of the assets and the liabilities of the ship-owning companies listed below from their dates of incorporation, as these represent the entire vessel owning activities of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos
Hadjioannou.
Following the completion of the initial public offering, Vorini Holdings is expected to hold 78.9% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Safe Bulkers (assuming the underwriters exercise their over
allotment option), and accordingly, will hold 78.9% of the voting power, including the ability to control the Companys affairs and policies.
F-7
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Existing Vessels
Ship-owning Entity
Date of Incorporation
Vessel Name
Type
Built
DWT
(1)
Efragel Shipping Corporation
September 9, 2002
Efrossini
Panamax
February 2003
76,000
Marindou Shipping Corporation
September 9, 2002
Maria
Panamax
April 2003
76,000
Avstes Shipping Corporation
November 7, 2003
Vassos
Panamax
February 2004
76,000
Kerasies Shipping Corporation
November 7, 2003
Katerina
Panamax
May 2004
76,000
Marathassa Shipping Corporation
August 2, 2004
Maritsa
Panamax
January 2005
76,000
Pemer Shipping Ltd.
January 3, 2006
Pedhoulas Merchant
Kamsarmax
March 2006
82,300
Petra Shipping Ltd.
January 3, 2006
Pedhoulas Trader
Kamsarmax
May 2006
82,300
Pelea Shipping Ltd.
January 11, 2007
Pedhoulas Leader
Kamsarmax
March 2007
82,300
Staloudi Shipping Corporation
September 1, 2005
Stalo
Post-Panamax
January 2006
87,000
Marinouki Shipping Corporation
September 1, 2005
Marina
Post-Panamax
January 2006
87,000
Soffive Shipping Corporation
April 11, 2007
Sophia
Post-Panamax
June 2007
87,000
Newbuilds
Ship-owning Entity
Date of Incorporation
Hull No.
Type
Built*
DWT
(1)
Eniaprohi Shipping Corporation
August 14, 2006
IHI 3254
Post-Panamax
2008
87,000
Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation
August 14, 2006
IHI 3255
Post-Panamax
2009
87,000
Maxpente Shipping Corporation
October 3, 2005
Rongsheng 1075
Capesize
2010
176,000
Eptaprohi Shipping Corporation
March 1, 2006
Rongsheng 1074
Capesize
2010
176,000
Maxdodeka Shipping Corporation
October 11, 2007
Sungdong 1039
Post-Panamax
2009
92,000
Maxdekatria Shipping Corporation
October 11, 2007
Sungdong 1050
Post-Panamax
2010
92,000
Maxdeka Shipping Corporation
September 24, 2007
STX 2054
Kamsarmax
2010
81,000
Maxenteka Shipping Corporation
September 24, 2007
STX 2055
Kamsarmax
2010
81,000
*
Estimated completion date
Sold Vessels
Ship-owning Entity
Date of Incorporation
Vessel Name
Type
Built
DWT
(1)
Disposal
Maripol Shipping Corporation
November 10, 2000
Marina
(hereinafter called
Old Marina
)
Panamax
May 2001
76,000
June 8, 2005
Pelodimous Shipping Corporation
December 11, 2000
Pelopidas
Panamax
May 2002
76,000
November 30, 2006
Sofikal Shipping Corporation
December 1, 2000
Sophia
(hereinafter called
Old Sophia
)
Panamax
January 2002
76,000
April 11, 2006
Maxpente Shipping Corporation
October 3, 2005
Pedhoulas Farmer
Kamsarmax
January 2007
82,300
January 9, 2007
Maxtria Shipping Corporation
March 8, 2004
Pedhoulas Fighter
Kamsarmax
January 2007
82,300
January 26, 2007
Kanastro Shipping Corporation
November 6, 2000
Kanaris
Panamax
March 2002
76,000
February 20, 2007
Eleoussa Shipping Corporation
August 2, 2004
Eleni
(hereinafter called
Old Eleni
)
Panamax
March 2005
76,000
March 26, 2007
(1)
Deadweight Ton (DWT). A unit of a vessels capacity for cargo, fuel oil, stores and crew, measured in metric tons of 1,000 kilograms. A vessels DWT is the total weight the vessel can carry when loaded to a particular load line.
The Companys principal business is the acquisition and operation of drybulk vessels. The Companys vessels operate worldwide, carrying drybulk cargo for the worlds largest consumers of marine drybulk
transportation services. Safety Management Overseas S.A., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama (Safety Management or the Manager), a related party controlled by Polys
Hajioannou, provides technical, commercial and administrative services to the Company.
F-8
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
Date
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the following charterers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Companys time charter and voyage charter revenues as follows:
December 31,
2005
2006
2007
Bunge S.A.
65.61
%
42.76
%
29.87
%
Cargill International S.A.
n/a
32.42
%
21.07
%
Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha
18.24
%
Accounts receivable resulting from the above charterers as at December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were as follows:
December 31,
2005
2006
2007
Bunge S.A.
274
382
707
Cargill International S.A.
450
697
8
Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha
697
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Combination:
The accompanying predecessor combined 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 of the legal entities comprising the Company as discussed in Note 1. All significant intra-group balances and transactions have been eliminated upon combination.
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of predecessor combined financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the predecessor combined financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130
Statement of Comprehensive Income
(SFAS 130) which
requires separate presentation of certain transactions that are recorded directly as components of owners equity. The Company has no other comprehensive income/(loss) and accordingly comprehensive
income/(loss) equals net income for the periods presented.
Foreign Currency Translation:
The reporting and functional currency of the Company is the United States (U.S.) dollar. Transactions incurred in other currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the
exchange rates in effect at the time of the transaction. At the balance sheet date monetary assets and liabilities, which are denominated in other currencies are translated to reflect the period end exchange rates.
Resulting gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded within the Foreign currency gain/(loss) in the accompanying predecessor combined statements of operations in the period in which they
arise.
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents consist of current, call, time deposits and certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less and which are not restricted for use
or withdrawal. As part of the management agreement with the Manager, all of the Companys cash and cash equivalents is maintained in the name of the Manager and recorded within Due from Manager in the
accompanying predecessor combined balance sheet. As a result, cash and cash equivalents are not presented in the accompanying predecessor combined balance sheets.
Accounts Receivable Trade, Net:
Accounts receivable trade, net reflects the receivables from time or voyage charters, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, all potentially
uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. No allowance for doubtful accounts was recorded for any of the periods presented.
F-9
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Inventories
: Inventories consist of lubricants remaining on board the vessels at the end of each reporting period, which are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the firstin, first-
out method.
Insurance
: Insurance claims represent the claimable expenses, net of deductibles, which are expected to be recovered from insurance companies. Any costs to complete the claims are included in accrued
liabilities. The Company accounts for the cost of additional premiums under its Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Club insurance in accordance with the SFAS No. 5
Accounting for Contingencies
based on the
Companys historical experience and the historical experience of the shipping industry. The Company did not have material insurance claims for any of the periods presented.
Vessels, Net:
Vessels are stated at their historical cost, which consists of the contracted purchase price and any direct material expenses incurred upon acquisition (including improvements, on site
supervision expenses incurred during the construction period, commissions paid, delivery expenses and other expenditures to prepare the vessel for her initial voyage) less accumulated depreciation. Financing costs
incurred during the construction period of the vessels are also capitalized and included in vessels cost based on the specific loan method. No interest was capitalized in any of the periods presented. Certain
subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalized if it is determined that they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the
vessels.
Vessels Depreciation:
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the vessels, after considering the estimated residual value. Management estimates the useful
life of the Companys vessels to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard.
Accounting for Special Survey and Drydocking Costs
: Special survey and drydocking costs are expensed in the period incurred and are included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying
predecessor combined statements of operations.
Repairs and Maintenance:
All repair and maintenance expenses including major overhauling and underwater inspection expenses are expensed when incurred and are included in vessel operating expenses
in the accompanying predecessor combined statements of operations.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets:
The Company applies SFAS No. 144
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets
(SFAS 144), which addresses financial accounting and reporting
for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The standard requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used or disposed of by an entity be reviewed for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by
the use of the asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company should evaluate the asset for an impairment loss. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset as provided by third
parties. In this respect, management regularly reviews the carrying amount of the vessels in connection with the estimated recoverable amount for each of the Companys vessels. No impairment loss was recorded
for any of the periods presented.
Assets Held for Sale:
The Company may dispose of certain of its vessels when suitable opportunities occur including prior to the end of their useful lives. The Company classifies assets as being held for
sale in accordance with SFAS 144 when the following criteria are met: (i) management is committed to sell the asset; (ii) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition; (iii) an active program to
locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated; (iv) 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; and (v) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value and 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.
F-10
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Long-lived assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. These assets are no longer depreciated once they meet the criteria of being
held for sale. The gain or loss from the sale of assets is recorded in the predecessor combined statement of operations.
Deferred Financing Costs:
Financing fees incurred for obtaining new loans and credit facilities are deferred and amortized over the term of the respective loan or credit facility using the effective interest
rate method. Any unamortized balance of costs relating to loans repaid or refinanced is expensed in the period the repayment or refinancing is made, subject to the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) EITF 96-19,
Debtors Accounting for a Modification or Exchange of Debt Instrument
(EITF 96-19) regarding debt extinguishment. Any unamortized balance of costs related to credit facilities repaid
is expensed in the period. Any unamortized balance of costs relating to credit facilities refinanced are deferred and amortized over the term of the respective credit facility in the period the refinancing occurs,
subject to the provisions of EITF 98-14,
Debtors Accounting for Changes in Line-of-Credit or Revolving-Debt Arrangements
.
Derivative Instruments:
The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to create economic hedges for its exposure to currency exchange risk on payments relating to the acquisition of vessels
and on certain loan obligations. The Company also enters into interest rate derivatives to create economic hedges for its exposure to interest rate risk of its loan obligations (see also Notes 9, 13, 16 and 20). When
such derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
(SFAS 133), the Company records these financial instruments in the
predecessor consolidated balance sheet at their fair value as either a derivative asset or liability, and recognizes the fair value changes thereto in the predecessor combined statement of operations. When the
derivatives do qualify for hedge accounting, depending upon the nature of the hedge, changes in fair value of the derivatives are either offset against the fair value of assets, liabilities or firm commitments through
income, or recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) (effective portion) until the hedged item is recognized in the combined statement of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, no
derivatives were accounted for as accounting hedges.
Financial Instruments:
The principal financial assets of the Company consist of amounts due from Manager and trade accounts receivable. The principal financial liabilities of the Company consist of
long-term bank loans, accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
(a)
Interest rate risk:
The Companys interest rates and long-term loan repayment terms are described in Note 9.
(b)
Concentration of credit risk:
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of trade accounts receivable. The Company
limits its credit risk with accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its trade accounts receivable.
(c)
Fair value:
The carrying values of trade accounts receivable, due from Manager, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair value due to the short-term nature of these
financial instruments. The fair values of long-term bank loans approximate the recorded values, due to their variable interest rates. The fair value of over-the-counter foreign exchange forward contracts and
of the interest rate derivatives, discussed in Note 16, is based on a discounted cash flow analysis.
Accounting for Revenues and Related Expenses
: The Company generates its revenues from charterers for the charter hire of its vessels. Vessels are chartered mainly under time charter, where a contract is
entered into for the use of a vessel for a specific voyage or a specific period of time and at a specified daily charter rate. Time charter revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided.
Revenues from time charter may also include ballast bonus which is an amount paid by the charterer for repositioning the vessel at the charterers disposal (delivery point), which is recognized over
F-11
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
the term of the charter, and other miscellaneous revenues from vessel operations. Expenses relating to the Companys time charters are vessel operating expenses and certain voyage expenses, which are paid for by
the Company and recognized as incurred. Vessel operating expenses that are paid by the Company include costs for crewing, insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs, maintenance, statutory and
classification expense, drydocking, intermediate and special surveys and other minor miscellaneous expenses. Voyage expenses which are also recognized as incurred and paid by the Company include costs for
draft surveys, hold cleaning, postage and other minor miscellaneous expenses related to the voyage. The charterer is responsible for paying the cost of bunkers and other voyage expenses (e.g., port expenses,
agents fees, canal dues, extra war risks insurance and any other expenses related to the cargo).
Vessels can also be chartered under voyage charter, where a contract is made for the use of a vessel under which the Company is paid freight on the basis of moving cargo from a loading port to a
discharge port. During the periods presented, there has been only one instance where a vessel was employed under voyage charter. Under a voyage charter, the revenues are recognized on a pro-rata basis over the
duration of the voyage from load port to discharge port. Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated. Related expenses are operating expenses, bunkers and voyage
expenses, which are recognized as incurred and are all paid for by the Company. Demurrage income represents payments by the charterer to the vessel owner when loading or discharging time exceeds the
stipulated time in the voyage charter and is recognized when earned and collection is reasonably assured. Dispatch expense represents payments by the Company to the charterer when loading or discharging time is
less then the stipulated time in the voyage charter and is recognized as incurred.
Revenue is recognized when a charter agreement exists, the vessel is made available to the charterer and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured. Unearned revenue represents cash received
prior to the balance sheet date relating to services to be rendered after the balance sheet date. Unearned revenue is amortized as earned in accordance with the related charter agreement. Commissions (address and
brokerage), regardless of charter type are always paid by the Company, are deferred and amortized over the related charter period and are presented as a separate line item in revenues to arrive at net revenues in
the accompanying predecessor combined statements of operations.
Pension and Retirement Benefit ObligationsCrew:
The Subsidiaries and Additional Companies included in the predecessor combined financial statements employ the crew on board under short-term
contracts (usually up to nine months) and accordingly, they are not liable for any pension or post retirement benefits.
Taxes
: Each of the Subsidiaries and Additional Companies is incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia and is not subject to Liberian income, tonnage or registration taxes. However, each
Subsidiary and Additional Company is subject to registration and tonnage taxes under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus, where all the Companys vessels are registered, which is not an income tax. These Cypriot
taxes are recorded within Vessel operating expenses in the accompanying predecessor combined statements of operations.
Furthermore, the Company has been subject to a 4% United States federal tax in respect of its U.S. source shipping income (imposed on gross income without the allowance for any deductions) as it has
not previously met the requirements for an exemption from such tax provided by Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986. As a result, the Company has filed U.S. federal tax returns and paid the
relevant U.S. federal tax on its U.S. source shipping income, which is not an income tax. Such taxes have been recorded within Vessel operating expenses in the accompanying predecessor combined statements of
operations. In many cases, these taxes are recovered from the charterers; such amounts recovered are recorded within Revenues in the accompanying predecessor combined statements of operations.
Dividends:
Dividends are recorded in the Companys predecessor combined financial statements in the period in which they are approved by the Companys owners.
Segment Reporting:
The Company reports financial information and evaluates its operations by total charter revenues and not by the type of ship employment for its customers. i.e. time or voyage charter.
F-12
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
The Company does not have discrete financial information to evaluate the operating results for each such type of charter. Although revenue can be identified for the different types of charters, management cannot
and does not identify expenses, profitability or other financial information by type of charter. As a result, management, including the chief operating decision makers, reviews operating results solely by revenue per
day and operating results of the fleet, and thus the Company has determined that it operates under one reportable segment. Furthermore, when the Company charters a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to
trade the vessel worldwide and, as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and SFAS 3
(SFAS 154). SFAS 154 requires retrospective
application to prior periods financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless it is impracticable. Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 20,
Accounting Changes
, previously
required most voluntary changes in accounting principles be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS 154 was
effective for the Company as of December 31, 2006, and has not had a material impact on the Companys predecessor combined financial statements.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
(FIN 48), which supplements SFAS No. 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes
, by defining the
confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is more-likely-than-not to be
sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date. The more-likely-than-not threshold represents a positive assertion by management that a company is entitled to the economic benefits of a tax
position. If a tax position is not considered more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits, no benefits of the position are to be recognized.
Moreover, the more-likely-than-not threshold must continue to be met in each reporting period to support continued recognition of a benefit. At adoption, companies must adjust their financial statements to
reflect only those tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained as of the adoption date. Any necessary adjustment would be recorded directly to retained earnings in the period of adoption and reported
as a change in accounting principle. FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the financial
position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157)
. SFAS 157 addresses standardizing the measurement of fair value for companies that are required to use a
fair value measure of recognition for recognition or disclosure purposes. The FASB defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measure date. SFAS 157 is effective for the Company for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Companys adoption of SFAS 157
as from January 1, 2008 did not have any effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 108,
Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying
Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements
(SAB 108). SAB 108 provides guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the
purpose of a materiality assessment. SAB 108 establishes an approach that requires quantification of financial statement errors based on the effects of each of the companys balance sheet and statement of
operations and the related financial statement disclosures. SAB 108 permits existing public companies to record the cumulative effect of initially applying this approach in the first year ending after November 15,
2006 by recording the necessary correcting adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of
F-13
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
the beginning of that year with the offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. Additionally, the use of the cumulative effect transition method requires detailed disclosure of the
nature and amount of each individual error being corrected through the cumulative adjustment and how and when it arose. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have any effect on the Companys predecessor
combined financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB Staff issued Financial Statement Position (FSP) No. AUG AIR-1,
Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities
, (FSP No. AUG AIR-1). FSP No. AUG AIR-1
prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in annual and interim financial reporting periods, if no liability is required to be recorded for an asset
retirement obligation based on a legal obligation for which the event obligating the entity has occurred. FSP No. AUG AIR-1 also requires disclosures regarding the method of accounting for planned major
maintenance activities and the effects of implementing the FSP. The guidance in FSP No. AUG AIR-1 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2007. The adoption of FSP No. AUG AIR-1 did not have
any effect on the Companys predecessor combined financial statements as the Company does not utilize the accrue-in-advance method.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
(SFAS 159), which permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entitys first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have any effect
on the Companys results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised),
Business Combinations
(SFAS 141 (revised)). SFAS No. 141 (revised) relates to business combinations and requires the acquirer to
recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured
at
their fair values as of that date. This Statement applies prospectively to
business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply it before that date. The
Company must adopt this standard as of January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS No. 141 (revised) on its financial position, results of operations and cash
flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statementsan amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51
(SFAS 160), which establishes
accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest,
changes in a parents ownership interest and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. The Statement also establishes reporting requirements that provide
sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective as of the beginning of an entitys fiscal year that
begins after December 15, 2008, which will be our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 160 on its financial position, results of
operations and cash flows.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
(SFAS 161) which requires enhanced disclosures in respect of derivative instruments
and hedging activities. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The Company is currently evaluating
the impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 161 on its financial statements.
3. Transactions with Related Parties
Safety Management Overseas S.A., Panama (the Manager):
Each vessel-owning company, excluding the newbuilds, currently has a management agreement with Safety Management Overseas S.A., a
F-14
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
related party wholly-owned and controlled by Polys Hajioannou. Under these existing agreements (the Management Agreements), chartering, operations, technical and accounting services are provided to the
vessels by the Manager. Under the Management Agreements, the Manager receives a fixed annual fee of $50 plus 0.40% on gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage from each of the vessel owning
companies in exchange for these management services (the Management Fee). The Manager also receives a commission, to be separately agreed, on the contract price of the sale of a vessel. This had been fixed
at 1% for all the Sold Vessels.
In accordance with the Management Agreements, the Manager also undertakes the execution of all financial transactions on behalf of the Company with respect to third parties and the Companys owners.
All cash reserves of the Company are maintained on behalf of the Company in the name of the Manager. Interest received by the Manager is allocated back to the vessel owning companies and is recorded as
Interest income in the predecessor combined statement of operations.
Management Fees charged by the Manager for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, amounted to $803, $1,006, and $1,177, respectively, and are recorded in the accompanying predecessor
combined statements of operations as Management fee to related party. The Management fee to the related party is classified as a general and administrative expense and represents all of the general and
administrative costs of the Company for all periods presented. Commissions on the contract price of vessels sold, charged by the Manager during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, amounted to
$466, $781, and $2,202, respectively, and are recorded within Gain on sale of assets in the predecessor combined statement of operations.
The amounts due from the Manager, presented in the predecessor combined balance sheet as Due from Manager, represent net cash flows from operating, investing and financing (including surplus of bank
loans received for working capital) activities, which are retained by the Manager and are due to the Company.
Transactions with owners
: Transactions with owners, or Advances from owners, represent the receipt of funds to finance vessel acquisitions. The repayments of these advances are made either with funds
received from bank debt or proceeds of vessels sale. Refer to Note 10 for additional information.
Transactions with other related parties
: Three of the Additional Companies sold their respective vessels to unrelated third parties at prevailing market prices, realizing an aggregate profit of $67,753 for all
periods presented. The Gain on sale of assets was recorded in the accompanying predecessor combined statement of operations in the period in which the sale was consummated. Following completion of the
respective sales, the vessels were chartered for periods ranging from 10 months to 38 months by SafeFixing Corp. (SafeFixing), a related party wholly owned by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou that
is involved in the business of chartering-in and chartering-out of unrelated third party vessels. All three charters entered into by SafeFixing were consistent with the then prevailing charter market rate. Details of
the sales transactions are as follows:
Additional Company
Vessel
Date sale agreed
Date sale concluded
Sale price
Gain on sale of asset
Maripol Shipping Corporation
Old Marina
February 10, 2005
June 8, 2005
46,600
26,785
Sofikal Shipping Corporation
Old Sophia
March 27, 2006
April 11, 2006
33,900
14,043
Kanastro Shipping Corporation
Kanaris
September 29, 2006
February 2, 2007
47,300
26,925
Total
67,753
The above Gain on sale of assets is included within the Gain on sale of assets presented in the Predecessor Combined Statement of Operations in the amounts of $26,785, $37,015 and $112,360 for the
years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively. Please refer to Notes 4, 5 and 6 for further information related to the other components of the total Gain on sale of assets balance.
F-15
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
4. Vessels, Net
Vessels, net, are comprised of the following:
Vessel
Accumulated
Net book
Balance, January 1, 2006
207,081
(18,821
)
188,260
Transfer from advances for vessel acquisitions
103,607
103,607
Vessel sales
(46,485
)
7,176
(39,309
)
Transfer to assets held for sale
(45,807
)
5,303
(40,504
)
Depreciation expense
(9,453
)
(9,453
)
Balance, December 31, 2006
218,396
(15,795
)
202,601
Transfer from advances for vessel acquisitions
61,704
61,704
Depreciation expense
(9,488
)
(9,488
)
Balance, December 31, 2007
280,100
(25,283
)
254,817
Transfer from Advances for vessel acquisitions represent advances paid in respect of the acquisition of vessels, which were under construction and delivered to the Company. For the periods presented, the
Company has acquired the following vessels:
During the year ended December 31, 2006:
Stalo
,
Marina
,
Pedhoulas Trader
and
Pedhoulas Merchant
; and
During the year December 31, 2007:
Pedhoulas Leader
and
Sophia
.
Vessel sales during the year ended December 31, 2006 represent the sale of the
Old Sophia
and the
Pelopidas
to unrelated third parties. The Company sold these vessels to take advantage of the increase
in vessel prices at that time. Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with respect to each of their sales were entered into on March 27, 2006 and August 17, 2006, respectively, and the vessels were delivered to the
respective buyers on April 11, 2006 and November 30, 2006 respectively. The vessels were sold for gross proceeds of $33,900 and $44,150, respectively. These sales realized a net gain of $14,043 and $22,972,
respectively, after taking into account commissions and other directly related expenses amounting to $346 and $1,328, respectively, and the net book value of other assets on board the vessels of $52 as discussed
in Note 7. The gain on sale of the vessels is presented as Gain on sale of assets in the predecessor combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Transfers to Assets held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2006 relate to the intended sale of the vessels
Kanaris
and
Eleni
to unrelated third parties. MOAs with respect to each of their sales
were entered in on September 25, 2006 and November 17, 2006, respectively. The vessels were delivered to the buyers on February 20, 2007 and March 26, 2007, respectively.
Certain of the Companys vessels, with a total carrying value of $233,918 at December 31, 2007, have been provided as collateral to secure the Companys bank loans discussed in Note 9.
5. Advances for Vessel Acquisition and Vessels under Construction
Advances for vessel acquisition and vessels under construction are comprised of the following:
Balance, January 1, 2006
44,082
Advances paid
110,090
Transferred to vessel cost
(103,607
)
Balance, December 31, 2006
50,565
Advances paid
127,797
Vessel sales
(63,386
)
Transferred to vessel cost
(61,704
)
Balance, December 31, 2007
53,272
F-16
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
cost
depreciation
value
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Advances for vessels under construction relate to payment of installments due to the respective shipyards relating to the construction of the following vessels:
During the year ended December 31, 2006:
Pedhoulas Merchant
,
Pedhoulas Trader
,
Marina
,
Stalo
,
Pedhoulas Leader
,
Sophia
,
Pedhoulas Farmer
,
Pedhoulas Fighter
and two IHI post Panamax vessels,
Hull No. 3254
and
Hull No. 3255
(see Note 13); and
During the year ended December 31, 2007:
Pedhoulas Leader
and
Sophia
.
Transfers to vessel cost relate to the delivery to the Company from the respective shipyard of the following vessels:
During the year ended December 31, 2006: the vessels
Stalo, Marina, Pedhoulas Merchant
and
Pedhoulas Trader
; and
During the year ended December 31, 2007:
Pedhoulas Leader
and
Sophia
.
Vessel sales during the year ended December 31, 2007 represent the sale of two vessels under construction, the
Pedhoulas Farmer
and the
Pedhoulas Fighter,
to unrelated third parties for gross
consideration of $59,000 per vessel. MOAs with respect to each of their sales were both entered into on October 10, 2006. The completed vessels were delivered to their respective buyers on January 9, 2007 and
January 26, 2007, respectively. The Company disposed of these vessels in order to take advantage of the increase in vessel prices at that time. The resulting gain from the sale of the above vessels was $22,467
and $29,788, respectively, after taking into account commissions and other directly related expenses amounting to $1,195 and $1,164 respectively. The net gain on sale of the vessels is included in Gain on sale of
assets in the predecessor combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.
6. Assets Held for Sale
Assets held for sale for the periods presented is comprised of the following:
Balance, January 1, 2006
Transferred from vessel cost
40,504
Balance, December 31, 2006
40,504
Vessel sales
(40,504
)
Balance, December 31, 2007
The activity presented above relates to the sale of the vessels
Kanaris
and
Old Eleni
to unrelated third parties. As described in Note 4, MOAs with respect to each of their sales were entered in on
September 25, 2006 and November 17, 2006, respectively. The Company decided to dispose of these vessels in order to take advantage of the increase in vessel prices at that time. The vessels were delivered to
the buyers on February 20, 2007 and March 26, 2007, respectively.
The
Kanaris
and the
Old Eleni
were sold for gross proceeds of $47,300 and $54,900, respectively. These sales realized a net gain of $26,925 and $33,180, respectively, after taking into account
commissions and other directly related expenses amounting to $775 for each vessel and the net book value of the other assets on board the vessels of $41 as discussed in Note 7. The gain on sale of these vessels
is included in Gain on sale of assets in the predecessor combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.
F-17
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
7. Other Fixed Assets, Net
Other fixed assets represent minor movable equipment on board the vessels, which are depreciated on a straight-line basis over five years. Activity for the periods presented is as follows:
Other fixed
Accumulated
Net book
Balance, January 1, 2006
496
(183
)
313
Additions
121
121
Sales
(130
)
78
(52
)
Depreciation expense
(100
)
(100
)
Balance, December 31, 2006
487
(205
)
282
Additions
105
105
Sales
(81
)
40
(41
)
Depreciation expense
(95
)
(95
)
Balance, December 31, 2007
511
(260
)
251
8. Deferred Finance Charges, Net
Deferred finance charges are comprised of the following:
Balance, January 1, 2006
405
Additions
89
Write-off due to debt extinguishment
(129
)
Amortization expense
(51
)
Balance, December 31, 2006
314
Additions
286
Write-off due to debt extinguishment
(106
)
Amortization expense
(60
)
Balance, December 31, 2007
434
Amortization of deferred finance costs, together with the write-offs, is recorded as Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges in the accompanying predecessor combined statements of
operations.
F-18
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
assets cost
depreciation
value
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
9. Bank Debt
Bank debt is comprised of the following:
Borrower
December 31,
2006
2007
Sofikal
Kanastro
Pelodimous
Efragel
24,324
23,812
Marindou
13,661
13,580
Kerasies
20,896
40,000
Marathassa
24,494
23,578
Eleoussa
23,705
Marinouki
29,749
30,432
Staloudi
29,606
30,428
Petra
38,445
Pemer
36,262
Pelea
41,350
Soffive
45,000
Total
166,435
322,887
Less: current portion
8,273
16,620
Less: liability directly associated with asset held for sale (Eleoussa loan)
23,705
Long-term portion
134,457
306,267
Maripol Loan A:
In June 2001, Maripol Shipping Corporation (Maripol) obtained a bank loan for Japanese Yen (JPY) 1,920,000,000 ($15,393) to finance the construction cost of the vessel
Old
Marina
(the Maripol loan A). The Maripol loan A bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was repayable over ten years in 20 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of
each interest period, the borrower could elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot
exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion: US Dollars (USD), Swiss Franc (CHF) or Euro (EUR). This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the year 2005
was 0.779%. The Maripol loan A was repaid in full on January 31, 2005 from the proceeds of the Maripol loan B described further below; hence the Maripol loan A is not included in the chart above.
Sofikal Loan:
In December 2001, Sofikal Shipping Corporation (Sofikal) obtained a bank loan for $18,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Sophia
(the Sofikal loan). The Sofikal loan bore
interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower could elect to convert at
the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF
and EUR. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2005 and 2006 was 1.785% and 1.309%, respectively. The Sofikal loan was repaid on March 31, 2006 as
the vessel was sold.
Kanastro Loan:
In April 2002, Kanastro Shipping Corporation (Kanastro) obtained a bank loan for JPY 2,480,000,000 ($18,720) to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Kanaris
(the Kanastro loan).
The Kanastro loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower
could elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date
of conversion: USD, CHF, EUR, Canadian Dollar (CAD) or Pound Sterling (GBP). This
F-19
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2005 and 2006 was 0.818% and 0.841%, respectively. The Kanastro loan was repaid on October 12, 2006 in anticipation of
the intended sale of the vessel
Kanaris
, which was completed in February 20, 2007.
Pelodimous Loan:
In July 2002, Pelodimous Shipping Corporation (Pelodimous) obtained a bank loan for $17,300 to finance the cost of the vessel
Pelopidas
(the Pelodimous loan). The Pelodimous
loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower could elect to
convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using either the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of
conversion, or the forward exchange rate on the date of conversion notice: USD, JPY, CHF, EUR, CAD or GBP. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2005
and 2006 was 1.647% and 2.139%, respectively. The Pelodimous loan was repaid on November 14, 2006 as the vessel was sold.
Efragel Loan:
In March 2003, Efragel Shipping Corporation (Efragel) obtained a bank loan for $16,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Efrossini
. In November 2004, Efragel obtained a
reducing revolving credit facility for up to $30,000 (the Efragel credit facility) and repaid the $16,000 bank loan. The Efragel credit facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was repayable over ten
years in 20 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. The ability to drawdown on the credit facility was reduced with each semi-annual repayment. Prior to the end of each interest period, the
borrower could elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on
the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF or EUR. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 was 4.005%, 4.618% and 3.530%, respectively.
As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance of the Efragel credit facility amounted to $23,812 (CHF 16,583,460 and JPY 1,021,660,000). The Efragel credit facility was repaid on January 17, 2008, through
a new reducing revolving credit facility in the amount of $42,000 (see Note 20).
Marindou Loan:
In May 2003, Marindou Shipping Corporation (Marindou) obtained a bank loan for $16,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Maria
(the Marindou loan). The Marindou loan
bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was repayable over ten years in 20 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower could elect to
convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion:
USD, JPY, CHF or EUR. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 was 1.549%, 2.192% and 3.053%, respectively. As of December 31,
2007, the outstanding balance of the Marindou loan in the amount of $13,580 (CHF15,300,000) was payable in 11 semi-annual installments from May 2008 to May 2013 and a balloon payment payable in May
2013. The Marindou loan was refinanced on January 14, 2008, through a new reducing revolving credit facility in the amount of $42,000 (see Note 20).
Kerasies Loan:
In May 2004, Kerasies Shipping Corporation (Kerasies) obtained a bank loan for $28,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Katerina
and obtain working capital (the Kerasies
loan). The Kerasies loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the
borrower could elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on
the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF, EUR, CAD or GBP. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the year 2005, 2006, and 2007 was 1.801%, 1.697% and 2.339%,
respectively. The Kerasies loan was repaid on December 14, 2007 through the proceeds of the New Kerasies loan described further below.
F-20
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Maripol Loan B:
In January 2005, Maripol obtained a bank loan for $25,000 to refinance Maripol loan A and obtain working capital (the Maripol loan B). The Maripol loan B bore interest at LIBOR
plus a margin and was repayable over ten years in 20 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower could elect to convert at the beginning of
the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF or EUR.
This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the year 2005 was 0.803%. The Maripol loan B was repaid on April 18, 2005 as the vessel was sold; hence the Maripol loan B
is not included in the chart above.
Marathassa Loan:
In February 2005, Marathassa Shipping Corporation (Marathassa) obtained a bank loan for $28,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Maritsa
and obtain working capital (the
Marathassa loan). The Marathassa loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest
period, the borrower may elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate
applicable on the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF, EUR, CAD or GBP. This election has been exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 was 3.012%,
3.962% and 4.589%, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance of the Marathassa loan in the amount of $23,578 ($11,613 and CHF13,481,600) was payable in 19 semi-annual installments
from February 2008 to February 2017, plus a balloon payment payable in February 2017.
Eleoussa Loan:
In September 2005, Eleoussa Shipping Corporation (Eleoussa) obtained a bank loan for $24,000 to finance the construction cost of the vessel
Eleni
(the Eleoussa loan). The Eleoussa
loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower could elect to
convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using either the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of
conversion, or the forward exchange rate on the date of conversion notice; USD, CHF, EUR, CAD or GBP. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2005,
2006 and 2007 was 4.559%, 3.573%, and 3.410%, respectively. The Eleoussa loan was repaid on March 9, 2007 in anticipation of the intended sale of the vessel
Eleni
which was completed on March 26, 2007,
and the amount outstanding as of December 31, 2006 has been presented as a Liability directly associated with assets held for sale in the Predecessor Combined Balance Sheet.
Marinouki Loan:
In March 2006, Marinouki Shipping Corporation (Marinouki) obtained a bank loan for $30,400 to refinance the purchase price of the vessel
Marina
and obtain working capital (the
Marinouki loan). The Marinouki loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment. Prior to the end of each interest period, the
borrower may elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on
the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF, EUR or GBP. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2006 and 2007 was 4.548% and 2.114%, respectively. As of
December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance of the Marinouki loan in the amount of $30,432 (JPY 3,419,059,940) was payable in 21 semi-annual installments from March 2007 to March 2018, plus a balloon
payment payable in March 2018. On March 19, 2008, the Company exercised its multi-currency conversion option and converted the remaining JPY loan outstanding to USD and subsequently entered into an
interest rate swap as further described in Note 20. The resulting loan on this date amounted to $32,620. An amendment was entered into to increase the loan facility by $4,000 as a result of exchange loss incurred
on conversion.
Staloudi Loan:
In May 2006, Staloudi Shipping Corporation (Staloudi) obtained a bank loan for $30,000 to finance the cost of the vessel
Stalo
(the Staloudi loan). The Staloudi loan bears interest at
LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over ten years in 20 semi-annual installments and a balloon
F-21
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower may elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period up to 85% of the outstanding loan amount to up to two of the
following currencies, using either the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion, or the forward exchange rate on the date of conversion notice; USD, JPY, CHF, EUR, CAD or GBP. This election
was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the years 2006 and 2007 was 3.444% and 3.542%, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance of the Staloudi loan in the
amount of $30,428 was payable in 17 semi-annual installments from May 2008 to May 2016, plus a balloon payment payable in May 2016.
Petra Loan:
In January 2007, Petra Shipping Corporation (Petra) obtained a bank loan for $36,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Pedhoulas Trader
(the Petra loan). The Petra loan bears
interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower could elect to convert at the
beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to three of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion: USD, JPY,
CHF, EUR or GBP. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the year ended December 31, 2007 was 3.371%. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance of the
Petra loan in the amount of $38,445 ($2,000 and CHF41,063,000) was payable in 23 semi-annual installments from January 2008 to January 2019, plus a balloon payment payable in January 2019. On January 18,
2008, the Company canceled the multi-currency conversion option after converting the remaining CHF loan outstanding to USD and subsequently entered into an interest rate swap as further described in Note 20.
Pemer Loan:
In March 2007, Pemer Shipping Corporation (Pemer) obtained a bank loan for $36,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Pedhoulas Merchant
(the Pemer loan). The Pemer loan
bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower may elect to convert
at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to three of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion: USD,
JPY, CHF, EUR or GBP. This election was exercised. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the year ended December 31, 2007 was 1.500%. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance of
the Pemer loan in the amount of $36,262 (JPY 4,074,000,000) was payable in 23 semi-annual installments from March 2008 to March 2019, plus a balloon payment payable in March 2019. On March 7, 2008, the
Company canceled the multi-currency conversion option after converting the remaining JPY loan outstanding to USD and subsequently entered into an interest rate swap as further described in Note 20.
Pelea Loan:
In June 2007, Pelea Shipping Corporation (Pelea) obtained a reducing revolving credit facility in the amount of $42,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Pedhoulas Leader
(the
Pelea credit facility). The Pelea credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual payments and a balloon at maturity. The ability to drawdown on the credit
facility is reduced with each semi-annual repayment. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower may elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any
part thereof to any of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF or EUR. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the year ended
December 31, 2007 was 6.008%. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance of the Pelea credit facility amounted to $41,350, and no further amount was available for drawdown. The outstanding balance as
of December 31, 2007 was payable in 23 semi-annual installments from June 2008 to June 2019, plus a balloon payment payable in June 2019. Following the completion of the initial public offering, Safe Bulkers
will become the guarantor of the credit facility and as the guarantor, will be subject to certain financial covenants to be agreed to prior to the closing of the initial public offering.
Soffive Loan:
In November 2007, Soffive Shipping Corporation (Soffive) obtained a bank loan for $45,000 to finance the purchase price of the vessel
Sophia
(the Soffive loan) and repay owners
F-22
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
advances of certain Subsidiaries. The Soffive loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments, from May 2008 to November 2019, and a balloon payment
at maturity. Prior to the end of each interest period, the borrower may elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to any of the following
currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF, EUR, CAD or GBP. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the year ended December 31, 2007 was
5.445%. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance of the Soffive loan amounted to $45,000 which is payable in 24 semi-annual installments from May 2008 to November 2019, plus a balloon payment
payable in November 2019.
New Kerasies Loan:
In December 2007, Kerasies obtained a bank loan for up to $40,000 (the New Kerasies loan), which was used to repay the Kerasies loan, as well as to repay owners advances of
certain Subsidiaries. The New Kerasies loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over 12 years in 24 semi-annual installments and a balloon payment at maturity. Prior to the end of each
interest period, the borrower may elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange
rate applicable on the date of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF, EUR, CAD or GBP. The average interest rate (including the margin) during the year 2007 was 5.575%. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding
balance of the New Kerasies loan amounted to $40,000 which is payable in 24 semi-annual installments from June 2008 to December 2019, plus a balloon payment payable in December 2019.
In all the above loans or credit facilities, no consideration has been or will be paid by any of the borrowers to the respective lenders in connection with the conversion option since the parties did not
ascribe value to the conversion option as the conversion options are always based on the market or spot rates at the time they are exercised. The exercise of the conversion option in any of the above loans or
credit facilities results in a change in both the currency denomination of the loan and the basis of the interest rate (that is, a USD-denominated loan bears interest based on USD LIBOR and, upon conversion into
a JPY-denominated loan, will bear interest based on JPY LIBOR). All other terms of the loans or credit facilities, including the margin (the interest rate spread over LIBOR) and the repayment terms, will remain
the same upon exercise of the currency conversion option.
The Company considered the guidance in paragraph 12 of SFAS 133, and concluded that the conversion options are embedded derivatives that would require bifurcation and separate accounting because of
the following:
(i) The economic characteristics and risks of an instrument in which the underlying is both a foreign currency and interest rate are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and
risks of a debt host;
(ii) The borrowing arrangement that embodies both the conversion option and the debt host is not remeasured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with
changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur; and,
(iii) A separate instrument with the same terms as the conversion option would be a derivative instrument subject to the requirements of SFAS 133.
However, the Company believes that the conversion option under the borrowing arrangements have no fair value due to the fact that the conversion into a different currency, and, accordingly, into a
corresponding LIBOR interest rate, will always be at the prevailing foreign currency exchange rate (spot rate) and prevailing interest rate at the time of the conversion. Furthermore, both the Company and the bank
did not ascribe value to the currency conversion options as no consideration was sought by the bank and no value was paid by the Company, as noted above.
As such, all loans outstanding at the end of each period denominated in other currencies have been translated into USD using the spot rate applicable at each period end. Any resulting translation gain or
loss is recorded as Foreign currency gain/(loss) on the predecessor combined statement of operations.
F-23
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
In addition, the foregoing loans and credit facilities are secured as follows:
First priority mortgages over the vessels owned by the respective borrowers;
First priority assignment of all insurances and earnings of the mortgaged vessels; and
With respect to the Petra and Pemer loans, each loan is secured by a respective cash collateral deposit of $2,000 (or the equivalent amount in an optional currency) deposited on behalf of each Petra and
Pemer by the Manager, which will gradually be reduced after three years from the disbursement of each respective loan. On April 9, 2008, each of Petra and Pemer agreed with the respective lenders to
assume the obligation in respect of the cash collateral deposits, and thereby releasing the Manager from this obligation.
The loan and credit facility agreements contain debt covenants including restrictions as to changes in management and ownership of the vessels, additional indebtedness and mortgaging of vessels without
the respective lenders prior consent, restrictions on long-term employment of the vessels, as well as minimum hull cover ratio requirements. The borrowers are permitted to pay dividends to their owners as long as
no event of default under the respective loan has occurred and has not been remedied. Under certain loans, in the event that the outstanding amounts in currencies other than the U.S. dollar exceed at any time
100% or 110% (as the case may be) of the U.S. dollar equivalent amount that is specified in the relevant loan agreement for the applicable period, the lending bank has the option to require the borrower to either
make a loan prepayment or provide cash collateral security in an amount necessary for the outstanding to comply with the above calculation. Subject to the following sentence, as of December 31, 2006 and
December 31, 2007, the Company was either in compliance with all debt covenants or necessary waivers had been obtained from the respective banks. Although the Company was in breach of certain covenants as
of December 31, 2007 prohibiting the entry into charters for a term longer than the maximum specified duration, which resulted in the payment of dividends to shareholders being a breach of covenant under the
applicable loan agreements, all of these breaches were subsequently waived in writing by the relevant lenders in February 2008. The effect of these waivers is permanent with respect to the Companys existing
charters, however, the Company will still be required to comply with these covenants with respect to any new charters that it enters into, which may be at any time. The Company believes that it will not breach
these covenants in the future, as compliance with such covenants is within managements control and it is managements full intention to obtain, in each case, the lenders consent prior to entering into any new
charter for a term longer than the maximum duration specified in the relevant credit facility agreement.
Interest paid in other currencies has been translated into U.S. dollars using the spot exchange rate of the date that interest was incurred. Total interest incurred on long-term debt for the years ended
December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 amounted to $3,668, $6,140 and $8,225, respectively. The average interest rate (including the margin) for all loan facilities during the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 was 2.303%,
3.269%, and 3.353%, respectively.
The minimum annual principal payments, translated into U.S. dollars, required to be made after December 31, 2007, are as follows:
To December 31,
2008
16,620
2009
16,594
2010
17,014
2011
18,248
2012 and thereafter
254,411
Total
322,887
F-24
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
10. Advances from Owners
Advances from owners represent cash advanced by the owners of the Company to finance vessel acquisitions. The owners advances are non-interest bearing, unsecured and have no fixed terms of
repayment.
Activity for the Advances from owners for the periods presented is as follows:
Balance, January 1, 2006
90,640
Advances received
110,049
Repayment of advances
(65,245
)
Balance, December 31, 2006
135,444
Advances received
83,997
Repayment of advances
(209,355
)
Balance, December 31, 2007
10,086
Repayment of advances was funded from either bank debt obtained or from proceeds of sale of vessels if no bank debt had been obtained.
The average balance of the advances from owners during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 was $123,457 and $101,906, respectively.
11. Owners Capital
Since their inception, the capital of each of the Subsidiaries and the Additional Companies consists of 100 authorized common shares with no par value, all of which have been issued and are outstanding.
The holders of the shares are entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of owners and to receive all dividends, if any.
Ship-owning Entity
Date of Incorporation
Kanastro Shipping Corporation
November 6, 2000
Maripol Shipping Corporation
November 20, 2000
Sofikal Shipping Corporation
December 1, 2000
Pelodimous Shipping Corporation
December 11, 2000
Efragel Shipping Corporation
September 9, 2002
Marindou Shipping Corporation
September 9, 2002
Avstes Shipping Corporation
November 7, 2003
Kerasies Shipping Corporation
November 7, 2003
Maxtria Shipping Corporation
March 8, 2004
Eleoussa Shipping Corporation
August 2, 2004
Marathassa Shipping Corporation
August 2, 2004
Staloudi Shipping Corporation
September 1, 2005
Marinouki Shipping Corporation
September 1, 2005
Maxpente Shipping Corporation
October 3, 2005
Pemer Shipping Ltd.
January 3, 2006
Petra Shipping Ltd.
January 3, 2006
Eptaprohi Shipping Corporation
March 1, 2006
Eniaprohi Shipping Corporation
August 14, 2006
Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation
August 14, 2006
Pelea Shipping Ltd.
January 11, 2007
Soffive Shipping Corporation
April 11, 2007
Maxdeka Shipping Corporation
September 24, 2007
Maxenteka Shipping Corporation
September 24, 2007
Maxdodeka Shipping Corporation
October 11, 2007
Maxdekatria Shipping Corporation
October 11, 2007
F-25
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
12. Cash Dividend
On December 31, 2007, the Subsidiaries and Additional Companies declared and distributed to their owners aggregate dividends in the amount of $383,853. No dividends were declared or paid in 2006.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Commitments under Shipbuilding Contracts
(i) In August 2006, Eniaprohi Shipping Corporation (Eniaprohi), a Subsidiary, signed a contract with Itochu Corporation (Itochu) for the construction of a Post-Panamax class vessel (
Hull No. 3254
).
Pursuant to the contract, the vessel was expected to be delivered to the Company on January 31, 2009. On November 14, 2007, Eniaprohi agreed with Itochu to expedite the delivery of
Hull No. 3254
, whereby
delivery is scheduled to occur on or before November 10, 2008. On vessel delivery, Eniaprohi will pay to Itochu an early delivery amount of JPY 591,500 ($5.3) per day, which is calculated from the actual
delivery date until January 31, 2009, and is estimated to be a total of $432. The contract price for the vessel is JPY 4,260,000,000 ($37,735). The contract provides for installment payments as follows:
First installment of JPY 550,000,000 ($4,714) upon issuance of the relevant bank refund guarantee provided by the shipyard (paid in August 2006),
Second installment of JPY 400,000,000 ($3,560) 18 months after the first payment (paid in March 2008),
Third installment of JPY 400,000,000 ($3,560) upon keel laying,
Fourth installment of JPY 400,000,000 ($3,560) upon launching, and
Final installment of JPY 2,510,000,000 ($22,341) upon delivery of the vessel, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the contract for the construction of
Hull No. 3254
.
The first installment payment, made in August 2006, was funded by Advances from owners. The second installment of JPY 400,000,000, equivalent to $3,840 as at March 4, 2008 (the date of payment),
was financed through Advances received from the owners.
(ii) In August 2006, Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation (Eniadefhi), a Subsidiary, signed a contract with Itochu for the construction of a Post-Panamax class vessel (
Hull No. 3255
), which is expected to
be delivered to the Company in the first quarter of 2009. The contract price for the vessel is JPY 4,260,000,000 ($37,728). The contract provides for installment payments as follows:
First installment of JPY 550,000,000 ($4,707) upon issuance of the relevant bank refund guarantee provided by the shipyard (paid in August 2006),
Second installment of JPY 400,000,000 ($3,560) 18 months after the first payment (paid in March 2008),
Third installment of JPY 400,000,000 ($3,560) upon keel laying,
Fourth installment of JPY 400,000,000 ($3,560) upon launching, and
Final installment of JPY 2,510,000,000 ($22,341) upon delivery of the vessel, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the contract for the construction of
Hull No. 3255
.
The first installment payment, made in August 2006, was funded by Advances from owners. The second installment of JPY 400,000,000, equivalent to $3,840 as at March 4, 2008 (the date of payment),
was financed through Advances received from the owners.
(iii) In December 2006, Eptaprohi Shipping Corporation (Eptaprohi), a Subsidiary, signed a contract with Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. for the construction of a Capesize class vessel
(
Hull H1074
), which is expected to be delivered to the Company in the first quarter of 2010. The contract price for the vessel is $81,000. The contract provides for installment payments as follows:
F-26
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
First installment of $16,200 upon issuance of the relevant bank refund guarantee provided by the shipyard,
Second installment of $16,200 upon steel cutting,
Third installment of $16,200 upon keel laying,
Fourth installment of $16,200 upon launching, and
Final installment of $16,200 upon delivery of the vessel, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the contract for the construction of
Hull H1074
.
Simultaneously with the first installment payment, Eptaprohi is required to provide the shipyard with a bank performance guarantee, securing the payment by Eptaprohi to the shipyard of the second
installment. As of the date of the financial statements an installment payment had not yet been triggered, as the bank refund guarantee had not yet been issued. In fact, Eptaprohi has not yet arranged any bank
finance in connection with this contract.
(iv) In December 2006, Maxpente, a Subsidiary, signed a contract with Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. for the construction of a Capesize class vessel (
Hull H1075
), which is expected to
be delivered in the first quarter of 2010. The contract price for the vessel is $80,000. The contract provides for installment payments as follows:
First installment of $16,000 upon issuance of the relevant bank refund guarantee provided by the shipyard,
Second installment of $16,000 upon steel cutting,
Third installment of $16,000 upon keel laying,
Fourth installment of $16,000 upon launching, and
Final installment of $16,000 upon delivery of the vessel, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the contract for the construction of
Hull H1075
.
Simultaneously with payment of the first installment payment, Maxpente is required to provide the shipyard with a bank performance guarantee, securing the payment by Maxpente to the shipyard of the
second installment. As of the date of the financial statements an installment payment had not yet been triggered, as the bank refund guarantee had not yet been issued. In fact, Maxpente has not yet arranged any
bank finance in connection with this contract.
(b) Commitments under MOAs
(i) In October 2007, Maxdodeka Shipping Corporation (Maxdodeka), a Subsidiary, signed a MOA with a third party seller for the acquisition of a Post-Panamax class vessel (
Hull No. 1039
) scheduled
for delivery in the third quarter of 2009 upon completion of construction. The contract price for the vessel is $73,500 plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the MOA. The agreement with the seller
provides for installment payments as follows:
First installment of $14,700 to a joint account held on the names of Maxdodeka and the seller upon signing of the MOA, and
Second installment of $58,800 upon delivery of the vessel, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the MOA.
The first installment payment was triggered in October 2007 and was funded from surpluses from the operations of the Company during the second half of 2007. Maxdodeka has not yet arranged any bank
financing in connection with this vessel acquisition.
(ii) In October 2007, Maxdekatria Shipping Corporation (Maxdekatria), a Subsidiary, signed a MOA with a third party seller for the acquisition of a Post-Panamax class vessel (
Hull No. 1050
)
scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2010 upon completion of construction. The contract price for
F-27
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
the vessel is $73,500 plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the MOA. The agreement with the seller provides for installment payments as follows:
First installment of $14,700 to a joint account held on the names of Maxdodeka and the seller upon signing of the MOA, and
Second installment of $58,800 upon delivery of the vessel, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the MOA.
The first installment payment was triggered in October 2007 and was funded from surpluses from the operations of the Company during the second half of 2007. Maxdekatria has not yet arranged any
bank financing in connection with this vessel acquisition.
(iii) In November 2007, Maxdeka Shipping Corporation (Maxdeka), a Subsidiary, signed a MOA with a third party seller for the acquisition of a Kamsarmax class vessel (
Hull No. 2054
) scheduled for
delivery in the first quarter of 2010 upon completion of construction. The contract price for the vessel is $48,080, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the MOA, including reimbursing the interest
expenses of the seller; however the final contract price inclusive of such adjustments may not exceed $52,000. The agreement with the seller provides for installment payments as follows:
First installment of $7,212 to a joint account held on the names of Maxdodeka and the seller upon signing of the MOA, and
Second installment of $40,868 upon delivery of the vessel, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the MOA, up to a maximum additional amount of $3,920.
The first installment payment was triggered in October 2007 and was funded from surpluses from the operations of the Company during the second half of 2007. Maxdeka has not yet arranged any bank
financing in connection with this vessel acquisition.
(iv) In November 2007, Maxenteka Shipping Corporation (Maxenteka), a Subsidiary, signed a MOA with a third party seller for the acquisition of a Kamsarmax class vessel (
Hull No. 2055
) scheduled
for delivery in the second quarter of 2010 upon completion of construction. The contract price for the vessel is $48,080, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the MOA, including reimbursing the interest
expenses of the seller; however the final contract price inclusive of such adjustments may not exceed $52,000. The agreement with the seller provides for installment payments as follows:
First installment of $7,212 to a joint account held on the names of Maxdodeka and the seller upon signing of the MOA, and
Second installment of $40,868 upon delivery of the vessel, plus or minus any adjustments as provided in the MOA, up to a maximum additional amount of $3,920.
The first installment payment was triggered in October 2007 and was funded from surpluses from the operations of the Company during the second half of 2007. Maxenteka has not yet arranged any bank
financing in connection with this vessel acquisition.
The Company expects to settle the commitments under the shipbuilding contracts and MOAs described above as follows:
Commitments under
Commitments under MOAs
Year ending December 31
H3254
H3255
H1074
H1075
H1039
H1050
H2054
H2055
Total
2008
33,453
10,681
16,200
16,000
76,334
2009
22,340
48,600
48,000
58,800
177,740
2010
16,200
16,000
58,800
44,788
44,788
180,576
2011
2012 and thereafter
Total
33,453
33,021
81,000
80,000
58,800
58,800
44,788
44,788
434,650
F-28
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
Shipbuilding Contracts
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
(c) Other contingent liabilities
The Subsidiaries and Additional Companies have not been involved in any legal proceedings that may have, or have had a significant effect on their business, financial position, results of operations or
liquidity, nor is the Company aware of any proceedings that are pending or threatened which may have a significant effect on its business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. From time to time
various claims, suits and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. In addition, losses may arise from disputes with
charterers, agents, insurance providers and other claims with suppliers relating to the operation of the Companys vessels. Management is not aware of any material claims or contingent liabilities, which should be
disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying predecessor combined financial statements.
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. 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 predecessor combined financial statements. A maximum of
$1,000,000 of the liabilities associated with the individual vessels actions, mainly for sea pollution, are covered by P&I Club insurance.
14. Revenues
Revenues are comprised of the following:
December 31,
2005
2006
2007
Time charter revenue
79,819
93,434
165,657
Voyage charter revenue
1,243
Ballast bonus
696
50
535
Other income
2,362
4,313
5,865
Total
82,877
99,040
172,057
15. Vessel Operating Expenses
Vessel operating expenses are comprised of the following:
December 31,
2005
2006
2007
Crew wages and related costs
5,421
6,597
6,784
Insurance
1,014
1,307
1,388
Repairs, maintenance and drydocking costs
884
534
324
Spares, stores and provisions
1,345
1,745
1,673
Lubricants
965
1,538
1,457
Taxes
163
461
247
Miscellaneous
574
886
556
Total
10,366
13,068
12,429
16. Derivatives
(a) Foreign Exchange Derivatives
The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to create economic hedges for its exposure to currency exchange risk on payments relating to acquisition of vessels and on certain loan
obligations. Foreign exchange forward contracts are agreements entered into with a bank to exchange at a specified future date, currencies of different countries at a specific rate. These foreign exchange forward
contracts did not meet hedge accounting criteria under SFAS 133.
F-29
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
The following table presents the contract or notional amounts and the credit risk or fair value amounts as at December 31, 2006 and 2007 of the Companys derivative assets and liabilities held for trading
purposes. The derivative contracts are executed in the over-the-counter market. The credit risk amounts presented do not take into consideration the value of any collateral held.
December 31,
2006
2007
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Notional amount in USD 000
13,465
Foreign currency and amount
JPY 1,500,000,000
Derivative liabilities
577
(b) Interest Rate Derivatives
Effective December 14, 2007, the Company entered into an amortizing interest rate swap transaction with a bank in order to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates with
respect to the New Kerasies loan. The interest rate swap transaction was entered into for a three year term from December 14, 2007 to December 14, 2010 and on an initial notional amount of $40,000 which
amortizes based on the expected principal outstanding under the New Kerasies loan.
Under the terms of the swap, the Company makes quarterly payments to the bank on the relevant notional amount at a fixed rate of 4.0925% per annum. The bank makes quarterly floating-rate payments
to the Company for the relevant amount based on the three month USD LIBOR. The swap transaction effectively converts the Companys expected floating-rate interest obligation under the New Kerasies loan for
the duration of the swap to 4.0925%, exclusive of the loan margin due to the lender. The interest rate swap did not meet hedge accounting criteria under SFAS 133 and as such is accounted for as a trading
derivative.
Under SFAS 133, the fair market value of the derivative is marked to market at the end of every period and the resulting gain or loss during the period is recorded as (Loss)/gain on derivatives in the
predecessor combined statement of operations. As at December 31, 2007, the fair value of the interest rate swap was a liability of $242 and was recorded as Derivative liabilities on the predecessor combined
balance sheet.
17. Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following:
December 31
2006
2007
Interest on long-term debt
1,420
2,023
Early redelivery cost payable
6,699
Vessels operating and voyage expenses
518
750
Total
1,938
9,472
18. Early Redelivery Cost
The Company incurs costs in connection with early redelivery of vessels from charterers, where the contracted daily fixed charter rates are substantially lower than the daily charter rates the vessels could
potentially earn in the current market. Early redelivery costs incurred during the periods presented where as follows:
F-30
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Company
Date of Termination Agreement
December 31
2006
2007
Staloudi
March 9, 2007
14,382
Marinouki
October 17, 2007
5,467
Kerasies
September 20, 2007
1,089
Various
Various
150
500
Total
150
21,438
In all the above transactions, the total early termination costs were expensed and recorded as Early redelivery costs within the predecessor combined statement of operations, as no replacement charter
agreement was secured at the time of the termination agreement.
Details of the first three transactions in the above table are as follows:
(a) On March 9, 2007, Staloudi, agreed with the charterers of the
Stalo
to terminate the $13.5 daily fixed rate time charter which had commenced on January 18, 2006 and was not contractually due to
expire until May 2011. The termination agreement with the charterer provided for compensation of (a) cash payment to the charterer of an amount of $3,375 upon termination of the time charter and redelivery of
the vessel and (b) chartering by the charterers of the
Marina
,
Sophia
and
Pedhoulas Leader
under time charters at below market rates for periods of 14.5 months from March 26, 2007, 14.5 months from June 28,
2007 and 7.3 months from March 1, 2007, respectively. The impact of chartering these three vessels at below market rates for the agreed periods was determined to be $11,007 and was recorded as Time charter
discount within the predecessor combined balance sheet. Time charter discount represents the difference between the contracted charter rate contracted for each of the three vessels (all below market) and the
prevailing market charter rate at the time the early termination agreement with the charterer of the vessel, the
Stalo
, was entered into. When establishing prevailing market rates, the Company utilizes the industry
standard published daily charter rate (before commissions) for Panamax class vessel, as its size is the closest comparison available to the Companys vessels. The published daily charter rate is then adjusted
upwards to reflect the higher cargo capacity of the Companys vessels, and may be adjusted, if necessary, to reflect a later inception date, or changes in the market. For purposes of calculating the Time charter
discount, the difference between the prevailing market daily charter rate and the contracted daily charter rate was applied to the total charter days outstanding for each of the three vessels, the
Marina
,
Sophia
and
Pedhoulas Leader,
to arrive at a Time charter discount in the amount of $11,007.
The calculations described above were applied to determine the prevailing market rate for both the
Marina
and the
Sophia
, as neither vessel was subject to a recent charter agreement whereby a prevailing
market rate would have been established. However, the
Pedhoulas Leader
was previously subject to a charter partner agreement with the charterer on February 13, 2007. On March 1, 2007, the
Pedhoulas Leader
,
a newbuild, was delivered from a shipyard and commenced the time charter with the charterer. On March 9, 2007, in connection with the early termination of the charter for the vessel
Stalo
, an addendum to the
existing charter party was entered into reducing the daily charter rate and extending the charter period. Accordingly, the rate established on February 13, 2007 was utilized as the prevailing market rate and a new
calculation of prevailing market charter rate was not required.
The aggregate early redelivery cost amounted to $14,382, which was comprised of the $3,375 cash payment and the $11,007 impact of chartering the three vessels at below market rates, with a
corresponding recognition of Time charter discount of $11,007. The Time charter discount is recorded as a long term liability in the predecessor combined balance sheet, and is being amortized on a straight-line
basis to Revenue over the duration of the respective below market time charters. As at December 31, 2007, accumulated amortization amounted to $8,241 resulting in a remaining Time charter discount of $2,766.
(b) On October 17, 2007, Marinouki, agreed with the charterers of the
Marina
to terminate the $25.0 daily fixed rate time charter which had commenced on March 26, 2007, as part of the transaction
described in item (a) above, and was not contractually due to expire until June 3, 2008. As compensation for early redelivery, Marinouki agreed to pay the charterers an amount equal to $57.75 per day from the
F-31
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
date of redelivery through May 22, 2008. Such earlier redelivery is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2008, and the expected compensation amount to be paid to the charterers is $6,699. This amount has
been reduced by $1,232 which is the expected remaining unamortized portion of the deferred Time charter discount of the
Marina
under the transaction discussed in item (a) above from the expected date of
delivery until June 3, 2008, and hence the Early redelivery cost amounts to $5,467.
(c) On September 20, 2007, Kerasies agreed with the charterers of the
Katerina
to terminate the $23,125 daily fixed rate time charter which had commenced on August 9, 2006, and was not contractually
due to expire until November 9, 2007. As compensation for early redelivery, Kerasies agreed to pay the charterers an amount of $1,089.
19. Lease ArrangementsCharters-out:
The future minimum time charter revenue, net of commissions, based on vessels committed to noncancelable time charter contracts (including fixture recaps) with an initial or remaining charter period in
excess of one year as of December 31, 2007 are as follows:
December 31,
2008
93,743
2009
87,163
2010
65,688
2011
36,556
2012
35,313
Thereafter
47,945
Total
366,408
Future minimum time charter revenue excludes the future acquisitions of the vessels discussed in Note 13, since estimated delivery dates are not confirmed. Revenues from time charters are not generally
received when a vessel is off-hire, including time required for normal periodic maintenance of the vessel. In arriving at the minimum future charter revenues, an estimated off-hire time of 12 days to perform any
scheduled drydocking 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.
20. Subsequent Events
(a)
Initial public offering (Unaudited)
In July 2007, the Company commenced preparation for an initial public offering of the common shares of Safe Bulkers, Inc. in the United States and to list on the New York Stock Exchange. Following
the completion of the initial public offering it is expected that the existing owners, through Vorini Holdings, will own approximately 80% of the Companys outstanding shares of common stock and the same
percentage of the voting power associated with the Companys stock.
(b)
New credit facilities:
(i) In January 2008, Marindou obtained a multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility for up to $42,000 (the New Marindou credit facility). The proceeds of the New Marindou credit facility in the
amount of $42,000 were used to fully prepay the outstanding balance of the Marindou loan, and the balance was utilized to repay advances from owners of certain Subsidiaries and fund dividends. The New
Marindou credit facility is secured by a first priority mortgage on the
Maria
and other usual maritime securities. The New Marindou credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% and is repayable
over ten years from loan drawdown in 20 semi-annual consecutive installments, from July 2008 to January 2018, the first six in the amount of $750, the following six in the amount of $1,000 and the
F-32
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
remaining eight in the amount of $1,688 and a balloon payment in the amount of $18,000 payable in January 2018.
(ii) In January 2008, Efragel obtained a multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility for up to $42,000 (the New Efragel credit facility). The proceeds of the New Efragel credit facility in the amount
of $42,000 were used to fully repay the outstanding balance of the Efragel credit facility, and the balance was utilized to repay advances from owners of certain Subsidiaries and fund dividends. The New Efragel
credit facility is secured by a first priority mortgage on the
Efrossini
and other usual maritime securities. The New Efragel credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% and is repayable over ten
years in 20 semi-annual consecutive installments, from July 2008 to January 2018, the first six in the amount of $750, the following six in the amount of $1,000 and the remaining eight in the amount of $1,688
and a balloon payment in the amount of $18,000 payable in January 2018.
(iii) On April 17, 2008, Avstes obtained a multi-currency reducing revolving credit facility for up to $36,000 (the Avstes credit facility). The proceeds of the Avstes credit facility in the amount of
$36,000 were used to fund the distribution of dividends to owners of the Subsidiaries. The Avstes credit facility is secured by a first priority mortgage over the
Vassos
and other usual maritime securities. The
Avstes credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.80%. Based on the accepted commitment letter, the margin that will apply following this offering will be agreed prior to the closing of this
offering. The facility is repayable over ten years in 20 semi-annual consecutive installments in the amount of $900 each, starting October 18, 2008, and a balloon payment in the amount of $18,000 payable in
October 2018.
(iv) In April 2008, Eniaprohi and Eniadefhi each accepted commitment letters for reducing revolving credit facilities of up to $45,000 each to be used to fund the acquisition of
Hull No. 3254 and Hull No
3255,
respectively, upon delivery from the shipyard and to provide additional working capital. These credit facilities will be secured by first mortgages on
Hull No. 3254
and
Hull No. 3255,
respectively, and other
usual maritime securities. The commitment letters provide that each credit facility will bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.90%, and the margin that will apply following this offering will be agreed prior to
the closing of this offering. Pursuant to the commitment letters, the credit facilities will be repayable over ten years in 20 semi-annual consecutive installments of $1,125 each commencing six months after the
delivery date, and a balloon payment of $22,500 payable with the final installment.
For all of the new credit facilities described above, the ability to drawdown on the credit facility will reduce with each semi-annual repayment. Prior to maturity of each interest period, the borrower may
elect to convert at the beginning of the following interest period the then outstanding loan amount or any part thereof to up to two of the following currencies, using the spot exchange rate applicable on the date
of conversion: USD, JPY, CHF or EUR.
(v) Under guarantees entered into on May 22 and 23, 2008 and which are effective from the closing of the initial public offering, Safe Bulkers will become the guarantor of the reducing revolving credit
facilities and loan agreements of Efragel Shipping Corporation, Marindou Shipping Corporation, Avstes Shipping Corporation, Marathassa Shipping Corporation, Marinouki Shipping Corporation, Soffive Shipping
Corporation and Kerasies Shipping Corporation credit facilities.
Safe
Bulkers will be subject to specified financial covenants under these guarantees,
including the following:
its total liabilities (on a consolidated basis, including those of its Subsidiaries) divided by its total consolidated assets (based on the current market value of all vessels owned by its Subsidiaries, and the
book value of all other assets, on an adjusted basis as set out in the relevant guarantee) must not exceed 70%;
the ratio of its aggregate debt to EBITDA must not at any time exceed 5.5:1 on a trailing 12 months basis;
its net consolidated worth (consolidated total assets less consolidated total liabilities) must not at any time be less than $175,000, or less than $200,000, as adjusted to reflect among other things,
F-33
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
the market value of its vessels to the extent it exceeds book value as set out in the relevant guarantee;
it must maintain minimum free liquidity of $500 on deposit with the relevant lender on a per vessel basis; and
it can pay dividends subject to no event of default having occurred.
In connection with these guarantees, Safe Bulkers have also undertaken to ensure that a minimum of 51% of its shares shall remain directly or indirectly beneficially owned by the Hajioannou family for
the duration of the relevant credit facilities. Also, the margin of the loan obligations of Marathassa and Marinouki will increase to 0.75% from 0.675% and the margins for Soffive and Kerasies will increase to
0.75% from 0.575%; and the margins for Pelea, Efragel and Marindou will increase to 0.700%.
In addition, pursuant to commitment letters accepted by Subsidiaries Eniaprohi Shipping Corporation and Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation with respect to proposed credit facilities of $45,000 each, Safe
Bulkers will guarantee the obligations of these Subsidiaries under the credit facilties and certain financial covenants will apply to Safe Bulkers, including a consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated interest coverage
ratio, debt-to-cash flow and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, and minimum tangible net worth. In addition, there will be a covenant that the Hajioannou family maintain their majority interest in Safe Bulkers.
(c)
Interest rate swaps:
Subsequent to December 31, 2007, the Company entered into the following interest rate swap transactions with certain banks in respect to loans and credit facilities in order to manage interest costs and
the risk associated with changing interest rates with respect to these loans and credit facilities.
Credit Facility
Initial notional
Inception
Expiry
Swap
New Marindou
$
42,000
January 14, 2008
January 14, 2013
3.950
%
New Efragel
$
42,000
January 17, 2008
January 17, 2013
3.650
%
Petra
$
38,171
February 19, 2008
January 18, 2013
2.885
%
Pemer
$
38,168
March 7, 2008
March 7, 2013
2.745
%
Marinouki
$
32,620
March 19, 2008
March 5, 2013
2.730
%
Avstes
$
36,000
April 25, 2008
April 18, 2013
3.890
%
The initial notional amounts of the above transactions are reduced during the term of the swap transactions based on the expected principal outstanding under the respective facility. In the Petra, Pemer and
Marinouki transactions, the respective bank has the right to cancel each swap on January 18, 2011, March 7, 2011 and March 5, 2011, respectively, and on six-month intervals thereafter.
Under all of the swap transactions described above, the bank will make semi-annual floating-rate payments to the Company for the relevant amount based on the six month USD LIBOR and the Company
will make semi-annual payments to the bank on the relevant amount at the respective fixed rates.
The above interest rate swap agreements do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133.
(d)
Amendment to Management Agreements:
On March 6, 2008, the Company amended the Management Agreements with the Manager discussed in Note 3 with respect to the Management Fee paid to the Manager (the Amended Management
Agreements). Under the Amended Management Agreements, effective January 1, 2008, the Manager receives a fixed daily fee of $0.575 plus 1.0% on gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage from
each of the vessel owning companies in exchange for these management services. In addition, the commission paid to the Manager on a sale of a vessel was fixed at 1.0% of the contract price of any vessels sold
on the Companys behalf.
F-34
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
amount
rate
PREDECESSOR BUSINESSES OF SAFE BULKERS, INC.
(e)
New Management Agreements (unaudited):
Upon closing of the initial public offering discussed in item (a) above, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries will enter into new management agreements with the Manager (the New Management
Agreements). The New Management Agreements will replace the Amended Management Agreements relating to the Existing Vessels, and will also apply to new vessels. The financial terms of the New
Management Agreements will be as described in (d) above, and in addition, will include that the Manager receives (i) 1.0% of the contract price on each of the Newbuilds (refer to Note 1) with the exception of
Hulls No. 3244 and 3255
and (ii) a fee of $375 per Newbuild for the on-premises supervision of each Newbuild by the Manager.
(f)
Early redelivery:
On March 7, 2008, Petra agreed with the charterers of the
Pedhoulas Trader
to terminate the $54 daily fixed rate time charter which had commenced on February 9, 2008, and was due to expire by July
24, 2008. Petra estimates that the compensation payable to the charterer for early redelivery of the vessel, which is expected to occur on June 5, 2008, will be approximately $800.
(g)
Dividend:
On March 28, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Subsidiaries declared and subsequently paid aggregate dividends of $147,770 to their owners of record as of March 31, 2008.
21. Pro forma balance sheet (unaudited)
The pro forma adjustment to the December 31, 2007 balance sheet reflects the accrual of the dividend of $147,770 and resulting reduction in owners equity to reflect the impact of the dividend, as set out
in Note 20(g) above, as well as the intended declaration prior to the closing of the initial public offering of an estimated additional dividend in the amount of $31,000, reflecting a portion of estimated net income
earned from January 1, 2008 until the date immediately prior to the closing of the initial public offering.
22.
Pro forma earnings per share (unaudited)
Pro forma earnings per share gives retroactive effect to the Reorganization, which involves the issuance (following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering) of 54.5 million
shares of Safe Bulkers common stock to the selling stockholder in this offering, and resulting capital structure following the completion of this offering. This offering will not involve the issuance of additional
shares of Safe Bulkers common stock as all shares of common stock in this offering will be sold by the selling stockholder.
F-35
NOTES TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Concluded)
(In thousands of United States Dollarsexcept for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Safe Bulkers, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations, shareholders deficit, and cash flows for the
period from December 11, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial
reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts
and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Safe Bulkers Inc. as of December 31, 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
the period from December 11, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Deloitte
F-36
Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A.
Athens, Greece
May 15, 2008, except for Note 5(c), as to which the date is May 23, 2008
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Notes
December 31,
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Total current assets
FIXED ASSETS:
Total fixed assets
OTHER NON CURRENT ASSETS:
Deferred finance charges, net
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accrued liabilities
2
1,803
Due to related party
3
674
Total current liabilities
2,477
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 500 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
(2,477
)
Total shareholders deficit
(2,477
)
Total liabilities and shareholders deficit
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-37
BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
2007
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Notes
For the period
REVENUES:
Net revenues
EXPENSES:
General and administrative expenses
4
(2,477
)
Operating loss
(2,477
)
Net loss
(2,477
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-38
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 11, 2007 (inception) to DECEMBER 31, 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
December 11,
2007
(inception) to
December 31,
2007
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Common Stock
Additional paid-in
Accumulated
Total
Shares (#)
Amount ($)
Balance, December 11, 2007
Net loss
(2,477
)
(2,477
)
Balance, December 31, 2007
(2,477
)
(2,477
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-39
STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT
FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 11, 2007 (inception) to DECEMBER 31, 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
capital
deficit
shareholders
deficit
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
For the period
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss
(2,477
)
Increase in:
Accrued liabilities
1,803
Due to related parties
674
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Operating Activities
0
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Investing Activities
0
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Financing Activities
0
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
0
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest:
0
F-40
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 11, 2007 (inception) to DECEMBER 31, 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
December 11, 2007
(inception) to
December 31, 2007
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
1. Nature of Operations
Safe Bulkers, Inc., referred to herein as Safe Bulkers or the Company, was formed on December 11, 2007 under the laws of the Marshall Islands for the purpose of acquiring an ownership interest in
19 companies, all incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia, that either currently own drybulk vessels or are scheduled to own drybulk vessels (the Subsidiaries) currently under the common control
of Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou. Together, these Subsidiaries own and operate a fleet of 11 drybulk vessels (the Existing Vessels) and are scheduled to acquire an additional eight newbuilds (the
Newbuilds).
Safe Bulkers commenced preparation for an initial public offering of its common shares in the United States and intends to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Currently, no public market
exists for these shares. Under the Articles of Incorporation, as of December 31, 2007, the authorized capital stock of Safe Bulkers was 500 shares of common stock with par value of $0.001 per share. On May 9,
2008, the Articles of Incorporation were amended, so that the authorized capital stock of Safe Bulkers was increased to 200,000,000 shares of common stock with par value of $0.001 per share, none of which is
issued or outstanding. Following the date of the final prospectus and prior to the closing of this offering, the shares of the Subsidiaries will be contributed to Safe Bulkers by Vorini Holdings Inc., a Marshall
Islands corporation controlled by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou (Vorini Holdings), in exchange for the issuance of 100% of the outstanding shares of Safe Bulkers to Vorini Holdings (the
Reorganization). Following the Reorganization, Safe Bulkers will own each of the Subsidiaries and Vorini Holdings will be the sole stockholder of Safe Bulkers.
Following the completion of the initial public offering, Vorini Holdings is expected to hold 78.9% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Safe Bulkers, and accordingly, will hold 78.9% of the
voting power (assuming the underwriters exercise their over allotment option), including the ability to control the Companys affairs and policies.
2. Accrued liabilities
Accrued liabilities represent expenses incurred in preparation of the initial public offering. As of December 31, 2007, accrued liabilities are comprised of the following:
Legal expenses
1,070
Auditors expenses
733
Total
1,803
3. Transactions with related parties
Safety Management Overseas S.A., Panama:
Safety Management Overseas S.A., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama (Safety Management), is a related party controlled by
Polys Hajioannou. Amounts due to Safety Management represent the expenses relating to the initial public offering of Safe Bulkers that have been paid by Safety Management. Following closing of the initial
public offering, Safe Bulkers will reimburse these expenses to Safety Management.
4. General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses represent those expenses incurred by Safe Bulkers, Inc. through December 31, 2007 in preparation of the initial public offering. As of December 31, 2007, general and
administrative expenses are comprised of the following:
F-41
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Legal expenses
1,199
Auditors expenses
1,201
FINRA registration fee
21
Miscellaneous costs
56
Total
2,477
5. Subsequent Events
(a) Initial Public Offering (Unaudited):
Concurrently with the closing of its initial public offering, Safe Bulkers will enter into several new agreements, including:
(a) An agreement with Polys Hajioannou, Nicolaos Hadjioannou, and Vorini Holdings, whereby Safe Bulkers will assume the ownership of the shares of the following vessel owing companies (the Subsidiaries);
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Existing Vessels |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Ship-owning Entity |
Date of Incorporation |
Vessel Name |
Type |
Built |
DWT (1) |
||||||||||
Efragel Shipping Corporation |
September 9, 2002 |
Efrossini |
Panamax |
February 2003 |
|
76,000 |
|||||||||
Marindou Shipping Corporation |
September 9, 2002 |
Maria |
Panamax |
April 2003 |
76,000 |
||||||||||
Avstes Shipping Corporation |
November 7, 2003 |
Vassos |
Panamax |
February 2004 |
|
76,000 |
|||||||||
Kerasies Shipping Corporation |
November 7, 2003 |
Katerina |
Panamax |
May 2004 |
76,000 |
||||||||||
Marathassa Shipping Corporation |
August 2, 2004 |
Maritsa |
Panamax |
January 2005 |
|
76,000 |
|||||||||
Pemer Shipping Ltd. |
January 3, 2006 |
Pedhoulas Merchant |
Kamsarmax |
March 2006 |
82,300 |
||||||||||
Petra Shipping Ltd. |
January 3, 2006 |
Pedhoulas Trader |
Kamsarmax |
May 2006 |
|
82,300 |
|||||||||
Pelea Shipping Ltd. |
January 11, 2007 |
Pedhoulas Leader |
Kamsarmax |
March 2007 |
82,300 |
||||||||||
Staloudi Shipping Corporation |
September 1, 2005 |
Stalo |
Post-Panamax |
January 2006 |
|
87,000 |
|||||||||
Marinouki Shipping Corporation |
September 1, 2005 |
Marina |
Post-Panamax |
January 2006 |
87,000 |
||||||||||
Soffive Shipping Corporation |
April 11, 2007 |
Sophia |
Post-Panamax |
June 2007 |
|
87,000 |
|||||||||
Newbuilds |
|||||||||||||||
Ship-owning Entity |
Date of Incorporation |
Hull No. |
Type |
Built * |
|
DWT (1 |
) |
|
|||||||
Eniaprohi Shipping Corporation |
August 14, 2006 |
IHI 3254 |
Post-Panamax |
2008 |
87,000 |
||||||||||
Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation |
August 14, 2006 |
IHI 3255 |
Post-Panamax |
2009 |
|
87,000 |
|||||||||
Maxpente Shipping Corporation |
October 3, 2005 |
Rongsheng 1075 |
Capesize |
2010 |
176,000 |
||||||||||
Eptaprohi Shipping Corporation |
March 1, 2006 |
Rongsheng 1074 |
Capesize |
2010 |
|
176,000 |
|||||||||
Maxdodeka Shipping Corporation |
October 11, 2007 |
Sungdong 1039 |
Post-Panamax |
2009 |
92,000 |
||||||||||
Maxdekatria Shipping Corporation |
October 11, 2007 |
Sungdong 1050 |
Post-Panamax |
2010 |
|
92,000 |
|||||||||
Maxdeka Shipping Corporation |
September 24, 2007 |
STX 2054 |
Kamsarmax |
2010 |
81,000 |
||||||||||
Maxenteka Shipping Corporation |
September 24, 2007 |
STX 2055 |
Kamsarmax |
2010 |
|
81,000 |
|
|
|
* |
Estimated completion date |
|
(1) |
Deadweight Ton (DWT). A unit of a vessels capacity for cargo, fuel oil, stores and crew, measured in metric tons of 1,000 kilograms. A vessels DWT is the total weight the vessel can carry when loaded to a particular load line. |
(b) New Management Agreements (Unaudited)
A management agreement (the New Management Agreement) with Safety Management (the Manager) pursuant to which the Manager will agree to provide commercial, and technical management services to Safe Bulkers and to the Existing Vessels and the Newbuilds owned by the Subsidiaries.
Under the New Management Agreement, the Company will pay the Manager $0.575 per vessel per day, for certain commercial, technical and administrative services. In addition, the Company will pay the Manager a fee of 1.0% of the gross freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage collected from the employment of our ships, and 1.0% of the contract price of any vessels bought or sold on the Companys behalf, including the acquisition of the Newbuilds, with the exception of the acquisition of the Newbuild Hull Nos. 3244 and 3255 . The Company will also pay the Manager a fee
F-42
of $375 per newbuild, for the on-premises supervision of all newbuilds we have agreed to acquire pursuant to shipbuilding contracts, memoranda of agreement, or otherwise; and
(c) Guarantees
Under guarantees entered into on May 22, and 23, 2008 and which are effective from the closing of the initial public offering, Safe Bulkers will become the guarantor of the reducing revolving credit
facilities and loan agreements of Efragel Shipping Corporation, Marindou Shipping Corporation, Pelea Shipping Ltd., Avstes Shipping Corporation, Marathassa Shipping Corporation, Marinouki Shipping
Corporation, Soffive Shipping Corporation and Kerasies Shipping Corporation.
Safe Bulkers will be subject to specified financial covenants under these guarantees, including the following:
its total liabilities (on a consolidated basis, including those of the Subsidiaries) divided by its total consolidated assets (based on the current market value of all vessels owned by the Subsidiaries,
and the book value of all other assets, on an adjusted basis as set out in the relevant guarantee) must not exceed 70%;
the ratio of its aggregate debt to EBITDA must not at any time exceed 5.5:1 on a trailing 12 months basis;
its net consolidated worth (consolidated total assets less consolidated total liabilities) must not at any time be less than $175,000, or less than $200,000 on an adjusted basis as set out in the
relevant guarantee;
it must maintain minimum free liquidity of $500 on deposit with the relevant lender on a per vessel basis; and
it can pay dividends subject to no event of default having occurred.
In connection with these guarantees, Safe Bulkers has also undertaken to ensure that a minimum of 51% of its shares shall remain directly or indirectly beneficially owned by the Hajioannou family
for the duration of the relevant credit facilities. Also, the margin of the loan obligations of Marathassa and Marinouki will increase to 0.75% from 0.675% and the margins for Soffive and Kerasies will
increase to 0.75% from 0.575%; and the margins for Pelea, Efragel and Marindou will increase to 0.700%.
In addition, pursuant to commitment letters accepted by Subsidiaries Eniaprohi Shipping Corporation and Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation with respect to proposed credit facilities of $45,000 each, Safe
Bulkers will guarantee the obligations of these Subsidiaries under the credit facilties and certain financial covenants will apply to Safe Bulkers, including a consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated interest
coverage ratio, debt-to-cash flow and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, and minimum tangible net worth. In addition, there will be a covenant that the Hajioannou family maintain their majority interest in Safe Bulkers.
F-43
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Through and including
, 2008 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in our common stock, whether or not participating in the offering, may be required to
deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to any unsold allotments or subscriptions.
10,000,000 Shares
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
Merrill Lynch & Co.
, 2008
Credit Suisse
Jefferies & Company
Dahlman Rose & Company
Poten Capital Services LLC
DnB NOR Markets
PART II
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Registrant is a Marshall Islands corporation. Section 60 of the Business Corporations Act of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the BCA) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of no contest, or its equivalent, shall not,
of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
A Marshall Islands corporation also has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the
right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or
officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of
any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court
in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
To the extent that a director or officer of a Marshall Islands corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in the preceding paragraph,
or in the defense of a claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. Expenses incurred in
defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the board of directors in the specific case upon receipt of
an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized under Section 60 of the
BCA.
Section 60 of the BCA also permits a Marshall Islands corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at
the request of the corporation as a director or officer against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in such capacity whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under the provisions of Section 60 of the BCA.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 60 of the BCA are not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement
of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such persons official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office. In this regard, the Registrants Bylaws provide that such expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by former directors and officers may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as
the Registrant deems appropriate, and the board of directors may authorize the Registrants legal counsel to
II-1
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
represent a present or former director or officer in any action, suit or proceeding, whether or not the Registrant is a party to such action, suit or proceeding. The Registrants Bylaws further provide for
indemnification of directors and officers on the basis described above as being permitted by Section 60 of the BCA and provide, to the extent authorized from time to time by the board of directors of the
Registrant, rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the corporation similar to those conferred to directors and officers of Registrant.
The Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant provide that no director shall have personal liability to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
but the liability of a director is not limited or eliminated (a) for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (b) for acts or omissions not undertaken in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; or (c) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Section 6 of the Underwriting Agreement, the form of which will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto, provides that the underwriters named therein will indemnify us and hold us harmless and each of our
directors, officers or controlling persons from and against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Section 7 of the Underwriting Agreement also provides that such underwriters will
contribute to certain liabilities of such persons under the Securities Act.
Item 7.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
Following the date of the final prospectus, and prior to the closing of this offering, we intend to issue 54,500,000 shares of our common stock to Vorini Holdings Inc. in exchange for its contribution to us
of all the outstanding shares of the Subsidiaries. We expect this issuance to be exempt from registration as a transaction that will not involve an offer or sale and, in any event, as a transaction not involving an
offering in the United States under Regulation S of the Securities Act.
Item 8.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Exhibits
II-2
Exhibit
Description
10.10
Supplemental Agreement, dated May 23, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated February 16, 2005, to Marathassa Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.11
Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.12
Letter Agreement, dated March 10, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.13
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated April 24, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.14
Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.15
Supplemental Agreement, dated May 23, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.16
Loan Agreement, dated May 29, 2006, to Staloudi Shipping Corporation provided by Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.17
Letter Agreement, dated December 3, 2007, Amending Loan Agreement, dated May 29, 2006, to Staloudi Shipping Corporation provided by Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.18
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated May 29, 2006, to Staloudi Shipping Corporation provided by Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.19
Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, to Petra Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.20
Letter Agreement, dated January 18, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, to Petra Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.21
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, to Petra Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft
10.22
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 15, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, to Petra Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft
10.23
Loan Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, to Pemer Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.24
Letter Agreement, dated March 5, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, to Pemer Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.25
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, to Pemer Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft
10.26
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 15, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, to Pemer Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft
10.27
Loan Agreement, dated June 12, 2007, to Pelea Shipping Ltd provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA**
10.28
First Supplemental Agreement, dated May 22, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated June 12, 2007, to Pelea Shipping Ltd provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA
10.29
Loan Agreement, dated November 18, 2007, to Soffive Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.30
Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated November 18, 2007, to Soffive Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.31
Supplemental Agreement, dated May 23, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated November 18, 2007, to Soffive Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.32
Loan Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, to Kerasies Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.33
Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, to Kerasies Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.34
Supplemental Agreement, dated May 23, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, to Kerasies Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.35
Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, to Marindou Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR Bank ASA**
10.36
First Supplemental Agreement, dated May 22, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, to Marindou Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA
10.37
Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, to Efragel Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR Bank ASA**
10.38
First Supplemental Agreement, dated May 22, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, to Efragel Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA
10.39
Loan Agreement, dated April 17, 2008, to Avstes Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR Bank ASA**
II-3
Number
Exhibit
Description
10.40
First Supplemental Agreement, dated May 22, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated April 17, 2008, to Avstes Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA
10.41
Shipbuilding Contract, dated August 28, 2006, with Itochu Corporation for the
HN
3254**
10.42
Shipbuilding Contract, dated August 28, 2006, with Itochu Corporation for
HN
3255**
10.43
Shipbuilding Contract, dated December 6, 2006, with Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd for
HN
1074**
10.44
Shipbuilding Contract, dated December 6, 2006, with Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd for the
HN
1075**
10.45
Memorandum of Agreement, dated October 26, 2007, for the
HN
1039**
10.46
Memorandum of Agreement, dated October 26, 2007, for the
HN
1050**
10.47
Memorandum of Agreement, dated November 10, 2007, for the
HN
2054**
10.48
Memorandum of Agreement, dated November 10, 2007, for the
HN
2055**
10.49
Corporate Guarantee, dated May 23, 2008, of Safe Bulkers, Inc. relating to Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.50
Corporate Guarantee, dated May 23, 2008, of Safe Bulkers, Inc. relating to Loan Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, to Kerasies Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.51
Corporate Guarantee, dated May 23, 2008, of Safe Bulkers, Inc. relating to Loan Agreement, dated November 18, 2007, to Soffive Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.52
Corporate Guarantee, dated May 23, 2008, of Safe Bulkers, Inc. relating to Loan Agreement, dated February 16, 2005, to Marathassa Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
21.1
Subsidiaries**
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2
Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2 and Exhibit 8.1)**
23.3
Consent of Cozen OConnor, Marshall Islands and Liberian Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1 and Exhibit 8.2)**
23.4
Consent of Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd.**
23.5
Consent of Ole Wikborg, Nominee for Director**
23.6
Consent of Basil Sakellis, Nominee for Director**
23.7
Consent of Frank Sica, Nominee for Director**
24.1
Power of Attorney**
*
To be provided by amendment.
**
Previously filed.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
The financial statement schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable or the requested information is shown in the combined financial statements of Safe Bulkers, Inc. or related notes thereto.
Item 9.
Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, share certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit
prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(2)
That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement
in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) under the Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as
of the time it was declared effective.
(3)
That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(4)
Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of this registration statement, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in this
II-4
Number
registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in this registration statement or any prospectus that is part of this registration statement
or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or any prospectus that is part of this registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time
of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such
document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5)
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the
securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will
be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii)
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the
undersigned registrant; and
(iv)
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6)
II-5
That insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion
of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused
this amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Athens, Greece, on the 23rd day of May, 2008.
S
AFE
B
ULKERS
, I
NC
.
By:
/s/ P
OLYS
H
AJIOANNOU
Name: Polys Hajioannou
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 23rd day of May, 2008.
Signature
Title
*
(Polys Hajioannou)
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
*
(Dr. Loukas Barmparis)
President and Director
*
(Nicolaos Hadjioannou)
Chief Operating Officer and Director
/s/ K
ONSTANTINOS
A
DAMOPOULOS
(Konstantinos Adamopoulos)
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
*by Konstantinos Adamopoulos, as Attorney-in-Fact
II-6
Title: Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Chief Financial Officer and Director and as Attorney-in-Fact
Authorized Representative
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly undersigned representative in the United States of the Registrant, has signed this amended registration statement in the
City of Newark, State of Delaware, on May 23, 2008.
P
UGLISI
&
A
SSOCIATES
By:
/
S
/ D
ONALD
J. P
UGLISI
Name: Donald J. Puglisi
II-7
Title: Managing Director
EXHIBIT INDEX
Set forth below is a list of exhibits that are being or will be filed with this Registration Statement on Form F-1.
Exhibit
Description
1.1
Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation**
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws**
4.1
Specimen Share Certificate**
4.2
Form of Registration Rights Agreement between Safe Bulkers, Inc. and Vorini Holdings Inc.
5.1
Opinion of Cozen OConnor, Marshall Islands counsel, as to the validity of the common stock being issued**
5.2
Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, United States counsel to Safe Bulkers, Inc., with respect to New York law**
8.1
Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, United States counsel to Safe Bulkers, Inc., with respect to certain tax matters**
8.2
Opinion of Cozen OConnor, Marshall Islands and Liberian counsel, with respect to certain tax matters**
10.1
Form of Management Agreement between Safety Management Overseas S.A. and Safe Bulkers, Inc.**
10.2
Form of Restrictive Covenant Agreement among Safe Bulkers, Inc., Polys Hajioannou, Vorini Holdings Inc., SafeFixing Corp and Machairiotissa Holdings Inc.**
10.3
Form of Restrictive Covenant Agreement between Safe Bulkers, Inc. and Polys Hajioannou**
10.4
Form of Restrictive Covenant Agreement between Safe Bulkers, Inc. and Nicolaos Hadjioannou**
10.5
Stockholder Rights Agreement**
10.6
Form of Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement between Safe Bulkers, Inc., Vorini Holdings, Inc., Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou**
10.7
Loan Agreement, dated February 16, 2005, to Marathassa Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.8
Letter Agreement, dated April 19, 2006, Amending Loan Agreement, dated February 16, 2005, to Marathassa Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.9
Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated February 16, 2005, to Marathassa Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.10
Supplemental Agreement, dated May 23, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated February 16, 2005, to Marathassa Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.11
Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.12
Letter Agreement, dated March 10, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.13
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated April 24, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.14
Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.15
Supplemental Agreement, dated May 23, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.16
Loan Agreement, dated May 29, 2006, to Staloudi Shipping Corporation provided by Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.17
Letter Agreement, dated December 3, 2007, Amending Loan Agreement, dated May 29, 2006, to Staloudi Shipping Corporation provided by Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.18
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated May 29, 2006, to Staloudi Shipping Corporation provided by Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.19
Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, to Petra Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.20
Letter Agreement, dated January 18, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, to Petra Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
Number
Exhibit
Description
10.21
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, to Petra Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft
10.22
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 15, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, to Petra Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft
10.23
Loan Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, to Pemer Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.24
Letter Agreement, dated March 5, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, to Pemer Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft**
10.25
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, to Pemer Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft
10.26
Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated May 15, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, to Pemer Shipping Ltd provided by Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft
10.27
Loan Agreement, dated June 12, 2007, to Pelea Shipping Ltd provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA**
10.28
First Supplemental Agreement, dated May 22, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated June 12, 2007, to Pelea Shipping Ltd provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA
10.29
Loan Agreement, dated November 18, 2007, to Soffive Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.30
Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated November 18, 2007, to Soffive Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.31
Supplemental Agreement, dated May 23, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated November 18, 2007, to Soffive Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.32
Loan Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, to Kerasies Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.33
Letter Agreement, dated May 14, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, to Kerasies Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc**
10.34
Supplemental Agreement, dated May 23, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, to Kerasies Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.35
Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, to Marindou Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR Bank ASA**
10.36
First Supplemental Agreement, dated May 22, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, to Marindou Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA
10.37
Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, to Efragel Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR Bank ASA**
10.38
First Supplemental Agreement, dated May 22, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, to Efragel Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA
10.39
Loan Agreement, dated April 17, 2008, to Avstes Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR Bank ASA**
10.40
First Supplemental Agreement, dated May 22, 2008, Amending Loan Agreement, dated April 17, 2008, to Avstes Shipping Corporation provided by DnB NOR BANK ASA
10.41
Shipbuilding Contract, dated August 28, 2006, with Itochu Corporation for the
HN
3254**
10.42
Shipbuilding Contract, dated August 28, 2006, with Itochu Corporation for
HN
3255**
10.43
Shipbuilding Contract, dated December 6, 2006, with Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd for
HN
1074**
10.44
Shipbuilding Contract, dated December 6, 2006, with Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd for the
HN
1075**
10.45
Memorandum of Agreement, dated October 26, 2007, for the
HN
1039**
10.46
Memorandum of Agreement, dated October 26, 2007, for the
HN
1050**
10.47
Memorandum of Agreement, dated November 10, 2007, for the
HN
2054**
10.48
Memorandum of Agreement, dated November 10, 2007, for the
HN
2055**
10.49
Corporate Guarantee, dated May 23, 2008, of Safe Bulkers, Inc. relating to Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, to Marinouki Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.50
Corporate Guarantee, dated May 23, 2008, of Safe Bulkers, Inc. relating to Loan Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, to Kerasies Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Number
Exhibit
Description
10.51
Corporate Guarantee, dated May 23, 2008, of Safe Bulkers, Inc. relating to Loan Agreement, dated November 18, 2007, to Soffive Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
10.52
Corporate Guarantee, dated May 23, 2008, of Safe Bulkers, Inc. relating to Loan Agreement, dated February 16, 2005, to Marathassa Shipping Corporation provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
21.1
Subsidiaries**
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2
Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2 and Exhibit 8.1)**
23.3
Consent of Cozen OConnor, Marshall Islands and Liberian Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1 and Exhibit 8.2)**
23.4
Consent of Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd.**
23.5
Consent of Ole Wikborg, Nominee for Director**
23.6
Consent of Basil Sakellis, Nominee for Director**
23.7
Consent of Frank Sica, Nominee for Director**
24.1
Power of Attorney**
*
To be provided by amendment.
**
Previously filed.
Number
Exhibit 1.1
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
(a Marshall Islands corporation)
10,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated: [
l
], 2008
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
(a Marshall Islands corporation)
10,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
(Par Value $0.001 Per Share)
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
[ • ], 2008
MERRILL LYNCH & CO. | ||
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith | ||
Incorporated | ||
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC | ||
as Representatives of the several Underwriters | ||
c/o | Merrill Lynch & Co. | |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith | ||
Incorporated | ||
4 World Financial Center | ||
New York, New York 10080 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Safe Bulkers, Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”) and Vorini Holdings, Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Selling Stockholder”), confirm their respective agreements with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “Representatives”), with respect to (i) the sale by the Selling Stockholder and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) set forth in Schedule A hereto and (ii) the grant by the Selling Stockholder to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of 1,500,000 additional shares of Common Stock to cover overallotments, if any. The aforesaid 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Initial Securities”) to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “Option Securities”) are hereinafter called, collectively, the “Securities.”
The Company and the Selling Stockholder understand that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.
The Company has entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”), pursuant to which all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of 19 corporations, each incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia (the “Vessel Owning Companies) and each of which either owns a drybulk vessel or has contracted to acquire a newbuild drybulk vessel, will be contributed by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou to the
Company through Vorini Holdings Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (“Vorini”), which is wholly-owned by Polys Hajioannou and Nicolaos Hadjioannou, in exchange for the issuance of 100% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company to Vorini.
In addition, the:
(a) Company and the Safety Management Overseas S.A. (the “Manager”), will prior to the Closing Time (as hereinafter defined) enter into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) pursuant to which the Manager will provide technical, administrative and certain commercial management services to the Company and its subsidiaries;
(b) Company, Vorini, Machairiotissa Holdings Inc., SafeFixing Corp. S.A. (“SafeFixing”) and Polys Hajioannou will prior to the Closing Time enter into a restrictive covenant agreement (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”), which sets forth certain agreements concerning competition among the parties thereto and sales of capital stock or assets of the Manager and SafeFixing;
(c) Company and Polys Hajioannou will prior to the Closing Time entered into a restrictive covenant agreement (the “Polys Hajioannou Restrictive Covenant Agreement”), which sets forth certain agreements concerning competition among the parties thereto;
(d) Company and Nicolaos Hadjioannou will prior to the Closing Time enter into a restrictive covenant agreement (the “Nicolaos Hadjioannou Restrictive Covenant Agreement”), which sets forth certain agreements concerning competition among the parties thereto; and
(e) Company and Vorini will prior to the Closing Time enter into a registration rights agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”).
The Contribution Agreement, the Management Agreement, the Restrictive Covenant Agreement, the Polys Hajioannou Restrictive Covenant Agreement, the Nicolaos Hadjioannou Restrictive Covenant Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents.”
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-150995), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses, covering the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A (“Rule 430A”) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”) and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 (“Rule 424(b)”) of the 1933 Act Regulations. The information included in such prospectus that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as “Rule 430A Information.” Each prospectus used before such registration statement became effective, and any prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information, that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a “preliminary prospectus.” Such registration statement, including the amendments thereto, the exhibits and any schedules thereto, at the time it became effective, and including the Rule 430A Information, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein referred to as the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,” and after such filing the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final prospectus in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities is
2
herein called the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”).
SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties .
(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company . The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, the Applicable Time referred to in Section 1(a)(i) hereof, as of the Closing Time referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Date of Delivery (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:
(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements . Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement) or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with.
At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective and at the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto (including any prospectus wrapper), at the time the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement was issued and at the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
As of the Applicable Time (as defined below), neither (x) the Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below) issued at or prior to the Applicable Time and the Statutory Prospectus (as defined below) as of the Applicable Time and the information included on Schedule F hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”), nor (y) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
As used in this subsection and elsewhere in this Agreement:
“Applicable Time” means [ l ]:00 [a/p]m (Eastern time) on [ l ], 2008 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.
“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), relating to the Securities that (i) is
3
required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) is a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) whether or not required to be filed with the Commission or (iii) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).
“Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a Bona Fide Electronic Road Show (as defined below)), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule E hereto.
“Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.
“Statutory Prospectus” as of any time means the prospectus relating to the Securities that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time.
The Company has made available a “ bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433, in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) (the “Bona Fide Electronic Road Show”) such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)) is required in connection with the offering of the Securities.
Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified.
The representations and warranties in this subsection 1(a)(i) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.
Each preliminary prospectus (including the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto) complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
At the time of filing the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Securities and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act Regulations.
(ii) Independent Accountants . The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.
4
(iii) No Restrictions . There are no restrictions on subsequent transfers of the Securities under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
(iv) Financial Statements . The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Prospectus constitutes a fair summary of the information purported to be summarized and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement. The pro forma financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus constitutes a fair summary of the information purported to be summarized, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the 1933 Act to the extent applicable.
(v) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, except as otherwise disclosed therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company or, other than to the Company, any Subsidiary (as defined in Section 1(a)(vii) hereof) on any class of its capital stock.
(vi) Good Standing of Company . The Company is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its respective obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(vii) Good Standing of Subsidiaries . Each subsidiary of the Company (each a “Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Subsidiaries”) has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has
5
corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; as of the Closing Time, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Subsidiary will have been duly authorized and validly issued and be fully paid and non assessable and will be owned by the Company, directly or through wholly-owned Subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity except for those arising under Credit Facilities (as hereinafter defined) as disclosed in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary was or will, as of the Closing Time, have been issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of such Subsidiary. As of the Closing Time, the only subsidiaries of the Company will be the Subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement.
(viii) Capitalization . The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in footnote (2) to the table set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “Capitalization”; no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or rights to convert any obligation into or exchange any security for shares of capital stock or equity interests in the Company are outstanding, except pursuant to the Stockholder Rights Agreement between the Company and the rights agent party thereto (the “Stockholder Rights Agreement”) as disclosed in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. As of immediately prior to the Closing Time, the shares of issued and outstanding capital stock, including the Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Selling Stockholder, of the Company will have been duly authorized and validly issued and be fully paid and non assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock, including the Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Selling Stockholder, of the Company will, as of the Closing Time, have been issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any security holder of the Company.
(ix) Description of Securities . The class of Common Stock conforms to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and such description conforms in all material respects to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same; no holder of the Securities will be subject to personal liability solely by reason of being such a holder.
(x) Authorization of Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(xi) Transaction Documents . Each of (A) the Memoranda of Agreement (the “MoAs” and each, an “MoA”) to purchase, or newbuilding contracts (the “Newbuilding Contracts” and each, a “Newbuilding Contract”) for the construction of, the vessels described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (Hull No. 2054, Hull No. 2055, Eleni, Martine, Hull No. 1039, Hull No. 1050, Hull No. 1074 and Hull No. 1075) (the “Identified Vessels”), (B) the Stockholder Rights Agreement between the Company and the rights agent party thereto and (C) each of the Transaction Documents has been duly authorized and has been or will, as of the Closing Time, have been executed and delivered by the respective parties thereto and (i) in the case of the Stockholder Rights Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents, constitutes or will, as of the Closing Time, constitute a valid and binding agreement of each such party enforceable against each such party in accordance with its terms
6
and (ii) in the case of the MoAs and the Newbuilding Contracts, the Company has no reason to believe that such MoAs and Newbubilding Contracts do not constitute valid and binding agreements of each such party enforceable in all material respects against each such party in accordance with its terms. Any required consent in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, any MoA, any Newbuilding Contract, any charter (the “Charters”) or any credit facility or loan agreement (“Credit Facilities”) described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus for each of the Identified Vessels has been obtained. The Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus each contains a summary of the terms of each of the MoAs, the Newbuilding Contracts, the Charters, the Credit Facilities, the Stockholder Rights Agreement and the Transaction Documents, which summaries are accurate and fair in all material respects.
(xii) Contribution Agreement . Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the Company will, immediately prior to the Closing Time, succeed in all material respects to the business, assets, properties, liabilities and operations of the Vessel Owning Companies which, together with the assets, properties, liabilities and rights previously held by the Company, comprise the business, assets, properties, liabilities and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(xiii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of its charter or by-laws or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, is subject (collectively, “Agreements and Instruments”) except for such violations or defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, in the Transaction Documents and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the offer and sale of the Securities by the Selling Stockholder) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder and under the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, (A) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (B) conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Repayment Events or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect), or result in any violation of any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their assets, properties or operations except for such violations that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any Subsidiary.
(xiv) Absence of Labor Dispute . No labor dispute with the employees of the Company, any of the Company’s affiliates or any Subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor
7
disturbance by the employees of any of it or any Subsidiary’s principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, which would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xv) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder or thereunder; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xvi) Accuracy of Exhibits . There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been so described and/or filed as required.
(xvii) Possession of Intellectual Property . Except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them in any material respect, and none of the Company or any Subsidiary has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any Subsidiary therein, and which infringement or conflict (in the case of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xviii) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or state securities laws.
(xix) Absence of Manipulation . Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which would be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.
(xx) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Company and each Subsidiary possess such permits, licenses, certificates, approvals, financial assurances, consents and other
8
authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate international, national, state or local regulatory agencies or bodies (collectively, “Governmental Authorities”) necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and each Subsidiary are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and none of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xxi) Title to Property . The Company and each Subsidiary has good and marketable title to all real property owned by them and good title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are described in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and Prospectus or (b) would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holds or will, as of the Closing Time, hold properties described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such Subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease in any material respect.
(xxii) Vessels . (A) All of the vessels described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except for the Contracted Vessels (each of which a Subsidiary has contracted to acquire), are owned directly by Subsidiaries); each of the vessels listed on Schedule C-1 (the “Owned Vessels”) hereto has been duly registered as a vessel under the laws and regulations and flag of the jurisdiction set forth opposite its name on Schedule C-1 in the sole ownership of the Subsidiary set forth opposite its name on Schedule C-1 and no other action is necessary to establish and perfect such entity’s title to and interest in such vessel as against any charterer or third party; each such Subsidiary has good title to the applicable Owned Vessel, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests and claims and all defects of the title of record except for those liens arising under Credit Facilities as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and such other encumbrances which would not, in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and each such Owned Vessel is in good standing with respect to the payment of past and current taxes, fees and other amounts payable under the laws of the jurisdiction where it is registered as would affect its registry with the ship registry of such jurisdiction except for failures to be in good standing which would not, in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Upon delivery to and acceptance by the relevant Subsidiary under the MoAs and the Newbuilding Contracts described in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and Prospectus, each of the vessels listed on Schedule C-2 hereto and specified as being under contract (the “Contracted Vessels”) for delivery to and acceptance by a Subsidiary will be duly registered as a vessel under the laws of the jurisdiction set forth opposite its name on Schedule C-2 in the sole ownership of the Subsidiary set forth opposite its name on Schedule C-2, on such date, each such Subsidiary will
9
have good title to the applicable Contracted Vessel, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims and all defects of the title of record, except for any mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests or claims arising from any financing arrangement which the Company or Subsidiary may enter to finance the acquisition of the Contracted Vessel and except such encumbrances which would not, in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and each such Contracted Vessel will be in good standing with respect to the payment of past and current taxes, fees and other amounts payable under the laws of the jurisdiction where it is registered as would affect its registry with the ship registry of such jurisdiction.
(B) Each Owned Vessel is, and the Company will use reasonable commercial efforts to ensure that each Contracted Vessel will be, operated in compliance with the rules, codes of practice, conventions, protocols, guidelines or similar requirements or restrictions imposed, published or promulgated by any Governmental Authority, classification society or insurer applicable to the respective vessel (collectively, “Maritime Guidelines”) and all applicable international, national, state and local conventions, laws, regulations, orders, Governmental Licenses and other requirements (including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws), except where such failure to be in compliance would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each applicable subsidiary are, and with respect to the Contracted Vessels will be, qualified to own or lease, as the case may be, and operate such vessels under all applicable international, national, state and local conventions, laws, regulations, orders, Governmental Licenses and other requirements (including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws) and Maritime Guidelines, including the laws, regulations and orders of each such vessel’s flag state, except where such failure to be so qualified would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(C) Each Owned Vessel is, and each Contracted Vessel will be, classed by any of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, American Bureau of Shipping, Det Norske Veritas or a classification society which is a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies and each Owned Vessel is, and the Company will use reasonable commercial efforts to ensure each Contracted Vessel will be, in class with valid class and trading certificates, without any overdue recommendations.
(xxiii) Investment Company Act . The Company is not required, and upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be required, to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
(xxiv) Compliance with Environmental Laws . (i) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any international, national, state or local convention, law, regulation, order, Governmental License or other requirement relating to pollution or protection of human health, safety or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or natural resources, including without limitation, conventions, laws or regulations relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum and petroleum products (collectively, “Materials of Environmental Concern”), or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received any written communication, whether from a Governmental Authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Company or any such Subsidiary is in violation of any Environmental Law or
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Governmental License, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) there is no claim, action or cause of action filed with a court or Governmental Authority and no investigation, or other action with respect to which the Company or any Subsidiary has received written notice alleging potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, attorneys’ fees or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from the presence, or release into the environment, of any Material of Environmental Concern at any location owned, leased or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary, now or in the past, or from any vessel owned, leased or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary, now or in the past (collectively, “Environmental Claim”), pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary or any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any Subsidiary has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, there are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including, without limitation, the release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern, that reasonably would be expected to result in a violation of any Environmental Law, require expenditures to be incurred pursuant to Environmental Law, or form the basis of an Environmental Claim against the Company, any Subsidiary or against any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any Subsidiary has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iv) none of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject to any pending proceeding under Environmental Law to which a Governmental Authority is a party and which is reasonably likely to result in monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more.
(xxv) Effect of Environmental Laws. The Company has reasonably concluded that associated costs and liabilities arising under Environmental Laws and resulting from the business, operations or properties of the Company or any Subsidiary would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the General Disclosure Package, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).
(xxvi) Registration Rights . Other than with respect to the Securities to be sold by the Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement, there are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Company under the 1933 Act, which have not been validly waived in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the 180-day period after the date hereof as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(xxvii) Accounting Controls . The Company and each Subsidiary maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (1) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (2) no change in the Company’s internal control over
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financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(xxviii) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act . The Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, it will be in compliance with all provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) that are then in effect and which the Company is required to comply with as of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and is actively taking steps so that it will be in compliance with other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act when such provisions become applicable to it.
(xxvix) Taxes. No capital gains, income, withholding or other taxes are payable by or on behalf of the Underwriters to the Republic of Greece, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (assuming that none of the Underwriters are citizens or residents of the Republic of The Marshall Islands or are carrying on business or conducting transactions in the Republic of The Marshall Islands), Cyprus or Liberia, or to any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in connection with the sale and delivery by the Selling Stockholder of the Securities to or for the respective accounts of the Underwriters or the sale and delivery by the Underwriters of the Securities to the initial purchasers thereof.
(xxx) Payment of Taxes . Except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect, all United States federal income tax returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries required by law to be filed have been filed and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due and payable, have been paid, except assessments against which appeals have been or will be promptly taken and as to which adequate reserves have been provided. The United States federal income tax returns of the Company through the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 have been filed and no assessment in connection therewith has been made against the Company. The Company and Subsidiaries have filed all other tax returns that are required to have been filed by them pursuant to applicable foreign, state, local or other law except insofar as the failure to file such returns would not result in a Material Adverse Effect and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and Subsidiaries, except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided.
(xxxi) Transfer Taxes . Other than as have been paid by the Selling Stockholder, there are no documentary, stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties or similar fees or charges under U.S. federal law or the laws of any U.S. state, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (assuming that none of the Underwriters are citizens or residents of the Republic of The Marshall Islands or are carrying on business or conducting transactions in the Republic of the Marshall Islands), Liberia or Greece, or any political subdivision of any thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the sale and delivery by the Selling Stockholder of the Securities to or for the respective accounts of the Underwriters or the sale and delivery by the Underwriters of the Securities to the initial purchasers thereof.
(xxxii) Insurance . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance, with financially sound and reputable insurers, in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company reasonably considers adequate for the conduct of its business and the value of its properties and as is generally maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business, and all such insurance is in full force and effect. There are no material claims by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary under any such policy or instrument as
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to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is currently required to make any payment, or is aware of any facts which would require the Company or any Subsidiary to make any payment, in respect of a call by, or a contribution to, any insurance club, except for any payment or claims which would not, in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any Subsidiary will not be able (A) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (B) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xxxiii) Statistical and Market-Related Data . Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate and, to the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources.
(xxxiv) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(xxxv) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(xxxvi) OFAC . None of the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Selling Stockholder will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary or joint venture partner of the Company or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
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(xxxvii) Commissions and Fees . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or, to the Company’s knowledge, any arrangements, agreements, understandings, payments or issuance with respect to the Company or any of its officers, directors, shareholders, partners, employees, subsidiaries or affiliates that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation as determined by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
(xxxviii) No Association with FINRA . Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, or is a person associated with (within the meaning of Article I (dd) of the bylaws of the FINRA), any member firm of the FINRA.
(xxxix) No Outstanding Loans or Other Indebtedness . There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees or indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of the family members of any of them.
(xl) Lending Relationship . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of any Underwriter.
(xli) Immunity from Jurisdiction . Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets has any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution or otherwise) under the laws of the United States, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Liberia, Cyprus, Panama or Greece or any political subdivisions thereof.
(xlii) Foreign Private Issuer Status . The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act.
(xliii) PFIC Status . As described in the Registration Statement (and subject to the limitations and restrictions therein) the Company believes that it did not qualify as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) within the meaning of Section 1296 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for its most recently completed taxable year, if any, and believes that it is not likely to qualify as a PFIC in its current or a subsequent taxable year.
(xliv) Dividends and Distributions . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company is not prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends, from making any other distribution, from repaying any loans or advances or from transferring any of its property or assets. All dividends and other distributions declared and payable on the shares of capital stock of the Company may, under the current laws and regulations of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Greece and any political subdivisions thereof, be paid in United States dollars and may be freely transferred out of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or Greece and all such dividends and other distributions will not be subject to withholding or other taxes under the laws and regulations of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (so long as not paid to a citizen or resident of the Republic of the Marshall Islands) or Greece and are otherwise free and clear of any other tax, withholding or deduction and
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without the necessity of obtaining any consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, licenses, registrations, clearances and qualifications of or with any court or governmental agency or body or any stock exchange authority in the Republic of the Marshall Islands or Greece.
(xlv) Distributions from Subsidiaries . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no encumbrances or restrictions on the ability of any Subsidiary (A) to pay dividends or make other distributions on such Subsidiary’s capital stock or to pay any indebtedness to the Company and any such dividends and other distributions, under the current laws and regulations of Liberia and any political subdivisions thereof, may be freely transferred out of Liberia and all such dividends and other distributions will not be subject to withholding or other taxes under the laws and regulations of Liberia, (B) to make loans or advances or pay any indebtedness to the Company or (C) to transfer any of its property or assets to the Company.
(xlvi) Forward-Looking Statements . Each “forward-looking statement” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act or Section 21E of the 1934 Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed with a reasonable basis and has been disclosed in good faith.
(xlvii) Exempt Placement . The offer, sale and issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Contribution Agreement was exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and the securities laws of any state having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
(xlviii) Submission to Jurisdiction . The Company has the power to submit, and pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement has legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably submitted, to the jurisdiction of any federal or state court in the State of New York, County of New York, and has the power to designate, appoint and empower, and pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement has legally, validly and effectively designated, appointed and empowered, an agent for service of process in any suit or proceeding based on or arising under this Agreement in any federal or state court in the State of New York.
(b) Representations and Warranties by the Selling Stockholder . The Selling Stockholder represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Closing Time, and as of each such Date of Delivery, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:
(i) Accurate Disclosure . The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1(a) hereof, after giving effect to any materiality, knowledge and other similar qualifiers set forth therein, are, to the best of the Selling Stockholder’s knowledge, true and correct; the Selling Stockholder has reviewed and is familiar with the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and none of the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; the Selling Stockholder is not prompted to sell the Securities hereunder by any information concerning the Company or any Subsidiary which is not set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(ii) Authorization of this Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Selling Stockholder.
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(iii) Noncontravention . The execution of this Agreement and the sale and delivery of the Securities by the Selling Stockholder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and compliance by the Selling Stockholder with its obligations hereunder do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any tax, lien, charge or encumbrance upon the Securities to be sold by the Selling Stockholder or any property or assets of the Selling Stockholder pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, license, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Selling Stockholder is a party or by which the Selling Stockholder may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Selling Stockholder is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or other organizational instrument of the Selling Stockholder or any applicable treaty, law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Selling Stockholder or any of its properties.
(iv) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities by the Selling Stockholder hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or state securities laws.
(v) Immunity from Jurisdiction . Neither the Selling Stockholder nor any of its properties or assets or direct or indirect controlling persons has any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution or otherwise) under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or Greece.
(vi) OFAC . Neither the Selling Stockholder nor, to the knowledge of the Selling Stockholder, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Selling Stockholder is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC; and the Selling Stockholder will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary or joint venture partner of the Selling Stockholder or the Company or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(vii) Submission to Jurisdiction . The Selling Stockholder has the power to submit, and pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement has legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably submitted, to the jurisdiction of any federal or state court in the State of New York, County of New York, and has the power to designate, appoint and empower, and pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement has legally, validly and effectively designated, appointed and empowered, an agent for service of process in any suit or proceeding based on or arising under this Agreement in any federal or state court in the State of New York.
(viii) Valid Title . The Selling Stockholder has, and at the Closing Time and each Date of Delivery will have, valid title to, or a valid security entitlement in respect of, the Securities to be sold by the Selling Stockholder free and clear of all security interests, claims, liens, equities or other encumbrances and the legal right and power, and all authorization and approval required by law, to enter into this Agreement and to sell, transfer and deliver the Securities or a valid security entitlement in respect of such Securities.
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(ix) Delivery of Securities . Upon payment of the purchase price for the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, delivery of such Securities, as directed by the Underwriters, to Cede & Co. (“Cede”) or such other nominee as may be designated by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) (unless delivery of such Securities is unnecessary because such Securities are already in possession of Cede or such nominee), registration of such Securities in the name of Cede or such other nominee (unless registration of such Securities is unnecessary because such Securities are already registered in the name of Cede or such nominee), and the crediting of such Securities on the books of DTC to securities accounts of the Underwriters (assuming that neither DTC nor any such Underwriter has notice of an “adverse claim,” within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code (the “UCC”), to such Securities), (A) DTC shall be a “protected purchaser,” within the meaning of Section 8-303 of the UCC, of such Securities and will acquire its interest in the Securities (including, without limitation, all rights that the Selling Stockholder had or has the power to transfer in such Securities) free and clear of any “adverse claim” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, (B) under Section 8-501 of the UCC, the Underwriters will acquire a valid security entitlement in respect of such Securities and (C) no action (whether framed in conversion, replevin, constructive trust, equitable lien, or other theory) based on any “adverse claim,” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, to such Securities may be asserted against the Underwriters with respect to such security entitlement; for purposes of this representation, the Selling Stockholder may assume that when such payment, delivery (if necessary) and crediting occur, (x) such Securities will have been registered in the name of Cede or another nominee designated by DTC, in each case on the Company’s share registry in accordance with its certificate of incorporation, bylaws and applicable law, (y) DTC will be registered as a “clearing corporation,” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, and (z) appropriate entries to the accounts of the several Underwriters on the records of DTC will have been made pursuant to the UCC.
(x) Absence of Manipulation . The Selling Stockholder has not taken, and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or would be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.
(xi) No Association with FINRA . Neither the Selling Stockholder nor any of its affiliates directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, or is a person associated with (within the meaning of Article I of the By-laws of FINRA), any member firm of FINRA.
(a) Officer’s Certificates . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby; and any certificate signed by any officer of the Selling Stockholder as such and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Selling Stockholder to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .
(a) Initial Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Selling Stockholder agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Selling Stockholder, at the price per share set forth in Schedule B, the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of
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Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject, in each case, to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional securities.
(b) Option Securities . In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Selling Stockholder hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock at the price per share set forth in Schedule B, less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities. The option hereby granted will expire 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering overallotments which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Selling Stockholder, with a copy to the Company, setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (a “Date of Delivery”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Time, as hereinafter defined. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the Representatives in their discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.
(c) Payment . Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company and the Selling Stockholder, at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M. (Eastern time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company and the Selling Stockholder (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “Closing Time”).
In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of such Option Securities shall be made at the above mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company and the Selling Stockholder, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Company and the Selling Stockholder.
Payment shall be made to the Selling Stockholder by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Selling Stockholder against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.
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(d) Denominations; Registration . The Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be. The certificates for the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, will be made available for examination and packaging by the Representatives in The City of New York not later than 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the business day prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be.
SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company and the Selling Stockholder . The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests . The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A, and will notify the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will effect the filings required under Rule 424(b), in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)), and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.
(b) Filing of Amendments and Exchange Act Documents . The Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the Prospectus, and will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object. The Company has given the Representatives notice of any filings made pursuant to the 1934 Act or 1934 Act Regulations within 48 hours prior to the Applicable Time; the Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to make any such filing from the Applicable Time to the Closing Time and will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object.
(c) Delivery of Registration Statements . The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration
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Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
(d) Delivery of Prospectuses . The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . The Company will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement relating to the Securities or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.
(f) Blue Sky Qualifications . The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other applicable jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the later of the effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.
(g) Rule 158 . The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.
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(h) Use of Proceeds . As specified in the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds,” the Company will not directly or indirectly receive any proceeds from the sale of the Securities by the Selling Stockholder.
(i) Listing . The Company will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Common Stock (including the Securities) on the New York Stock Exchange.
(j) Restriction on Sale of Securities . (i) During a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, (x) directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any share of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (y) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (x) or (y) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180 day restricted period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180 day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180 day restricted period, the restrictions imposed in this clause (j)(i) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.
(ii) During a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, the Selling Stockholder will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, (x) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any share of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or file, or cause to be filed, any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (y) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (x) or (y) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to the Securities to be sold hereunder and transfers (1) pursuant to the Contribution Agreement as a bona fide gift or gifts or (2) to any trust or other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of, or wholly-owned by, any beneficial owner of the Selling Stockholder or the immediate family of any beneficial owner of the Selling Stockholder (for purposes of this Section 3(j)(ii), “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin), provided that (1) the Representatives receive a signed lockup agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H for the balance of the lockup period from each donee, trustee, or transferee, as the case may be, (2) any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (3) such transfers are not required to be reported in any public report or filing with the Commission, or otherwise and (4) the Selling Stockholder does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such transfers.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180 day restricted period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180 day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180 day restricted
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period, the restrictions imposed in this clause j(ii) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.
(k) Reporting Requirements . The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act with respect to the public offering of the Securities, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
(l) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses . Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder represents and agrees that, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act with respect to the public offering of the Securities, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission or, in the case of the Selling Stockholder, whether or not required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company and the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping.
(m) Contribution Agreement . The Company and the Selling Stockholder will consummate the transactions contemplated in the Contribution Agreement in accordance with the terms of that agreement.
SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .
(a) Expenses . The Company will pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing by the Underwriters to investors, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (viii) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or registrar for the Securities, (ix) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses, and the cost of aircraft and
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other transportation chartered in connection with the road show, (x) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange and (xii) the costs and expenses (including without limitation any damages or other amounts payable in connection with legal and contractual liability) associated with the reforming of any contracts for sale of the Securities made by the Underwriters caused by a breach of the representation contained in the third paragraph of Section 1(a)(i). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Underwriters will reimburse the Company for those costs and expenses described in Subsection (ix) of this Section that are incurred by the Company in an amount of up to $150,000. Such reimbursement shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds by the Representatives to such accounts or accounts designated by the Company or such other method as agreed to by the parties to this Agreement following delivery of reasonable documentation of the expenses to the Representatives.
(b) Expenses of the Selling Stockholder . The Selling Stockholder will pay, if the Company does not pay, all expenses incident to the performance of the Selling Stockholder’s obligations under, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement, including (i) any stamp duties, capital duties and stock transfer taxes, if any, payable upon the sale of the Securities to the Underwriters, and their transfer between the Underwriters pursuant to an agreement between such Underwriters, and (ii) the fees and disbursements of its counsel and other advisors.
(c) Termination of Agreement . If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5, Section 9(a)(i) or Section 11 hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.
(d) Allocation of Expenses . The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement that the Company and the Selling Stockholder may make for the sharing of such costs and expenses.
SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Stockholder contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any officer of the Selling Stockholder delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder of its respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement . The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and at Closing Time no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time frame required by Rule 424(b) without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A.
(b) Opinion of U.S. Counsel for Company and the Selling Stockholder . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, special U.S. counsel for the Company and the Selling Stockholder, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
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(c) Opinion of Counsel on Issues of Marshall Islands Law for Company and the Selling Stockholder . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Cozen O’Connor, special counsel on matters of Marshall Islands law for the Company and the Selling Stockholder, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto.
(d) Opinion of Counsel on Issues of Liberian Law for Company . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Cozen O’Connor, special counsel on matters of Liberian law for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit C hereto.
(e) Opinion of Cypriot Counsel for Company . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of L. Papaphilippou & Co., special Cypriot counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit D hereto.
(f) Opinion of Greek Counsel for Company . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Kyriakidis, Georgopoulos, Daniolos, Issaias special Greek counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit E hereto.
(g) Opinion of English Counsel for Company . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Norton Rose LLP, special English counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit F hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request.
(h) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York and the federal law of the United States, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to the Representatives. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.
(i) Company Officers’ Certificate . At Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer of the Company and of the chief financial officer of the Company, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time,
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and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated by the Commission.
(j) Manager Side Letter and Officer’s Certificate. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received a side letter (the “Manager Side Letter”) signed by the chief executive officer of the Manager, dated as of such date, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer of the Manager, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Manager set forth in the Manager Side Letter are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time.
(k) Certificate of Selling Stockholder . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Selling Stockholder, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) the representations and warranties of the Selling Stockholder contained in Section 1(b) hereof are true and correct in all respects with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time and (ii) the Selling Stockholder has complied in all material respects with all agreements and all conditions on its part to be performed under this Agreement at or prior to Closing Time.
(l) Accountant’s Comfort Letter . At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from Deloitte Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A. (“Deloitte”) a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(m) Bring-down Comfort Letter . At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from Deloitte a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (l) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Time.
(n) Approval of Listing . At Closing Time, the Securities shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.
(o) No Objection . FINRA shall have confirmed that it has not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.
(p) Lock-up Agreements . At the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto signed by the persons listed on Schedule D hereto.
(q) Contribution Agreement and Transaction Documents. The Company and the Selling Stockholder shall have provided the Underwriters with (i) satisfactory evidence that the transactions contemplated in the Contribution Agreement have been consummated in accordance with the terms of that agreement and (ii) copies of fully executed versions of each of the Transaction Documents.
(r) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities . In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Stockholder contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company and the Selling
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Stockholder hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, the Representatives shall have received:
(i) Company Officers’ Certificates . A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the chief executive officer of the Company and of the chief financial officer of the Company confirming that the certificate delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(k) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.
(ii) Manager Officer’s Certificates . A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the chief executive officer of the Manager confirming that the certificate delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(j) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.
(iii) Certificate of Selling Stockholder . A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the Selling Stockholder confirming that the certificate delivered at Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(k) remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.
(iv) Opinion of Counsel for Company and the Selling Stockholder . The favorable opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, special U.S. counsel for the Company and the Selling Stockholder, together with the favorable opinion of Cozen O’Connor LLP, special counsel for the Company and the Selling Stockholder on issues of Marshall Islands law, Cozen O’Connor, special counsel for the Company on issues of Liberia law, L. Papaphilippou & Co., special Cypriot counsel for the Company, Kyriakidis, Georgopoulos, Daniolos, Issaias, special Greek counsel for the Company and Norton Rose LLP, special English counsel for the Company, each in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Sections 5(b) through 5(g) hereof.
(v) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . The favorable opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(h) hereof.
(vi) Bring-down Comfort Letter . A letter from Deloitte, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(m) hereof, except that the “specified date” in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than five days prior to such Date of Delivery.
(s) Additional Documents . At Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company and the Selling Stockholder in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.
(t) Termination of Agreement . If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company and the Selling Stockholder at any time at or prior to Closing
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Time or such Date of Delivery, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8 and 16 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 6. Indemnification .
(a) Indemnification of Underwriters by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act (each, an “Affiliate”), its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(e) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company and the Selling Stockholder;
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;
provided , however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, or any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(b) Indemnification of Underwriters by the Selling Stockholder . The Selling Stockholder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its Affiliates, its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter as aforesaid (collectively the “Indemnified Parties”) to the extent set forth in Section 6(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) above but only with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage and expense that (i) arises out of an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (ii) arises out of an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in any
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preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; provided , however , that
(i) the indemnity by the Selling Stockholder under this Section 6(b) shall be payable only to the extent that the Indemnified Parties have sought to enforce their rights to indemnity against the Company hereunder and the Company has not reimbursed an expense or paid or satisfied a settlement or an award for indemnity of the Indemnified Parties pursuant to Section 6(a) or the Company initiates any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other proceeding providing protections from creditors generally or becomes subject to an involuntary such proceeding which is not dismissed or stayed within 45 days;
(ii) the Selling Stockholder shall not be required to indemnify the Indemnified Parties in any amount in excess of the total number of Securities sold by the Selling Stockholder hereunder multiplied by the public offering price per share shown on the cover page of the Prospectus, less the total underwriting discounts and commissions of the Underwriters; and
(iii) this indemnity by the Selling Stockholder under this Section 6(b) shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, or any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
The provisions of Section 6(e) shall not be applicable with respect to settlements entered into from and after the time that indemnification by the Selling Stockholder becomes payable under this Section 6(b).
The Selling Stockholder shall be subrogated to the rights of the Indemnified Parties against the Company under Section 6(a) if it satisfies its indemnification obligations to the Indemnified Parties under this Section 6(b).
(c) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers and Selling Stockholder . Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, and the Selling Stockholder and each person, if any, who controls the Selling Stockholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information or any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.
(d) Actions against Parties; Notification . Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially
28
prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Representatives, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(c) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company and the Selling Stockholder. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(e) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 45 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
(f) Other Agreements with Respect to Indemnification . The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement among the Company and the Selling Stockholder with respect to indemnification.
SECTION 7. Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that the limitations on the indemnity of the Selling Stockholder set forth in Section 6(b)(i) and (ii) and the proviso thereto shall apply mutatis mutandis to the liability of the Selling Stockholder to an indemnified party hereunder.
The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the
29
offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.
The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Selling Stockholder or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company, the Selling Stockholder and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission; provided, that the amount of damages which Poten Capital Services LLC has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission shall proportionately reduce the maximum amount the other several Underwriters shall be required to contribute pursuant to this Section 7.
No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each Underwriter’s Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or the Selling Stockholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company or the Selling Stockholder, as the case may be. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint. In connection with any contribution by an Underwriter pursuant to this Section 7, Poten Capital Services LLC shall pay to the other several Underwriters obligated to make such contribution an amount in proportion to the ratio of (i) the fee Poten Capital Services LLC receives from the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to (ii) the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters (with such payment from Poten Capital Services LLC allocated to the other several Underwriters in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto).
30
The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement among the Company and the Selling Stockholder with respect to contribution.
SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company, the Manager, any Subsidiary or the Selling Stockholder submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its Affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its officers or directors, any person controlling the Company or any person controlling the Selling Stockholder and (ii) delivery of and payment for the Securities.
SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement .
(a) Termination; General . The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company and the Selling Stockholder, at any time at or prior to Closing Time (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus or General Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof, or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq Stock Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or (iv) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.
(b) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8 and 16 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters . If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at Closing Time or a Date of Delivery to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:
(i) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or
31
(ii) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after the Closing Time, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Selling Stockholder to sell the Option Securities to be purchased and sold on such Date of Delivery shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.
No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.
In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Selling Stockholder to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, either (i) the Representatives or (ii) the Company and the Selling Stockholder shall have the right to postpone Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.
SECTION 11. Default by the Selling Stockholder . If the Selling Stockholder shall fail at Closing Time or at a Date of Delivery to sell and deliver the number of Securities which the Selling Stockholder is obligated to sell hereunder, then the Underwriters may, at option of the Representatives, by notice from the Representatives to the Company and the Selling Stockholder terminate this Agreement without any liability on the fault of any non-defaulting party except that the provisions of Sections 1, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 16 shall remain in full force and effect. No action taken pursuant to this Section 11 shall relieve the Selling Stockholder so defaulting from liability, if any, in respect of such default.
In the event of a default by the Selling Stockholder as referred to in this Section 11, each of the Representatives and the Company shall have the right to postpone Closing Time or Date of Delivery for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required change in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements.
SECTION 12. Tax Disclosure . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, immediately upon commencement of discussions with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company (and each employee, representative or other agent of the Company) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Company relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. For purposes of the foregoing, the term “tax treatment” is the purported or claimed federal income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the term “tax structure” includes any fact that may be relevant to understanding the purported or claimed federal income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 13. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at c/o Merrill Lynch & Co., 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080, attention of Global Origination Counsel; fax: 212-449-3207; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 32 Avenue Karamanli, P.O. Box 70837, 16605 Voula, Athens, Greece, attention of Polys Hajioannou; and notices to the Selling Stockholder shall be directed to 32 Avenue Karamanli, P.O. Box 70837, 16605 Voula, Athens, Greece, attention of Polys Hajioannou.
32
SECTION 14. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship . Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company and the Selling Stockholder, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b)in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company or the Selling Stockholder, or its respective stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company or the Selling Stockholder with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company or the Selling Stockholder on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company or the Selling Stockholder with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder, and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder has consulted its own respective legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.
SECTION 15. Parties . This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholder and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholder and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholder and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase. No party may assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other parties.
SECTION 16. Jurisdiction . Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder agrees that any suit, action or proceeding against the Company or the Selling Stockholder, respectively, brought by any Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any Underwriter, or by any person who controls any Underwriter, arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in any court located in the City and County of New York (a “New York Court”), and waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder has appointed CT Corporation, as its authorized agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon whom process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein which may be instituted in any New York Court, by any Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any Underwriter, or by any person who controls any Underwriter, and expressly accepts the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder hereby represents and warrants that the Authorized Agent has accepted such appointment and has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid. Service of process upon the Authorized Agent shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of
33
process upon the Company or the Selling Stockholder, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action arising out of or based upon this Agreement may be instituted by any Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any Underwriter, or by any person who controls any Underwriter, in any court of competent jurisdiction in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The provisions of this Section 16 shall survive any termination of this Agreement, in whole or in part.
SECTION 17. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 18. TIME . TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.
SECTION 19. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.
SECTION 20. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
34
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company and the Selling Stockholder a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholder in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours, | |
SAFE BULKERS, INC. | |
By | |
Title: | |
VORINI HOLDINGS INC. | |
By | |
Title: |
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, |
as of the date first above written: |
MERRILL LYNCH & CO. |
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH |
INCORPORATED |
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC |
By: MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH |
INCORPORATED |
By |
Authorized Signatory |
For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto. |
POTEN CAPITAL SERVICES LLC |
By |
35
SCHEDULE A | ||||
Number of | ||||
Name of Underwriter(1) | Initial Securities | |||
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith | ||||
Incorporated | ||||
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC | ||||
Dahlman Rose & Company, LLC | ||||
DnB NOR Markets, Inc | ||||
Jefferies & Company, Inc | ||||
Total |
(1) | Poten Capital Services LLC is acting as an Underwriter but will | |
not receive any allocation of the Securities. |
Sch A-1
SCHEDULE B
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
10,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
(Par Value $0.001 Per Share)
1. The initial public offering price per share for the Securities, determined as provided in said Section 2, shall be $[ • ].
2. The purchase price per share for the Securities to be paid by the several Underwriters shall be $[ • ], being an amount equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less $[ • ] per share; provided that the purchase price per share for any Option Securities purchased upon the exercise of the overallotment option described in Section 2(b) shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities.
Sch B-1
SCHEDULE C-1 |
Jurisdiction of | Jurisdiction of | ||
Vessel Name | Owning Entity | Incorporation | Registration |
Efrossini | Efragel Shipping Corporation | Liberia | Cyprus |
Maria | Marindou Shipping Corporation | Liberia | Cyprus |
Vassos | Avstes Shipping Corporation | Liberia | Cyprus |
Katerina | Kerasies Shipping Corporation | Liberia | Cyprus |
Maritsa | Marathassa Shipping Corporation | Liberia | Cyprus |
Pedhoulas Merchant | Pemer Shipping Ltd. | Liberia | Cyprus |
Pedhoulas Trader | Petra Shipping Ltd. | Liberia | Cyprus |
Pedhoulas Leader | Pelea Shipping Ltd. | Liberia | Cyprus |
Stalo | Staloudi Shipping Corporation | Liberia | Cyprus |
Marina | Marinouki Shipping Corporation | Liberia | Cyprus |
Sophia | Soffive Shipping Corporation | Liberia | Cyprus |
SCHEDULE C-2 |
Vessel Name | Owning Entity(1) |
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation |
Jurisdiction of
Registration |
Hull No. 2054 | Maxdeka Shipping Corporation | Liberia |
Intention
Cyprus |
Hull No. 2055 | Maxenteka Shipping Corporation | Liberia |
Intention
Cyprus |
Eleni | Eniaprohi Shipping Corporation | Liberia |
Intention
Cyprus |
Martine | Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation | Liberia |
Intention
Cyprus |
Hull No. 1039 | Maxdodeka Shipping Corporation | Liberia |
Intention
Cyprus |
Hull No. 1050 |
Maxdekatria Shipping
Corporation |
Liberia |
Intention
Cyprus |
Hull No. 1074 | Eptaprohi Shipping Corporation | Liberia |
Intention
Cyprus |
Hull No. 1075 | Maxpente Shipping Corporation | Liberia |
Intention
Cyprus |
(1 | ) | Entity has contracted to acquire the vessel but is not currently the holder of legal title. |
Sch C-1
SCHEDULE D
List of Persons and Entities
Subject to Lock-up Agreements
Sch D-1
SCHEDULE E
[SPECIFY EACH ISSUER GENERAL USE FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS]
Sch E-1
SCHEDULE F
Public offering price: $___ per share
Securities offered: ______ (all to be sold by Selling Stockholder)
Sch F-1
Exhibit A
FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY’S U.S. COUNSEL
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(b)
[To be inserted.]
A-1
Exhibit B
FORM OF OPINION OF MARSHALL ISLANDS COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(c)
[To be inserted.]
B-1
Exhibit C
FORM OF OPINION OF LIBERIAN COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(d)
[To be inserted.]
C-1
Exhibit D
FORM OF OPINION OF CYPRIOT COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(e)
[To be inserted.]
D-1
Exhibit E
FORM OF OPINION OF GREEK COUNSEL
FOR THE COMPANY
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(f)
[To be inserted.]
E-1
Exhibit F
FORM OF OPINION OF ENGLISH COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(g)
[To be inserted.]
F-1
Exhibit G
[Form of Manager Side Letter to be inserted]
G-1
Exhibit H
[Form of lock-up from directors, officers or other stockholders pursuant to Section 5(p)]
[ l ], 2008
MERRILL LYNCH & CO. |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith |
Incorporated, |
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC |
as Representatives of the several |
Underwriters to be named in the |
within mentioned Purchase Agreement |
c/o Merrill Lynch & Co. |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4 World Financial Center |
New York, New York 10080 |
Re: Proposed Public Offering by Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Dear Sirs:
The undersigned, a stockholder [and an officer and/or director] of Safe Bulkers, Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”), understands that Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”) propose to enter into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the Company and Safety Management Overseas S.A. and Vorini Holdings, Inc. (“Vorini”) providing for the public offering of shares (the “Securities”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). In recognition of the benefit that such an offering will confer upon the undersigned as a stockholder [and an officer and/or director] of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each underwriter to be named in the Purchase Agreement that, during a period of 180 days from the date of the Purchase Agreement, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse, directly or indirectly(i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares of the Company’s Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, or file, or cause to be filed, any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Lock-Up Securities”) or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the conditions below, the undersigned may transfer the Lock-Up Securities without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse, provided that (1) Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse receive a signed lock-up agreement for the balance of the lockup period from each donee, trustee or transferee, as the case may be, (2) any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (3) such transfers are not required to be reported in any public report or filing with
H-1
the Securities and Exchange Commission, or otherwise and (4) the undersigned does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such transfers:
(1) as a bona fide gift or gifts; or
(2) to any trust or other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of, or wholly-owned by, the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned (for purposes of this lock-up agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if:
(1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day lock-up period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or
(2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day lock-up period, the restrictions imposed by this lock-up agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable, unless Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse waive, in writing, such extension.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that written notice of any extension of the 180-day lock-up period pursuant to the previous paragraph will be delivered by Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse to the Company (in accordance with Section 13 of the Purchase Agreement) and that any such notice properly delivered will be deemed to have been given to, and received by, the undersigned. The undersigned further agrees that, prior to engaging in any transaction or taking any other action that is subject to the terms of this lock-up agreement during the period from the date of this lock-up agreement to and including the 34th day following the expiration of the initial 180-day lock-up period, it will give notice thereof to the Company and will not consummate such transaction or take any such action unless it has received written confirmation from the Company that the 180-day lock-up period (as may have been extended pursuant to the previous paragraph) has expired.
The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the Lock-Up Securities except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.
Very truly yours, | ||
Signature: | ||
Print Name: |
H-2
Exhibit 4.2
FORM OF
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
between
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
and
VORINI HOLDINGS INC.
Dated as of
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), is made as of , between Safe Bulkers, Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the Company ) and Vorini Holdings Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the Stockholder ).
WHEREAS, the Stockholder and the Company are among the parties to that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement (the Contribution Agreement), dated of even date herewith, pursuant to which the Stockholder is making certain contributions to the Company, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide the Stockholder with certain registration rights with respect to its shares of Common Stock.
ACCORDINGLY, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and in the Contribution Agreement and other good and valid consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions .
As used in this Agreement, capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:
Additional Demand Rights has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c) .
Additional Piggyback Rights has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d) .
Additional Registrable Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c)(i) .
Claims has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.
Common Stock means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company and any securities issued or issuable in exchange for or with respect to the common stock of the Company by way of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares or in connection with a reclassification, recapitalization, exchange, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.
Common Stock Equivalent means all options, warrants and other securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for (at any time or upon the occurrence of any event or contingency and without regard to any vesting or other conditions to which such securities may be subject) Common Stock.
Contribution Agreement has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Demand Exercise Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i) .
Demand Registration has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i) .
Demand Registration Request has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i) .
Derivative Transaction means any transaction involving the Common Stock, a
Common Stock Equivalent or a security linked to the foregoing or any security that would be deemed to be a derivative security (as defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) with respect to the foregoing or any transaction (even if not a security) which would (were it a security) be considered such a derivative security, or which transfers some or all of the economic risk of ownership of the foregoing, including, without limitation, any forward contract, equity swap, put or call, put or call equivalent position, collar, non-recourse loan, sale of exchangeable security, short sale, stock loan or similar transaction.
Expenses means any and all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Companys performance of or compliance with Article 2 hereof, including, without limitation: (i) SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees and all listing fees and fees with respect to the inclusion of securities on the New York Stock Exchange or on any securities market on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or blue sky laws and in connection with the preparation of a blue sky survey, including without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of blue sky counsel, (iii) printing and copying expenses, (iv) messenger and delivery expenses, (v) expenses incurred in connection with any road show, (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (vii) with respect to each registration, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the selling Holder(s) (selected by the Majority Participating Holders, in the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2), (viii) fees and disbursements of all independent public accountants (including the expenses of any audit and/or cold comfort letter) and fees and expenses of other persons, including special experts, retained by the Company, (ix) fees and expenses payable to a Qualified Independent Underwriter (as such term is defined in Schedule E to the By-Laws of FINRA) and (x) any other fees and disbursements of underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers of securities.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
FINRA means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Holder or Holders means (i) the Stockholder and (ii) any Person who shall hereafter acquire and hold Registrable Securities and become a party hereto pursuant to Section 4.4(b) hereof.
Initiating Holders has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i) .
IPO means an underwritten initial public offering registered under the Securities Act of shares of Common Stock held by the Stockholder.
Majority Participating Holders means Participating Holders holding more than 50% of the Registrable Securities proposed to be included in any offering of Registrable Securities by such Participating Holders pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 hereto.
Manager has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) .
Participating Holder has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(ii) .
Person means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general
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partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivisions thereof.
Piggyback Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a)(ii) .
Postponement Period has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) .
Registrable Securities means any shares of Common Stock held from time to time by a Holder. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (A) a registration statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration statement, or (B) such securities shall have been sold (other than in a privately negotiated sale) pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act and in compliance with the requirements of Rule 144.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Seller means a Holder who has requested registration of any of its Registrable Securities pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.3(a) Sale Number has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) . Section 2.3(b) Sale Number has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) . Section 2.3(c) Sale Number has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c) . Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Selected Courts has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(d) .
Valid Business Reason has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) .
2. Registration Rights .
2.1. IPO and Subsequent Demand Registrations .
(a) Pursuant to the request of the Stockholder the Company has prepared and filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act covering a portion of the shares of Common Stock held by the Stockholder to be offered and sold by the Stockholder in the IPO. The terms of this Agreement shall be applicable to such registration and sale.
(b) (i) Subject to Section 2.1(c) below, at any time and from time to time after the IPO, a Holder or the Holders shall have the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering all or a portion of the Registrable Securities, by delivering a written request therefor to the Company specifying the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such registration by such Holders and the intended method of distribution thereof. All such requests by any Holder pursuant to this Section 2.1(b)(i)
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are referred to herein as Demand Registration Requests , and the registrations so requested are referred to herein as Demand Registrations (with respect to any Demand Registration Request, the Holders making such Demand Registration Request being referred to as the Initiating Holders ). As promptly as practicable, but no later than ten days after receipt of a Demand Registration Request, the Company shall give written notice (the Demand Exercise Notice ) of such Demand Registration Request to all Holders of record of Registrable Securities.
(ii) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, shall include in a Demand Registration (x) the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holders and (y) the Registrable Securities of any other Holder which shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such Demand Registration (together with the Initiating Holders, the Participating Holders ) (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Participating Holders) within 60 days after the receipt of the Demand Exercise Notice (or 30 days if, at the request of the Initiating Holders, the Company states in such Demand Exercise Notice or gives telephonic notice to all Holders, with written confirmation to follow promptly thereafter, that such registration will be on a Form F-3).
(iii) The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible but subject to Section 2.1(c), use its commercially reasonable efforts to (x) effect such registration under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested by the Participating Holders to register, for distribution in accordance with such intended method of distribution and (y) if requested by the Majority Participating Holders, obtain acceleration of the effective date of the registration statement relating to such registration.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.1(b), the Demand Registration rights granted in Section 2.1(b) to the Holders are subject to the following limitations: (i) the Company shall not be required to cause a registration statement pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i) to be filed within 90 days or to be declared effective within a period of 90 days after the effective date of any other registration statement of the Company filed pursuant to the Securities Act (excluding any registration on Form F-4 or S-8 (or otherwise in connection with any employee benefits plan) or any shelf registration) (or, in either case, within any longer period of time, subject to the Companys compliance with Section 4.7, during which the Company may be restricted from filing or having declared effective a registration statement or the Participating Holders may be restricted from selling any of their Registrable Securities); (ii) if the Company, in its good faith judgment, determines that any registration of Registrable Securities should not be made or continued because it would materially interfere with any material financing, acquisition, corporate reorganization or merger or other transaction or event involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or would otherwise not be in the best interests of the Company (a Valid Business Reason ), the Company may postpone filing, or may withdraw, a registration statement relating to a Demand Registration Request until such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event shall the Company avail itself of such right for more than 90 days, in the aggregate, in any period of 365 consecutive days (such period of postponement or withdrawal under this clause (ii), the Postponement Period ); and the Company shall give notice of its determination to postpone or withdraw a registration statement and of the fact that the Valid Business Reason for such postponement or withdrawal no longer exists, in each case, promptly after the occurrence thereof; (iii) the Company shall not be required to effect a Demand Registration unless the Registrable Securities to be included in such
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registration either (A) have an aggregate anticipated offering price of at least $25,000,000 (based on the then-current market price of the Common Stock) or (B) consist of all remaining Registrable Securities.
If the Company shall give any notice of postponement or withdrawal of any registration statement pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Company shall not, during the period of postponement or withdrawal, register any equity security of the Company, other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-4 or S-8 (or otherwise in connection with any employee benefits plan). Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company that the Company has determined to withdraw any registration statement pursuant to clause (ii) above, such Holder will discontinue its disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at the Companys expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holders possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that was in effect at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall have withdrawn or prematurely terminated a registration statement filed under Section 2.1(b)(i) (whether pursuant to clause (ii) above or as a result of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court), the Company shall not be considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this Agreement until the Company shall have filed a new registration statement covering the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn registration statement and such registration statement shall have been declared effective and shall not have been withdrawn. If the Company shall give any notice of withdrawal or postponement of a registration statement, the Company shall, at such time as the Valid Business Reason that caused such withdrawal or postponement no longer exists (but in no event later than three months after the date of the notice notifying Holders of the postponement or withdrawal), use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn or postponed registration statement in accordance with this Section 2.1 (unless the Initiating Holders shall have withdrawn such request, in which case the Company shall not be considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this Agreement).
(d) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, may elect to include in any registration statement and offering made pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i), (i) authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or shares of Common Stock held by the Company as treasury shares and (ii) any other shares of Common Stock which are requested to be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights granted by the Company which are not inconsistent with the rights granted in, or otherwise conflict with the terms of, this Agreement ( Additional Piggyback Rights ); provided , however , that such inclusion shall be permitted only to the extent that it is pursuant to and subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement or arrangements, if any, entered into by the Participating Holders.
(e) With respect to any Demand Registration, the Initiating Holders shall have the right to designate the lead managing underwriter in connection with such registration and each other managing underwriter for such registration, subject to the Companys right to object for good reason to the choice of any underwriter.
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2.2. Piggyback Registrations .
(a) If, at any time, the Company proposes or is required to register any of its equity securities under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to (i) registrations on such form or similar form(s) solely for registration of securities in connection with an employee benefit plan or dividend reinvestment plan or an acquisition, merger or consolidation or (ii) a Demand Registration under Section 2.1) on a registration statement on Form F-1, Form F-3 or an equivalent general registration form then in effect, whether or not for its own account, the Company shall give prompt written notice of its intention to do so to each Holder of record of Registrable Securities. Upon the written request of any such Holder made within 15 days following the receipt of any such written notice (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder and the intended method of distribution thereof), the Company shall, subject to Sections 2.2(b), 2.3 and 2.6 hereof, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities, the Holders of which have so requested the registration thereof, to be included in the registration statement with the securities which the Company at the time proposes to register to permit the sale or other disposition by the Holders (in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof) of the Registrable Securities to be so registered. No registration of Registrable Securities effected under this Section 2.2(a) shall relieve the Company of its obligations to effect Demand Registrations under Section 2.1 hereof.
(b) If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any equity securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such equity securities, the Company will give written notice of such determination to all Holders of record of Registrable Securities and (i) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such abandoned registration, without prejudice, however, to the rights of Holders under Section 2.1, and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay such registration of its equity securities, shall be permitted to delay the registration of such Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in registering such other equity securities, without prejudice, however, to the rights of Holders under Section 2.1.
(c) Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw its request for inclusion of its Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.2 by giving written notice to the Company of its request to withdraw; provided , however , that (i) such request must be made in writing prior to the earlier of the execution of the underwriting agreement or the execution of the custody agreement with respect to such registration and (ii) such withdrawal shall be irrevocable and, after making such withdrawal, a Holder shall no longer have any right to include Registrable Securities in the registration as to which such withdrawal was made.
2.3. Allocation of Securities Included in Registration Statement .
(a) If any requested registration made pursuant to Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering and the lead managing underwriter of such offering (the Manager ) shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in
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such registration by the Holders of Registrable Securities or any other persons (including those shares of Common Stock requested by the Company to be included in such registration) exceeds the largest number (the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number ) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the Majority Participating Holders, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in such registration:
(i) first, all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Participating Holders thereof; provided , however , that, if the number of such Registrable Securities exceeds the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, the number of such Registrable Securities (not to exceed the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number) to be included in such registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Participating Holders requesting that Registrable Securities be included in such registration, based on the number of Registrable Securities then owned by each such Participating Holder requesting inclusion in relation to the number of Registrable Securities owned by all Participating Holders requesting inclusion;
(ii) second, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(a) is less than the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, the remaining shares to be included in such registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all holders requesting that securities be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights ( Piggyback Securities ), based on the aggregate number of Piggyback Securities then owned by each holder requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Piggyback Securities owned by all holders requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number; and
(iii) third, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(a) is less than the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, any securities that the Company proposes to register, up to the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number.
If, as a result of the proration provisions of this Section 2.3(a), any Holder shall not be entitled to include all Registrable Securities in a registration that such Holder has requested be included, such Holder may elect to withdraw its request to include Registrable Securities in such registration or may reduce the number requested to be included; provided , however , that (x) such request must be made in writing prior to the earlier of the execution of the underwriting agreement or the execution of the custody agreement with respect to such registration and (y) such withdrawal shall be irrevocable and, after making such withdrawal, such Holder shall no longer have any right to include Registrable Securities in the registration as to which such withdrawal was made.
(b) If any registration pursuant to Section 2.2 is an underwritten primary registration of the Companys securities, and the Manager shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number (the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number ) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such registration within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company shall include in such registration:
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(i) first, all Common Stock that the Company proposes to register for its own account; and
(ii) second, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(b) is less than the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number, the remaining shares to be included in such registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all holders requesting that Registrable Securities or Piggyback Securities be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement or Additional Piggyback Rights, based on the aggregate number of Registrable Securities and Piggyback Securities then owned by each holder requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Registrable Securities and Piggyback Securities owned by all holders requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number.
(c) If any registration pursuant to Section 2.2 is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Companys securities (other than Registrable Securities) that have the right to require such registration pursuant to an agreement entered into by the Company in accordance with Section 4.7 hereof ( Additional Demand Rights ) and the Manager shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number (the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number ) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such registration within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company shall include in such registration:
(i) first, all securities requested to be included in such registration by the holders of Additional Demand Rights ( Additional Registrable Securities ), provided , however , that, if the number of such Additional Registrable Securities exceeds the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, the number of such Additional Registrable Securities (not to exceed the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number) to be included in such registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all holders of Additional Registrable Securities requesting that Additional Registrable Securities be included in such registration, based on the number of Additional Registrable Securities then owned by each such holder requesting inclusion in relation to the number of Additional Registrable Securities owned by all of such holders requesting inclusion, unless such holders shall have otherwise agreed;
(ii) second, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(c) is less than the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, any Common Stock that the Company proposes to register for its own account, up to the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, and
(iii) third, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(c) is less than the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, the remaining shares to be included in such registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all holders requesting that Registrable Securities or Piggyback Securities be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement or Additional Piggyback Rights, based on the aggregate number of Registrable Securities and Piggyback Securities then owned by each holder requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Registrable Securities and Piggyback Securities owned by all such holders requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number.
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2.4. Registration Procedures . If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of this Agreement to use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect or cause the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on an appropriate registration form of the SEC for the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, which form shall be selected by the Company and shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective; provided , however , that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, or comparable statements under securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction, or any free writing prospectus related thereto, the Company will furnish to one counsel for the Holders participating in the planned offering (selected by the Majority Participating Holders, in the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.1, and selected by the lead managing underwriter, in the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.2) and the lead managing underwriter, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (including all exhibits thereto), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and reasonable comment of such counsel, and the Company shall not file any registration statement or amendment thereto, any prospectus or supplement thereto or any free writing prospectus related thereto to which the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or the lead managing underwriter, if any, shall reasonably object;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for such period as any Seller of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement shall request and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Seller or Sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement;
(c) furnish, without charge, to each Seller of such Registrable Securities and each underwriter, if any, of the securities covered by such registration statement such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, each free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, and other documents, as such Seller and underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Seller (the Company hereby consenting to the use in accordance with all applicable law of each such registration statement (or amendment or post-effective amendment thereto) and each such prospectus (or preliminary prospectus or supplement thereto) or free writing prospectus by each such Seller of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or prospectus);
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(d) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Sellers of Registrable Securities or any managing underwriter, if any, shall reasonably request in writing, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Sellers or underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions, except that in no event shall the Company be required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where it would not, but for the requirements of this paragraph (d), be required to be so qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;
(e) promptly notify each Holder selling Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement and each managing underwriter, if any: (i) when the registration statement, any pre-effective amendment, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto, any post-effective amendment to the registration statement or any free writing prospectus has been filed and, with respect to the registration statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the SEC or state securities authority for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus related thereto or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; (v) of the existence of any fact of which the Company becomes aware which results in the registration statement, the prospectus related thereto, any document incorporated therein by reference, any free writing prospectus or the information conveyed to any purchaser at the time of sale to such purchaser containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statement therein not misleading; and (vi) if at any time the representations and warranties contemplated by any underwriting agreement, securities sale agreement, or other similar agreement, relating to the offering shall cease to be true and correct in all material respects; and, if the notification relates to an event described in clause (v), the Company shall promptly prepare and furnish to each such Holder and each underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading;
(f) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the registration statement (and in any event within 90 days after the end of such twelve month period described hereafter), an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the period of at least twelve consecutive months beginning with the first day of the Companys first calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;
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(g) (i) cause all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the principal securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed (if any), if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) if no similar securities are then so listed, to either cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange or to take all actions that may be required by the Company as the issuer of such Registrable Securities in order to facilitate the managing underwriters arranging for the registration of at least two market makers as such with respect to such shares with FINRA;
(h) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;
(i) enter into such customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement containing customary provisions for indemnification and contribution covering the underwriters and their affiliates) and take such other actions as the Majority Participating Holders shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (it being understood that the Holders of the Registrable Securities which are to be distributed by any underwriters shall be parties to any such underwriting agreement and may, at their option, require that the Company make to and for the benefit of such Holders the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company which are being made to and for the benefit of such underwriters);
(j) use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain an opinion from the Companys counsel and cold comfort letters from the Companys independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters as are customarily covered by such opinions and cold comfort letters delivered to underwriters in underwritten public offerings, which opinion and letter shall be reasonably satisfactory to the underwriter, if any, and furnish to each Holder participating in the offering and to each underwriter, if any, a copy of such opinion and letter addressed to such Holder or underwriter;
(k) deliver promptly to each Holder participating in the offering and each underwriter, if any, copies of all correspondence between the SEC and the Company, its counsel or auditors and all memoranda relating to discussions with the SEC or its staff with respect to the registration statement, other than those portions of any such memoranda which contain information subject to attorney-client privilege with respect to the Company, and, upon receipt of such confidentiality agreements as the Company may reasonably request, make reasonably available for inspection by any Seller of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, by any underwriter, if any, participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such Seller or any such underwriter, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause all of the Companys officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;
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(l) use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement;
(m) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, not later than the effective date of the registration statement;
(n) make reasonably available its employees and personnel for participation in road shows and other marketing efforts and otherwise provide reasonable assistance to the underwriters (taking into account the needs of the Companys businesses and the requirements of the marketing process) in the marketing of Registrable Securities in any underwritten offering;
(o) promptly prior to the filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement or the prospectus (after the initial filing of such registration statement), and prior to the filing of any free writing prospectus, provide copies of such document to counsel for the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and to each managing underwriter, if any, and make the Companys representatives reasonably available for discussion of such document and make such changes in such document concerning the selling Holders prior to the filing thereof as counsel for such selling Holders or underwriters may reasonably request;
(p) cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and the managing underwriter, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates not bearing any restrictive legends representing the Registrable Securities to be sold, and cause such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names in accordance with the underwriting agreement prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters or, if not an underwritten offering, in accordance with the instructions of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities at least three business days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities and instruct any transfer agent and registrar of Registrable Securities to release any stop transfer orders in respect thereof;
(q) take all such other commercially reasonable actions as are necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(r) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided , however , that to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will take such action as is necessary to make any such prohibition inapplicable;
(s) take all reasonable action to ensure that any free writing prospectus utilized in connection with any registration covered by Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related prospectus, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
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(t) in connection with any underwritten offering, if at any time the information conveyed to a purchaser at the time of sale includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, promptly file with the SEC such amendments or supplements to such information as may be necessary so that the statements as so amended or supplemented will not, in light of the circumstances, be misleading.
To the extent the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (a WKSI ) at the time any Demand Registration Request is submitted to the Company, and such Demand Registration Request requests that the Company file an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (an automatic shelf registration statement ) on Form F-3, the Company shall file an automatic shelf registration statement which covers those Registrable Securities which are requested to be registered. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to remain a WKSI (and not become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) during the period during which such automatic shelf registration statement is required to remain effective. If the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the Registrable Securities at the time the automatic shelf registration statement is filed, the Company agrees to pay such fee at such time or times as the Registrable Securities are to be sold. If the automatic shelf registration statement has been outstanding for at least three years, at the end of the third year the Company shall refile a new automatic shelf registration statement covering the Registrable Securities. If at any time when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to refile the shelf registration statement on Form F-3 and, if such form is not available, Form F-1 and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective.
If the Company files any shelf registration statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, the Company agrees that it shall include in such registration statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to the Holders) in order to ensure that the Holders may be added to such shelf registration statement at a later time through the filing of a prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.
The Company may require as a condition precedent to the Companys obligations under this Section 2.4 that each Seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected furnish the Company such information in writing regarding such Seller and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request provided that such information is necessary for the Company to consummate such registration and shall be used only in connection with such registration.
Each Seller of Registrable Securities agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in clause (v) of paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4, such Seller will discontinue such Sellers disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Sellers receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph (e)
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of this Section 2.4 and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at the Companys expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Sellers possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that was in effect at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the applicable period mentioned in paragraph (b) of this Section 2.4 shall be extended by the number of days during such period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each Seller of any Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4.
If any such registration statement or comparable statement under blue sky laws refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the Holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the Companys securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not in the judgment of the Company, as advised by counsel to the Company, required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute or any state blue sky or securities law then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder.
2.5. Registration Expenses .
(a) The Company shall pay all Expenses (x) with respect to any Demand Registration whether or not it becomes effective or remains effective for the period contemplated by Section 2.4(b) and (y) with respect to any registration effected under Section 2.2.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to cause these expense provisions to comply with blue sky laws of each state in which the offering is made and (y) in connection with any registration hereunder, each Holder of Registrable Securities being registered shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and any transfer taxes, if any, attributable to the sale of such Registrable Securities, pro rata with respect to payments of discounts and commissions in accordance with the number of shares sold in the offering by such Holder, and (z) the Company shall, in the case of all registrations under this Article 2, be responsible for all its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties).
2.6. Certain Limitations on Registration Rights . In the case of any registration under Section 2.1 pursuant to an underwritten offering, or, in the case of a registration under Section 2.2, if the Company has determined to enter into an underwriting agreement in connection therewith, all securities to be included in such registration shall be subject to an underwriting agreement and no Person may participate in such registration unless such Person agrees to sell such Persons securities on the basis provided therein and, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, and other documents (including
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custody agreements and powers of attorney) which must be executed in connection therewith, and provides such other information to the Company or the managing underwriter as may be necessary to register such Persons securities.
2.7. Limitations on Sale or Distribution of Other Securities . (a) Each Seller of Registrable Securities agrees, (i) to the extent requested in writing by a managing underwriter, if any, of any registration effected pursuant to Section 2.1, not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, any Common Stock or any other equity security of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) or to purchase or sell any Common Stock Equivalent or enter into any Derivative Transaction during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, not to exceed 180 days (and the Company hereby also so agrees (except that the Company may effect any sale or distribution of any such securities pursuant to a registration on Form F-4 (if reasonably acceptable to such managing underwriter) or Form S-8 (or otherwise in connection with any employee benefits plan), or any successor or similar form which is then in effect or upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any then outstanding Common Stock Equivalent) to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each holder of any equity security or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company purchased from the Company at any time other than in a public offering so to agree), and (ii) to the extent requested in writing by a managing underwriter of any underwritten public offering effected by the Company for its own account, not sell any Common Stock (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, which period shall not exceed 180 days.
(b) The Company hereby agrees that, if it shall previously have received a request for registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, and if such previous registration shall not have been withdrawn or abandoned, the Company shall not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, any Common Stock, or any other equity security of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company (other than as part of such underwritten public offering, a registration on Form F-4 or Form S-8 (or otherwise in connection with any employee benefits plan) or any successor or similar form which is then in effect or upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any then outstanding Common Stock Equivalent), until a period of 90 days shall have elapsed from the effective date of such previous registration; and the Company shall so provide in any registration rights agreements hereafter entered into with respect to any of its securities.
2.8. No Required Sale . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create an independent obligation on the part of any Holder to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to any effective registration statement.
2.9. Indemnification . (a) In the event of any registration of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Article 2, the Company will, and hereby agrees to, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities and each underwriter for each such Holder, and their respective directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees, stockholders, members or general and limited partners (and the directors, officers, employees and stockholders thereof), and each other Person, if any, who
15
controls such Holder or such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, actions or proceedings (whether commenced or threatened) and expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel and any amounts paid in any settlement effected with the Companys consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, including with respect to any indemnity provided by such Holder under an underwriting agreement or other arrangement relating to such registration of securities (collectively, Claims ), insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary, final or summary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, together with the documents incorporated by reference therein, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the information conveyed to any purchaser at the time of the sale to such purchaser, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or (iv) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company and relating to action required of or inaction by the Company in connection with any such registration (including any violation or alleged violation of state blue sky laws), and the Company will reimburse any such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the Company shall not be liable to any such indemnified party in any such case to the extent such Claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact made in such registration statement or amendment thereof or supplement thereto or in any such prospectus or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus or free writing prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such indemnified party specifically for use therein. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder.
(b) Each Holder of Registrable Securities that are included in the securities as to which any registration under Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 is being effected shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.9) to the extent permitted by law the Company, its officers and directors, each Person controlling the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and all other prospective sellers and their respective directors, officers, fiduciaries, managing directors, employees, agents, affiliates, consultants, representatives, successors, assigns, general and limited partners, stockholders and respective controlling Persons with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact in, or omission or alleged omission of any material fact from, such registration statement, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement
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thereto, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, if such statement or alleged statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or its representatives by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for use therein and reimburse such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the aggregate amount which any such Holder shall be required to pay pursuant to this Section 2.9(b) and Sections 2.9(c), (e) and (f) shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such claim. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder.
(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification under this Agreement shall notify promptly the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Section 2.9, but the failure of any such Person to provide such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 2.9, except to the extent the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced thereby and shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to any such Person otherwise than under this Article 2. In case any action or proceeding is brought against an indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, unless in the reasonable opinion of outside counsel to the indemnified party a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, to assume the defense thereof jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to the extent that it chooses, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party that it so chooses, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided , however , that (i) if the indemnifying party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding within 20 days after receiving notice from such indemnified party; or (ii) if such indemnified party who is a defendant in any action or proceeding which is also brought against the indemnifying party reasonably shall have concluded that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such indemnified party which are not available to the indemnifying party; or (iii) if representation of both parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct, then, in any such case, the indemnified party shall have the right to assume or continue its own defense as set forth above (but with no more than one firm of counsel for all indemnified parties in each jurisdiction, except to the extent any indemnified party or parties reasonably shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to such party or parties which are not available to the other indemnified parties or to the extent representation of all indemnified parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct) and the indemnifying party shall be liable for any expenses therefor. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought
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hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (A) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (B) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) If for any reason the foregoing indemnity is unavailable or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Sections 2.9(a), (b) or (c), then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of any Claim in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other hand, with respect to such offering of securities. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. If, however, the allocation provided in the second preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative faults but also the relative benefits of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the preceding sentences of this Section 2.9(e) . The amount paid or payable in respect of any Claim shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.9(e) to the contrary, no indemnifying party (other than the Company) shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) to contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds received by such indemnifying party from the sale of Registrable Securities in the offering to which the losses, claims, damages or liabilities of the indemnified parties relate, less the amount of any indemnification payment made by such indemnifying party pursuant to Sections 2.9(b) and (c).
(e) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract and shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made or omitted by or on behalf of any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by any such party.
(f) The indemnification and contribution required by this Section 2.9 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred.
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3. Underwritten Offerings .
3.1. Requested Underwritten Offerings . If requested by the underwriters for any underwritten offering by the Holders pursuant to a registration requested under Section 2.1, the Company shall enter into a customary underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Such underwriting agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Majority Participating Holders and shall contain such representations and warranties by, and such other agreements on the part of, the Company and such other terms as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type, including, without limitation, indemnities and contribution agreements. Any Holder participating in the offering shall be a party to such underwriting agreement and may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Holder; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to make any representations or warranties with respect to written information specifically provided by a selling Holder for inclusion in the registration statement. Each such Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Holder, its ownership of and title to the Registrable Securities, and its intended method of distribution; and any liability of such Holder to any underwriter or other Person under such underwriting agreement shall be limited to liability arising from breach of its representations and warranties and shall be limited to an amount equal to the proceeds (net of expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions) that it derives from such registration.
3.2. Piggyback Underwritten Offerings . In the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, if the Company shall have determined to enter into an underwriting agreement in connection therewith, any Registrable Securities to be included in such registration shall be subject to such underwriting agreement. Any Holder participating in such registration may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Holder. Each such Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Holder, its ownership of and title to the Registrable Securities, and its intended method of distribution; and any liability of such Holder to any underwriter or other Person under such underwriting agreement shall be limited to liability arising from breach of its representations and warranties and shall be limited to an amount equal to the proceeds (net of expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions) that it derives from such registration.
4. General .
4.1. Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities . The Company agrees that it shall not effect or permit to occur any combination or subdivision of shares of Common Stock which would adversely affect the ability of any Holder of any Registrable Securities to include
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such Registrable Securities in any registration contemplated by this Agreement or the marketability of such Registrable Securities in any such registration. The Company agrees that it will take all reasonable steps necessary to effect a subdivision of shares if in the reasonable judgment of (a) the Majority Participating Holders or (b) the managing underwriter for the offering in respect of such Demand Registration Request, such subdivision would enhance the marketability of the Registrable Securities. Each Holder agrees to vote all of its shares of capital stock in a manner, and to take all other actions necessary, to permit the Company to carry out the intent of the preceding sentence including, without limitation, voting in favor of an amendment to the Companys certificate of incorporation in order to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock of the Company.
4.2. Rule 144 . The Company covenants that (i) upon such time as it becomes, and so long as it remains, subject to the reporting provisions of the Exchange Act, it will timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (including, but not limited to, the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 under the Securities Act), and (ii) it will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (A) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (B) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
4.3. Nominees for Beneficial Owners . If Registrable Securities are held by a nominee for the beneficial owner thereof, the beneficial owner thereof may, at its option, be treated as the Holder of such Registrable Securities for purposes of any request or other action by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement (or any determination of any number or percentage of shares constituting Registrable Securities held by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities contemplated by this Agreement), provided that the Company shall have received assurances reasonably satisfactory to it of such beneficial ownership.
4.4. Amendments and Waiver; Transferees . (a) The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended, or any of the provisions hereof waived, temporarily or permanently, in a writing executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Holders. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar). No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.
(b) The Stockholder shall be entitled to transfer the benefits of this Agreement to any Person to whom it shall transfer all or any of its Registrable Securities, and any such transferee shall similarly be entitled to transfer the benefits of this Agreement; provided that any such transferee shall become a party to this Agreement by executing a counterpart of this Agreement and delivering the same to the Company.
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4.5. Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder will be in writing and will be given when delivered by hand or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) or by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) or by telecopy (providing confirmation of transmission). All such notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications will be addressed as follows:
(a) | if to the Company, to: | |
Safe Bulkers, Inc. | ||
c/o Safety Management Overseas S.A. | ||
32 Avenue Karamanli | ||
16605 Voula | ||
Athens, Greece | ||
Telephone No.: 011 30 210 895 7070 | ||
Fax No.: 011 30 210 895 6900
|
||
Attention: Chief Executive Officer | ||
With a copy to: | ||
Cravath,
Swaine & Moore
LLP
|
||
Worldwide Plaza | ||
825 Eighth Avenue | ||
New York, New York 10019
|
||
Telephone No.: (212) 474-1000
|
||
Fax No.: (212) 474-3700 | ||
Attention: William P. Rogers
Jr.
|
||
(b) | If to the Stockholder, to: | |
Vorini Holdings Inc. | ||
[ 32 Avenue Karamanli | ||
16605 Voula | ||
Athens, Greece | ||
Telephone No.: 011 30 210 895 7070 | ||
Fax No.: 011 30 210 895 6900
|
||
Attention: Chief Executive Officer ] |
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With a copy to: | |
[ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP | |
Worldwide Plaza | |
825 Eighth Avenue | |
New York, New York 10019 | |
Telephone No.: (212) 474-1000 | |
Fax No.: (212) 474-3700 | |
Attention: William P. Rogers Jr. ] |
or such other address as the Company or the Stockholder shall have specified to the other party in writing in accordance with this Section 4.5.
4.6. Miscellaneous .
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and the respective successors, personal representatives and assigns of the parties hereto, whether so expressed or not. If any Person shall acquire Registrable Securities from any Holder, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Person shall promptly notify the Company and such Registrable Securities acquired from such Holder shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits of and be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Any such successor or assign shall agree in writing to acquire and hold the Registrable Securities acquired from such Holder subject to all of the terms hereof. If any Holder shall acquire additional Registrable Securities, such Registrable Securities shall be subject to all of the terms, and entitled to all the benefits, of this Agreement.
(b) This Agreement (with the documents referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto) embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements.
(c) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF).
(d) With respect to any suit, action or proceeding ( Proceeding ) arising out of or relating to this Agreement each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, or any state court located in the State of Delaware, County of Newcastle (the Selected Courts ) and waives any objection to venue being laid in the Selected Courts whether based on the grounds of forum non conveniens or otherwise and hereby agrees not to commence any such Proceeding other than before one of the Selected Courts; provided , however , that a party may commence any Proceeding in a court other than a Selected Court solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or
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judgment issued by one of the Selected Courts and (ii) consents to service of process in any Proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by recognized international express carrier or delivery service, to the Company or the Stockholder at their respective addresses referred to in Section 4.5 hereof; provided , however , that nothing herein shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
(e) WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY, TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, WAIVE, AND COVENANT THAT THEY WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AND AGREE THAT ANY OF THEM MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE KNOWING, VOLUNTARY AND BARGAINED-FOR AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY TO WAIVE ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS WILL INSTEAD BE TRIED IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.
(f) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. All section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided.
(g) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
(h) Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
(i) The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions and other equitable remedies to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any of the Selected Courts, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with respect to such remedy are hereby waived by each of the parties hereto. Each party further agrees that, in the event of any action for an injunction or other equitable remedy in respect of such breach or enforcement of specific performance, it will not assert the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
23
(j) Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.7. No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company represents that the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with any other agreements to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound. Without the prior written consent of Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities, the Company will not, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof or provides terms and conditions which are more favorable to, or less restrictive on, the other party thereto than the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement are (insofar as they are applicable) to the Holders, other than any lock-up agreement with the underwriters in connection with any registered offering effected hereunder, pursuant to which the Company shall agree not to register for sale, and the Company shall agree not to sell or otherwise dispose of, Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, for a specified period that is no longer than 90 days following the registered offering. The Company further agrees that if any other registration rights agreement entered into after the date of this Agreement with respect to any of its securities contains terms which are more favorable to, or less restrictive on, the other party thereto than the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement are (insofar as they are applicable) to the Holders, then the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall immediately be deemed to have been amended without further action by the Company or any of the Holders of Registrable Securities so that the Holders shall each be entitled to the benefit of any such more favorable or less restrictive terms or conditions.
24
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this agreement as of the date first above written.
SAFE BULKERS, INC. | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
VORINI HOLDINGS INC. | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: |
[S IGNATURE P AGE TO THE R EGISTRATION R IGHTS A GREEMENT ]
Exhibit 10.10
Private & Confidential
Dated 23 May 2008
_______________________
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
relating
to a
loan of US$28,000,000
to
MARATHASSA SHIPPING CORPORATION
provided by
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
Contents | ||||
Clause | Page | |||
1 | Definitions | 1 | ||
2 | Agreement of the Bank | 3 | ||
3 | Amendments | 3 | ||
4 | Representations and warranties | 5 | ||
5 | Conditions | 6 | ||
6 | Confirmation | 7 | ||
7 | Expenses | 7 | ||
8 | Miscellaneous and notices | 8 | ||
9 | Applicable law | 8 | ||
Schedule 1 Documents and evidence required as conditions subsequent | 10 | |||
Schedule 2 Form of Corporate Guarantee | 12 |
THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT is dated 23 May 2008 and made BETWEEN :
(1) | MARATHASSA SHIPPING CORPORATION , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of Liberia with its registered office at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia (the Borrower ); | |
(2) | SAFETY MANAGEMENT OVERSEAS S. A. , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of Panama with its registered office at Edificio Torre Universal, Piso 12, Avenida Federico Boyd, P. O. Box 8807, Panama, Republic of Panama (the Manager ); and | |
(3) | THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC of 5-10 Great Tower Street, London EC3P 3HX, England (the Bank ) . | |
WHEREAS : | ||
(A) | this Agreement is supplemental to a loan agreement dated 16 February 2005 made between (1) the Borrower and (2) the Bank (the Principal Agreement ) relating to a multi-currency loan of Twenty eight million Dollars ($28,000,000) advanced by the Bank to the Borrower, of which the principal amount outstanding at the date hereof is $22,270,000; and | |
(B) this Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Bank provides, at the request of the Borrower, its consent to: | ||
(a) | the transfer of the legal and beneficial ownership of all the shares of the Borrower to the Corporate Guarantor (as defined below); | |
(b) | the Listing (as defined below); | |
(c) | the change of the ultimate beneficial ownership of certain of the shares in the Borrower as a result of, and in order to facilitate, the Listing; | |
(d) | the consent to the substitution of the Management Agreement by a new management agreement in respect of the Ship; | |
(e) | certain amendments to the terms and conditions applicable to the Loan and the Principal Agreement agreed to by the Borrower and the Bank; and | |
(f) | certain consequential changes to the Principal Agreement required in connection with the above and agreed to by the Borrower and the Bank. | |
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows: | ||
1 | Definitions | |
1.1 | Defined expressions | |
Words and expressions defined in the Principal Agreement shall unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined herein, have the same meanings when used in this Agreement. | ||
1.2 | Definitions | |
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: | ||
Conditions Date means the earlier of (a) 15 July 2008 and (b) 30 days after the Listing has taken place; | ||
Corporate Guarantee means the guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank in the form set out in schedule 2; | ||
1
1.5.5 | references to a time of day are to London time; |
1.5.6 | references to a person shall be construed as references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity; |
1.5.7 | references to a guarantee include 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 Indebtedness and guaranteed shall be construed accordingly; and |
1.5.8 | references to any enactment shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as re- enacted, amended or extended. |
2 | Agreement of the Bank |
The Bank, relying upon the representations and warranties on the part of the Borrower contained in clause 4, agrees with the Borrower that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and with effect on the Effective Date, the Bank consents and agrees to: | |
2.1 | the matters and transactions described in paragraphs (a), (b) (c) and (d) of the Recitals to this Agreement; and |
2.2 | the amendment of the Principal Agreement on the terms set out in clause 3. |
3 | Amendments |
3.1 | Amendments to Principal Agreement |
The Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Principal Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties hereto upon such terms as so amended): | |
3.1.1 | by deleting the existing definition of Management Agreement in clause 1.2 and by inserting the following definitions of Conditions Date , Corporate Guarantee , Corporate Guarantor Hadjioannou Family , Management Agreement and Supplemental Agreement in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.2: |
Conditions Date has the meaning given to it in the Supplemental Agreement; Corporate Guarantee means the corporate guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank in the form set out in schedule 2 to the Supplemental Agreement; Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 and includes its successors in title; Hadjioannou Family means Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou, Mr Nikolaos V. Hadjioannou, Ms Eleni V. Hadjioannou and Ms Maria V. Hadjioannou and their direct lineal descendants; Management Agreement means, together, the agreement made or (as the context may require) to be made between the Corporate Guarantor and the Manager and the agreement made, or (as the context may require) to be made between the Borrower and the Manager, providing (inter alia) for the Manager to manage the Ship, as amended and supplemented from time to time; and Supplemental Agreement means the agreement dated 23 May 2008 supplemental to this Agreement made between ( inter alios ) (1) the Borrower and (2) the Bank;; |
|
3
3.1.10 | by deleting clause 11.1.27 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clauses 11.1.27, 11.1.28, and 11.1.29 and 11.1.30 and by renumbering the existing clause 11.1.28 as clause 11.1.31: | ||
11.1.27 | Shareholdings : there is any change in the legal and/or ultimate beneficial ownership of any of the shares of the Borrower or the Corporate Guarantor which results in: | ||
(a) | the Borrower ceasing at any time to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor; or | ||
(b) | the Hadjioannou Family becoming at any time the ultimate beneficial owners of less than 51% of the total issued share capital of the Corporate Guarantor; or | ||
(c) | any person, or persons acting in concert (other than the Hadjioannou Family), having control of the Corporate Guarantor at any time (and for the purposes of this paragraph (c) control shall have the meaning given to it in the definition of Subsidiary in clause 1.2); or | ||
11.1.28 | Change of CEO : Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Guarantor at any time; or | ||
11.1.29 | Listing: the shares of the Corporate Guarantor are de-listed or suspended from, or cease to trade (whether temporarily for longer than 3 consecutive days or permanently) on, the New York Stock Exchange; or | ||
11.1.30 | Conditions : the Bank has not received the documents and evidence specified in schedule 1 to the Supplemental Agreement by the Conditions Date; or. | ||
3.2 | Continued force and effect | ||
Save as amended by this Agreement, the provisions of the Principal Agreement and the other Security Documents shall continue in full force and effect 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 | ||
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that: | |||
4.1.1 | Existing representations and warranties | ||
the representations and warranties set out in clause 8 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 to which it is or is to be a party; 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 to which it is or is to be a party; | |||
4.1.3 | Binding obligations | ||
the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Relevant Parties enforceable in accordance with their terms; | |||
5
5.2.1 | the representations and warranties in clause 4 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 Bank and may be waived by the Bank in whole or in part with or without conditions. | |
6 | Confirmation |
6.1 | Security Documents |
The Borrower acknowledges and agrees, for the avoidance of doubt, that: | |
6.1.1 | each of the Security 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 |
6.1.2 | with effect from the Effective Date, references to the Agreement or the Loan Agreement in any of the other Security Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended. |
7 | Expenses |
7.1 | Expenses |
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank on a full indemnity basis on demand all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by the Bank: | |
7.1.1 | in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee and of any amendment or extension of, or the granting of any waiver or consent under, this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee; |
7.1.2 | in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee or otherwise in respect of the monies owing and obligations incurred under this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee, |
together with interest at the rate referred to in clause 3.4 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 to the Bank on demand all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by the Bank) imposed on or in connection with this Agreement and shall indemnify the Bank against any liability arising by reason of any delay or omission by the Borrower to pay such duties or taxes. | |
7
8 | Miscellaneous and notices | |
8.1 | Notices | |
Every notice, request, demand or other communication under this Agreement shall: | ||
8.1.1 | be in writing, delivered personally or by first-class prepaid letter (airmail if available) or telefax or other means of telecommunication in permanent written form; | |
8.1.2 | be deemed to have been received, subject as otherwise provided in the relevant Security Document, in the case of a letter, when delivered personally or three (3) days after it has been put into 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 | |
8.1.3 | be sent: | |
(a) | if to the Supplemental Parties or any of them: | |
32 Karamanli Avenue
166 05 Voula Greece |
||
Fax No: +30 210 8956900
Attention: George Papadopoulos |
||
(b) | if to the Bank at: | |
The Shipping Business Centre
5-10 Great Tower Street London, EC3P 3HX England |
||
Fax: +44 207 085 7132
Attention: Shipping Business Centre |
||
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. | ||
9 | Applicable law | |
9.1 | Law | |
This Agreement is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. | ||
9.2 | Submission to jurisdiction | |
Each of the Supplemental Parties agrees, for the benefit of the Bank, that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement against any of their assets may be brought in the English courts. Each of the Supplemental Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Mr. Savvas Savvides at present of 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings and each of the Supplemental Parties further undertakes that, | ||
8
in the event that such individual passes away or cannot be found, each of the Supplemental Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Bank to designate, appoint and empower, on each of the Supplemental Parties behalf, Messrs Cheeswrights or Messrs Saville & Co. at their then principal place of business in London, as substitute process agents of Mr. Savvas Savvides for the purposes of this clause. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against any of the Supplemental Parties in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. Each of the Supplemental Parties further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other state shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which any of the Supplemental Parties may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Agreement. | |
9.3 | 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 to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as a deed on the date first above written.
9
Schedule 1
Documents and evidence required as conditions subsequent
(referred to in clause 5.1)
3 | Corporate Guarantee |
the Corporate Guarantee (together with any other documents and/or letters to be executed and/or delivered to the Bank pursuant thereto) duly executed; | |
4 | Legal opinions |
such legal opinions in relation to the laws of the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Panama and any other legal opinions as the Bank shall in its absolute discretion require; | |
5 | Listing evidence that the Listing has taken place; and |
6 | Process agent |
a letter from each Relevant Party's agent for receipt of service of proceedings accepting its appointment under this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents to which such Relevant Party is or is to be a party as such Relevant Partys process agent. | |
11
Schedule 2
Form of Corporate Guarantee
12
EXECUTED as a DEED |
)
|
||
by |
)
|
||
for and on behalf of |
)
|
||
MARATHASSA SHIPPING CORPORATION |
)
|
Attorney-in-fact | |
as Borrower |
)
|
||
in the presence of: |
)
|
||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
|||
EXECUTED as a DEED |
)
|
||
by |
)
|
||
for and on behalf of |
)
|
||
SAFETY MANAGEMENT OVERSEAS S.A. |
)
|
Attorney-in-fact | |
as Manager |
)
|
||
in the presence of: |
)
|
||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
|||
EXECUTED as a DEED |
)
|
||
by |
)
|
||
for and on behalf of |
)
|
||
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
)
|
Attorney-in-fact | |
as Bank |
)
|
||
in the presence of: |
)
|
||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
|||
13
Exhibit 10.15
Private & Confidential
Dated 23 May 2008 |
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
relating to a
loan of (originally) US$30,400,000
to
MARINOUKI SHIPPING CORPORATION
provided by
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
Contents
Clause | Page | |||
1 | Definitions | 1 | ||
2 | Agreement of the Bank | 3 | ||
3 | Amendments | 3 | ||
4 | Representations and warranties | 5 | ||
5 | Conditions | 6 | ||
6 | Confirmation | 7 | ||
7 | Expenses | 7 | ||
8 | Miscellaneous and notices | 7 | ||
9 | Applicable law | 8 | ||
Schedule 1 Documents and evidence required as conditions subsequent | 10 | |||
Schedule 2 Form of Corporate Guarantee | 12 |
THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT is dated 23 May 2008 and made BETWEEN:
(1) |
MARINOUKI SHIPPING CORPORATION , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of Liberia with its registered office at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia (the Borrower ); |
(2) |
SAFETY MANAGEMENT OVERSEAS S.A. , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of Panama with its registered office at Edificio Torre Universal, Piso 12, Avenida Federico Boyd, P.O. Box 8807, Panama, Republic of Panama (the Manager ); and |
(3) |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC of 5-10 Great Tower Street, London EC3P 3HX, England (the Bank ). |
WHEREAS:
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
1 |
Definitions |
1.1 |
Defined expressions |
Words and expressions defined in the Principal Agreement shall unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined herein, have the same meanings when used in this Agreement. |
|
1.2 |
Definitions |
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: |
|
Conditions Date means the earlier of (a) 15 July 2008 and (b) 30 days after the Listing has taken place; |
|
1
Corporate Guarantee means the guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank in the form set out in schedule 2; |
|
Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 and includes its successors in title; |
|
Effective Date means the date when the Listing has taken place; |
|
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; |
|
Indebtedness means any obligation for the payment or repayment of money, whether as principal or as surety and whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
|
Listing means the successful completion of the initial public offering of approximately 20% of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor, and the listing of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor on the New York Stock Exchange; |
|
Loan Agreement means the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement; |
|
Relevant Documents means, together, this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee; |
|
Relevant Parties means, together, the Borrower, the Manager and the Corporate Guarantor; and |
|
Supplemental Parties means, together, each of the parties to this Agreement (other than the Bank) or, where the context so requires or permits, means any of them. |
|
1.3 |
Principal Agreement |
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 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. |
|
1.4 |
Headings |
Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement. |
|
1.5 |
Construction of certain terms |
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: |
|
1.5.1 |
references to clauses and schedules are to be construed as references to clauses of, and schedules to, this Agreement and references to this Agreement includes its schedules; |
1.5.2 |
references to (or to any specified provision of) this Agreement or any other document shall be construed as references to this Agreement, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended in accordance with terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties; |
1.5.3 |
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 agency, authority, central bank or government department or any self-regulatory or other national or supra-national authority; |
1.5.4 |
words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; |
2
1.5.5 |
references to a time of day are to London time; |
1.5.6 |
references to a person shall be construed as references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity; |
1.5.7 |
references to a guarantee include 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 Indebtedness and guaranteed shall be construed accordingly; and |
1.5.8 |
references to any enactment shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as reenacted, amended or extended. |
2 |
Agreement of the Bank |
The Bank, relying upon the representations and warranties on the part of the Borrower contained in clause 4, agrees with the Borrower that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and with effect on the Effective Date, the Bank consents and agrees to: |
|
2.1 |
the matters and transactions described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the Recitals to this Agreement; and |
2.2 |
the amendment of the Principal Agreement on the terms set out in clause 3. |
3 |
Amendments |
3.1 |
Amendments to Principal Agreement |
The Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Principal Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties hereto upon such terms as so amended): |
|
3.1.1 |
by deleting the existing definition of Management Agreement in clause 1.2 and by inserting the following definitions of Conditions Date , Corporate Guarantee , Corporate Guarantor Hadjioannou Family , Management Agreement , Supplemental Agreement and Supplemental Letter in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.2: |
Conditions Date has the meaning given to it in the Supplemental Agreement; |
|
Corporate Guarantee means the corporate guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank in the form set out in schedule 2 to the Supplemental Agreement; |
|
Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 and includes its successors in title; |
|
Hadjioannou Family means Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou, Mr Nikolaos V. Hadjioannou, Ms Eleni V. Hadjioannou and Ms Maria V. Hadjioannou and their direct lineal descendants; |
|
Management Agreement means, together, the agreement made or (as the context may require) to be made between the Corporate Guarantor and the Manager and the agreement made, or (as the context may require) to be made between the Borrower and the Manager, providing (inter alia) for the Manager to manage the Ship, as amended and supplemented from time to time; |
|
Supplemental Agreement means the agreement dated 23 May 2008 supplemental to this Agreement made between ( inter alios ) (1) the Borrower and (2) the Bank; and |
|
3
4
3.1.10 | by deleting clause 11.1.27 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clauses 11.1.27, 11.1.28, and 11.1.29 and 11.1.30 and by renumbering the existing clause 11.1.28 as clause 11.1.31: | |||||
11.1.27 | Shareholdings : there is any change in the legal and/or ultimate beneficial ownership of any of the shares of the Borrower or the Corporate Guarantor which results in: | |||||
(a) | the Borrower ceasing at any time to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor; or | |||||
(b) | the Hadjioannou Family becoming at any time the ultimate beneficial owners of less than 51% of the total issued share capital of the Corporate Guarantor; or | |||||
(c) | any person, or persons acting in concert (other than the Hadjioannou Family), having control of the Corporate Guarantor at any time (and for the purposes of this paragraph (c) control shall have the meaning given to it in the definition of Subsidiary in clause 1.2); or | |||||
11.1.28 | Change of CEO : Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Guarantor at any time; or | |||||
11.1.29 | Listing : the shares of the Corporate Guarantor are de-listed or suspended from, or cease to trade (whether temporarily for longer than 3 consecutive days or permanently) on, the New York Stock Exchange; or | |||||
11.1.30 | Conditions : the Bank has not received the documents and evidence specified in schedule 1 to the Supplemental Agreement by the Conditions Date; or. | |||||
3.2 | Continued force and effect | |||||
Save as amended by this Agreement, the provisions of the Principal Agreement and the other Security Documents shall continue in full force and effect 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 | |||||
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that: | ||||||
4.1.1 | Existing representations and warranties | |||||
the representations and warranties set out in clause 8 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 to which it is or is to be a party; 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 to which it is or is to be a party; | ||||||
4.1.3 | Binding obligations | |||||
the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Relevant Parties enforceable in accordance with their terms; |
5
4.1.4 |
No conflict with other obligations |
the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party 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 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 Encumbrance on any of their undertakings, assets, rights or revenues of any of the Relevant Parties; |
|
4.1.5 |
No filings required |
it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any of the Relevant 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 Relevant Documents and each of the Relevant Documents 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 to which it is or is to be a party or the performance by each Relevant Party of its obligations under such document 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 of this Agreement and clause 8 of the Principal Agreement (as amended by this Agreement) shall be deemed to be repeated by the Borrower 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 Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be subject to the receipt by the Bank or its duly authorised representative of the documents and evidence specified in schedule 1 in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank. The Borrower agrees with the Bank that failure by the Borrower to deliver such documents or evidence to the Bank by the Conditions Date, will constitute an Event of Default under the Principal Agreement. |
|
5.2 |
General conditions precedent |
The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be further subject to: |
|
5.2.1 |
the representations and warranties in clause 4 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 |
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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 Bank and may be waived by the Bank in whole or in part with or without conditions. |
|
6 |
Confirmation |
6.1 |
Security Documents |
The Borrower acknowledges and agrees, for the avoidance of doubt, that: |
|
6.1.1 |
each of the Security 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 |
6.1.2 |
with effect from the Effective Date, references to the Agreement or the Loan Agreement in any of the other Security Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended. |
7 |
Expenses |
7.1 |
Expenses |
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank on a full indemnity basis on demand all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by the Bank: |
|
7.1.1 |
in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee and of any amendment or extension of, or the granting of any waiver or consent under, this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee; |
7.1.2 |
in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee or otherwise in respect of the monies owing and obligations incurred under this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee, |
together with interest at the rate referred to in clause 3.4 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 to the Bank on demand all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by the Bank) imposed on or in connection with this Agreement and shall indemnify the Bank 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 |
Every notice, request, demand or other communication under this Agreement shall: |
|
7
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. |
|
9 |
Applicable law |
9.1 |
Law |
This Agreement is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
|
9.2 |
Submission to jurisdiction |
Each of the Supplemental Parties agrees, for the benefit of the Bank, that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement against any of their assets may be brought in the English courts. Each of the Supplemental Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Mr. Savvas Savvides at present of 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings and each of the Supplemental Parties further undertakes that, in the event that such individual passes away or cannot be found, each of the Supplemental Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Bank to designate, appoint and empower, on each of the Supplemental Parties behalf, Messrs Cheeswrights or Messrs Saville & Co. at their then principal place of business in London, as substitute process agents of Mr. Savvas Savvides for the purposes of this clause. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against any of the Supplemental Parties in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more |
|
8
jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. Each of the Supplemental Parties further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other state shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which any of the Supplemental Parties may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Agreement. | |
9.3 |
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 to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as a deed on the date first above written. |
9
Schedule 1
Documents and evidence required as conditions subsequent
(referred to in clause 5.1)
10
4 |
Legal opinions |
such legal opinions in relation to the laws of the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Panama and any other legal opinions as the Bank shall in its absolute discretion require; |
|
5 |
Listing |
evidence that the Listing has taken place; and |
|
6 |
Process agent |
a letter from each Relevant Partys agent for receipt of service of proceedings accepting its appointment under this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents to which such Relevant Party is or is to be a party as such Relevant Partys process agent. |
|
11
Schedule 2
Form of Corporate Guarantee
12
EXECUTED as a DEED | ) | |||||
by | ) | |||||
for and on behalf of | ) | |||||
MARINOUKI SHIPPING CORPORATION | ) | Attorney-in-fact | ||||
as Borrower | ) | |||||
in the presence of: | ) | |||||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
EXECUTED as a DEED | ) | |||||
by | ) | |||||
for and on behalf of | ) | |||||
SAFETY MANAGEMENT OVERSEAS S.A. | ) | Attorney-in-fact | ||||
as Manager | ) | |||||
in the presence of: | ) | |||||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
EXECUTED as a DEED | ) | |||||
by | ) | |||||
for and on behalf of | ) | |||||
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC | ) | Attorney-in-fact | ||||
as Bank | ) | |||||
in the presence of: | ) | |||||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
13
Exhibit 10.21
[Letterhead of]
HVB
To: Petra Shipping Ltd
32 Karamanli Avenue
166 05 Voula
Greece
14 May 2008
Dear Sirs
Supplemental Letter
1 | We refer to the loan agreement dated 11 January 2007 (the Loan Agreement ) made between (1) Petra Shipping Ltd as borrower (the Borrower ) and (2) Bayerische Hypo- and Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft as lender (the Bank ), pursuant to which the Bank agreed ( inter alia ) to make available (and has made available) to the Borrower a multicurrency loan of Thirty six million Dollars ($36,000,000) upon the terms and conditions contained therein. |
2 | Words and expressions defined in the Loan Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning where used in this Letter. |
3 | The Borrower and the Bank hereby acknowledge as of 18 January 2008 the Equivalent Amount in Dollars of the Loan then outstanding (less any amount standing to the credit of the Multicurrency Cash Collateral Account) exceeded the Dollar Amount of the Loan by Four million one hundred and seventy thousand six hundred and eighteen Dollars and seventy cent ($4,170,618.70) (the excess amount ). |
4 | At the Borrowers request, the Bank agreed to waive the requirement of additional cash collateral to be deposited in the Multicurrency Cash Collateral Account pursuant to clause 4.6 of the Loan Agreement as a result of such excess amount. Such waiver was granted without prejudice to any of the rights or powers conferred upon the Bank under the Loan Agreement and the other Security Documents or the right of the Bank thereafter to act strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. |
5 | At the Borrowers further request, the Bank further agreed that, with effect from 18 January 2008 (the Crystallisation Date ), the entire amount of the Loan is converted into Dollars (and it was then so converted) and the Borrower further requested that the Loan remains outstanding at all times in Dollars. The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in the Loan Agreement (which provisions shall be of no effect any longer), neither the Loan nor any part thereof may be converted into an Optional Currency and that the Loan will remain outstanding in Dollars at all times and hence the multicurrency option contained in the Loan Agreement is hereby cancelled. |
6 | At the Borrowers request, the Bank and the Borrower hereby further agree that, in lieu of payment by the Borrower of the excess amount, and with effect from the |
Crystallisation Date, the Bank hereby increases the Commitment by the amount of $4,170,618.70 and such amount is hereby deemed drawn down under the Loan Agreement, so that such excess amount be deemed to constitute part of the Loan. | ||
7 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby further agree that the Borrower shall repay the outstanding amount of the Loan as of the date of this Letter (being the amount of $38,170,618.70, comprising (a) the balance of $34,000,000 prior to the increase of the Commitment referred to above and (b) the additional amount of $4,170,618.70 which is deemed drawn down under clause 7 above) by twenty two (22) consecutive repayment instalments, one such instalment to be repaid on each of the Repayment Dates falling after the date of this Letter. Subject to the provisions of the Loan Agreement, the amount of each such instalment other than the last instalment shall be $1,100,000 and the amount of the last such instalment shall be $15,070,818.70 (comprising a repayment instalment of $1,100,000 and a balloon payment of $13,970,618.70). | |
8 | The Bank and the Borrower agree that clause 7 of this Letter shall replace clause 5.1.1 of the Loan Agreement. | |
9 | The Bank hereby confirms its consent to the amendment of the Management Agreement, effective as of 1 January 2008, pursuant to the terms described in the letters and emails of 4 February 2008 and 4 March 2008 sent by or on behalf of the Borrower and addressed to the Bank. | |
10 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the Loan Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date (as defined below), be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Loan Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties thereto upon such terms as so amended): | |
(a) | by deleting the definition of Cash Collateral Account in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Cash Collateral Account Pledge : | |
Cash Collateral Account Pledge means an interest bearing Dollar account of the Borrower opened by the Borrower with the Bank designated Cash Collateral Account and with account number 121894USD281102 and includes any other account designated in writing by the Bank to be a Cash Collateral Account for the purposes of this Agreement;; | ||
(b) | by deleting the definition of Cash Collateral Account Pledge in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Cash Collateral Account Pledge : | |
Cash Collateral Account Pledge means the pledge executed on 9 April 2008 by the Borrower in favour of the Bank in respect of the Cash Collateral Account;; | ||
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15.2 | Account terms | ||
Amounts standing to the credit of the Cash Collateral Account (unless otherwise agreed between the Bank and the Borrower) bear interest at the rates from time to time offered by the Bank to its customers for Dollar deposits in comparable amounts for comparable periods. Interest shall accrue on the Cash Collateral Account from day to day and be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed and a 360 day year and shall be credited to the Cash Collateral Account at such times as the Bank and the Borrower shall agree. | |||
15.3 | Application of accounts | ||
At any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default. the Bank may, without notice to the Borrower, apply all moneys then standing to the credit of the Cash Collateral Account (together with interest from time to time accruing or accrued thereon) in or towards satisfaction of any sums due to the Bank under the Security Documents in the manner specified in clause 14.1. | |||
15.4 | Charging of accounts | ||
The Accounts and all amounts from time to time standing to the credit thereof shall be subject to the security constituted and the rights conferred by the Account Pledges.. | |||
11 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the agreement and arrangements set out in paragraphs 4 to 8 (inclusive) of this Letter shall become effective immediately upon execution of this Letter by the Borrower and the Manager and, where expressly stated therein, with effect from any such date as stated therein. | ||
12 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the agreement of the Bank contained in paragraph 9 above and the amendments to the Loan Agreement set out in paragraph 10 above shall become effective on the date (the Effective Date ) when: | ||
(a) | the Borrower and the Manager have executed this Letter; and | ||
(b) | the Borrower has executed in favour of the Bank an account pledge over its bank account held with the Bank with account number 121894USD281102, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank in its discretion: and | ||
(c) | the Borrower has delivered to the Bank such documents and evidence of the type referred to in schedule 2 to the Agreement (including legal opinions) as required by the Bank in its discretion, in respect of this Letter, | ||
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the documents referred to in paragraph (b) above and the transactions contemplated herein and therein. | ||
13 | Save as amended by this Letter, the provisions of the Loan Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and the Loan Agreement and this Letter shall be read and construed as one instrument. | |
14 | Each of the other Security Documents and the obligations of the Security Parties thereunder shall remain and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments to the Loan Agreement contained in this Letter. | |
15 | References to the Agreement or the Loan Agreement in any of the Security Documents shall henceforth be references to the Loan Agreement as amended by this Letter and as from time to time hereafter amended and shall also be deemed to include this Letter and the obligations of the Security Parties hereunder. | |
16 | This Letter is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of England and any dispute hereunder shall be resolved on the same courts as provided for in clause 18.2 of the Loan Agreement. | |
Yours faithfully
5
6
Exhibit 10.22
[Letterhead of]
HVB
To: Petra Shipping Ltd
32 Karamanli Avenue
166 05 Voula
Greece
15 May 2008
Dear Sirs
Supplemental Letter
1 | We refer to the loan agreement dated 11 January 2007 as amended by a supplemental Letter dated 14 May 2008 (together the Loan Agreement ) made between (1) Petra Shipping Ltd as borrower (the Borrower ) and (2) Bayerische Hypo- and Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft as lender (the Bank ), pursuant to which the Bank agreed ( inter alia ) to make available (and has made available) to the Borrower a multicurrency loan of Thirty six million Dollars ($36,000,000) upon the terms and conditions contained therein. | |
2 | Words and expressions defined in the Loan Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning where used in this Letter. | |
3 | The Bank hereby confirms its consent to the entry by the Borrower and the Manager into a new management agreement in respect of the Ship, pursuant to the terms described in the letters and emails of 4 February 2008 and 4 March 2008 sent by or on behalf of the Borrower and addressed to the Bank. The Bank, the Borrower and the Manager hereby agree and acknowledge that references in the Managers Undertaking and the other Security Documents to the Management Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such new management agreement referred to above, in substitution of the Management Agreement currently referred to therein. | |
4 | Al the Borrowers request, the Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the Loan Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date (as defined below), be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Loan Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties thereto upon such terms as so amended): | |
(a) | By inserting the following new definition of HoldCo in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.2: | |
HoldCo means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of the Marshall Islands and it includes its successors in title;; | ||
2
(b) | by deleting the definition of Management Agreement in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Management Agreement : | |
Management Agreement means, together, the agreement made or (as the context may require) to be made between HoldCo and the Manager and the agreement made, or (as the context may require) to be made between the Borrower and the Manager, providing (inter alia) for the Manager to manage the Ship, as amended and supplemented from time to time;; | ||
(c) | by deleting the definition of Operating Account in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Operating Account : | |
Operating Account means an interest bearing Dollar account of the Borrower opened by the Borrower with the Bank designated Operating Account and with account number 121894 USD 281120 and includes any other account designated in writing by the Bank to be an Operating Account for the purposes of this Agreement; | ||
(d) | by deleting the definition of Operating Account Pledge in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Operating Account Pledge : | |
Operating Account Pledge means the pledge executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Borrower in favour of the Bank in respect of the Operating Account in such form as the Bank may in its absolute discretion require;; | ||
(e) | by deleting clause 11.1.27 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clause 11.1.27; | |
11.1.27 Ownership at any time (a) the Borrower ceases to be a wholly- owned direct Subsidiary of HoldCo and/or (b) Mr. Polys V. Hadjioannou and Mr. Nicolaos V . Hadjioannou are or become the ultimate beneficial owners of less than 51% of the total issued share capital of HoldCo; or; and | ||
3
4
moneys then standing to the credit of the Accounts (together with interest from time to time accruing or accrued thereon) in or towards satisfaction of any sums due to the Bank under the Security Documents in the manner specified in clause 14.1. | |||
15.5 | Charging of accounts | ||
The Accounts and all amounts from time to time standing to the credit thereof shall be subject to the security constituted and the rights conferred by the Account Pledges.. | |||
5 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the agreement of the Bank contained in paragraph 3 above and the amendments to the Loan Agreement set out in paragraph 4 above shall become effective on the date (the Effective Date ) when: | ||
(a) | the Borrower and the Manager have executed this Letter; and | ||
(b) | Safe Bulkers, Inc. has successfully completed the public offering of its shares and such shares have been accepted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange. | ||
Provided that following the Effective Date the Borrower will: | |||
(i) | execute in favour of the Bank an account pledge over its bank account held with the Bank with account number 121 894 USD 281120, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank in its discretion: and | ||
(ii) | deliver to the Bank such documents and evidence of the type referred to in schedule 2 to the Loan Agreement (including legal opinions) as required through written notice to the Borrower by the Bank in its discretion, in respect of this Letter, the documents referred to in paragraph (i) above and the transactions contemplated herein and therein. | ||
6 | The Bank and the Borrower shall promptly execute such further documentation and take all such other actions as may be reasonably required to reflect the Banks consent (evidenced by this Letter) to the various changes of ownership involved in the Reorganization and the Offering (as such capitalized terms are defined in the Borrowers letter to the Bank of 4 February 2008), as well as any exchange of, and corporate actions in connection with the exchange of, bearer shares for registered shares (together, the Consent ), but only to the extent that the parties have not already done all things reasonably necessary to effect the Consent. | ||
7 | Save as amended by this Letter, the provisions of the Loan Agreement shall continue in lull force and effect and the Loan Agreement and this Letter shall be read and construed as one instrument. | ||
5
8 | Each of the other Security Documents and the obligations of the Security Parties thereunder shall remain and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments to the Loan Agreement contained in this Letter. |
9 | References to the Agreement or the Loan Agreement in any of the Security Documents shall henceforth be references to the Loan Agreement as amended by this Letter and as from time to time hereafter amended and shall also be deemed to include this Letter and the obligations of the Security Parties hereunder. |
10 | This Letter is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of England and any dispute hereunder shall be resolved in the same courts as provided for in clause 18.2 of the Loan Agreement. |
Yours faithfully
6
7
EXECUTED as a DEED | ) | |||
by | ) | |||
for and on behalf of | ) |
|
||
SAFETY MANAGEMENT OVERSEAS S.A. | ) | Attorney-in-fact | ||
In the presence of: | ) | |||
|
||||
Witness | ||||
Name: | ||||
Address: | ||||
Occupation: |
Exhibit 10.25
[Letterhead of HVB]
To: Pemer Shipping Ltd
32 Karamanli Avenue
166 05 Voula
Greece
14 May 2008
Dear Sirs
Supplemental Letter
1 | We refer to the loan agreement dated 7 March 2007 (the Loan Agreement ) made between (1) Pemer Shipping Ltd as borrower (the Borrower ) and (2) Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft as lender (the Bank ), pursuant to which the Bank agreed ( inter alia ) to make available (and has made available) to the Borrower a multicurrency loan of Thirty six million Dollars ($36,000,000) upon the terms and conditions contained therein. |
2 | Words and expressions defined in the Loan Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning where used in this Letter. |
3 | The Borrower and the Bank hereby acknowledge as of 7 March 2008 the Equivalent Amount in Dollars of the Loan then outstanding (less any amount standing to the credit of the Multicurrency Cash Collateral Account) exceeded the Dollar Amount of the Loan by Four million one hundred and sixty seven thousand six hundred and fifteen Dollars and one cent ($4,167,515.01) (the excess amount ). |
4 | At the Borrowers request, the Bank agreed to waive the requirement of additional cash collateral to be deposited in the Multicurrency Cash Collateral Account pursuant to clause 4.6 of the Loan Agreement as a result of such excess amount. |
Such waiver was granted without prejudice to any of the rights or powers conferred upon the Bank under the Loan Agreement and the other Security Documents or the right of the Bank thereafter to act strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. | |
5 | At the Borrowers further request, the Bank further agreed that, with effect from 7 March 2008 (the Crystallisation Date ), the entire amount of the Loan is converted into Dollars (and it was then so converted) and the Borrower further requested that the Loan remains outstanding at all times in Dollars. The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in the Loan Agreement (which provisions shall be of no effect any longer), neither the Loan nor any part thereof may be converted into an Optional Currency and that the Loan will remain outstanding in Dollars at all times and hence the multicurrency option contained in the Loan Agreement is hereby cancelled. |
6 | At the Borrowers request, the Bank and the Borrower hereby further agree that, in lieu of payment by the Borrower of the excess amount, and with effect from the Crystallisation Date, the Bank hereby increases the Commitment by the amount of $4,167,615.01 and such amount is hereby deemed drawn down under the Loan Agreement, so that such excess amount be deemed to constitute part of the Loan. | |
7 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby further agree that the Borrower shall repay the outstanding amount of the Loan as of the date of this Letter (being the amount of 38,167,615.01, comprising (a) the balance of $34,000,000 prior to the increase of the Commitment referred to above and (b) the additional amount of $4,167,615.01 which is deemed drawn down under clause 7 above) by twenty two (22) consecutive repayment instalments, one such instalment to be repaid on each of the Repayment Dates falling after the date of this Letter. Subject to the provisions of the Loan Agreement, the amount of each such instalment other than the last instalment shall be $1,100,000 and the amount of the last such instalment shall be $15,067,015.01 (comprising a repayment instalment of $1,100,000 and a balloon payment of $13,967,615.01). | |
8 | The Bank and the Borrower agree that clause 7 of this Letter shall replace clause 5.1.1 of the Loan Agreement. | |
9 | The Bank hereby confirms its consent to the amendment of the Management Agreement, effective as of 1 January 2008, pursuant to the terms described in the letters and mails of 4 February 2008 and 4 March 2008 sent by or on behalf of the Borrower and addressed to the Bank. | |
10 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the Loan Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date (as defined below), be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Loan Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties thereto upon such terms as so amended): | |
(a) | by deleting the definition of Cash Collateral Account in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Cash Collateral Account : | |
Cash Collateral Account means an interest bearing Dollar account of the Borrower opened by the Borrower with the Bank designated Cash Collateral Account and with account number 122181USD281102 and includes any other account designated in writing by the Bank to be a Cash Collateral Account for the purposes of this Agreement;; | ||
(b) | by deleting the definition of Cash Collateral Account Pledgee in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Cash Collateral Account Pledge: | |
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Cash Collateral Account Pledge means the pledge executed on 9 April 2006 by the Borrower in favour of the Bank in respect of the Cash Collateral Account;; | ||||
(c) | by deleting the definition of Management Agreement in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Management Agreement : | |||
Management Agreement means the agreement or agreements entered or (as the context may require) to be entered into (in a form previously approved by the Bank in its sole discretion) between or on behalf of the Borrower, the Manager and/or any other party (including any holding company of the Borrower) providing (inter alia) for the Manager to manage the Ship as amended and supplemented from time to time;; | ||||
(d) | by deleting the words the Manager in clause 5.8 and by inserting the words the Borrower in its place; | |||
(e) | by deleting clause 9.4 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clause 9.4: | |||
9.4 | Cash Collateral Account Balance | |||
The Borrower undertakes to maintain in the Cash Collateral Account the Cash Collateral Deposit at all times until the Third Anniversary, following which the Borrower, only once per calendar year and only on an Interest Payment Date, shall be entitled to withdraw from the Cash Collateral Account such amount which, following the relevant withdrawal, would cause the balance of the Cash Collateral Account to be equal to the applicable fraction of the Cash Collateral Deposit (and, for the purposes of this clause the expression applicable fraction means a fraction having as numerator the outstanding amount of the Loan prior to such withdrawal and as denominator the amount of $38,167,615.01).; and | ||||
(f) | by deleting clause 15 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clause 15: | |||
15 | Accounts | |||
15.1 | General | |||
The Borrower undertakes with the Bank that it will: | ||||
15.1.1 | maintain with the Bank the Cash Collateral Account; and | |||
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15.1.2 procure that all moneys payable to the Borrower in respect of the Earnings (as defined in the General Assignment) of the Ship shall, unless and until the Bank directs to the contrary pursuant to clause 2.1 of the General Assignment, be paid to the Operating Account. | |||
15.2 | Account terms | ||
Amounts standing to the credit of the Cash Collateral Account shall (unless otherwise agreed between the Bank and the Borrower) bear interest at the rates from time to time offered by the Bank to its customers for Dollar deposits in comparable amounts for comparable periods. Interest shall accrue on the Cash Collateral Account from day to day and be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed and a 360 day year and shall be credited to the Cash Collateral Account at such times as the Bank and the Borrower shall agree. | |||
15.3 | Application of accounts | ||
At any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Bank may, without notice to the Borrower, apply all moneys then standing to the credit of the Cash Collateral Account (together with interest from time to time accruing or accrued thereon) in or towards satisfaction of any sums due to the Bank under the Security Documents in the manner specified in clause 14.1. | |||
15.4 | Charging of accounts | ||
The Accounts and all amounts from time to time standing to the credit thereof shall be subject to the security constituted and the rights conferred by the Account Pledges.. | |||
11 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the agreement and arrangements set out in paragraphs 4 to 8 (inclusive) of this Letter shall become effective immediately upon execution of this Letter by the Borrower and the Manager and, where expressly stated therein, with effect from any such date as stated therein. | ||
12 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the agreement of the Bank contained in paragraph 9 above and the amendments to the Loan Agreement set out in paragraph 10 above shall become effective on the date (the Effective Date ) when: | ||
(a) | the Borrower and the Manager have executed this Letter; and | ||
(b) | the Borrower has executed in favour of the Bank an account pledge over its bank account held with the Bank with account number | ||
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122181US0281102, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank in its discretion; and | ||
(c) | the Borrower has delivered to the Bank such documents and evidence of the type referred to in schedule 2 to the Agreement (including legal opinions) as required by the Bank in its discretion, in respect of this Letter, the documents referred to in paragraph (b) above and the transactions contemplated herein and therein. | |
13 | Save as amended by this Letter, the provisions of the Loan Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and the Loan Agreement and this Letter shall be read and construed as one instrument. | |
14 | Each of the other Security Documents and the obligations of the Security Parties thereunder shall remain and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments to the Loan Agreement contained in this Letter. | |
15 | References to the Agreement or the Loan Agreement in any of the Security Documents shall henceforth be references to the Loan Agreement as amended by this Letter and as from time to time hereafter amended and shall also be deemed to include this Letter and the obligations of the Security Parties hereunder. | |
16 | This Letter is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of England and any dispute hereunder shall be resolved in the same courts as provided for in clause 18.2 of the Loan Agreement. | |
Yours faithfully
5
6
Exhibit 10.26
To: Pemer Shipping Ltd
32 Karamanli Avenue
166 05 Voula
Greece
15 May 2008
Dear Sirs
Supplemental Letter
1 | We refer to the loan agreement dated 7 March 2007 as amended by a supplemental letter dated 14 May 2008 (together the Loan Agreement ) made between (1) Pemer Shipping Ltd as borrower (the Borrower ) and (2) Bayerische Hypo- and Vereinsbank Aktiengesellschaft as lender (the Bank ), pursuant to which the Bank agreed ( inter alia ) to make available (and has made available) to the Borrower a multicurrency loan of Thirty six million Dollars ($36,000,000) upon the terms and conditions contained therein. | |
2 | Words and expressions defined in the Loan Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning where used in this Letter. | |
3 | The Bank hereby confirms its consent to the entry by the Borrower and the Manager into a new management agreement in respect of the Ship, pursuant to the terms described in the letters and emails of 4 February 2008 and 4 March 2008 sent by or on behalf of the Borrower and addressed to the Bank. The Bank, the Borrower and the Manager hereby agree and acknowledge that references in the Managers Undertaking and the other Security Documents to the Management Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such new management agreement referred to above, in substitution of the Management Agreement currently referred to therein. | |
4 | At the Borrowers request, the Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the Loan Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date (as defined below), be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Loan Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties thereto upon such terms as so amended): | |
(a) | By inserting the following new definition of HoldCo in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.2; |
1
HoldCo means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of the Marshall Islands and it includes its successors in title;; | |||
(b) | by deleting the definition of Management Agreement in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Management Agreement : | ||
Management Agreement means, together, the agreement made or (as the context may require) to be made between HoldCo and the Manager and the agreement made, or (as the context may require) to be made between the Borrower and the Manager, providing (inter alia) for the Manager to manage the Ship, as amended and supplemented from time to time;; | |||
(c) | by deleting the definition of Operating Account in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Operating Account : | ||
Operating Account means an interest bearing Dollar account of the Borrower opened by the Borrower with the Bank designated Operating Account and with account number 122181 USD 281120 and includes any other account designated in writing by the Bank to be an Operating Account for the purposes of this Agreement;; | |||
(d) | by deleting the definition of Operating Account Pledge in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Operating Account Pledge : | ||
Operating Account Pledge means the pledge executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Borrower in favour of the Bank in respect of the Operating Account in such form as the Bank may in its absolute discretion require;; | |||
(f) | by deleting clause 11.1.27 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clause 11.1.27: | ||
11.1.27 Ownership: at any time (a) the Borrower ceases to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of HoldCo and/or (b) Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou and Mr Nicolaos V. Hadjioannou are or become the ultimate beneficial owners of less than 51% of the total issued share capital of HoldCo; or; and | |||
(g) | by deleting clause 15 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clause 15: | ||
15 | Accounts | ||
15.1 | General |
2
3
5 | The Bank and the Borrower hereby agree that the agreement of the Bank contained in paragraph 3 above and the amendments to the Loan Agreement set out in paragraph 4 above shall become effective on the date (the Effective Date ) when: | |
(a) | the Borrower and the Manager have executed this Letter; and | |
(b) | Safe Bulkers, Inc. has successfully completed the public offering of its shares and such shares have been accepted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange. | |
Provided that following the Effective Date the Borrower will: | ||
(i) | execute in favour of the Bank an account pledge over its bank account held with the Bank with account number 122181 USD 281102, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank in its discretion; and | |
(ii) | deliver to the Bank such documents and evidence of the type referred to in schedule 2 to the Agreement (including legal opinions) as required by the Bank in its discretion, in respect of this Letter, the documents referred to in paragraph (i) above and the transactions contemplated herein and therein. | |
6 | The Bank and the Borrower shall promptly execute such further documentation and take all such other actions as may be reasonably required to reflect the Banks consent (evidenced by this Letter) to the various changes of ownership involved in the Reorganization and the Offering (as such capitalized terms are defined in the Borrowers letter to the Bank of 4 February 2008), as well as any exchange of, and corporate actions in connection with the exchange of, bearer shares for registered shares (together, the Consent ), but only to the extent that the parties have not already done all things reasonably necessary to effect the Consent. | |
7 | Save as amended by this Letter, the provisions of the Loan Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and the Loan Agreement and this Letter shall be read and construed as one instrument. | |
8 | Each of the other Security Documents and the obligations of the Security Parties thereunder shall remain and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments to the Loan Agreement contained in this Letter. | |
9 | References to the Agreement or the Loan Agreement in any of the Security Documents shall henceforth be references to the Loan Agreement as amended by this Letter and as from time to time hereafter amended and shall also be deemed to include this Letter and the obligations of the Security Parties hereunder. | |
10 | This Letter is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of England and any dispute hereunder shall be resolved in the same courts as provided for in clause 18.2 of the Loan Agreement. | |
4
5
Exhibit 10.28
DATED 22 May 2008
PELEA SHIPPING LTD.
(as borrower)
-and-
DnB NOR BANK ASA
(as lender)
______________________________________________________________
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO A SECURED
REDUCING REVOLVING MULTI-CURRENCY CREDIT FACILITY
AGREEMENT
DATED 12 June 2007
______________________________________________________________
STEPHENSON HARWOOD
One, St. Pauls Churchyard
London EC4M 8SH
Tel: 020 7329 4422
Fax: 020 7329 7100
Ref: 04.140
1
CONTENTS
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Page |
1 Interpretation |
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2 |
2 Conditions |
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3 |
3 Representations and Warranties |
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6 |
4 Amendments to Original Facility Agreement |
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6 |
5 Confirmation and Undertaking |
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20 |
6 Communications, Law and Jurisdiction |
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20 |
SCHEDULE 1: Form of Compliance Certificate |
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SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
Dated: 22 May 2008
BETWEEN:
(1) |
PELEA SHIPPING LTD. , a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia whose registered office is at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia (the Borrower); and |
(2) |
DnB NOR BANK ASA , acting through its office at 20 St. Dunstans Hill, London EC3R 8HY, England (the Lender ). |
SUPPLEMENTAL TO a secured reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 12 June 2007 (the Original Facility Agreement ) made between the Borrower and the Lender, on the terms and subject to the conditions of which the Lender agreed to advance to the Borrower an aggregate amount not exceeding forty two million Dollars ($42,000,000) (the Loan ).
WHEREAS:
(A) |
The Borrower has informed the Lender that it wishes to enter into a series of transactions (the Reorganization ) as a result of which: (a) its shares will cease to be wholly owned by its present shareholders; (b) the Corporate Guarantor will own 100% of the Borrowers shares; and (c) its ownership structure will change following the initial public offering of the common stock of the Corporate Guarantor in the New York Stock Exchange (the Offering ). |
(B) |
The Borrower has requested the Lender to proceed in amending, inter alia, clauses 13.2.17 and 14.1.8 of the Original Facility Agreement, which would otherwise be breached upon the occurrence of the Reorganization and the Offering, and to delete, inter alia, clause 13.2.14 and to amend, inter alia, clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement. |
(C) |
The Lender is willing to accede to such requests as listed in Recital B above and has agreed to amend the Original Facility Agreement and the Security Documents (as applicable) on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Supplemental Agreement. |
IT IS AGREED THAT:
1 |
Interpretation |
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1.1 |
In this Supplemental Agreement |
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1.1.1 |
Additional Documents means the Supplemental Agreement, the Guarantees and the Operating Account Charge. |
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1.1.2 |
Avstes means Avstes Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. |
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1.1.3 |
Avstes Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Avstes in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. |
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1.1.4 |
Corporate Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity to be granted by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender. |
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1.1.5 |
Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers Inc., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands or such other company which shall be its successor in title. |
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1.1.6 |
Effective Date means the date of the Listing, such date falling no later than 30 August 2008. |
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1.1.7 |
Efragel means Efragel Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. |
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1.1.8 |
Efragel Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Efragel in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. |
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1.1.9 |
Group Guarantees means the Efragel Guarantee, the Marindou Guarantee and the Avstes Guarantee, and Group Guarantee means any one of them. |
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1.1.10 |
Group Guarantor means any one of Efragel, Marindou or Avstes, and Group Guarantors means more than one of them. |
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1.1.11 |
Guarantees means the Group Guarantees and the Corporate Guarantee and Guarantee means any one of them. |
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1.1.12 |
Guarantors means the Group Guarantors and the Corporate Guarantor and Guarantor means any one of them. |
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1.1.13 |
Marindou means Marindou Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. |
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1.1.14 |
Marindou Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Marindou in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. |
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1.1.15 |
Listing the effective trading date of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor listed on the New York Stock Exchange. |
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1.1.16 |
Operating Account Charge means the first priority deed of charge over the Operating Account to be executed by the Borrower in favour of the Lender. |
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1.1.17 |
Side Letter means a side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require. |
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1.1.18 |
Supplemental Agreement means this Supplemental Agreement. |
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1.2 |
All words and expressions defined in the Original Facility Agreement and in Clause 4 of this Supplemental Agreement shall have the same meaning when used in this Supplemental Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, and clause 1.2 of the Original Facility Agreement shall apply to the interpretation of this Supplemental Agreement as if it were set out in full. |
2 |
Conditions |
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2.1 |
Conditions Subsequent - Initial The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to or to the order of the Lender within five (5) Business Days from the Effective Date the following documents and evidence: |
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2.1.1 |
Borrowers officers certificate A certificate from a duly authorised officer of the Borrower confirming that none of the documents delivered to the Lender pursuant to Schedule 1 Part I (a), (c) and (e) of the Original Facility Agreement have |
3
been amended or modified in any way since the date of their delivery to the Lender, or copies, certified by a duly authorised officer of the Borrower as true, complete, accurate and neither amended nor revoked, of any which have been amended or modified.
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2.1.2 |
Borrowers and Guarantors officers certificates A certificate of a duly authorised officer of the Borrower and each Guarantor certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Clauses 2.1.3 (other than in respect of the Borrower) to 2.1.6 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than five days prior to the date of this Supplemental Agreement and setting out the names of the directors and officers of the Borrower and the respective Guarantor. |
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2.1.3 |
Constitutional Documents Copies of the constitutional documents of each Guarantor together with such other evidence as the Lender may reasonably require that the Guarantor in question is duly incorporated in its country of incorporation and remains in existence with power to enter into, and perform its obligations under, the relevant Guarantee. |
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2.1.4 |
Resolutions A copy, certified by a director or the secretary of the Security Party in question as true, complete and accurate and neither amended nor revoked, of a resolution of the directors and, a resolution of the shareholders of each Security Party (together, where appropriate, with signed waivers of notice of any directors or shareholders meetings) approving, and authorising or ratifying the execution of, this Supplemental Agreement and any document to be executed by that Security Party pursuant to this Supplemental Agreement. |
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2.1.5 |
Powers of Attorney A notarially attested and legalised power of attorney of each of the Security Parties (other than the Corporate Guarantor) and a duly executed power of attorney in respect of the Corporate Guarantor under which this Supplemental Agreement and any documents required pursuant to it are to be executed by that Security Party. |
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2.1.6 |
Certificates of good standing A certificate of good standing in respect of each Security Party (if such a certificate can be obtained). |
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2.1.7 |
Additional Documents The Additional Documents duly executed by all parties thereto. |
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|
2.1.8 |
Legal Opinions A legal opinion of the legal advisers of the Lender in the relevant jurisdiction, substantially in the form or forms provided to the Lender prior to signing of this Supplemental Agreement or confirmation satisfactory to the Lender that such a legal opinion will be given. |
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2.1.9 |
Other authorisations A copy of any other consent, licence, approval, authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Lender considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Security Parties accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any of the Additional Documents or for the validity and enforceability of any of the Additional Documents. |
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2.1.10 |
Side Letter The side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require. |
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2.1.11 |
Process agent Evidence that any process agent referred to in Clause of the Agreement and any process agent appointed under any other Finance Document has accepted its appointment. |
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2.2 |
Conditions Subsequent -Additional The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to or to the order of the Lender within thirty (30) days from the Effective Date, the following documents and evidence:- |
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2.2.1 |
Legal opinions The legal opinions specified in Clause 2.1.8 as have not already provided to the Lender. |
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2.2.2 |
New Management Agreement A photocopy, certified as true, accurate and complete by a director or the secretary or the duly authorised attorney of the Borrower of the New Management Agreement. |
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2.2.3 |
New Managers confirmation The written confirmation of the Managers that, throughout the Facility Period unless otherwise agreed by the Lender, they will remain the commercial and technical managers of the Vessel and that they will not, without the prior written consent of the Lender, subcontract or delegate the commercial or technical management of the Vessel to any third party and confirming in terms acceptable to the Lender that, following the occurrence of an Event of Default, all claims of the Managers against the Borrower shall be |
5
subordinated to the claims of the Lender under the Finance Documents.
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2.2.4 |
Reorganisation, Offering and Listing Evidence of the Reorganisation, the Offering and the Listing. |
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2.3 |
Event of Default Failure of the Borrower to deliver any of the documents or evidence listed in Clause 2.1. or Clause 2.2 in accordance with the requirements thereof shall constitute an Event of Default. |
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2.4 |
All documents and evidence delivered to the Lender pursuant to this Clause shall: |
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2.4.1 |
be in form and substance acceptable to the Lender; |
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2.4.2 |
be accompanied, if required by the Lender, by translations into the English language, certified in a manner acceptable to the Lender; and |
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2.4.3 |
if required by the Lender, be certified, notarised, legalised or attested in a manner acceptable to the Lender. |
3 |
Representations and Warranties |
Each of the representations and warranties contained in clauses 12 and 13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deemed repeated by the Borrower at the date of this Supplemental Agreement and at the Effective Date, by reference to the facts and circumstances then pertaining, as if references in the Finance Documents to the Agreement included the Original Facility Agreement as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Agreement.
4 |
Amendments to Original Facility Agreement |
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4.1 |
With effect from that Effective Date:- |
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4.1.1 |
The following additional definitions shall be added in clause 1.1 of the Original Facility Agreement, and the numerical order of the remaining definitions in such Clause shall be amended accordingly: |
Accounting Information means the annual financial statements and/or the quarterly financial statements to be provided by the Corporate Guarantor to the Lender in accordance with Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 respectively.
Avstes means Avstes Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title.
6
Avstes Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 17 April 2008 made between Avstes, as borrower and the Lender, as lender, as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Avstes and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time.
Avstes Guarantee means the guarantee of Avstes referred to in Clause 11.1.7.
Avstes Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Avstes Agreement.
Builder means all Amtec Co. of Tokyo, Japan.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.
Consolidated Group Leverage means at any relevant time Consolidated Total Liabilities divided by Consolidated Total Assets.
Consolidated Total Assets means, at any date, the aggregate of:
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(a) |
the then current market values of all vessels owned by any member of the Group (in the case of a Vessel or any other vessel, the market value shall be determined by reference only to the most recent valuation of such Vessel or vessel in accordance with Clause 11.11); |
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(b) |
the then current aggregate amount of cash, Marketable Securities (but no other bonds, notes or bills and less any cash or Marketable Securities accounted for in the definition of Consolidated Total Liabilities below) and receivables due to the Group (less provision for bad and doubtful debts) as shown in the latest financial statements; and |
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(c) |
the book values of all other assets (other than the assets referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof) as shown in such latest financial statements. |
Consolidated Total Liabilities means, at the relevant date and for a particular period, the aggregate of the consolidated Financial Indebtedness of the Group shown in the latest
7
consolidated financial statements for the Group (excluding (i) liabilities to its shareholders, provided that they are subordinated on terms acceptable to the Lender in its discretion and (ii) debt that is fully collateralised by cash or Marketable Securities to which the right of access, use or dealing is blocked for any member of the Group solely to secure that debt).
Corporate Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity referred to in Clause 11.1.4.
Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers.
Current Shareholders means the shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor who beneficially hold directly or indirectly not less than fifty one per cent (51%) of the shares in the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing.
Debt means the aggregate (as of the date of calculation) of all obligations of the Group then outstanding for the payment or repayment of Financial Indebtedness as stated in the Accounting Information then most recently required to be delivered pursuant to Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 including, without limitation:
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(a) |
any amounts payable by the Group under leases, including, but not limited to, time chartering contracts, or similar arrangements over their respective periods; |
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(b) |
any credit to the Group from a supplier of goods or under any instalment purchase or other similar arrangement; |
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(c) |
the aggregate amount then outstanding of liabilities and obligations of third parties to the extent that they are guaranteed by the Group; |
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(d) |
any contingent liabilities (including any taxes or other payments under dispute or arbitration) which have been or, under GAAP, should be recorded in the notes to the Groups financial statements; and |
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(e) |
any deferred tax liabilities. |
EBITDA on a consolidated basis of the Group means the earnings before interest, expenses and other financial charges, taxes, depreciation and amortization (for the previous period of twelve months).
8
Efragel means Efragel Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title.
Efragel Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 made between Efragel, as borrower and the Lender, as lender, as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Efragel and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time.
Efragel Guarantee means the guarantee of Efragel referred to in Clause 11.1.5.
Efragel Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Efragel Agreement.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Group means the Corporate Guarantor and its Subsidiaries.
Group Guarantees means the Efragel Guarantee, the Marindou Guarantee and the Avstes Guarantee, and Group Guarantee means any one of them.
Group Guarantors means Efragel, Marindou and Avstes, and Group Guarantor means any one of them.
Guarantees means the Corporate Guarantee and the Group Guarantees and Guarantee means any one of them.
Guarantors means the Corporate Guarantor and the Group Guarantors, and Guarantor means any one of them.
Listing means the effective trading date of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Marindou means Marindou Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title.
Marindou Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 made between Marindou, as borrower and the Lender, as lender as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement
9
dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Marindou and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time.
Marindou Guarantee means the guarantee of Marindou referred to in Clause 11.1.6.
Marindou Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Marindou Agreement.
Margin means zero point seventy per cent (0.70%) per annum.
Marketable Securities means any bonds, stocks, notes or bills payable in a freely convertible and transferable currency and which are listed on a stock exchange acceptable to the Lender.
Net Worth means Consolidated Total Assets less Consolidated Total Liabilities.
New Management Agreement means the agreement for the commercial and technical management of the Vessel made or to be made between the Borrower and the Managers.
New Managers Confirmation means a letter of confirmation from the Managers in respect of the Vessel and the Borrower.
Operating Account Charge means the deed of charge referred to in Clause 11.1.8.
Owner means Owner A or Owner B, together the Owners .
Owner A means a single purpose ship-owning company incorporated or to be incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion and which shall be wholly owned legally and beneficially by the Corporate Guarantor and which shall be the owner of Vessel A.
Owner B means a single purpose ship-owning company incorporated or to be incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion and which shall be wholly owned legally and beneficially by the Corporate Guarantor and which shall be the Owner of Vessel B.
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Pelea Guarantees means the guarantees and indemnities to be granted by the Borrower in favour of the Lender in respect of each of the Marindou Indebtedness, the Efragel Indebtedness and the Avstes Indebtedness and Pelea Guarantee means any one of them.
Safe Bulkers means Safe Bulkers Inc., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands or such other company which shall be its successor in title.
Side Letter means the side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require.
Subsidiary has the meaning ascribed to it by section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006 (as the same may be amended and/or supplemented from time to time), and Subsidiaries shall be interpreted accordingly.
Vessel A means the dry-bulk carrier of approximately 87,000 dwt and everything now or in the future belonging to it on board and ashore, currently under construction by the Builder with the Builders hull number 3255 to be named MARTINE and intended to be registered under a flag acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion in the ownership of Owner A.
Vessel A Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement to be entered into by and between the Lender and Owner A pursuant to which the Lender would advance to Owner A an aggregate amount not exceeding forty five million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of, inter alia, financing part of the acquisition cost of Vessel A.
Vessel A Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Vessel A Agreement.
Vessel Agreements means Vessel A Agreement and Vessel B Agreement, Vessel Agreement means either of them.
Vessel B means the dry-bulk carrier of approximately 87,000 dwt, currently under construction by the Builder with the Builders hull number 3254, to be named ELENI and intended to be registered under a flag acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion in the ownership of Owner B.
11
Vessel B Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement to be entered into by and between the Lender and Owner B pursuant to which the Lender would advance to Owner B an aggregate amount not exceeding forty five million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of, inter alia, financing part of the acquisition cost of Vessel B.
Vessel B Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Vessel B Agreement.
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4.1.2 |
The following definitions set out in clause 1.1 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following new respective definitions:- |
Management Agreement means the agreement(s) for the commercial and/or technical management of the Vessel between the Borrower and the Managers, including, but not limited to, the New Management Agreement.
Operating Account means the bank account opened in the name of the Borrower with the Lender and designated Pelea Shipping Ltd. Operating Account with account number 63397003.
Relevant Documents means the Finance Documents, the Management Agreement, the Managers confirmation specified in Part I of Schedule 1 and the New Managers Confirmation.
Security Documents means the Mortgage, the Deed of Covenants, the Assignment, the Account Charge, the Operating Account Charge, the Guarantees, or (where the context permits) any one or more of them and any other agreement or document which may at any time be executed by any person as security for the payment of all or any part of the Indebtedness and Security Document means any one of them.
Security Parties means the Borrower, the Guarantors and any other person who may at any time during the Facility Period be liable for, or provide security for, all or any part of the Indebtedness, and Security Party means any one of them.
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4.1.3 |
In clause 11.1.2 of the Original Facility Agreement the word and at the end of the sentence shall be deleted. |
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4.1.4 |
In clause 11.1.3 of the Original Facility Agreement the word and at the end of the sentence shall be added. |
12
|
4.1.5 |
An additional clause 11.1.4 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.4 |
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a guarantee and indemnity from the Corporate Guarantor; |
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4.1.6 |
An additional clause 11.1.5 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.5 |
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a guarantee and indemnity from Efragel; |
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4.1.7 |
An additional clause 11.1.6 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.6 |
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a guarantee and indemnity from Marindou; |
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4.1.8 |
An additional clause 11.1.7 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.7 |
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a guarantee and indemnity from Avstes; and |
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4.1.9 |
An additional clause 11.1.8 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.8 |
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a first priority deed of charge over the Operating Account and all amounts from time to time standing to the credit of it. |
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4.1.10 |
Clause 12.1.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
12.1.14 |
|
No established place of business in the UK or US No Security Party, other than the Corporate Guarantor, has an established place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America. |
|
4.1.11 |
Clause 13.1 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
13.1 |
|
Information Undertakings |
13
13.1.1 |
|
Financial statements The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor supplies to the Lender as soon as the same become available, but in any event within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the end of each of its financial years, its audited consolidated financial statements for that financial year, together with a Compliance Certificate, signed by two directors of the Corporate Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 13.2.22 as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
13.1.2 |
|
Management accoun ts The Borrower or the Managers will supply to the Lender, on the Lenders request within sixty (60) days of the end of each calendar year during the Facility Period the unaudited management accounts for the Vessel prepared by the Managers showing the income and expenditure for the Vessel for such calendar year. |
13.1.3 |
|
Requirements as to financial statements Each set of financial statements delivered by the Corporate Guarantor under Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 shall be:- |
(a) |
prepared using GAAP; and |
(b) |
certified by a director of the Corporate Guarantor as fairly representing its financial condition as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
13.1.4 |
|
Interim financial statements The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor supplies to the Lender as soon as the same become available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each quarter during each of the Corporate Guarantors financial years, its unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements for that quarter, together with a Compliance Certificate, to be provided on a semi-annual basis, signed by two directors of the Corporate Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 13.2.22 as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
14
13.1.5 |
|
Information: miscellaneous The Borrower shall supply to the Lender: |
(a) |
all documents dispatched by the Borrower to its shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched other than any documents that are subject to any confidentiality restrictions pursuant to the New York Stock Exchange regulations that may prohibit such dissemination; |
(b) |
promptly upon becoming aware of them, details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Security Party, and which might, if adversely determined, have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or credit worthiness of that Security Party; and |
(c) |
promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, business and operations of any Security Party as the Lender may reasonably request. |
13.1.6 |
|
Notification of default |
(a) |
The Borrower shall notify the Lender of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence. |
(b) |
Promptly upon a request by the Lender, the Borrower shall supply to the Lender a certificate signed by two of its directors or senior officers 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). |
13.1.7 |
|
Know your customer checks If: |
(a) |
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; |
15
(b) |
any change in the status of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement; or |
(c) |
a proposed assignment or transfer by the Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, |
obliges the Lender (or, in the case of (c) 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, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Lender for itself (or, in the case of (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Lender (or, in the case of (c) 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.
|
4.1.12 |
Clause 13.2.6 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
13.2.6 |
|
Negative pledge and no disposals Other than in favour of the Lender, the Borrower shall not create nor permit to subsist any Encumbrance or other third party rights over any of its present or future assets or undertaking nor dispose of any those assets or of all or part of that undertaking. |
|
4.1.13 |
Clause 13.2.7 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
13.2.7 |
|
Merger The Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction other than the Reorganization. |
|
4.1.14 |
Clause 13.2.12 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
13.2.12 |
|
No substantial liabilities Except in the ordinary course of business and other than in favour of the Lender, the Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender incur any liability to any third party which is in the Lenders opinion of a substantial nature. |
16
|
4.1.15 |
Clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
13.2.13 |
|
No loans or other financial commitments The Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender make any loan nor enter into any guarantee or indemnity (other than the Pelea Guarantees, other than any guarantee or indemnity from time to time required by any insurer and which is in accordance with the terms and conditions of clause 5 of the Deed of Covenants, the Insurances and any acceptable Insurance letter of undertaking) or otherwise voluntarily assume any actual or contingent liability in respect of any obligation of any other person. |
|
4.1.16 |
Clause 13.2.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted. |
|
4.1.17 |
Clause 13.2.15 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
13.2.15 |
|
Inspection of records The Borrower will permit the inspection of its financial records and accounts and procure that the Corporate Guarantor permits the inspection of the Corporate Guarantors financial records and accounts from time to time by the Lender or its nominee. |
|
4.1.18 |
Clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
13.2.13 |
|
No change in ownership or control of the Borrower of the Managers The Borrower shall not cease to be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor and shall not permit any change in the beneficial ownership and control of the Managers from that advised to the Lender on the date of the Listing. |
|
4.1.19 |
An additional clause 13.2.20 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
13.2.20 |
|
Ownership The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor shall remain directly or indirectly beneficially owned by its Current |
17
|
|
Shareholders or any of them at a minimum of fifty one per cent (51%). |
|
4.1.20 |
An additional clause 13.2.21 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
13.2.21 |
|
Guarantees and indemnities The Borrower shall by not later than the execution date of the Vessel Agreements execute in favour of the Lender guarantees and indemnities in such forms and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall in its discretion require and which shall secure the Vessel A Indebtedness and the Vessel B Indebtedness, and shall procure that each Owner shall by not later than the execution date of the relevant Vessel Agreement grant in favour of the Lender a guarantee and indemnity in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall in its discretion require and which shall secure the Indebtedness. |
|
4.1.21 |
An additional clause 13.2.22 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
13.2.22 |
|
Financial covenants The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor shall on a consolidated basis comply with the following financial covenants to be assessed on a semiannual basis based on the Accounting Information received by the Lender in accordance with Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4:- |
(a) |
Consolidated Group Leverage The Consolidated Group Leverage shall be equal to or less than seventy per cent (70%). |
(b) |
Debt to EBITDA ratio The ratio of Debt to EBITDA on a trailing twelve (12) months basis shall not at any time exceed 5.5:1. |
(c) |
Net Worth The Net Worth shall not at any time be less than one hundred and seventy five million Dollars ($175,000,000). |
|
4.1.22 |
Clause 14.1.8 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
18
14.1.8 |
|
Change in ownership or control of the Borrower or the Managers The Borrower ceases to be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor or there is any change in the beneficial ownership or control of the Borrower or the Managers from that advised to the Lender by the Borrower on the date of the Listing. |
|
4.1.23 |
Clause 14.1.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
14.1.14 |
|
Reduction of capital A Security Party (other than the Corporate Guarantor) reduces its authorised or issued or subscribed capital. |
|
4.1.24 |
An additional clause 14.1.20 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
14.1.20 |
|
Notice of termination Any of the Guarantors gives notice to the Lender to determine its obligations under the relevant Guarantee. |
|
4.1.25 |
Clause 22.5 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
22.5 |
|
Service of process Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Security Party: |
22.5.1 |
irrevocably appoints Mr. Savvas Savvides, 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY, England (tel/fax: +44 208 361 2606) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with this Agreement; and |
22.5.2 |
agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Security Party of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned. |
|
4.1.26 |
All references to this Agreement shall be references to the Original Facility Agreement as amended and/or supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement. |
19
|
4.1.27 |
The Schedule to this Supplemental Agreement shall be incorporated as Schedule 4 to the Original Facility Agreement. |
|
4.1.28 |
All references in the Security Documents to the Agreement (however it may be defined) shall be read and construed as the Original Facility Agreement as supplemented and amended hereby. |
|
4.1.29 |
All references to the Security Documents shall be read and construed to include the Guarantees and the Operating Account Charge. |
All other terms and conditions of the Original Facility Agreement shall remain unaltered and in full force and effect.
5 |
Confirmation and Undertaking |
|
5.1 |
Each of the Security Parties confirms that all of its respective obligations under or pursuant to each of the Security Documents to which it is a party remain in full force and effect, despite the amendments to the Original Facility Agreement made in this Supplemental Agreement, as if all references in any of the Security Documents to the Facility Agreement (however described) were references to the Original Facility Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement. |
|
5.2 |
The definition of any term defined in any of the Security Documents shall, to the extent necessary, be modified to reflect the amendments to the Original Facility Agreement made in this Supplemental Agreement. |
6 |
Communications, Law and Jurisdiction |
The provisions of clauses 18 and 22 of the Original Facility Agreement shall apply to this Supplemental Agreement as if they were set out in full and as if references to the Facility Agreement were references to this Supplemental Agreement and references to the Borrower were references to the Security Parties.
20
IN WITNESS of which the parties to this Supplemental Agreement have executed this Supplemental Agreement as a deed the day and year first before written.
SIGNED and DELIVERED as |
) |
|
a DEED by |
) |
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PELEA SHIPPING LTD. |
) |
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acting by Iannis Foteinos |
) |
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) |
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its duly authorised attorney-in-fact |
) |
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) |
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in the presence of: |
) |
SIGNED and DELIVERED as
|
) |
||
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||
acting by |
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) |
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||
its duly authorised attorney-in-fact |
) |
||
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) |
||
in the presence of: |
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) |
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STEPHENSON HARWOOD
|
21
Form of Compliance Certificate
To: |
DnB NOR BANK ASA |
From: |
Safe Bulkers Inc. |
Dated:
Dear Sirs
Pelea Shipping Ltd. US$42,000,000 Reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 12 June 2007 as amended, supplemented, novated and/or replaced from time to time (the Agreement)
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
The covenant calculations below are made as of, and in respect of the six (6) month period ending on [ ]. |
|
We confirm that:
Agreement Clause |
|
Covenant determination/Calculation compliance |
|
(min/max amount) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.2.23(a) |
|
Consolidated Group Leverage |
|
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|
|
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|
Consolidated Total Liabilities |
|
USD [ ] |
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|
|
|
÷Consolidated Total Assets |
|
USD [ ] |
|
|
|
|
=Consolidated Group Leverage |
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[ %] |
|
[maximum 70%] |
|
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|
|
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|
13.2.23(b) |
|
Debt to EBITDA ratio |
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|
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|
Debt |
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USD [ ] |
|
|
|
|
÷EBITDA |
|
USD [ ] |
|
|
|
|
=Debt to EBITDA ratio |
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[ %] |
|
[maximum 5.5:1] |
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13.2.23(c) |
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Net Worth |
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Consolidated Total Assets |
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USD [ ] |
|
|
|
|
(minus) Consolidated Total Liabilities |
|
USD [ ] |
|
|
|
|
=Net Worth |
|
[ %] |
|
[min. USD175,000,000] |
[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. |
22
Signed: |
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Director
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Director
|
23
Exhibit 10.31
Private & Confidential
Dated 23 May 2008 |
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
relating to a
loan of US$45,000,000
to
SOFFIVE SHIPPING CORPORATION
provided by
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
Contents | ||||
Clause | Page | |||
1 | Definitions | 1 | ||
2 | Agreement of the Bank | 3 | ||
3 | Amendments | 3 | ||
4 | Representations and warranties | 5 | ||
5 | Conditions | 6 | ||
6 | Confirmation | 7 | ||
7 | Expenses | 7 | ||
8 | Miscellaneous and notices | 8 | ||
9 | Applicable law | 8 | ||
Schedule 1 Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent | 10 | |||
Schedule 2 Form of Corporate Guarantee | 12 |
2
3
1.2
|
Definitions |
|
|
||
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: |
||
|
||
Conditions Date means the earlier of (a) 15 July 2008 and (b) 30 days after the Listing has taken place; |
||
|
||
Corporate Guarantee means the guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank in the form set out in schedule 2; |
||
|
||
Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 and includes its successors in title; |
||
|
||
Effective Date means the date when the Listing has taken place; |
||
|
||
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; |
||
|
||
Indebtedness means any obligation for the payment or repayment of money, whether as principal or as surety and whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
||
|
||
Listing means the successful completion of the initial public offering of approximately 20% of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor, and the listing of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor on the New York Stock Exchange; |
||
|
||
Loan Agreement means the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement; |
||
|
||
Relevant Documents means, together, this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee; |
||
|
||
Relevant Parties means, together, the Borrower, the Manager and the Corporate Guarantor; and |
||
|
||
Supplemental Parties means, together, each of the parties to this Agreement (other than the Bank) or, where the context so requires or permits, means any of them. |
||
|
||
1.3
|
Principal Agreement |
|
|
||
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 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. |
||
|
||
1.4
|
Headings |
|
|
||
Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement. |
||
|
||
1.5
|
Construction of certain terms |
|
|
||
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: |
||
|
||
1.5.1
|
references to clauses and schedules are to be construed as references to clauses of, and schedules to, this Agreement and references to this Agreement includes its schedules; |
|
|
||
1.5.2
|
references to (or to any specified provision of) this Agreement or any other document shall be |
|
4
construed as references to this Agreement, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended in accordance with terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties; |
||
|
||
1.5.3
|
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 agency, authority, central bank or government department or any self-regulatory or other national or supra-national authority; |
|
|
||
1.5.4
|
words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; |
|
|
||
1.5.5
|
references to a time of day are to London time; |
|
|
||
1.5.6
|
references to a person shall be construed as references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity; |
|
|
||
1.5.7
|
references to a guarantee include 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 Indebtedness and guaranteed shall be construed accordingly; and |
|
|
||
1.5.8
|
references to any enactment shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as reenacted, amended or extended. |
|
|
||
2
|
Agreement of the Bank |
|
The Bank, relying upon the representations and warranties on the part of the Borrower contained in clause 4, agrees with the Borrower that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and with effect on the Effective Date, the Bank consents and agrees to: |
||
2.1
|
the matters and transactions described in paragraphs (a), (b) (c) and (d) of the Recitals to this Agreement; and |
|
2.2
|
the amendment of the Principal Agreement on the terms set out in clause 3. |
|
3
|
Amendments |
|
3.1
|
Amendments to Principal Agreement |
|
The Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Principal Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties hereto upon such terms as so amended): |
||
3.1.1
|
by deleting the existing definition of Management Agreement in clause 1.2 and by inserting the following definitions of Conditions Date , Corporate Guarantee , Corporate Guarantor Hadjioannou Family , Management Agreement and Supplemental Agreement in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.2: |
|
Conditions Date has the meaning given to it in the Supplemental Agreement; |
||
Corporate Guarantee means the corporate guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank in the form set out in schedule 2 to the Supplemental Agreement; |
||
Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 and includes its successors in title; |
||
5
Hadjioannou Family means Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou, Mr Nikolaos V. Hadjioannou, Ms Eleni V. Hadjioannou and Ms Maria V. Hadjioannou and their direct lineal descendants; |
||||
Management Agreement means, together, the agreement made or (as the context may require) to be made between the Corporate Guarantor and the Manager and the agreement made, or (as the context may require) to be made between the Borrower and the Manager, providing (inter alia) for the Manager to manage the Ship, as amended and supplemented from time to time; and |
||||
Supplemental Agreement means the agreement dated [23] May 2008 supplemental to this Agreement made between ( inter alios ) (1) the Borrower and (2) the Bank;; |
||||
3.1.2 |
by inserting the words the Supplemental Agreement, the Corporate Guarantee, after the words this Agreement, in the first line of the definition of Security Documents in clause 1.2; |
|||
3.1.3 |
by inserting the words the Corporate Guarantor, after the words the Borrower, in the first line of the definition of Security Party in clause 1.2; |
|||
3.1.4 |
by deleting the definition of Margin in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Margin : |
|||
Margin means zero point seven five per cent (0.75%) per annum;; |
||||
3.1.5 |
by deleting the definition of Security Requirement in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of Security Requirement : |
|||
Security Requirement means the amount in Dollars (as certified by the Bank whose certificate shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Bank) which shall be equal to one hundred and twenty per cent (120%) of (i) the Loan (or the Equivalent Amount in Dollars when the Loan or part thereof is denominated in an Optional Currency) and (ii) the cost (if any) (as certified by the Bank whose certificate shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Bank) of terminating any Transaction entered into pursuant to the Master Swap Agreement;; |
||||
3.1.6 |
by deleting clause 8.1.1 and by inserting in its place the following new clause 8.1.1: |
|||
8.1.1 | Due incorporation | |||
the Borrower and each of the other Security Parties are duly incorporated and validly existing in good standing under the laws of their respective countries of incorporation as limited liability companies or, as the case may be, corporations and have power to carry on their respective businesses as they are now being conducted and to own their respective property and other assets;; | ||||
3.1.7 | by: |
(a)
|
deleting the existing clause 9.3.13 in its entirety and renumbering existing clauses 9.3.14 and 9.3.15 accordingly; and | |
|
||||
(b)
|
inserting the following new clause 8.2.12 immediately after the existing clause 8.2.11 and renumbering the existing clauses 8.2.12 and 8.2.13 accordingly: |
|||
8.2.12
|
Shareholdings | |||
the Borrower is a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor and no less than 75% of all the issued share capital of the Corporate Guarantor are ultimately beneficially owned (whether directly or indirectly) by the Hadjioannou Family; and; |
6
3.1.8 | by deleting the words during the Security Period (as such term is defined in the Deed of Covenant) exceeds one hundred and four per cent (104%) of in the first and second lines of clause 9.2.7 and by inserting in its place the word exceed; | |||
3.1.9 |
by adding the following words at the end of clause 11.1.3 after the words 9.2, 9.3 or 9.4: |
|||
or the Corporate Guarantor commits any breach of or omits to observe any of the obligations or undertakings expressed to the assumed by it under clauses 5.1.4, 5.1.5, 5.2 or 5.3 of the Corporate Guarantee; |
||||
3.1.10 |
by deleting clause 11.1.27 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clauses 11.1.27, 11.1.28, and 11.1.29 and 11.1.30 and by renumbering the existing clause 11.1.28 as clause 11.1.31: |
|||
11.1.27 | Shareholdings : there is any change in the legal and/or ultimate beneficial ownership of any of the shares of the Borrower or the Corporate Guarantor which results in: | |||
(a) | the Borrower ceasing at any time to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor; or | |||
(b) |
the Hadjioannou Family becoming at any time the ultimate beneficial owners of less than 51% of the total issued share capital of the Corporate Guarantor; or |
|||
(c) |
any person, or persons acting in concert (other than the Hadjioannou Family), having control of the Corporate Guarantor at any time (and for the purposes of this paragraph (c) control shall have the meaning given to it in the definition of Subsidiary in clause 1.2); or |
|||
11.1.28 | Change of CEO : Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Guarantor at any time; or | |||
11.1.29 |
Listing: the shares of the Corporate Guarantor are de-listed or suspended from, or cease to trade (whether temporarily for longer than 3 consecutive days or permanently) on, the New York Stock Exchange; or |
|||
11.1.30 |
Conditions : the Bank has not received the documents and evidence specified in schedule 1 to the Supplemental Agreement by the Conditions Date; or. |
|||
3.2
|
Continued force and effect | |||
|
||||
|
Save as amended by this Agreement, the provisions of the Principal Agreement and the other Security Documents shall continue in full force and effect 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 | |||
|
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that: | |||
|
||||
4.1.1
|
Existing representations and warranties | |||
|
||||
|
the representations and warranties set out in clause 8 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; |
7
4.1.2 |
Corporate power |
|
each of the Relevant Parties has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party; 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 to which it is or is to be a party; |
||
4.1.3 |
Binding obligations |
|
the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Relevant Parties enforceable in accordance with their terms; |
||
4.1.4 |
No conflict with other obligations |
|
the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party 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 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 Encumbrance on any of their undertakings, assets, rights or revenues of any of the Relevant Parties; |
||
4.1.5 |
No filings required |
|
it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any of the Relevant 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 Relevant Documents and each of the Relevant Documents 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 to which it is or is to be a party or the performance by each Relevant Party of its obligations under such document 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 of this Agreement and clause 8 of the Principal Agreement (as amended by this Agreement) shall be deemed to be repeated by the Borrower on the Effective Date as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day. |
||
5 |
Conditions |
|
8
5.1 |
Documents and evidence |
|
The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be subject to the receipt by the Bank or its duly authorised representative of the documents and evidence specified in schedule 1 in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank. The Borrower agrees with the Bank that failure by the Borrower to deliver such documents or evidence to the Bank by the Conditions Date, will constitute an Event of Default under the Principal Agreement. |
||
5.2 |
General conditions precedent |
|
The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be further subject to: |
||
5.2.1 |
the representations and warranties in clause 4 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 Bank and may be waived by the Bank in whole or in part with or without conditions. |
||
6 |
Confirmation |
|
6.1 |
Security Documents |
|
The Borrower acknowledges and agrees, for the avoidance of doubt, that: |
||
6.1.1 |
each of the Security 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 |
|
6.1.2 |
with effect from the Effective Date, references to the Agreement or the Loan Agreement in any of the other Security Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended. |
|
7 |
Expenses |
|
7.1 |
Expenses |
|
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank on a full indemnity basis on demand all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by the Bank: |
||
7.1. |
in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee and of any amendment or extension of, or the granting of any waiver or consent under, this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee; |
|
7.1.2 |
in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee or otherwise in respect of the monies owing and obligations incurred under this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee, |
|
together with interest at the rate referred to in clause 3.4 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 |
9
10
9 |
Applicable law |
|
9.1 |
Law |
|
This Agreement is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
||
9.2 |
Submission to jurisdiction |
|
Each of the Supplemental Parties agrees, for the benefit of the Bank, that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement against any of their assets may be brought in the English courts. Each of the Supplemental Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Mr. Savvas Savvides at present of 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings and each of the Supplemental Parties further undertakes that, in the event that such individual passes away or cannot be found, each of the Supplemental Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Bank to designate, appoint and empower, on each of the Supplemental Parties behalf, Messrs Cheeswrights or Messrs Saville & Co. at their then principal place of business in London, as substitute process agents of Mr. Savvas Savvides for the purposes of this clause. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against any of the Supplemental Parties in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. Each of the Supplemental Parties further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other state shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which any of the Supplemental Parties may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Agreement. |
||
9.3 |
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 to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as a deed on the date first above written.
11
Schedule 1
Documents and evidence required as conditions subsequent
(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 secretarys certificate confirming that there have been no changes or amendments to the constitutional documents certified copies of which were previously delivered to the Bank pursuant to the Principal Agreement; |
|||
(b) |
Resolutions |
||
copies of resolutions of each of its board of directors and, if required following advice by the Banks counsel, its shareholders approving this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents and the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and authorising the signature, delivery and performance of each such partys obligations thereunder, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than five (5) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party as: |
|||
(1) |
being true and correct; |
||
(2) |
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; |
||
(3) |
not having been amended, modified or revoked; and |
||
(4) |
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 (5) Banking 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 (5) Banking 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 Bank) in connection with, the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents to which such Relevant Party is or is to be a party; |
|||
12
3 |
Corporate Guarantee |
the Corporate Guarantee (together with any other documents and/or letters to be executed and/or delivered to the Bank pursuant thereto) duly executed; |
|
4 |
Legal opinions |
such legal opinions in relation to the laws of the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Panama and any other legal opinions as the Bank shall in its absolute discretion require; |
|
5 |
Listing |
evidence that the Listing has taken place; and |
|
6 |
Process agent |
a letter from each Relevant Partys agent for receipt of service of proceedings accepting its appointment under this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents to which such Relevant Party is or is to be a party as such Relevant Partys process agent. |
|
13
Schedule 2
Form of Corporate Guarantee
14
EXECUTED as a DEED | ) | |||||
by | ) | |||||
for and on behalf of | ) | |||||
SOFFIVE SHIPPING CORPORATION | ) | Attorney-in-fact | ||||
as Bank | ) | |||||
in the presence of: | ) | |||||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
EXECUTED as a DEED | ) | |||||
by | ) | |||||
for and on behalf of | ) | |||||
SAFETY MANAGEMENT OVERSEAS S.A. | ) | Attorney-in-fact | ||||
as Bank | ) | |||||
in the presence of: | ) | |||||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
EXECUTED as a DEED | ) | |||||
by | ) | |||||
for and on behalf of | ) | |||||
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC | ) | Attorney-in-fact | ||||
as Bank | ) | |||||
in the presence of: | ) | |||||
Witness
Name: Address: Occupation: |
15
Exhibit 10.34
Private & Confidential
Dated 23 May 2008 |
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
relating to a
loan of US$40,000,000
to
KERASIES SHIPPING CORPORATION
provided by
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
Contents
Clause | Page | ||
1 | Definitions | 2 | |
2 | Agreement of the Bank | 4 | |
3 | Amendments | 4 | |
4 | Representations and warranties | 7 | |
5 | Conditions | 8 | |
6 | Confirmation | 8 | |
7 | Expenses | 9 | |
8 | Miscellaneous and notices | 9 | |
9 | Applicable law | 10 | |
Schedule 1 Documents and evidence required as conditions subsequent | 12 | ||
Schedule 2 Form of Corporate Guarantee | 14 |
1
THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT is dated 23 May 2008 and made BETWEEN:
(1) |
KERASIES SHIPPING CORPORATION , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of Liberia with its registered office at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia (the “ Borrower ”); |
(2) |
SAFETY MANAGEMENT OVERSEAS S.A. , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of Panama with its registered office at Edificio Torre Universal, Piso 12, Avenida Federico Boyd, P.O. Box 8807, Panama, Republic of Panama (the “ Manager ”); and |
(3) |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC of 5-10 Great Tower Street, London EC3P 3HX, England (the “ Bank ”). |
WHEREAS:
(A) |
this Agreement is supplemental to a loan agreement dated 13 December 2007 made between (1) the Borrower and (2) the Bank (the “ Principal Agreement ”) relating to a multi-currency loan of Forty million Dollars ($40,000,000) advanced by the Bank to the Borrower, of which the principal amount outstanding at the date hereof is $40,000,000; and |
|
(B) |
this Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Bank provides, at the request of the Borrower, its consent to: |
|
(a) |
the transfer of the legal and beneficial ownership of all the shares of the Borrower to the Corporate Guarantor (as defined below); |
|
(b) |
the Listing (as defined below); |
|
(c) |
the change of the ultimate beneficial ownership of certain of the shares in the Borrower as a result of, and in order to facilitate, the Listing; |
|
(d) |
the consent to the substitution of the Management Agreement by a new management agreement in respect of the Ship; |
|
(e) |
certain amendments to the terms and conditions applicable to the Loan and the Principal Agreement agreed to by the Borrower and the Bank; and |
|
(f) |
certain consequential changes to the Principal Agreement required in connection with the above and agreed to by the Borrower and the Bank. |
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
1 | Definitions |
1.1 |
Defined expressions |
Words and expressions defined in the Principal Agreement shall unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined herein, have the same meanings when used in this Agreement. |
|
1.2 |
Definitions |
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: |
|
“ Conditions Date ” means the earlier of (a) 15 July 2008 and (b) 30 days after the Listing has taken place; |
|
1
“ Corporate Guarantee ” means the guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank in the form set out in schedule 2; |
|
“ Corporate Guarantor ” means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 and includes its successors in title; |
|
“ Effective Date ” means the date when the Listing has taken place; |
|
“ 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; |
|
“ Indebtedness ” means any obligation for the payment or repayment of money, whether as principal or as surety and whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
|
“ Listing ” means the successful completion of the initial public offering of approximately 20% of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor, and the listing of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor on the New York Stock Exchange; |
|
“ Loan Agreement ” means the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement; |
|
“ Relevant Documents ” means, together, this Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee; |
|
“ Relevant Parties ” means, together, the Borrower, the Manager and the Corporate Guarantor; and |
|
“ Supplemental Parties ” means, together, each of the parties to this Agreement (other than the Bank) or, where the context so requires or permits, means any of them. |
|
1.3
|
Principal Agreement |
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 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. |
|
1.4
|
Headings |
Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement. |
|
1.5
|
Construction of certain terms |
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: |
|
1.5.1 |
references to clauses and schedules are to be construed as references to clauses of, and schedules to, this Agreement and references to this Agreement includes its schedules; |
1.5.2 |
references to (or to any specified provision of) this Agreement or any other document shall be construed as references to this Agreement, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended in accordance with terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties; |
2
1.5.3
|
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 agency, authority, central bank or government department or any self-regulatory or other national or supra-national authority; |
|
|
1.5.4
|
words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; |
|
|
1.5.5
|
references to a time of day are to London time; |
|
|
1.5.6
|
references to a person shall be construed as references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity; |
|
|
1.5.7
|
references to a “ guarantee ” include 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 Indebtedness and “ guaranteed ” shall be construed accordingly; and |
|
|
1.5.8
|
references to any enactment shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as re- enacted, amended or extended. |
2
|
Agreement of the Bank |
The Bank, relying upon the representations and warranties on the part of the Borrower contained in clause 4, agrees with the Borrower that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and with effect on the Effective Date, the Bank consents and agrees to: |
|
2.1
|
the matters and transactions described in paragraphs (a), (b) (c) and (d) of the Recitals to this Agreement; and |
2.2
|
the amendment of the Principal Agreement on the terms set out in clause 3. |
3
|
Amendments |
3.1
|
Amendments to Principal Agreement |
The Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Principal Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties hereto upon such terms as so amended): |
|
3.1.1
|
by deleting the existing definition of “ Management Agreement ” in clause 1.2 and by inserting the following definitions of “ Conditions Date ”, “ Corporate Guarantee ”, “ Corporate Guarantor ” “ Hadjioannou Family ”, “ Management Agreement ” and “ Supplemental Agreement ” in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.2: |
““ Conditions Date ” has the meaning given to it in the Supplemental Agreement; |
|
“ Corporate Guarantee ” means the corporate guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank in the form set out in schedule 2 to the Supplemental Agreement; |
|
“ Corporate Guarantor ” means Safe Bulkers, Inc. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 and includes its successors in title; |
|
3
“ Hadjioannou Family ” means Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou, Mr Nikolaos V. Hadjioannou, Ms Eleni V. Hadjioannou and Ms Maria V. Hadjioannou and their direct lineal descendants; |
|
“ Management Agreement ” means, together, the agreement made or (as the context may require) to be made between the Corporate Guarantor and the Manager and the agreement made, or (as the context may require) to be made between the Borrower and the Manager, providing (inter alia) for the Manager to manage the Ship, as amended and supplemented from time to time; and |
|
“ Supplemental Agreement ” means the agreement dated 23 May 2008 supplemental to this Agreement made between ( inter alios ) (1) the Borrower and (2) the Bank;”; |
|
3.1.2 |
by inserting the words “the Supplemental Agreement, the Corporate Guarantee”, after the words “this Agreement,” in the first line of the definition of “ Security Documents ” in clause 1.2; |
3.1.3 |
by inserting the words “the Corporate Guarantor”, after the words “the Borrower,” in the first line of the definition of “ Security Party ” in clause 1.2; |
3.1.4 |
by deleting the definition of “ Margin ” in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of “ Margin ”: |
““ Margin ” means zero point seven five per cent (0.75%) per annum;”; |
|
3.1.5 |
by deleting the definition of “ Security Requirement ” in clause 1.2 and by inserting in its place the following new definition of “ Security Requirement ”: |
““ Security Requirement ” means the amount in Dollars (as certified by the Bank whose certificate shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Bank) which shall be equal to one hundred and twenty per cent (120%) of (i) the Loan (or the Equivalent Amount in Dollars when the Loan or part thereof is denominated in an Optional Currency) and (ii) the cost (if any) (as certified by the Bank whose certificate shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Bank) of terminating any Transaction entered into pursuant to the Master Swap Agreement;”; |
|
3.1.6 |
by deleting clause 8.1.1 and by inserting in its place the following new clause 8.1.1: |
“8.1.1 |
Due incorporation the Borrower and each of the other Security Parties are duly incorporated and validly existing in good standing under the laws of their respective countries of incorporation as limited liability companies or, as the case may be, corporations and have power to carry on their respective businesses as they are now being conducted and to own their respective property and other assets;”; |
3.1.7 |
by: |
|
(a) |
deleting the existing clause 9.3.13 in its entirety and renumbering existing clauses 9.3.14 and 9.3.15 accordingly; and |
|
(b) |
inserting the following new clause 8.2.13 immediately after the existing clause 8.2.12 and renumbering the existing clauses 8.2.13 and 8.2.14 accordingly: |
|
“8.2.13 Shareholdings |
4
the Borrower is a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor and no less than 75% of all the issued share capital of the Corporate Guarantor are ultimately beneficially owned (whether directly or indirectly) by the Hadjioannou Family; and”;
3.1.8 |
by deleting the words “during the three year period starting from the date of this Agreement exceeds one hundred and four per cent (104%) of the Security Requirement during that period or, at any time thereafter exceeds one hundred and four point seventeen per cent (104.17%) of the Security Requirement during that period” in the first, second, third and fourth lines of clause 9.2.7 and by inserting in its place the words “exceed the Security Requirement”; |
3.1.9 |
by adding the following words at the end of clause 11.1.3 after the words “9.2, 9.3 or 9.4”: |
“or the Corporate Guarantor commits any breach of or omits to observe any of the obligations or undertakings expressed to the assumed by it under clauses 5.1.4, 5.1.5, 5.2 or 5.3 of the Corporate Guarantee”; |
|
3.1.10 |
by deleting clause 11.1.27 in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clauses 11.1.27, 11.1.28, and 11.1.29 and 11.1.30 and by renumbering the existing clause 11.1.28 as clause 11.1.31: |
“11.1.27 | Shareholdings : there is any change in the legal and/or ultimate beneficial ownership of any of the shares of the Borrower or the Corporate Guarantor which results in: | ||
(a) |
the Borrower ceasing at any time to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor; or |
||
(b) |
the Hadjioannou Family becoming at any time the ultimate beneficial owners of less than 51% of the total issued share capital of the Corporate Guarantor; or |
||
(c) |
any person, or persons acting in concert (other than the Hadjioannou Family), having control of the Corporate Guarantor at any time (and for the purposes of this paragraph (c) “ control ” shall have the meaning given to it in the definition of “ Subsidiary ” in clause 1.2); or |
||
3.1.11 |
Change of CEO: Mr Polys V. Hadjioannou ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Guarantor at any time; or |
3.1.12 |
Listing: the shares of the Corporate Guarantor are de-listed or suspended from, or cease to trade (whether temporarily for longer than 3 consecutive days or permanently) on, the New York Stock Exchange; or |
3.1.13 |
Conditions: the Bank has not received the documents and evidence specified in schedule 1 to the Supplemental Agreement by the Conditions Date; or”. |
3.2
|
Continued force and effect |
Save as amended by this Agreement, the provisions of the Principal Agreement and the other Security Documents shall continue in full force and effect and the Principal Agreement and this Agreement shall be read and construed as one instrument. |
|
5
4 Representations and warranties
4.1 Primary representations and warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that:
4.1.1 |
Existing representations and warranties |
the representations and warranties set out in clause 8 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 to which it is or is to be a party; 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 to which it is or is to be a party; |
|
4.1.3 |
Binding obligations |
the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Relevant Parties enforceable in accordance with their terms; |
|
4.1.4 |
No conflict with other obligations |
the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party 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 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 Encumbrance on any of their undertakings, assets, rights or revenues of any of the Relevant Parties; |
|
4.1.5 |
No filings required |
it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any of the Relevant 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 Relevant Documents and each of the Relevant Documents 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 |
6
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 to which it is or is to be a party or the performance by each Relevant Party of its obligations under such document 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 of this Agreement and clause 8 of the Principal Agreement (as amended by this Agreement) shall be deemed to be repeated by the Borrower 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 Bank referred to in clause 4.1 shall be subject to the receipt by the Bank or its duly authorised representative of the documents and evidence specified in schedule 1 in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank. The Borrower agrees with the Bank that failure by the Borrower to deliver such documents or evidence to the Bank by the Conditions Date, will constitute an Event of Default under the Principal Agreement. |
|
5.2
|
General conditions precedent |
The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be further subject to: |
|
5.2.1 |
the representations and warranties in clause 4 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 Bank and may be waived by the Bank in whole or in part with or without conditions. |
|
6
|
Confirmation |
6.1
|
Security Documents |
The Borrower acknowledges and agrees, for the avoidance of doubt, that: |
|
6.1.1 |
each of the Security 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 |
6.1.2 |
with effect from the Effective Date, references to “the Agreement” or “the Loan Agreement” in any of the other Security Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended. |
7
8
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. |
|
9
|
Applicable law |
9.1
|
Law |
This Agreement is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
|
9.2
|
Submission to jurisdiction |
Each of the Supplemental Parties agrees, for the benefit of the Bank, that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement against any of their assets may be brought in the English courts. Each of the Supplemental Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Mr. Savvas Savvides at present of 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings and each of the Supplemental Parties further undertakes that, in the event that such individual passes away or cannot be found, each of the Supplemental Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Bank to designate, appoint and empower, on each of the Supplemental Parties’ behalf, Messrs Cheeswrights or Messrs Saville & Co. at their then principal place of business in London, as substitute process agents of Mr. Savvas Savvides for the purposes of this clause. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against any of the Supplemental Parties in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. Each of the Supplemental Parties further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other state shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which any of the Supplemental Parties may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Agreement. |
|
9.3
|
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. |
|
9
IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as a deed on the date first above written.
10
Schedule 1
Documents and evidence required as conditions subsequent
(referred to in clause 5.1)
11
3 |
Corporate Guarantee |
the Corporate Guarantee (together with any other documents and/or letters to be executed and/or delivered to the Bank pursuant thereto) duly executed; |
|
4 |
Legal opinions |
such legal opinions in relation to the laws of the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Panama and any other legal opinions as the Bank shall in its absolute discretion require; |
|
5 |
Listing |
evidence that the Listing has taken place; and |
|
6 |
Process agent |
a letter from each Relevant Party’s agent for receipt of service of proceedings accepting its appointment under this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents to which such Relevant Party is or is to be a party as such Relevant Party’s process agent. |
|
12
Schedule 2
Form of Corporate Guarantee
13
14
Exhibit 10.36
DATED 22 MAY 2008
MARINDOU SHIPPING CORPORATION
(as borrower
)
-and-
DnB NOR BANK ASA
(as lender
)
____________________________________________________________
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO A SECURED
REDUCING REVOLVING MULTI-CURRENCY CREDIT FACILITY
AGREEMENT
DATED 11 JANUARY 2008
_____________________________________________________________
STEPHENSON HARWOOD
One, St. Paul's Churchyard
London EC4M 8SH
Tel: 020 7329 4422
Fax: 020 7329 7100
Ref: 04.141
CONTENTS
Page | |||
1 | Interpretation | 2 | |
2 | Conditions | 4 | |
3 | Representations and Warranties | 8 | |
4 | Amendments to Original Facility Agreement | 8 | |
5 | Confirmation and Undertaking | 26 | |
6 | Communications, Law and Jurisdiction | 26 | |
SCHEDULE 1: Form of Compliance Certificate | 29 |
i
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
Dated: 22 May 2008
BETWEEN:
(1 ) | MARINDOU SHIPPING CORPORATION, a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia whose registered office is at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia (the " Borrower "); and |
(2 ) | DnB NOR BANK ASA, acting through its office at 20 St. Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 8HY, England (the " Lender "). |
SUPPLEMENTAL TO a secured reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 (the " Original Facility Agreement ") made between the Borrower and the Lender, on the terms and subject to the conditions of which the Lender agreed to advance to the Borrower an aggregate amount not exceeding forty two million Dollars ($42,000,000) (the " Loan ").
WHEREAS:
(A) | The Borrower has informed the Lender that it wishes to enter into a series of transactions (the " Reorganization ") as a result of which: (a) its shares will cease to be wholly owned by its present shareholders; (b) the Corporate Guarantor will own 100% of the Borrower's shares; and (c) its ownership structure will change following the initial public offering of the common stock of the Corporate Guarantor in the New York Stock Exchange (the " Offering "). |
(B) | The Borrower has requested the Lender to proceed in amending, inter alia, clauses 13.2.17 and 14.1.8 of the Original Facility Agreement, which would otherwise be breached upon the occurrence of the Reorganization and the Offering, and to delete, inter alia, clause 13.2.14 and to amend, inter alia, clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement. |
(C) | The Lender is willing to accede to such requests as listed in Recital B above and has agreed to amend the Original Facility Agreement and the Security Documents |
(as applicable) on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Supplemental Agreement.
IT IS AGREED THAT:
1 | Interpretation | ||
1.1 | In this Supplemental Agreement | ||
1.1.1 | " Additional Documents " means the Supplemental Agreement, the Guarantees and the Operating Account Charge. | ||
1.1.2 | " Avstes " means Avstes Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. | ||
1.1.3 | " Avstes Guarantee " means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Avstes in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. | ||
1.1.4 | " Corporate Guarantee " means the guarantee and indemnity to be granted by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender. | ||
1.1.5 | " Corporate Guarantor " means Safe Bulkers Inc., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands or such other company which shall be its successor in title. | ||
1.1.6 | " Effective Date " means the date of the Listing, such date falling no later than 30 August 2008. | ||
1.1.7 | " Efragel " means Efragel Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. | ||
2
1.1.8 | " Efragel Guarantee " means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Efragel in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. | ||
1.1.9 | " Group Guarantees " means the Efragel Guarantee, the Pelea Guarantee and the Avstes Guarantee, and " Group Guarantee " means any one of them. | ||
1.1.10 | " Group Guarantor " means any one of Efragel, Pelea or Avstes, and " Group Guarantors " means more than one of them. | ||
1.1.11 | " Guarantees " means the Group Guarantees and the Corporate Guarantee and " Guarantee " means any one of them. | ||
1.1.12 | " Guarantors " means the Group Guarantors and the Corporate Guarantor and " Guarantor " means any one of them. | ||
1.1.13 | " Listing " the effective trading date of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor listed on the New York Stock Exchange." | ||
1.1.14 | " Operating Account Charge " means the first priority deed of charge over the Operating Account to be executed by the Borrower in favour of the Lender. | ||
1.1.15 | " Pelea " means Pelea Shipping Ltd., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. | ||
1.1.16 | " Pelea Guarantee " means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Pelea in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. | ||
3
4
than five days prior to the date of this Supplemental Agreement and setting out the names of the directors and officers of the Borrower and the respective Guarantor. | |||
2.1.3 | Constitutional Documents Copies of the constitutional documents of each Guarantor together with such other evidence as the Lender may reasonably require that the Guarantor in question is duly incorporated in its country of incorporation and remains in existence with power to enter into, and perform its obligations under, the relevant Guarantee. | ||
2.1.4 | Resolutions A copy, certified by a director or the secretary of the Security Party in question as true, complete and accurate and neither amended nor revoked, of a resolution of the directors and, a resolution of the shareholders of each Security Party (together, where appropriate, with signed waivers of notice of any directors' or shareholders' meetings) approving, and authorising or ratifying the execution of, this Supplemental Agreement and any document to be executed by that Security Party pursuant to this Supplemental Agreement. | ||
2.1.5 | Powers of Attorney A notarially attested and legalised power of attorney of each of the Security Parties (other than the Corporate Guarantor) and a duly executed power of attorney in respect of the Corporate Guarantor under which this Supplemental Agreement and any documents required pursuant to it are to be executed by that Security Party. | ||
2.1.6 | Certificates of good standing A certificate of good standing in respect of each Security Party (if such a certificate can be obtained). | ||
5
6
7
8
same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time." '" Avstes Guarantee' means the guarantee of Avstes referred to in Clause 11.1.7. " '" Avstes Indebtedness' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Avstes Agreement." '" Builder' means IHI Amtec Co. of Tokyo, Japan." '" Compliance Certificate' means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender." '" Consolidated Group Leverage' means at any relevant time Consolidated Total Liabilities divided by Consolidated Total Assets. " '" Consolidated Total Assets' means, at any date, the aggregate of: |
||||
(a) | the then current market values of all vessels owned by any member of the Group (in the case of a Vessel or any other vessel, the market value shall be determined by reference only to the most recent valuation of such Vessel or vessel in accordance with Clause 11.11); | |||
(b) | the then current aggregate amount of cash, Marketable Securities (but no other bonds, notes or bills and less any cash or Marketable Securities accounted for in the definition of Consolidated Total Liabilities below) and receivables due to the Group (less provision for bad and doubtful debts) as shown in the latest financial statements; and | |||
9
(c) | the book values of all other assets (other than the assets referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof) as shown in such latest financial statements." | |||
'" Consolidated Total Liabilities' means, at the relevant date and for a particular period, the aggregate of the consolidated Financial Indebtedness of the Group shown in the latest consolidated financial statements for the Group (excluding (i) liabilities to its shareholders, provided that they are subordinated on terms acceptable to the Lender in its discretion and (ii) debt that is fully collateralised by cash or Marketable Securities to which the right of access, use or dealing is blocked for any member of the Group solely to secure that debt)." '" Corporate Guarantee' means the guarantee and indemnity referred to in Clause 11.1.4" '" Corporate Guarantor ' means Safe Bulkers." '" Current Shareholders ' means the shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor who benefically hold directly or indirectly not less than fifty one per cent (51%) of the shares in the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing." '" Debt ' means the aggregate (as of the date of calculation) of all obligations of the Group then outstanding for the payment or repayment of Financial Indebtedness as stated in the Accounting Information then most recently required to be delivered pursuant to Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 including, without limitation: |
||||
(a) | any amounts payable by the Group under leases, including, but not limited to, time chartering contracts, or similar arrangements over their respective periods; | |||
10
(b) | any credit to the Group from a supplier of goods or under any instalment purchase or other similar arrangement; | |||
(c) | the aggregate amount then outstanding of liabilities and obligations of third parties to the extent that they are guaranteed by the Group; | |||
(d) | any contingent liabilities (including any taxes or other payments under dispute or arbitration) which have been or, under GAAP, should be recorded in the notes to the Group's financial statements; and | |||
(e) | any deferred tax liabilities." | |||
'" EBITDA ' on a consolidated basis of the Group means the earnings before interest, expenses and other financial charges, taxes, depreciation and amortization (for the previous period of twelve months)." '" Efragel ' means Efragel Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title." " Efragel Agreement " means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 made between Efragel, as borrower and the Lender, as lender, as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Efragel and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time." '" Efragel Guarantee' means the guarantee of Efragel referred to in Clause 11.1.5. " |
||||
11
'" Efragel Indebtedness' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Efragel Agreement."
'" GAAP' means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America."
'" Group' means the Corporate Guarantor and its Subsidiaries."
'" Group Guarantees' means the Efragel Guarantee, the Pelea Guarantee and the Avstes Guarantee, and " Group Guarantee " means any one of them."
'" Group Guarantors' means Efragel, Pelea and Avstes, and " Group Guarantor " means any one of them."
'" Guarantees' means the Corporate Guarantee and the Group Guarantees and " Guarantee " means any one of them."
'" Guarantors " means the Corporate Guarantor and the Group Guarantors, and " Guarantor " means any one of them."
'" Listing' means the effective trading date of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor listed on the New York Stock Exchange."
'" Margin' means zero point seventy per cent (0.70%) per annum."
" Marindou Guarantees " means the guarantees and indemnities to be granted by the Borrower in favour of the Lender in respect of each of the Pelea Indebtedness, the Efragel Indebtedness and the Avstes Indebtedness and " Marindou Guarantee " means any one of them."
'" Marketable Securities' means any bonds, stocks, notes or bills payable in a freely convertible and transferable currency and which are listed on a stock exchange acceptable to the Lender."
12
'" Net Worth ' means Consolidated Total Assets less Consolidated Total Liabilities."
'" New Management Agreement' means the agreement for the commercial and technical management of the Vessel made or to be made between the Borrower and the Managers."
'" New Managers' Confirmation' means a letter of confirmation from the Managers in respect of the Vessel and the Borrower."
'" Operating Account Charge' means the deed of charge referred to in Clause 11.1.8. "
'" Owner' means Owner A or Owner B, together the " Owners " . "
'" Owner A ' means a single purpose ship-owning company incorporated or to be incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion and which shall be wholly owned legally and beneficially by the Corporate Guarantor and which shall be the owner of Vessel A."
'" Owner B' means a single purpose ship-owning company incorporated or to be incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion and which shall be wholly owned legally and beneficially by the Corporate Guarantor and which shall be the Owner of Vessel B."
" Pelea' means Pelea Shipping Ltd., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title."
" Pelea Agreement' means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 12 June 2007 made between Pelea, as borrower and the Lender, as lender as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008
13
entered into by and between Pelea and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time."
'" Pelea Guarantee ' means the guarantee of Pelea referred to in Clause 11.1.6.
'" Pelea Indebtedness ' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Pelea Agreement."
'" Safe Bulkers ' means Safe Bulkers Inc., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands or such other company which shall be its successor in title."
'" Side Letter' means the side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require."
'" Subsidiary ' has the meaning ascribed to it by section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006 (as the same may be amended and/or supplemented from time to time), and " Subsidiaries " shall be interpreted accordingly."
'" Vessel A ' means the dry-bulk carrier of approximately 87,000 dwt and everything now or in the future belonging to it on board and ashore, currently under construction by the Builder with the Builder's hull number 3255 to be named "MARTINE" and intended to be registered under a flag acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion in the ownership of Owner A."
'" Vessel A Agreement' means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement to be entered into by and between the Lender and Owner A pursuant to which the Lender
14
would advance to Owner A an aggregate amount not exceeding forty five million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of, inter alia, financing part of the acquisition cost of Vessel A." | |||
'" Vessel A Indebtedness' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Vessel A Agreement." | |||
'" Vessel Agreements ' means Vessel A Agreement and Vessel B Agreement, " Vessel Agreement " means either of them. | |||
'" Vessel B means the dry-bulk carrier of approximately 87,000 dwt, currently under construction by the Builder with the Builders hull number 3254, to be named "ELENI" and intended to be registered under a flag acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion in the ownership of Owner B." | |||
"' Vessel B Agreement ' means the reducing revolving multi- currency credit facility agreement to be entered into by and between the Lender and Owner B pursuant to which the Lender would advance to Owner B an aggregate amount not exceeding forty five million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of, inter alia, financing part of the acquisition cost of Vessel B." | |||
'" Vessel B Indebtedness ' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Vessel B Agreement." | |||
4.1.2 | The following definitions set out in clause 1.1 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following new respective definitions: | ||
'" Management Agreement ' means the agreement(s) for the commercial and/or technical management of the Vessel between the Borrower and the Managers, including, but not limited to, the New Management Agreement." | |||
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16
"11.1.5 a guarantee and indemnity from Efragel;" | ||||
4.1.6 | An additional clause 11.1.6 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows: | |||
"11.1.6 a guarantee and indemnity from Pelea;" | ||||
4.1.7 | An additional clause 11.1.7 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows: | |||
"11.1.7 a guarantee and indemnity from Avstes; and" | ||||
4.1.8 | An additional clause 11.1.8 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows: | |||
"11.1.8 a first priority deed of charge over the Operating Account and all amounts from time to time standing to the credit of it." | ||||
4.1.9 | Clause 12.1.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | |||
"12.1.14 No established place of business in the UK or US No Security Party, other than the Corporate Guarantor, has an established place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America." | ||||
4.1.10 | Clause 13.1 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | |||
"13.1 Information Undertakings | ||||
13.1.1 | Financial statements The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor supplies to the Lender as soon as the same become available, but in any event within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the end of each | |||
17
18
financial statements for that quarter, together with a Compliance Certificate to be provided on a semi-annual basis, signed by two directors of the Corporate Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 13.2.22 as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. | ||||
13.1.5 | Information: miscellaneous The Borrower shall supply to the Lender: | |||
(a) | all documents dispatched by the Borrower to its shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched other than any documents that are subject to any confidentiality restrictions pursuant to the New York Stock Exchange regulations that may prohibit such dissemination; | |||
(b) | promptly upon becoming aware of them, details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Security Party, and which might, if adversely determined, have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or credit worthiness of that Security Party; and | |||
(c) | promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, business and operations of any Security Party as the Lender may reasonably request. | |||
19
13.1.6 | Notification of default | |||
(a) | The Borrower shall notify the Lender of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence. | |||
(b) | Promptly upon a request by the Lender, the Borrower shall supply to the Lender a certificate signed by two of its directors or senior officers 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). | |||
13.1.7 | " Know your customer " checks If: | |||
(a) | 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; | |||
(b) | any change in the status of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement; or | |||
(c) | a proposed assignment or transfer by the Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, obliges the Lender (or, in the case of (c) 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, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is | |||
20
reasonably requested by the Lender for itself (or, in the case of (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Lender (or, in the case of (c) 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. | ||||
4.1.11 | Clause 13.2.6 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | |||
"13.2.6 | Negative pledge and no disposals Other than in favour of the Lender, the Borrower shall not create nor permit to subsist any Encumbrance or other third party rights over any of its present or future assets or undertaking nor dispose of any those assets or of all or part of that undertaking." | |||
4.1.12 | Clause 13.2.7 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | |||
"13.2.7 | Merger The Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction other than the Reorganization." | |||
4.1.13 | Clause 13.2.12 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | |||
"13.2.12 | No substantial liabilities Except in the ordinary course of business and other than in favour of the Lender, the Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of |
21
the Lender incur any liability to any third party which is in the Lender's opinion of a substantial nature." | ||||
4.1.14 | Clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | |||
"13.2.13 | No loans or other financial commitments The Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender make any loan nor enter into any guarantee or indemnity (other than the Marindou Guarantees, other than any guarantee or indemnity from time to time required by any insurer and which is in accordance with the terms and conditions of clause 5 of the Deed of Covenants, the Insurances and any acceptable Insurance letter of undertaking) or otherwise voluntarily assume any actual or contingent liability in respect of any obligation of any other person." | |||
4.1.15 | Clause 13.2.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted. | |||
4.1.16 | Clause 13.2.15 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | |||
"13.2.15 | Inspection of records The Borrower will permit the inspection of its financial records and accounts and procure that the Corporate Guarantor permits the inspection of the Corporate Guarantor's financial records and accounts from time to time by the Lender or its nominee." | |||
4.1.17 | Clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | |||
22
"13.2.13 | No change in ownership or control of the Borrower of the Managers The Borrower shall not cease to be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor and shall not permit any change in the beneficial ownership and control of the Managers from that advised to the Lender on the date of the Listing." | |||
4.1.18 | An additional clause 13.2.20 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows: | |||
"13.2.20 | Ownership The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor shall remain directly or indirectly beneficially owned by its Current Shareholders at a minimum of fifty one per cent (51%). | |||
4.1.19 | An additional clause 13.2.21 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows: | |||
"13.2.21 | Guarantees and indemnities The Borrower shall by not later than the execution date of the Vessel Agreements execute in favour of the Lender guarantees and indemnities in such forms and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall in its discretion require and which shall secure the Vessel A | |||
Indebtedness and the Vessel B Indebtedness, and shall procure that each Owner shall by not later than the execution date of the relevant Vessel Agreement grant in favour of the Lender a guarantee and indemnity in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall in its discretion require and which shall secure the Indebtedness." | ||||
23
4.1.20 | An additional clause 13.2.22 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows: | ||||
"13.2.22 | Financial covenants The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor shall on a consolidated basis comply with the following financial covenants to be assessed on a semi-annual basis based on the Accounting Information received by the Lender in accordance with Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4: | ||||
(a) | Consolidated Group Leverage The Consolidated Group Leverage shall be equal to or less than seventy per cent (70%). | ||||
(b) | Debt to EBITDA ratio The ratio of Debt to EBITDA on a trailing twelve (12) month's basis shall not at any time exceed 5.5:1. | ||||
(c) | Net Worth The Net Worth shall not at any time be less than one hundred and seventy five million Dollars ($175,000,000)." | ||||
4.1.21 | Clause 14.1.8 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | ||||
"14.1.8 | Change in ownership or control of the Borrower or the Managers The Borrower ceases to be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor or there is any change in the beneficial ownership or control of the Borrower or the Managers from that advised to the Lender by the Borrower on the date of the Listing." | ||||
4.1.22 | Clause 14.1.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | ||||
24
"14.1.14 | Reduction of capital A Security Party (other than the Corporate Guarantor) reduces its authorised or issued or subscribed capital." | ||||
4.1.23 | An additional clause 14.1.20 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows: | ||||
"14.1.20 | Notice of Termination Any of the Guarantors gives notice to the Lender to determine its obligations under the relevant Guarantee. | ||||
4.1.24 | Clause 22.5 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following: | ||||
"22.5 | Service of process Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Security Party: | ||||
22.5.1 | irrevocably appoints Mr. Savvas Savvides, 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY, England (tel/fax: +44 208 361 2606) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with this Agreement; and | ||||
22.5.2 | agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Security Party of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned." | ||||
4.1.25 | All references to "this Agreement" shall be references to the Original Facility Agreement as amended and/or supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement. | ||||
25
26
IN WITNESS of which the parties to this Supplemental Agreement have executed this Supplemental Agreement as a deed the day and year first before written.
SIGNED and DELIVERED as | ) | ||
a DEED by | ) | ||
MARINDOU SHIPPING CORPORATION | ) | ||
acting by Ioannis Foteinos | ) | ||
) | |||
its duly authorised attorney-in-fact | ) | ||
) | |||
in the presence of | ) | ||
SIGNED and DELIVERED as | ) | ||
a DEED by | ) | ||
DnB NOR BANK ASA | ) | ||
) | |||
acting by Sofia Taonaki | ) | ||
) | |||
its duly authorised attorney-in-fact | ) | ||
) | |||
in the presence of: | ) | ||
/s/ | |||
STEPHENSON HARWOOD | |||
ARISTON BUILDING | |||
2 FILELLINON STR. & AKTI MIAOULI | |||
PIRAEUS 185 36 | |||
VAT. No. 998711156 | |||
TEL 210 42 95 160 |
27
SCHEDULE
Form of Compliance Certificate
To: | DnB NOR BANK ASA |
From: | Safe Bulkers Inc. |
Dated:
Dear Sirs
Marindou Shipping Corporation US$42,000,000 Reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 as amended, supplemented, novated and/or replaced from time to time (the "Agreement")
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
The covenant calculations below are made as of, and in respect of the six (6) month period ending on [ ].
We confirm that:
Agreement Clause | Covenant determination/Calculation compliance | (min/max amount) | |||||
13.2.23(a) | Consolidated Group Leverage | ||||||
Consolidated Total Liabilities | USD[ | ] | |||||
÷ Consolidated Total Assets | USD[ | ] | |||||
= Consolidated Group Leverage | [ | %] | [maximum 70%] | ||||
13.2.23(b) | Debt to EBITDA ratio | ||||||
Debt | USD[ | ] | |||||
÷ EBITDA | USD[ | ] | |||||
= Debt to EBITDA ratio | [ | %] | [maximum 5.5:1] | ||||
13.2.23(c) | Net Worth | ||||||
÷ Consolidated Total Assets | USD[ | ] | |||||
(minus) Consolidated Total Liabilities | USD[ | ] | |||||
= Net Worth | [ | %] | [min. USD175,000,000] |
28
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.] *
Signed: | Signed: | |||
Director | Director | |||
of | of | |||
Safe Bulkers Inc. | Safe Bulkers Inc. |
* 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.
29
Exhibit 10.38
DATED 22 MAY 2008
EFRAGEL SHIPPING CORPORATION
(AS BORROWER)
-AND-
DNB NOR BANK ASA
(AS LENDER)
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO A SECURED
REDUCING REVOLVING MULTI-CURRENCY CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT
DATED 11 JANUARY 2008
STEPHENSON HARWOOD
ONE, ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD
LONDON EC4M 8SH
TEL: 020 7329 4422
FAX: 020 7329 7100
REF: 04.142
CONTENTS
PAGE
1 Interpretation............................................................8 2 Conditions...............................................................27 3 Representations and Warranties...........................................61 4 Amendments to Original Facility Agreement................................62 5 Confirmation and Undertaking............................................337 6 Communications, Law and Jurisdiction....................................340 SCHEDULE 1: Form of Compliance Certificate..................................346 |
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
DATED: MAY 2008 BETWEEN: (1) EFRAGEL SHIPPING CORPORATION, a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia whose registered office is at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia (the "BORROWER"); and (2) DNB NOR BANK ASA, acting through its office at 20 St. Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 8HY, England (the "LENDER"). |
SUPPLEMENTAL TO a secured reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 (the "ORIGINAL FACILITY AGREEMENT") made between the Borrower and the Lender, on the terms and subject to the conditions of which the Lender agreed to advance to the Borrower an aggregate amount not exceeding forty two million Dollars ($42,000,000) (the "LOAN").
WHEREAS:
(A) The Borrower has informed the Lender that it wishes to enter into a
series of transactions (the "REORGANIZATION") as a result of which: (a)
its shares will cease to be wholly owned by its present shareholders;
(b) the Corporate Guarantor will own 100% of the Borrower's shares; and
(c) its ownership structure will change following the initial public
offering of the common stock of the Corporate Guarantor in the New York
Stock Exchange (the "OFFERING").
(B) The Borrower has requested the Lender to proceed in amending, inter alia, clauses 13.2.17 and 14.1.8 of the Original Facility Agreement, which would otherwise be breached upon the occurrence of the Reorganization and the Offering, and to
delete, inter alia, clause 13.2.14 and to amend, inter alia, clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement.
(C) The Lender is willing to accede to such requests as listed in Recital B above and has agreed to amend the Original Facility Agreement and the Security Documents (as applicable) on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Supplemental Agreement.
IT IS AGREED THAT:
1 INTERPRETATION
1.1 In this Supplemental Agreement 1.1.1 "ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS" means the Supplemental Agreement, the Guarantees and the Operating Account Charge. 1.1.2 "AVSTES" means Avstes Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. 1.1.3 "AVSTES GUARANTEE" means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Avstes in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. 1.1.4 "CORPORATE GUARANTEE" means the guarantee and indemnity to be granted by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender. 1.1.5 "CORPORATE GUARANTOR" means Safe Bulkers Inc., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands or such other company which shall be its successor in title. 1.1.6 "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date of the Listing, such date falling no later than 30 August 2008. 1.1.7 "GROUP GUARANTEES" means the Marindou Guarantee, the Pelea Guarantee and the Avstes Guarantee, and "GROUP GUARANTEE" means any one of them. |
1.1.8 "GROUP GUARANTOR" means any one of Marindou, Pelea or Avstes, and "GROUP GUARANTORS" means more than one of them. 1.1.9 "GUARANTEES" means the Group Guarantees and the Corporate Guarantee and "GUARANTEE" means any one of them. 1.1.10 "GUARANTORS" means the Group Guarantors and the Corporate Guarantor and "GUARANTOR" means any one of them. 1.1.11 "LISTING" the effective trading date of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor listed on the New York Stock Exchange. 1.1.12 "MARINDOU" means Marindou Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. 1.1.13 "MARINDOU GUARANTEE" means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Marindou in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. 1.1.14 "OPERATING ACCOUNT CHARGE" means the first priority deed of charge over the Operating Account to be executed by the Borrower in favour of the Lender. 1.1.15 "PELEA" means Pelea Shipping Ltd., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. 4 |
1.1.16 "PELEA GUARANTEE" means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Pelea in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. 1.1.17 "SIDE LETTER" means a side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require. 1.1.18 "SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT" means this Supplemental Agreement. |
1.2 All words and expressions defined in the Original Facility Agreement and in Clause 4 of this Supplemental Agreement shall have the same meaning when used in this Supplemental Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, and clause 1.2 of the Original Facility Agreement shall apply to the interpretation of this Supplemental Agreement as if it were set out in full.
2 CONDITIONS
2.1 CONDITIONS SUBSEQUENT - INITIAL The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to or to the order of the Lender within five (5) Business Days from the Effective Date the following documents and evidence:
2.1.1 BORROWER'S OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE A certificate from a duly authorised officer of the Borrower confirming that none of the documents delivered to the Lender pursuant to Schedule 1 Part 5 |
I (a), (c) and (e) of the Original Facility Agreement have been amended or modified in any way since the date of their delivery to the Lender, or copies, certified by a duly authorised officer of the Borrower as true, complete, accurate and neither amended nor revoked, of any which have been amended or modified. 2.1.2 BORROWER'S AND GUARANTORS' OFFICER'S CERTIFICATES A certificate of a duly authorised officer of the Borrower and each Guarantor certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Clauses 2.1.3 (other than in respect of the Borrower) to 2.1.6 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than five days prior to the date of this Supplemental Agreement and setting out the names of the directors and officers of the Borrower and the respective Guarantor. 2.1.3 CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS Copies of the constitutional documents of each Guarantor together with such other evidence as the Lender may reasonably require that the Guarantor in question is duly incorporated in its country of incorporation and remains in existence with power to enter into, and perform its obligations under, the relevant Guarantee. 2.1.4 RESOLUTIONS A copy, certified by a director or the secretary of the Security Party in question as true, complete and accurate 6 |
and neither amended nor revoked, of a resolution of the directors and, a resolution of the shareholders of each Security Party (together, where appropriate, with signed waivers of notice of any directors' or shareholders' meetings) approving, and authorising or ratifying the execution of, this Supplemental Agreement and any document to be executed by that Security Party pursuant to this Supplemental Agreement. 2.1.5 POWERS OF ATTORNEY A notarially attested and legalised power of attorney of each of the Security Parties (other than the Corporate Guarantor) and a duly executed power of attorney in respect of the Corporate Guarantor under which this Supplemental Agreement and any documents required pursuant to it are to be executed by that Security Party. 2.1.6 CERTIFICATES OF GOOD STANDING A certificate of good standing in respect of each Security Party (if such a certificate can be obtained). 2.1.7 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS The Additional Documents duly executed by all parties thereto. 2.1.8 LEGAL OPINIONS A legal opinion of the legal advisers of the Lender in the relevant jurisdiction, substantially in the form or forms provided to the Lender prior to signing of this Supplemental Agreement or confirmation satisfactory to the Lender that such a legal opinion will be given. 7 |
2.1.9 OTHER AUTHORISATIONS A copy of any other consent, licence, approval, authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Lender considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Security Parties accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any of the Additional Documents or for the validity and enforceability of any of the Additional Documents. 2.1.10 SIDE LETTER The side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require. 2.1.11 PROCESS AGENT Evidence that any process agent referred to in Clause 22.5 of the Agreement and any process agent appointed under any other Finance Document has accepted its appointment. |
2.2 CONDITIONS SUBSEQUENT -ADDITIONAL The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to or to the order of the Lender within thirty (30) days from the Effective Date, the following documents and evidence:-
2.2.1 LEGAL OPINIONS The legal opinions specified in Clause 2.1.8 as have not already provided to the Lender. 2.2.2 NEW MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT A photocopy, certified as true, accurate and complete by a director or the secretary or the duly 8 |
authorised attorney of the Borrower of the New Management Agreement. 2.2.3 NEW MANAGERS' CONFIRMATION The written confirmation of the Managers that, throughout the Facility Period unless otherwise agreed by the Lender, they will remain the commercial and technical managers of the Vessel and that they will not, without the prior written consent of the Lender, sub-contract or delegate the commercial or technical management of the Vessel to any third party and confirming in terms acceptable to the Lender that, following the occurrence of an Event of Default, all claims of the Managers against the Borrower shall be subordinated to the claims of the Lender under the Finance Documents. 2.2.4 REORGANISATION, OFFERING AND LISTING Evidence of the Reorganisation, the Offering and the Listing. |
2.3 EVENT OF DEFAULT Failure of the Borrower to deliver any of the documents or evidence listed in Clause 2.1 or Clause 2.2 in accordance with the requirements thereof shall constitute an Event of Default.
2.4 All documents and evidence delivered to the Lender pursuant to this Clause shall:
2.4.1 be in form and substance acceptable to the Lender;
2.4.2 be accompanied, if required by the Lender, by translations into the English language, certified in a manner acceptable to the Lender; and 2.4.3 if required by the Lender, be certified, notarised, legalised or attested in a manner acceptable to the Lender. 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES Each of the representations and warranties contained in clauses 12 and 13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deemed repeated by the Borrower at the date of this Supplemental Agreement and at the Effective Date, by reference to the facts and circumstances then pertaining, as if references in the Finance Documents to the Agreement included the Original Facility Agreement as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Agreement. 4 AMENDMENTS TO ORIGINAL FACILITY AGREEMENT 4.1 With effect from that Effective Date:- 4.1.1 The following additional definitions shall be added in clause 1.1 of the Original Facility Agreement, and the numerical order of the remaining definitions in such Clause shall be amended accordingly: "'ACCOUNTING INFORMATION' means the annual financial statements and/or the quarterly financial statements to be provided by the Corporate Guarantor to the Lender in accordance with Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4." "'AVSTES' means Avstes Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title." 10 |
"'AVSTES AGREEMENT' means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 17 April 2008 made between Avstes, as borrower and the Lender, as lender, as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Avstes and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time." "'AVSTES GUARANTEE' means the guarantee of Avstes referred to in Clause 11.1.7." "'AVSTES INDEBTEDNESS' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Avstes Agreement." "'BUILDER' means IHI Amtec Co. of Tokyo, Japan." "'COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE' means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender." "'CONSOLIDATED GROUP LEVERAGE' means at any relevant time Consolidated Total Liabilities divided by Consolidated Total Assets." "'CONSOLIDATED TOTAL ASSETS' means, at any date, the aggregate of: (a) the then current market values of all vessels owned by any member of the Group (in the case of a Vessel or any other vessel, the market value shall be determined by reference only to the most recent valuation of such Vessel or vessel in accordance with Clause 11.11); |
(b) the then current aggregate amount of cash,
Marketable Securities (but no other bonds,
notes or bills and less any cash or
Marketable Securities accounted for in the
definition of Consolidated Total Liabilities
below) and receivables due to the Group
(less provision for bad and doubtful debts)
as shown in the latest financial statements;
and
(c) the book values of all other assets (other than the assets referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof) as shown in such latest financial statements."
"'CONSOLIDATED TOTAL LIABILITIES' means, at the relevant date and for a particular period, the aggregate of the consolidated Financial Indebtedness of the Group shown in the latest consolidated financial statements for the Group (excluding (i) liabilities to its shareholders, provided that they are subordinated on terms acceptable to the Lender in its discretion and (ii) debt that is fully collateralised by cash or Marketable Securities to which the right of access, use or dealing is blocked for any member of the Group solely to secure that debt)."
"'CORPORATE GUARANTEE' means the guarantee and indemnity referred to in Clause 11.1.4."
"'CORPORATE GUARANTOR' means Safe Bulkers."
"'CURRENT SHAREHOLDERS' means the shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor who beneficially hold directly or indirectly not less than fifty one per cent (51%) of the shares in the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing." "'DEBT' means the aggregate (as of the date of calculation) of all obligations of the Group then outstanding for the payment or repayment of Financial Indebtedness as stated in the Accounting Information then most recently required to be delivered pursuant to Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 including, without limitation:
(a) any amounts payable by the Group under leases, including, but not limited to, time chartering contracts, or similar arrangements over their respective periods;
(b) any credit to the Group from a supplier of goods or under any instalment purchase or other similar arrangement;
(c) the aggregate amount then outstanding of liabilities and obligations of third parties to the extent that they are guaranteed by the Group;
(d) any contingent liabilities (including any taxes or other payments under dispute or arbitration) which have been or, under GAAP, should be recorded in the notes to the Group's financial statements; and
(e) any deferred tax liabilities."
"'EBITDA' on a consolidated basis of the Group means the earnings before interest, expenses and other financial charges, taxes, depreciation and amortization (for the previous period of twelve months).
"'EFRAGEL GUARANTEES' means the guarantees and indemnities to be granted by the Borrower in favour of the Lender in respect of each of the Pelea Indebtedness, the Marindou Indebtedness and the Avstes Indebtedness and "EFRAGEL GUARANTEE" means any one of them."
"'GAAP' means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America."
"'GROUP' means the Corporate Guarantor and its Subsidiaries."
"'GROUP GUARANTEES' means the Marindou Guarantee, the Pelea Guarantee and the Avstes Guarantee, and "GROUP GUARANTEE" means any one of them."
"'GROUP GUARANTORS' means Marindou, Pelea and Avstes, and "GROUP GUARANTOR" means any one of them."
"'GUARANTEES' means the Corporate Guarantee and the Group Guarantees and "GUARANTEE" means any one of them."
"'GUARANTORS' means the Corporate Guarantor and the Group Guarantors, and "GUARANTOR" means any one of them."
"'LISTING' means the effective trading date of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor listed on the New York Stock Exchange."
"'MARGIN' means zero point seventy per cent (0.70%) per annum."
"'MARINDOU' means Marindou Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title."
"'MARINDOU AGREEMENT" means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 made between Marindou, as borrower and the Lender, as lender, as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Marindou and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time."
"'MARINDOU GUARANTEE' means the guarantee of Marindou referred to in Clause 11.1.5."
"'MARINDOU INDEBTEDNESS' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Marindou Agreement."
"'MARKETABLE SECURITIES' means any bonds, stocks, notes or bills payable in a freely convertible and transferable currency and which are listed on a stock exchange acceptable to the Lender."
"'NET WORTH' means Consolidated Total Assets less Consolidated Total Liabilities."
"'NEW MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT' means the agreement for the commercial and technical management of the Vessel made or to be made between the Borrower and the Managers."
"'NEW MANAGERS' CONFIRMATION' means a letter of confirmation from the Managers in respect of the Vessel and the Borrower."
"'OPERATING ACCOUNT CHARGE' means the deed of charge referred to in Clause 11.1.8."
"'OWNER' means Owner A or Owner B, together the "'OWNERS"."
"'OWNER A' means a single purpose ship-owning company incorporated or to be incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion and which shall be wholly owned legally and beneficially by the Corporate Guarantor and which shall be the owner of Vessel A."
"'OWNER B' means a single purpose ship-owning company incorporated or to be incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable
to the Lender in its absolute discretion and which shall be wholly owned legally and beneficially by the Corporate Guarantor and which shall be the Owner of Vessel B."
"'PELEA' means Pelea Shipping Ltd., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title."
"'PELEA AGREEMENT' means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 12 June 2007 made between Pelea, as borrower and the Lender, as lender as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Pelea and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time."
"'PELEA GUARANTEE' means the guarantee of Pelea referred to in Clause 11.1.6."
"'PELEA INDEBTEDNESS' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Pelea Agreement."
"'SAFE BULKERS' means Safe Bulkers Inc., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands or such other company which shall be its successor in title."
"'SIDE LETTER' means the side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the
Listing issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require."
"'SUBSIDIARY' has the meaning ascribed to it by section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006 (as the same may be amended and/or supplemented from time to time), and "SUBSIDIARIES" shall be interpreted accordingly."
"'VESSEL A' means the dry-bulk carrier of approximately 87,000 dwt and everything now or in the future belonging to it on board and ashore, currently under construction by the Builder with the Builder's hull number 3255 to be named "MARTINE" and intended to be registered under a flag acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion in the ownership of Owner A."
"'VESSEL A AGREEMENT' means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement to be entered into by and between the Lender and Owner A pursuant to which the Lender would advance to Owner A an aggregate amount not exceeding forty five million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of, inter alia, financing part of the acquisition cost of Vessel A."
"'VESSEL A INDEBTEDNESS' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Vessel A Agreement."
"'VESSEL AGREEMENTS' means Vessel A Agreement and Vessel B Agreement, "Vessel Agreement" means either of them."
"'VESSEL B' means the dry-bulk carrier of approximately 87,000 dwt, currently under construction by the Builder with the Builder's hull number 3254, to be named "ELENI" and intended to be registered under a flag acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion in the ownership of Owner B." "'VESSEL B AGREEMENT' means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement to be entered into by and between the Lender and Owner B pursuant to which the Lender would advance to Owner B an aggregate amount not exceeding forty five million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of, inter alia, financing part of the acquisition cost of Vessel B." "'VESSEL B INDEBTEDNESS' means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Vessel B Agreement." 4.1.2 The following definitions set out in clause 1.1 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following new respective definitions:- "'MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT' means the agreement(s) for the commercial and/or technical management of the Vessel between the Borrower and the Managers, including, but not limited to, the New Management Agreement." "'OPERATING ACCOUNT' means the bank account opened in the name of the Borrower with the Lender and designated "Efragel 19 |
Shipping Corporation-Operating Account" with account number 62555014." "'RELEVANT DOCUMENTS' means the Finance Documents, the Management Agreement, the Managers' confirmation specified in Part I of Schedule 1 and the New Managers' Confirmation." "'SECURITY DOCUMENTS' means the Mortgage, the Deed of Covenants, the Assignment, the Account Charge, the Operating Account Charge, the Guarantees, any other Credit Support Documents or (where the context permits) any one or more of them and any other agreement or document which may at any time be executed by any person as security for the payment of all or any part of the Indebtedness and "SECURITY DOCUMENT" means any one of them." "'SECURITY PARTIES' means the Borrower, the Guarantors and any other Credit Support Provider and any other person who may at any time during the Facility Period be liable for, or provide security for, all or any part of the Indebtedness, and "SECURITY PARTY" means any one of them." 4.1.3 In clause 11.1.2 the word "and" at the end of the sentence shall be deleted. 4.1.4 An additional clause 11.1.4 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- 20 |
"11.1.4 a guarantee and indemnity from the Corporate Guarantor;" 4.1.5 An additional clause 11.1.5 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- "11.1.5 a guarantee and indemnity from Marindou;" 4.1.6 An additional clause 11.1.6 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- "11.1.6 a guarantee and indemnity from Pelea;" 4.1.7 An additional clause 11.1.7 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- "11.1.7 a guarantee and indemnity from Avstes; and" 4.1.8 An additional clause 11.1.8 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- "11.1.8 a first priority deed of charge over the Operating Account and all amounts from time to time standing to the credit of it." 4.1.9 Clause 12.1.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- 21 |
"12.1.14 NO ESTABLISHED PLACE OF BUSINESS IN THE UK OR US No Security Party, other than the Corporate Guarantor, has an established place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America." 4.1.10 Clause 13.1 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- "13.1 INFORMATION UNDERTAKINGS 13.1.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor supplies to the Lender as soon as the same become available, but in any event within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the end of each of its financial years, its audited consolidated financial statements for that financial year, together with a Compliance Certificate, signed by two directors of the Corporate Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 13.2.22 as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. 13.1.2 MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS The Borrower or the Managers will supply to the Lender, on the Lender's request within sixty (60) days of the end of each calendar year during the Facility Period the 22 |
unaudited management accounts for the Vessel prepared by the Managers showing the income and expenditure for the Vessel for such calendar year. 13.1.3 REQUIREMENTS AS TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Each set of financial statements delivered by the Borrower or the Corporate Guarantor (as applicable) under Clause 13.1.1 shall be:- (a) prepared using GAAP; and (b) certified by a director of the Corporate Guarantor as fairly representing its financial condition as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. 13.1.4 INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor supplies to the Lender as soon as the same become available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each quarter during each of the Corporate Guarantor's financial years, its unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements for that quarter, together with a Compliance Certificate to be provided on a semi-annual basis, signed by two directors of the Corporate Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance 23 |
with Clause 13.2.22 as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. 13.1.5 INFORMATION: MISCELLANEOUS The Borrower shall supply to the Lender: (a) all documents dispatched by the Borrower to its shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched other than any documents that are subject to any confidentiality restrictions pursuant to the New York Stock Exchange regulations that may prohibit such dissemination; (b) promptly upon becoming aware of them, details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Security Party, and which might, if adversely determined, have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or credit worthiness of that Security Party; and (c) promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, business 24 |
and operations of any Security Party as the Lender may reasonably request. 13.1.6 NOTIFICATION OF DEFAULT (a) The Borrower shall notify the Lender of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence. (b) Promptly upon a request by the Lender, the Borrower shall supply to the Lender a certificate signed by two of its directors or senior officers 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). 13.1.7 "KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER" CHECKS If: (a) 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; (b) any change in the status of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement; or |
(c) a proposed assignment or transfer by the Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, obliges the Lender (or, in the case of (c) 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, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Lender for itself (or, in the case of (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Lender (or, in the case of (c) 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. 4.1.11 Clause 13.2.6 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
"13.2.6 NEGATIVE PLEDGE AND NO DISPOSALS Other than in favour of the Lender, the Borrower shall not create nor permit to subsist any Encumbrance or other third party rights over any of its present or future assets or undertaking nor dispose of any those assets or of all or part of that undertaking." 4.1.12 Clause 13.2.7 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- "13.2.7 MERGER The Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction other than the Reorganization." 4.1.13 Clause 13.2.12 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- "13.2.12 NO SUBSTANTIAL LIABILITIES Except in the ordinary course of business and other than in favour of the Lender, the Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender incur any liability to any third party which is in the Lender's opinion of a substantial nature." 4.1.14 Clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- 27 |
"13.2.13 NO LOANS OR OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS The Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender make any loan nor enter into any guarantee or indemnity (other than the Efragel Guarantees, other than any guarantee or indemnity from time to time required by any insurer and which is in accordance with the terms and conditions of clause 5 of the Deed of Covenants, the Insurances and any acceptable Insurance letter of undertaking) or otherwise voluntarily assume any actual or contingent liability in respect of any obligation of any other person." 4.1.15 Clause 13.2.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted. 4.1.16 Clause 13.2.15 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- "13.2.15 INSPECTION OF RECORDS The Borrower will permit the inspection of its financial records and accounts and procure that the Corporate Guarantor permits the inspection of the Corporate Guarantor's financial records and accounts from time to time by the Lender or its nominee." 28 |
4.1.17 Clause 13.2.17 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- "13.2.17 NO CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF THE BORROWER OF THE MANAGERS The Borrower shall not cease to be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor and shall not permit any change in the beneficial ownership and control of the Managers from that advised to the Lender on the date of the Listing." 4.1.18 An additional clause 13.2.20 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- "13.2.20 OWNERSHIP The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor shall remain directly or indirectly beneficially owned by its Current Shareholders or any of them at a minimum of fifty one per cent (51%)." 4.1.19 An additional clause 13.2.21 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- "13.2.21 GUARANTEES AND INDEMNITIES The Borrower shall by not later than the execution date of the Vessel Agreements execute in favour of the Lender 29 |
guarantees and indemnities in such forms and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall in its discretion require and which shall secure the Vessel A Indebtedness and the Vessel B Indebtedness, and shall procure that each Owner shall by not later than the execution date of the relevant Vessel Agreement grant in favour of the Lender a guarantee and indemnity in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall in its discretion require and which shall secure the Indebtedness." 4.1.20 An additional clause 13.2.22 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- "13.2.22 FINANCIAL COVENANTS The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor shall on a consolidated basis comply with the following financial covenants to be assessed on a semi-annual basis based on the Accounting Information received by the Lender in accordance with Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4:- (a) CONSOLIDATED GROUP LEVERAGE The Consolidated Group Leverage shall be equal to or less than seventy per cent (70%). |
(b) DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO The ratio of Debt to EBITDA on a trailing twelve (12) month's basis shall not at any time exceed 5.5:1. (c) NET WORTH The Net Worth shall not at any time be less than one hundred and seventy five million Dollars ($175,000,000)." 4.1.21 Clause 14.1.8 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- "14.1.8 CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF THE BORROWER OR THE MANAGERS The Borrower ceases to be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor or there is any change in the beneficial ownership or control of the Borrower or the Managers from that advised to the Lender by the Borrower on the date of the Listing." 4.1.22 Clause 14.1.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- "14.1.14 REDUCTION OF CAPITAL A Security Party (other than the Corporate Guarantor) reduces its authorised or issued or subscribed capital." 4.1.23 An additional clause 14.1.20 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- 31 |
"14.1.20 NOTICE OF TERMINATION Any of the Guarantors gives notice to the Lender to determine its obligations under the relevant Guarantee." 4.1.24 Clause 22.5 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- "22.5 SERVICE OF PROCESS Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Security Party: 22.5.1 irrevocably appoints Mr. Savvas Savvides, 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY, England (tel/fax: +44 208 361 2606) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with this Agreement; and 22.5.2 agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Security Party of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned." 4.1.25 All references to "this Agreement" shall be references to the Original Facility Agreement as amended and/or supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement. 32 |
4.1.26 The Schedule to this Supplemental Agreement shall be incorporated as "Schedule 4" to the Original Facility Agreement. 4.1.27 All references in the Security Documents to the Agreement (however it may be defined) shall be read and construed as the Original Facility Agreement as supplemented and amended hereby. 4.1.28 All references to the "Security Documents" shall be shall be read and construed to include the Guarantees and the Operating Account Charge. |
All other terms and conditions of the Original Facility Agreement shall remain unaltered and in full force and effect.
5 CONFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING
5.1 Each of the Security Parties confirms that all of its respective obligations under or pursuant to each of the Security Documents to which it is a party remain in full force and effect, despite the amendments to the Original Facility Agreement made in this Supplemental Agreement, as if all references in any of the Security Documents to the Facility Agreement (however described) were references to the Original Facility Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement.
5.2 The definition of any term defined in any of the Security Documents shall, to the extent necessary, be modified to reflect the amendments to the Original Facility Agreement made in this Supplemental Agreement.
6 COMMUNICATIONS, LAW AND JURISDICTION The provisions of clauses 18 and 22 of the Original Facility Agreement shall apply to this Supplemental Agreement as if they were set out in full and as if references to the Facility Agreement were references to this Supplemental Agreement and references to the Borrower were references to the Security Parties. |
IN WITNESS of which the parties to this Supplemental Agreement have executed this Supplemental Agreement as a deed the day and year first before written.
SIGNED AND DELIVERED AS )
A DEED BY )
EFRAGEL SHIPPING CORPORATION ) /s/ Ioannis Foteinos acting by IOANNIS FOTEINOS ) its duly authorised attorney-) in-fact in the presence of: ) |
SIGNED AND DELIVERED AS
A DEED BY
DNB NOR BANK ASA /s/ Sofia Tzanaki acting by SOFIA TZANAKI its duly authorised attorney- in-fact in the presence of: FADIL NEKLEZADE |
STEPHENSON HARWOOD
ARISTON BUILDING
2 FILELLINON STR. & AKTI MIAOULI
PIRAEUS 185 36
VAT. NO. 9 9 8 7 1 1 1 5 6
TEL 210 42 95 160
SCHEDULE
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
To: DNB NOR BANK ASA
From: SAFE BULKERS INC.
Dated:
Dear Sirs
EFRAGEL SHIPPING CORPORATION - US$42,000,000 REDUCING REVOLVING MULTI-CURRENCY CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT DATED 11 JANUARY 2008 AS AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED, NOVATED AND/OR REPLACED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE "AGREEMENT")
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
The covenant calculations below are made as of, and in respect of the six (6) month period ending on [ ].
We confirm that:
Agreement Covenant determination/ Clause Calculation compliance (MIN/MAX AMOUNT)
13.2.23(a) CONSOLIDATED GROUP LEVERAGE
Consolidated Total Liabilities USD[ ] / Consolidated Total Assets USD[ ] = Consolidated Group Leverage [ %] [maximum 70%] 13.2.23(b) DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO Debt USD[ ] / EBITDA USD[ ] = Debt to EBITDA ratio [ ] [maximum 5.5:1] 13.2.23(c) NET WORTH Consolidated Total Assets USD[ ] |
(minus) Consolidated Total Liabilities USD[ ] = Net Worth [ %] [min. USD175,000,000]
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.]*
Signed: ___________________________ ___________________________ Director Director of of SAFE BULKERS INC. SAFE BULKERS INC. |
Exhibit 10.40
DATED 22 MAY 2008
AVSTES SHIPPING CORPORATION
(as borrower)
-and
DnB NOR BANK ASA
(as lender)
______________________________________________________________
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO A SECURED
REDUCING REVOLVING MULTI-CURRENCY CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT
DATED 17 APRIL 2008
______________________________________________________________
STEPHENSON HARWOOD
One, St. Pauls Churchyard
London EC4M 8SH
Tel: 020 7329 4422
Fax: 020 7329 7100
Ref: 04.138
CONTENTS
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Page |
1. Interpretation |
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2 |
2. Conditions |
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4 |
3. Representations and Warranties |
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6 |
4. Amendments to Original Facility Agreement |
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7 |
5. Confirmation and Undertaking |
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22 |
6. Communications, Law and Jurisdiction |
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22 |
SCHEDULE 1: Form of Compliance Certificate |
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24 |
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
Dated: 22 MAY 2008
BETWEEN:
(1) |
AVSTES SHIPPING CORPORATION , a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia whose registered office is at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia (the Borrower ); and |
(2) |
DnB NOR BANK ASA, acting through its office at 20 St. Dunstans Hill, London EC3R 8HY, England (the Lender ). |
SUPPLEMENTAL TO a secured reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 17 April 2008 (the Original Facility Agreement ) made between the Borrower and the Lender, on the terms and subject to the conditions of which the Lender agreed to advance to the Borrower an aggregate amount not exceeding thirty six million Dollars ($36,000,000) (the Loan ).
WHEREAS:
(A) |
The Borrower has informed the Lender that it wishes to enter into a series of transactions (the Reorganization ) as a result of which: (a) its shares will cease to be wholly owned by its present shareholders; (b) the Corporate Guarantor will own 100% of the Borrowers shares; and (c) its ownership structure will change following the initial public offering of the common stock of the Corporate Guarantor in the New York Stock Exchange (the Offering ). |
(B) |
The Borrower has requested the Lender to proceed in amending, inter alia, clauses 13.2.17 and 14.1.8 of the Original Facility Agreement, which would otherwise be breached upon the occurrence of the Reorganization and the Offering, and to delete, inter alia, clause 13.2.14 and to amend, inter alia, clauses 13.2.13 and 13.2.20 of the Original Facility Agreement. |
(C) |
The Lender is willing to accede to such requests as listed in Recital (B) above and has agreed to amend the Original Facility Agreement and the Security Documents (as applicable) on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Supplemental Agreement. |
IT IS AGREED THAT:
1 |
Interpretation |
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1.1 |
In this Supplemental Agreement |
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1.1.1 |
Additional Documents means the Supplemental Agreement, the Guarantees and the Operating Account Charge. |
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1.1.2 |
Corporate Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity to be granted by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender. |
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1.1.3 |
Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers Inc., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands or such other company which shall be its successor in title. |
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1.1.4 |
Effective Date means the date of the Listing, such date falling no later than 30 August 2008. |
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1.1.5 |
Efragel means Efragel Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. |
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1.1.6 |
Efragel Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Efragel in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. |
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1.1.7 |
Group Guarantees means the Efragel Guarantee, the Pelea Guarantee and the Marindou Guarantee, and Group Guarantee means any one of them. |
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1.1.8 |
Group Guarantor means any one of Efragel, Pelea or Marindou, and Group Guarantors means more than one of them. |
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1.1.9 |
Guarantees means the Group Guarantees and the Corporate Guarantee and Guarantee means any one of them. |
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1.1.10 |
Guarantors means the Group Guarantors and the Corporate Guarantor and Guarantor means any one of them. |
2
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1.1.11 |
Listing means the effective trading date of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor listed on the New York Stock Exchange. |
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1.1.12 |
Marindou means Marindou Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. |
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1.1.13 |
Marindou Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Marindou in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. |
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1.1.14 |
Operating Account Charge means the first priority deed of charge over the Operating Account to be executed by the Borrower in favour of the Lender. |
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1.1.15 |
Pelea means Pelea Shipping Ltd., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title. |
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1.1.16 |
Pelea Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity granted by Pelea in respect of the Indebtedness in favour of the Lender, in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall require. |
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1.1.17 |
Side Letter means a side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require. |
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1.1.18 |
Supplemental Agreement means this Supplemental Agreement. |
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1.2 |
All words and expressions defined in the Original Facility Agreement and in Clause 4 of this Supplemental Agreement shall have the same meaning when used in this Supplemental Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, and clause 1.2 of the Original Facility Agreement shall apply to the interpretation of this Supplemental Agreement as if it were set out in full. |
3
2 |
Conditions |
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2.1 |
Conditions Subsequent - Initial The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to or to the order of the Lender within five (5) Business Days from the Effective Date the following documents and evidence: |
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2.1.1 |
Borrowers officers certificate A certificate from a duly authorised officer of the Borrower confirming that none of the documents delivered to the Lender pursuant to Schedule 1 Part I (a), (c) and (e) of the Original Facility Agreement have been amended or modified in any way since the date of their delivery to the Lender, or copies, certified by a duly authorised officer of the Borrower as true, complete, accurate and neither amended nor revoked, of any which have been amended or modified. |
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2.1.2 |
Borrowers and Guarantors officers certificates A certificate of a duly authorised officer of the Borrower and each Guarantor certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Clauses 2.1.3 (other than in respect of the Borrower) to 2.1.6 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than five days prior to the date of this Supplemental Agreement and setting out the names of the directors and officers of the Borrower and the respective Guarantor. |
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2.1.3 |
Constitutional Documents Copies of the constitutional documents of each Guarantor together with such other evidence as the Lender may reasonably require that the Guarantor in question is duly incorporated in its country of incorporation and remains in existence with power to enter into, and perform its obligations under, the relevant Guarantee. |
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2.1.4 |
Resolutions A copy, certified by a director or the secretary of the Security Party in question as true, complete and accurate and neither amended nor revoked, of a resolution of the directors and, a resolution of the shareholders of each Security Party (together, where appropriate, with signed waivers of notice of any directors or shareholders meetings) approving, and authorising or ratifying the execution of, this Supplemental Agreement and any document to be executed by that Security Party pursuant to this Supplemental Agreement. |
4
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2.1.5 |
Powers of Attorney A notarially attested and legalised power of attorney of each of the Security Parties (other than the Corporate Guarantor) and a duly executed power of attorney in respect of the Corporate Guarantor under which this Supplemental Agreement and any documents required pursuant to it are to be executed by that Security Party . |
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2.1.6 |
Certificates of good standing A certificate of good standing in respect of each Security Party (if such a certificate can be obtained). |
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2.1.7 |
Additional Documents The Additional Documents duly executed by all parties thereto. |
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2.1.8 |
Legal Opinions A legal opinion of the legal advisers of the Lender in the relevant jurisdiction, substantially in the form or forms provided to the Lender prior to signing of this Supplemental Agreement or confirmation satisfactory to the Lender that such a legal opinion will be given. |
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2.1.9 |
Other authorisations A copy of any other consent, licence, approval, authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Lender considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Security Parties accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any of the Additional Documents or for the validity and enforceability of any of the Additional Documents. |
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2.1.10 |
Side Letter The side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require. |
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2.1.11 |
Process agent Evidence that any process agent referred to in Clause 22.5 of the Agreement and any process agent appointed under any other Finance Document has accepted its appointment. |
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2.2 |
Conditions Subsequent -Additional The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to or to the order of the Lender within thirty (30) days from the Effective Date, the following documents and evidence:- |
5
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2.2.1 |
Legal opinions The legal opinions specified in Clause 2.1.8 as have not already provided to the Lender. |
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2.2.2 |
New Management Agreement A photocopy, certified as true, accurate and complete by a director or the secretary or the duly authorised attorney of the Borrower of the New Management Agreement. |
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2.2.3 |
New Managers confirmation The written confirmation of the Managers that, throughout the Facility Period unless otherwise agreed by the Lender, they will remain the commercial and technical managers of the Vessel and that they will not, without the prior written consent of the Lender, sub-contract or delegate the commercial or technical management of the Vessel to any third party and confirming in terms acceptable to the Lender that, following the occurrence of an Event of Default, all claims of the Managers against the Borrower shall be subordinated to the claims of the Lender under the Finance Documents. |
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2.2.4 |
Reorganisation, Offering and Listing Evidence of the Reorganisation, the Offering and the Listing. |
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2.3 |
Event of Default Failure of the Borrower to deliver any of the documents or evidence listed in Clause 2.1. or Clause 2.2 in accordance with the requirements thereof shall constitute an Event of Default. |
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2.4 |
All documents and evidence delivered to the Lender pursuant to this Clause shall: |
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2.4.1 |
be in form and substance acceptable to the Lender; |
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2.4.2 |
be accompanied, if required by the Lender, by translations into the English language, certified in a manner acceptable to the Lender; and |
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2.4.3 |
if required by the Lender, be certified, notarised, legalised or attested in a manner acceptable to the Lender. |
3 |
Representations and Warranties |
Each of the representations and warranties contained in clauses 12 and 13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deemed repeated by the Borrower at the date of this Supplemental Agreement and at the Effective Date, by reference to the facts and circumstances then pertaining, as if references in the Finance Documents to the Agreement included the Original Facility Agreement as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Agreement.
6
4 |
Amendments to Original Facility Agreement |
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4.1 |
With effect from that Effective Date:- |
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4.1.1 |
The following additional definitions shall be added in clause 1.1 of the Original Facility Agreement, and the numerical order of the remaining definitions in such Clause shall be amended accordingly: |
Accounting Information means the annual financial statements and/or the quarterly financial statements to be provided by the Corporate Guarantor to the Lender in accordance with Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 respectively.
Avstes Guarantees means the guarantees and indemnities to be granted by the Borrower in favour of the Lender in respect of each of the Pelea Indebtedness, the Efragel Indebtedness and the Marindou Indebtedness and Avstes Guarantee means any one of them.
Builder means IHI Amtec Co. of Tokyo, Japan.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.
Consolidated Group Leverage means at any relevant time Consolidated Total Liabilities divided by Consolidated Total Assets.
Consolidated Total Assets means, at any date, the aggregate of:
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(a) |
the then current market values of all vessels owned by any member of the Group (in the case of a Vessel or any other vessel, the market value shall be determined by reference only to the most recent valuation of such Vessel or vessel in accordance with Clause 11.11); |
7
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(b) |
the then current aggregate amount of cash, Marketable Securities (but no other bonds, notes or bills and less any cash or Marketable Securities accounted for in the definition of Consolidated Total Liabilities below) and receivables due to the Group (less provision for bad and doubtful debts) as shown in the latest financial statements; and |
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(c) |
the book values of all other assets (other than the assets referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof) as shown in such latest financial statements. |
Consolidated Total Liabilities means, at the relevant date and for a particular period, the aggregate of the consolidated Financial Indebtedness of the Group shown in the latest consolidated financial statements for the Group (excluding (i) liabilities to its shareholders, provided that they are subordinated on terms acceptable to the Lender in its discretion and (ii) debt that is fully collateralised by cash or Marketable Securities to which the right of access, use or dealing is blocked for any member of the Group solely to secure that debt).
Corporate Guarantee means the guarantee and indemnity referred to in Clause 11.1.4
Corporate Guarantor means Safe Bulkers.
Current Shareholders means the shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor who beneficially hold directly or indirectly not less than fifty one per cent (51%) of the shares in the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing.
Debt means the aggregate (as of the date of calculation) of all obligations of the Group then outstanding for the payment or repayment of Financial Indebtedness as stated in the Accounting Information then most recently required to be delivered pursuant to Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 including, without limitation:
8
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(a) |
any amounts payable by the Group under leases, including, but not limited to, time chartering contracts, or similar arrangements over their respective periods; |
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(b) |
any credit to the Group from a supplier of goods or under any instalment purchase or other similar arrangement; |
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(c) |
the aggregate amount then outstanding of liabilities and obligations of third parties to the extent that they are guaranteed by the Group; |
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(d) |
any contingent liabilities (including any taxes or other payments under dispute or arbitration) which have been or, under GAAP, should be recorded in the notes to the Groups financial statements; and |
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(e) |
any deferred tax liabilities. |
EBITDA on a consolidated basis of the Group means the earnings before interest, expenses and other financial charges, taxes, depreciation and amortization (for the previous period of twelve months).
Efragel means Efragel Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title.
Efragel Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 made between Efragel, as borrower and the Lender, as lender, as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Efragel and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time.
Efragel Guarantee means the guarantee of Efragel referred to in Clause 11.1.5.
Efragel Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Efragel Agreement.
9
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Group means the Corporate Guarantor and its Subsidiaries.
Group Guarantees means the Efragel Guarantee, the Pelea Guarantee and the Marindou Guarantee, and Group Guarantee means any one of them.
Group Guarantors means Efragel, Pelea and Marindou, and Group Guarantor means any one of them.
Guarantees means the Corporate Guarantee and the Group Guarantees and
Guarantee means any one of them.
Guarantors means the Corporate Guarantor and the Group Guarantors, and Guarantor means any one of them.
Listing means the effective trading date of the shares of the Corporate Guarantor listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Marindou means Marindou Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title.
Marindou Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 11 January 2008 made between Marindou, as borrower and the Lender, as lender, as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Marindou and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time.
Marindou Guarantee means the guarantee of Marindou referred to in Clause 11.1.7.
Marindou Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Marindou Agreement.
10
Marketable Securities means any bonds, stocks, notes or bills payable in a freely convertible and transferable currency and which are listed on a stock exchange acceptable to the Lender.
Net Worth means Consolidated Total Assets less Consolidated Total Liabilities.
New Management Agreement means the agreement for the commercial and technical management of the Vessel made or to be made between the Borrower and the Managers.
New Managers Confirmation means a letter of confirmation from the Managers in respect of the Vessel and the Borrower.
Operating Account Charge means the deed of charge referred to in Clause 11.1.8.
Owner means Owner A or Owner B, together the Owners .
Owner A means a single purpose ship-owning company incorporated or to be incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion and which shall be wholly owned legally and beneficially by the Corporate Guarantor and which shall be the owner of Vessel A.
Owner B means a single purpose ship-owning company incorporated or to be incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion and which shall be wholly owned legally and beneficially by the Corporate Guarantor and which shall be the Owner of Vessel B.
Pelea means Pelea Shipping Ltd., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Liberia or such other company which shall be its successor in title.
Pelea Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 12 June 2007 made between Pelea, as borrower and the Lender, as lender as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 22 May 2008 entered into by and between Pelea and the Lender, and as the same may be further amended and/or supplemented and/or novated from time to time.
11
Pelea Guarantee means the guarantee of Pelea referred to in Clause 11.1.6.
Pelea Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Pelea Agreement.
Safe Bulkers means Safe Bulkers Inc., a company incorporated according to the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands or such other company which shall be its successor in title.
Side Letter means the side letter evidencing the Current Shareholders of the Corporate Guarantor on the date of the Listing issued by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Lender in such form as the Lender may require.
Subsidiary has the meaning ascribed to it by section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006 (as the same may be amended and/or supplemented from time to time), and Subsidiaries shall be interpreted accordingly.
Vessel A means the dry-bulk carrier of approximately 87,000 dwt and everything now or in the future belonging to it on board and ashore, currently under construction by the Builder with the Builders hull number 3255 to be named MARTINE and intended to be registered under a flag acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion in the ownership of Owner A.
Vessel A Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement to be entered into by and between the Lender and Owner A pursuant to which the Lender would advance to Owner A an aggregate amount not exceeding forty five million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of, inter alia, financing part of the acquisition cost of Vessel A.
Vessel A Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Vessel A Agreement.
Vessel Agreements means Vessel A Agreement and Vessel B Agreement, Vessel Agreement means either of them.
12
Vessel B means the dry-bulk carrier of approximately 87,000 dwt, currently under construction by the Builder with the Builders hull number 3254, to be named ELENI and intended to be registered under a flag acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion in the ownership of Owner B.
Vessel B Agreement means the reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement to be entered into by and between the Lender and Owner B pursuant to which the Lender would advance to Owner B an aggregate amount not exceeding forty five million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the purpose of, inter alia, financing part of the acquisition cost of Vessel B.
Vessel B Indebtedness means the Indebtedness as such term is defined in the Vessel B Agreement.
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4.1.2 |
The following definitions set out in clause 1.1 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following new respective definitions:- |
Charters means the Existing Charters and any other time charter or other contact of employment in respect of the Vessel to be entered into by and between the Borrower and a Charterer and Charter means any of them.
Management Agreement means the agreement(s) for the commercial and/or technical management of the Vessel between the Borrower and the Managers, including, but not limited to, the New Management Agreement.
Operating Account means the bank account opened in the name of the Borrower with the Lender and designated Avstes Shipping CorporationOperating Account with account number 63628006.
Relevant Documents means the Finance Documents, the Management Agreement, the Managers confirmation specified in Part I of Schedule 1 and the New Managers Confirmation.
13
Security Documents means the Mortgage, the Deed of Covenants, the Assignment, the Account Charge, the Operating Account Charge, the Guarantees, any other Credit Support Documents or (where the context permits) any one or more of them and any other agreement or document which may at any time be executed by any person as security for the payment of all or any part of the Indebtedness and Security Document means any one of them.
Security Parties means the Borrower, the Guarantors and any other Credit Support Provider and any other person who may at any time during the Facility Period be liable for, or provide security for, all or any part of the Indebtedness, and Security Party means any one of them.
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4.1.3 |
In clause 11.1.2 of the Original Facility Agreement the word and at the end of the sentence shall be deleted. |
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4.1.4 |
In clause 11.1.3 of the Original Facility Agreement the word and at the end of the sentence shall be added. |
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4.1.5 |
An additional clause 11.1.4 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.4 a guarantee and indemnity from the Corporate Guarantor;
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4.1.6 |
An additional clause 11.1.5 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.5 a guarantee and indemnity from Efragel;
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4.1.7 |
An additional clause 11.1.6 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.6 a guarantee and indemnity from Pelea;
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4.1.8 |
An additional clause 11.1.7 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.7 a guarantee and indemnity from Marindou; and
14
|
4.1.9 |
An additional clause 11.1.8 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
11.1.8 a first priority deed of charge over the Operating Account and all amounts from time to time standing to the credit of it.
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4.1.10 |
Clause 12.1.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
12.1.14 No established place of business in the UK or US No Security Party, other than the Corporate Guarantor, has an established place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
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4.1.11 |
Clause 13.1 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
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13. 1 |
Information Undertakings |
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13.1.1 |
Financial statements The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor supplies to the Lender as soon as the same become available, but in any event within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the end of each of its financial years, its audited consolidated financial statements for that financial year, together with a Compliance Certificate, signed by two directors of the Corporate Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 13.2.23 as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
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13.1.2 |
Management accounts The Borrower or the Managers will supply to the Lender, on the Lenders request within sixty (60) days of the end of each calendar year during the Facility Period the unaudited management accounts for the Vessel prepared by the Managers showing the income and expenditure for the Vessel for such calendar year. |
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13.1.3 |
Requirements as to financial statements Each set of financial statements delivered by the Corporate Guarantor under Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 shall be:- |
15
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(a) |
prepared using GAAP; and |
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(b) |
certified by a director of the Corporate Guarantor as fairly representing its financial condition as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
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13.1.4 |
Interim financial statements The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor supplies to the Lender as soon as the same become available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each quarter during each of the Corporate Guarantors financial years, its unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements for that quarter, together with a Compliance Certificate to be provided on a semi-annual basis, signed by two directors of the Corporate Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 13.2.23 as at the date at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
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13.1.5 |
Information: miscellaneous The Borrower shall supply to the Lender: |
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(a) |
all documents dispatched by the Borrower to its shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched other than any documents that are subject to any confidentiality restrictions pursuant to the New York Stock Exchange regulations that may prohibit such dissemination; |
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(b) |
promptly upon becoming aware of them, details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Security Party, and which might, if adversely determined, have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or credit worthiness of that Security Party; and |
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(c) |
promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, business and operations of any Security Party as the Lender may reasonably request. |
16
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13.1.6 |
Notification of default |
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(a) |
The Borrower shall notify the Lender of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence. |
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(b) |
Promptly upon a request by the Lender, the Borrower shall supply to the Lender a certificate signed by two of its directors or senior officers 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). |
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13.1.7 |
Know your customer checks If: |
|
(a) |
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; |
|
(b) |
any change in the status of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement; or |
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(c) |
a proposed assignment or transfer by the Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, |
obliges the Lender (or, in the case of (c) 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, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Lender for itself (or, in the case of (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Lender (or, in the case of (c) 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.
17
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4.1.12 |
Clause 13.2.6 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
13.2.6 |
Negative pledge and no disposals Other than in favour of the Lender, the Borrower shall not create nor permit to subsist any Encumbrance or other third party rights over any of its present or future assets or undertaking nor dispose of any those assets or of all or part of that undertaking. |
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4.1.13 |
Clause 13.2.7 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
13.2.7 |
Merger The Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction other than the Reorganization. |
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4.1.14 |
Clause 13.2.12 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
13.2.12 |
No substantial liabilities Except in the ordinary course of business and other than in favour of the Lender, the Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender incur any liability to any third party which is in the Lenders opinion of a substantial nature. |
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4.1.15 |
Clause 13.2.13 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
13.2.13 |
No loans or other financial commitments The Borrower shall not without the prior written consent of the Lender make any loan nor enter into any guarantee or indemnity (other than the Avstes Guarantees, other than any guarantee or indemnity from time to time required by any insurer and which is in accordance with the terms and conditions of clause 5 of the Deed of Covenants, the Insurances and any acceptable Insurance letter of undertaking) or otherwise voluntarily assume any actual or contingent liability in respect of any obligation of any other person. |
18
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4.1.16 |
Clause 13.2.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted. |
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4.1.17 |
Clause 13.2.15 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
13.2.15 |
Inspection of records The Borrower will permit the inspection of its financial records and accounts and procure that the Corporate Guarantor permits the inspection of the Corporate Guarantors financial records and accounts from time to time by the Lender or its nominee. |
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4.1.18 |
Clause 13.2.17 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
13.2.17 |
No change in ownership or control of the Borrower of the Managers The Borrower shall not cease to be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor and shall not permit any change in the beneficial ownership and control of the Managers from that advised to the Lender on the date of the Listing. |
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4.1.19 |
Clause 13.2.20 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
13.2.20 |
Charters The Borrower shall inform the Lender of its entry into any Charter (other than the Existing Charter) and of any extensions, increases or decreases in charterhire or other material amendments to a Charter. |
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4.1.20 |
An additional clause 13.2.21 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
|
13.2.21 |
Ownership The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor shall remain directly or indirectly beneficially owned by its Current Shareholders or any of them at a minimum of fifty one per cent (51%). |
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4.1.21 |
An additional clause 13.2.22 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
19
|
13.2.22 |
Guarantees and indemnities The Borrower shall by not later than the execution date of the Vessel Agreements execute in favour of the Lender guarantees and indemnities in such forms and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall in its discretion require and which shall secure the Vessel A Indebtedness and the Vessel B Indebtedness, and shall procure that each Owner shall by not later than the execution date of the relevant Vessel Agreement grant in favour of the Lender a guarantee and indemnity in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Lender shall in its discretion require and which shall secure the Indebtedness. |
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4.1.22 |
An additional clause 13.2.23 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
|
13.2.23 |
Financial covenants The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor shall on a consolidated basis comply with the following financial covenants to be assessed on a semi-annual basis based on the Accounting Information received by the Lender in accordance with Clauses 13.1.1 and 13.1.4:- |
|
(a) |
Consolidated Group Leverage The Consolidated Group Leverage shall be equal to or less than seventy per cent (70%). |
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(b) |
Debt to EBITDA ratio The ratio of Debt to EBITDA on a trailing twelve (12) months basis shall not at any time exceed 5.5:1. |
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(c) |
Net Worth The Net Worth shall not at any time be less than one hundred and seventy five million Dollars ($175,000,000). |
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4.1.23 |
Clause 14.1.8 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
14.1.8 |
Change in ownership or control of the Borrower or the Managers The Borrower ceases to be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Guarantor or there is any change in the beneficial |
20
ownership or control of the Borrower or the Managers from that advised to the Lender by the Borrower on the date of the Listing.
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4.1.24 |
Clause 14.1.14 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
|
14.1.14 |
Reduction of capital A Security Party (other than the Corporate Guarantor) reduces its authorised or issued or subscribed capital. |
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4.1.25 |
An additional clause 14.1.20 shall be added to the Original Facility Agreement which shall be read and construed as follows:- |
|
14.1.20 |
Notice of termination Any of the Guarantors gives notice to the Lender to determine its obligations under the relevant Guarantee. |
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4.1.26 |
Clause 22.5 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced by the following:- |
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22.5 |
Service of process Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Security Party: |
|
22.5.1 |
irrevocably appoints Mr. Savvas Savvides, 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY, England (tel/fax: +44 208 361 2606) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with this Agreement; and |
|
22.5.2 |
agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Security Party of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned. |
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4.1.27 |
All references to this Agreement shall be references to the Original Facility Agreement as amended and/or supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement. |
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4.1.28 |
The Schedule to this Supplemental Agreement shall be incorporated as Schedule 4 to the Original Facility Agreement. |
21
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4.1.29 |
All references in the Security Documents to the Agreement (however it may be defined) shall be read and construed as the Original Facility Agreement as supplemented and amended hereby. |
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4.1.30 |
All references to the Security Documents shall be shall be read and construed to include the Guarantees and the Operating Account Charge. |
All other terms and conditions of the Original Facility Agreement shall remain unaltered and in full force and effect.
5 |
Confirmation and Undertaking |
|
5.1 |
Each of the Security Parties confirms that all of its respective obligations under or pursuant to each of the Security Documents to which it is a party remain in full force and effect, despite the amendments to the Original Facility Agreement made in this Supplemental Agreement, as if all references in any of the Security Documents to the Facility Agreement (however described) were references to the Original Facility Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement. |
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5.2 |
The definition of any term defined in any of the Security Documents shall, to the extent necessary, be modified to reflect the amendments to the Original Facility Agreement made in this Supplemental Agreement. |
6 |
Communications, Law and Jurisdiction |
The provisions of clauses 18 and 22 of the Original Facility Agreement shall apply to this Supplemental Agreement as if they were set out in full and as if references to the Facility Agreement were references to this Supplemental Agreement and references to the Borrower were references to the Security Parties.
22
IN WITNESS of which the parties to this Supplemental Agreement have executed this Supplemental Agreement as a deed the day and year first before written.
STEPHENSON HARWOOD
ARISTON BUILDING
2 FILELLINON STR. & AKTI MIAOULI
PIRAEUS 185 36
VAT. NO. 9 9 8 7 1 1 1 5 6
TEL 210 42 95 160
23
SCHEDULE
Form of Compliance Certificate
To: |
DnB NOR BANK ASA |
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|
From: |
Safe Bulkers Inc. |
Dated:
Dear Sirs
Avstes Shipping Corporation US$36,000,000 Reducing revolving multi-currency credit facility agreement dated 17 April 2008 as amended, supplemented, novated and/or replaced from time to time (the Agreement)
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
The covenant calculations below are made as of, and in respect of the six (6) month period ending on [ ].
We confirm that:
Agreement Clause |
Covenant determination/Calculation compliance |
(min/max amount) |
||
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13.2.23(a) |
Consolidated Group Leverage |
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Consolidated Total Liabilities |
USD[ ] |
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÷ Consolidated Total Assets |
USD[ ] |
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= |
=Consolidated Group Leverage |
[ %] |
[maximum 70%] |
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13.2.23(b) |
Debt to EBITDA ratio |
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Debt |
USD[ ] |
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÷ EBITDA |
USD[ ] |
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=Debt to EBITDA ratio |
[ ] |
[maximum 5.5:1] |
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13.2.23(c) |
Net Worth |
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Consolidated Total Assets |
USD[ ] |
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(minus) Consolidated Total Liabilities |
USD[ ] |
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=Net Worth |
[ %] |
[min.
|
24
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.]*
Signed: |
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Director |
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Director |
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of |
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of |
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Safe Bulkers Inc. |
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Safe Bulkers Inc. |
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* |
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. |
25
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Exhibit 10.49 |
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Private & Confidential |
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Dated 23 May 2008
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
(1) |
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and |
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THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
(2) |
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CORPORATE GUARANTEE |
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Contents
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Clause |
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Page |
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1 |
Interpretation |
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1 |
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2 |
Guarantee |
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5 |
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3 |
Payments and Taxes |
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8 |
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4 |
Representations and warranties |
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9 |
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5 |
Undertakings |
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12 |
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6 |
Set-off |
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15 |
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7 |
Benefit of this Guarantee |
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15 |
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8 |
Notices and other matters |
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15 |
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9 |
Law and jurisdiction |
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17 |
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Schedule 1 Form of Compliance Certificate |
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18 |
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THIS GUARANTEE is dated 23 May 2008 and made BETWEEN: |
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(1) |
SAFE BULKERS, INC. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 (the Guarantor ); and |
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(2) |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC of 5-10 Great Tower Street, London EC3P 3HX (the Bank ). |
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WHEREAS : |
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(A) |
by a loan agreement dated 1 March 2006 as amended and supplemented by a supplemental letter dated 24 April 2008 and a supplemental agreement dated 23 May 2008 (together the Agreement ) each made between (1) Marinouki Shipping Corporation as borrower (the Borrower ) and (2) the Bank, the Bank has agreed, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, to make (and has made) available to the Borrower, a multi-currency loan facility of up to (originally) US$30,400,000, which was subsequently increased by $4,000,000 pursuant to the supplemental letter referred to above; |
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(B) |
by a 1992 ISDA master agreement (including a schedule thereto) dated as of 1 March 2006 (the Master Swap Agreement ) and made between the Borrower and the Bank, the Bank agreed the terms and conditions upon which it would enter into interest rate swap or other derivative transactions with the Borrower in respect of the Loan, whether in whole or in part (as the case may be) from time to time; and |
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(C) |
the execution and delivery of this Guarantee is one of the conditions subsequent to the Bank continuing to make the said loan facility available under the Agreement and this Guarantee is the Corporate Guarantee referred to in the Agreement and it constitutes a Security Document. |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
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1 |
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Interpretation |
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1.1 |
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Defined expressions |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee, words and expressions defined in the Agreement and used in this Guarantee shall have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee. |
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1.2 |
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Definitions |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: |
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Accounting Information means (a) the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Group and (b) the quarterly unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group, each as provided or (as the context may require) to be provided to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4; |
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Accounting Period means (a) each financial year of the Guarantor and (b) each financial quarter of each financial year of the Guarantor, for which Accounting Information is required to be delivered pursuant to this Guarantee; |
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Applicable Accounting Principles means the most recent and up-to-date US GAAP applicable at any relevant time; |
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Bank includes the successors in title, Assignees and Transferees of the Bank; |
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Collateral Instruments means notes, bills of exchange, certificates of deposit and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments, guarantees, indemnities and other assurances |
1
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against financial loss and any other documents or instruments which contain or evidence an obligation (with or without security) to pay, discharge or be responsible directly or indirectly for, any indebtedness or liabilities of the Borrower 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; |
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Compliance Certificate means a certificate in the form set out in schedule 1; |
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Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the ratio of (a) the Consolidated Debt to (b) the Consolidated Total Assets, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth means the aggregate of the amounts paid-up or credited as paid-up on the Guarantors issued share capital and the amount of the consolidated capital and revenue reserves of the Group (including any share premium account, capital redemption reserve fund and any credit balance on the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group) all as shown by the latest consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss account of the Group delivered under this Guarantee but after: |
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(a) |
deducting any debit balance on such consolidated profit and loss account; |
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(b) |
deducting any amount shown in such consolidated balance sheet in respect of goodwill (including goodwill arising on consolidation) and other intangible assets; |
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(c) |
deducting (so far as not otherwise excluded as attributable to minority interests) a sum equal to the aggregate of the amount by which the book value of any fixed assets of any member of the Group has been written up after 31 December 2007 (or, in the case of a company becoming a subsidiary after that date, the date on which that company became a subsidiary) by way of revaluation. For the purposes of this paragraph (c) any increase in the book value of any fixed asset resulting from its transfer by one member of the Group to another member of the Group shall be deemed to result from a writing up of its book value by way of revaluation; |
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(d) |
excluding amounts set aside for taxation as at the date of such balance sheet and making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any significant additional taxation expected to result from transactions carried out by any member of the Group after such date and not reflected in that balance sheet; |
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(e) |
deducting all amounts attributable to minority interests in Subsidiaries; |
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(f) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any variation in the amount of such paid up share capital or any such reserves after the date of the relevant balance sheet (but so that no such adjustment shall be made in respect of any variation in profit and loss account except to the extent of any profit or loss, calculated on a cumulative basis, recorded in the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group delivered to the Bank before the date of this Guarantee, or under clause 5.1.4 in respect of any subsequent period); |
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(g) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any distribution declared, recommended or made by any member of the Group (otherwise than attributable directly or indirectly to the Guarantor) out of profits earned up to and including the date of the latest audited balance sheet of that member of the Group to the extent that such distribution is not provided for in that balance sheet; |
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(h) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any variation in the interests of the Guarantor in its Subsidiaries since the date of the latest consolidated balance sheet of the Group; |
2
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(i) |
if the calculation is required for the purpose of or in connection with a transaction under or in connection with which any company is to become or cease to be a Subsidiary of the Guarantor, making all such adjustments as would be appropriate if that transaction had been carried into effect; |
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(j) |
adding the relevant excess in the event that the Fleet Market Value exceeds the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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(k) |
deducting the relevant shortfall in the event that the Fleet Market Value is less than the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; and |
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(l) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in the opinion of the Bank in order that the above amounts are calculated in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles; |
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Consolidated Current Assets means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate of the cash and marketable securities, trade and other receivables from persons other than a member of the Group realisable within one (1) year, inventories and prepaid expenses which are to be charged to income within one (1) year less any doubtful debts and any discounts or allowances given, in each case in relation to the Group, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Debt means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate amount of Debt owed by the members of the Group (other than any Debt owing by any member of the Group to another member of the Group), as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Debt Service Ratio means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, each as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated EBITDA means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the consolidated net pre-taxation profits of the Group in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information, |
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(a) |
including the net pre-taxation profits of a member of the Group or business or assets acquired during that Rolling Four Quarter Period for the part of that Rolling Four Quarter Period when it was not a member of the Group and/or the business or assets were not owned by a member of the Group; but |
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(b) |
excluding the net pre-taxation profits attributable to any member of the Group or to any business or assets sold during that Rolling Four Quarter Period: |
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and all as adjusted by: |
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(i) |
adding back Consolidated Net Interest Expense; |
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(ii) |
taking no account of any exceptional or extraordinary item; |
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(iii) |
adding back depreciation and amortisation; and |
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(iv) |
taking no account of any revaluation of an asset or any loss or gain over book value arising on the disposal of an asset (otherwise than in the ordinary course of trading) by a member of the Group during that Rolling Four Quarter Period; |
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Consolidated Net Interest Expense means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, all interest and other financing charges incurred or paid by the Group minus all interest income received by the Group in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Tangible Fixed Assets means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate of (a) the Fleet Market Value and (b) the book value (less depreciation computed in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied) on a consolidated basis of all other tangible fixed assets of the Group (i.e. excluding Fleet Vessels), as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Total Assets means, at any relevant time, the aggregate of Consolidated Current Assets and Consolidated Tangible Fixed Assets; |
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Debt means, in relation to any member of the Group (the debtor ): |
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(a) |
Borrowed Money of the debtor; |
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(b) |
liability for any credit to the debtor from a supplier of goods or services or under any instalment purchase or payment plan or other similar arrangement; |
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(c) |
contingent liabilities of the debtor (including without limitation any taxes or other payments under dispute) which have been or, under the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied, should be recorded in the notes to the Accounting Information; |
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(d) |
deferred tax of the debtor; and |
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(e) |
liability under a guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation entered into by the debtor in respect of a liability of another person who is not a member of the Group which would fall within (a) to (d) above if the references to the debtor referred to the other person; |
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Fleet Market Value means, as of the date of calculation, the aggregate market value of the Fleet Vessels as most recently determined pursuant to valuations obtained and made in accordance with clause 5.1.5 of this Guarantee and the provisions of clause 9.2.2 of the Agreement (at the cost of the Guarantor) (and for the purposes of this Guarantee and the calculation of Fleet Market Value, such clause 9.2.2 shall apply to this Guarantee mutatis mutandis); |
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Fleet Vessels means the vessels (including, but not limited to, the Ship) from time to time owned by the members of the Group and Fleet Vessel means any of them; |
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Group means, together, the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries from time to time (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower) and member of the Group shall be construed accordingly; |
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Guarantee includes each separate or independent stipulation or agreement by the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee; |
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Guaranteed Liabilities means all moneys, obligations and liabilities expressed to be guaranteed by the Guarantor in clause 2.1; |
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Guarantor includes the Guarantors successors in title; |
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Incapacity means, in relation to a person, the death, bankruptcy, unsoundness of mind, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, administration, receivership, amalgamation, reconstruction or other incapacity of that person whatsoever (and, in the case of a partnership, includes the termination or change in the composition of the partnership); |
4
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Listing means the successful completion of the initial public offering of approximately 20% of the shares of the Guarantor, and the listing of the shares of the Guarantor on the New York Stock Exchange; |
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Relevant Jurisdiction means any jurisdiction in which or where the Guarantor is incorporated, resident, domiciled, has a permanent establishment, carries on or has a place of business or is otherwise effectively connected; and |
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Rolling Four Quarter Period means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the twelve-month period ending on such day. |
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1.3 |
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Headings |
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Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Guarantee. |
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1.4 |
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Construction of certain terms |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: |
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1.4.1 |
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references to clauses are to be construed as references to the clauses of this Guarantee; |
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1.4.2 |
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references to (or to any specified provision of) this Guarantee or any other document shall be construed as references to this Guarantee, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties; |
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1.4.3 |
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words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; |
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1.4.4 |
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references to a time of day are to London time; |
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1.4.5 |
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references to a person shall be construed as including references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity; |
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1.4.6 |
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references to a guarantee include references to an indemnity or other assurance against financial loss including, without limitation, any 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; and |
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1.4.7 |
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references to any enactment shall be deemed to include reference to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended. |
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2 |
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Guarantee |
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2.1 |
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Covenant to pay |
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In consideration of the Bank making or continuing loans or advances to, or otherwise giving credit or granting banking facilities or accommodation or granting time to, the Borrower pursuant to the Agreement and/or the Master Swap Agreement, the Guarantor hereby guarantees to pay to the Bank, on demand by the Bank all moneys and discharge all obligations and liabilities now or hereafter due, owing or incurred by the Borrower to the Bank under or pursuant to the Agreement, the Master Swap Agreement and the other Security Documents when the same become due for payment or discharge whether by acceleration or otherwise, and whether such moneys, obligations or liabilities are express or implied, present, future or contingent, joint or several, incurred as principal or surety, originally owing to the Bank or purchased or otherwise acquired by it, denominated in Dollars or in any other currency, or incurred on any banking account or in any other manner whatsoever. |
5
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Such liabilities shall, without limitation, include interest (as well after as before judgment) to date of payment at such rates and upon such terms as may from time to time be agreed, commission, fees and other charges and all legal and other costs, charges and expenses on a full and unqualified indemnity basis which may be incurred by the Bank in relation to any such moneys, obligations or liabilities or generally in respect of the Borrower, the Guarantor or any Collateral Instrument. |
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2.2 |
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Guarantor as principal debtor; indemnity |
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As a separate and independent stipulation, the Guarantor agrees that if any purported obligation or liability of the Borrower which would have been the subject of this Guarantee had it been valid and enforceable is not or ceases to be valid or enforceable against the Borrower on any ground whatsoever whether or not known to the Bank (including, without limitation, any irregular exercise or absence of any corporate power or lack of authority of, or breach of duty by, any person purporting to act on behalf of the Borrower or any legal or other limitation, whether under the Limitation Acts or otherwise or any disability or Incapacity or any change in the constitution of the Borrower) the Guarantor shall nevertheless be liable to the Bank in respect of that purported obligation or liability as if the same were fully valid and enforceable and the Guarantor were the principal debtor in respect thereof. The Guarantor hereby agrees to keep the Bank fully indemnified on demand against all damages, losses, costs and expenses arising from any failure of the Borrowers or either of them to perform or discharge any such purported obligation or liability. |
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2.3 |
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Statements of account conclusive |
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Any statement of account, signed as correct by an officer of the Bank, showing the amount of the Guaranteed Liabilities shall, in the absence of manifest error, be binding and conclusive on and against the Guarantor. |
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2.4 |
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No security taken by Guarantor |
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The Guarantor warrants that it has not taken or received, and undertakes that until all the Guaranteed Liabilities of the Borrower have been paid or discharged in full, it will not take or receive, the benefit of any security from the Borrowers or either of them or any other person in respect of its obligations under this Guarantee. |
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2.5 |
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Interest |
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The Guarantor agrees to pay interest on each amount demanded of it under this Guarantee from the date of such demand until payment (as well after as before judgment) at the rate specified in clause 3.4 of the Agreement which shall apply to this Guarantee mutatis mutandis. Such interest shall be compounded at the end of each period determined for this purpose by the Bank in the event of it not being paid when demanded but without prejudice to the Banks right to require payment of such interest. |
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2.6 |
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Continuing security and other matters |
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This Guarantee shall: |
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2.6.1 |
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secure the ultimate balance from time to time owing to the Bank by the Borrower and shall be a continuing security, notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter whatsoever; |
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2.6.2 |
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be in addition to any present or future Collateral Instrument, right or remedy held by or available to the Bank; and |
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2.6.3 |
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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 Bank dealing with, exchanging, varying or failing to perfect or |
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enforce any of the same or giving time for payment or indulgence or compounding with any other person liable. |
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2.7 |
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Liability unconditional |
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The liability of the Guarantor shall not be affected nor shall this Guarantee be discharged or reduced by reason of: |
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2.7.1 |
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the Incapacity or any change in the name, style or constitution of the Borrower or any other person liable; |
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2.7.2 |
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the Bank granting any time, indulgence or concession to, or compounding with, discharging, releasing or varying the liability of, the Borrower or any other person liable or renewing, determining, varying or increasing any accommodation, facility or transaction or otherwise dealing with the same in any manner whatsoever or concurring in, accepting or varying any compromise, arrangement or settlement or omitting to claim or enforce payment from the Borrower or any other person liable; or |
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2.7.3 |
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any act or omission which would not have discharged or affected the liability of the Guarantor had it been a principal debtor instead of a guarantor or by anything done or omitted which but for this provision might operate to exonerate the Guarantor. |
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2.8 |
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Collateral Instruments |
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The Bank shall not be obliged to make any claim or demand on the Borrower 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 Bank 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 Bank 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. |
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2.9 |
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Waiver of Guarantors rights |
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Until all the Guaranteed Liabilities have been paid, discharged or satisfied in full (and notwithstanding payment of a dividend in any liquidation or under any compromise or arrangement) the Guarantor agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Bank, it will not: |
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2.9.1 |
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exercise its rights of subrogation, reimbursement and indemnity against the Borrower or any other person liable; |
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2.9.2 |
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demand or accept repayment in whole or in part of any indebtedness now or hereafter due to the Guarantor from the Borrower or from any other person liable or demand or accept any Collateral Instrument in respect of the same or dispose of the same; |
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2.9.4 |
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claim any set-off or counterclaim against the Borrower or any other person liable or claim or prove in competition with the Bank in the liquidation of the Borrower or any other person liable or have the benefit of, or share in, any payment from or composition with, the Borrower or any other person liable or any other Collateral Instrument now or hereafter held by the Bank for any Guaranteed Liabilities or for the obligations or liabilities of any other person liable but so that, if so directed by the Bank, it will prove for the whole or any part of its claim in the liquidation of the Borrower 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 Bank and applied in or towards discharge of the Guaranteed Liabilities in such manner as the Bank shall deem appropriate. |
7
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2.10 |
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Suspense accounts |
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2.11 |
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Settlements conditional |
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Any release, discharge or settlement between the Guarantor and the Bank shall be conditional upon no security, disposition or payment to the Bank by the Borrower 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 for any other reason whatsoever and if such condition shall not be fulfilled the Bank 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. |
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2.12 |
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Guarantor to deliver up certain property |
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If, contrary to clauses 2.4 or 2.9 the Guarantor takes or receives the benefit of any security or receives or recovers any money or other property, such security, money or other property shall be held on trust for the Bank and shall be delivered to the Bank on demand. |
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2.13 |
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Retention of this Guarantee |
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The Bank shall be entitled to retain this Guarantee after as well as before the payment or discharge of all the Guaranteed Liabilities for such period as the Bank may determine whereupon the Bank shall return this Guarantee to the Guarantor. |
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3 |
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Payments and Taxes |
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3.1 |
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No set off or counterclaim |
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All payments to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be made in full, without any set-off or counterclaim whatsoever and, subject as provided in clause 3.2, free and clear of any deductions or withholdings, in Dollars or (if applicable) in the relevant Optional Currency in which they are denominated (except for charges or expenses which shall be paid in the currency in which they are incurred) on the due date to such account of the Bank as it may specify in writing to the Guarantor from time to time. |
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3.2 |
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Grossing up for Taxes |
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If at any time the Guarantor is required to make any deduction or withholding in respect of Taxes from any payment due under this Guarantee for the account of the Bank, the sum due from the Guarantor in respect of such payment shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of such deduction or withholding, the Bank receives on the due date for such payment (and retains, free from any liability in respect of such deduction or withholding) a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required to be made and the Guarantor shall indemnify the Bank against any losses or costs incurred by it by reason of any failure of the Guarantor 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 Guarantor shall promptly deliver to the Bank any receipts, certificates or other proof evidencing the amounts (if any) paid or payable in respect of any deduction or withholding as aforesaid. |
8
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3.3 |
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Currency indemnity |
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If any sum due from the Guarantor under this Guarantee or any order or judgment given or made in relation hereto has to be converted from the currency (the first currency ) in which the same is payable under this Guarantee 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 Guarantor, (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 this Guarantee, the Guarantor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Bank 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 Bank 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 Guarantor under this clause 3.3 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 this Guarantee 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. |
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4 |
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Representations and warranties |
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4.1 |
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Continuing representations and warranties |
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The Guarantor represents and warrants that: |
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4.1.1 |
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Due incorporation |
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the Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a Marshall Islands corporation and has power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets; |
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4.1.2 |
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Corporate power to guarantee |
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the Guarantor has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and under the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the same and no limitation on the powers of the Guarantor to borrow or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of this Guarantee; |
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4.1.3 |
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Binding obligations |
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this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms; |
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4.1.4 |
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No conflict with other obligations |
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the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under, and compliance with the provisions of, this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party, by the Guarantor will not (i) contravene any existing applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which the Guarantor 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 Guarantor 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 Guarantors constitutional documents or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige the Guarantor to create any Encumbrance on any of the Guarantors undertakings, assets, rights or revenues; |
9
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4.1.5 |
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No litigation |
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no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding is taking place, pending or, to the knowledge of the officers of the Guarantor, threatened against the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which could have a material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the Guarantor; |
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4.1.6 |
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No filings required |
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it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, 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 this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party and this Guarantee is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Relevant Jurisdiction; |
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4.1.7 |
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Choice of law |
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the choice by the Guarantor of English law to govern this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party and the submission by the Guarantor to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts are valid and binding; |
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4.1.8 |
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No immunity |
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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 (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgment, execution or other enforcement); |
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4.1.9 |
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Consents obtained |
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every consent, authorisation, licence or approval of, or registration with or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by the Guarantor to authorise, or required by the Guarantor in connection with, the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, or the performance by the Guarantor of its obligations under this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor 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 the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same; and |
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4.1.10 |
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No material adverse change |
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there has been no material adverse change in the financial position of the Guarantor or the consolidated financial position of the Group from that described by or on behalf of the Borrowers and/or the Guarantor to the Bank in the negotiation of the Agreement and this Guarantee. |
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4.2 |
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Initial representations and warranties |
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The Guarantor further represents and warrants that as of the date of the Listing: |
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4.2.1 |
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Pari passu |
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the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee are direct, general and unconditional obligations of the Guarantor and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future |
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unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Guarantor with the exception of any obligations which are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract; |
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4.2.2 |
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No default under other Indebtedness |
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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; |
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4.2.3 |
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Information |
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the information, exhibits and reports furnished by the Guarantor to the Bank in connection or with the negotiation and preparation of this Guarantee 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; there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading; |
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4.2.4 |
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No withholding Taxes |
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no Taxes are imposed by withholding or otherwise on any payment to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, or are imposed on or by virtue of the execution or delivery by the Guarantor of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party or any document or instrument to be executed or delivered under this Guarantee or such Security Documents; |
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4.2.5 |
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No Default |
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no Default has occurred and is continuing; and |
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4.2.6 |
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Shareholdings |
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the Borrower is a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor and no less than 75% of all the issued share capital of the Guarantor are ultimately beneficially owned by the Hadjioannou Family. |
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4.3 |
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Repetition of representations and warranties |
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On and as of each day from the date of this Guarantee until all moneys due or owing, whether actually or contingently, under the Agreement and/or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) have been paid in full and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, the Guarantor shall: |
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4.3.1 |
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be deemed to repeat the representations and warranties in clause 4.1 as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day; and |
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4.3.2 |
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be deemed to further represent and warrant to the Bank that the then latest audited financial statements delivered to the Bank under this Guarantee (if any) have been prepared in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles which have been consistently applied and present fairly and accurately the consolidated financial position of the Group as at the end of the financial period to which the same relate and the consolidated results of the operations of the Group for the financial period to which the same relate and, as at the end of such financial period, neither the Guarantor nor any other member of the Group 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. |
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(a) |
audited consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied in respect of each financial year; and |
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(b) |
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied in respect of each financial quarter of each financial year, |
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and, in each case, deliver as many copies of the same as the Bank may reasonably require as soon as practicable but not later than one hundred and eighty (180) days (in the case of audited statements) and sixty (60) days (in the case of unaudited statements) after the end of the financial period to which they relate; |
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5.1.5 |
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Valuations and Compliance Certificate |
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(a) |
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Bank valuations (dated not earlier than 30 days previously) of each Fleet Vessel prepared in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, clause 9.2.2 of the Agreement (at the cost of the Guarantor) at the time when any annual or semi-annual consolidated financial statements of the Group are delivered to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4 (and clause 9.2.2 of the |
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Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis hereto for the purpose of the valuation of Fleet Vessels); and |
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(b) |
deliver to the Bank, a Compliance Certificate for the relevant period executed by the Guarantor and counter-signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Guarantor at the time when any consolidated financial statements of the Group are delivered to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4; |
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5.1.6 |
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Liquidity |
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maintain at all times in bank accounts held with the Bank and which are free from Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) minimum cash balances of no less than $500,000, without taking into account any part of such cash balances already taken into account by the Guarantor and/or any other member of the Group and the Bank for the purposes of compliance with minimum liquidity requirements under, or in connection with, other loan agreements (i.e. excluding the Agreement) made available by the Bank to members of the Group or any relevant guarantees given by the Guarantor in favour of the Bank; |
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5.1.7 |
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Delivery of reports |
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deliver to the Bank copies of every report, circular, notice or like document issued by the Guarantor to its shareholders or creditors generally subject to applicable obligations of confidentiality or rules of the New York Stock Exchange; and |
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5.1.8 |
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Provision of further information |
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provide the Bank with such financial or other information concerning the Group, the Borrower, the Guarantor, the other Security Parties, the other members of the Group and their respective affairs as the Bank may from time to time reasonably require, including, without limitation, any management information, information relating to the position, trading and/or employment of the Ship and any actual or proposed purchase of vessels by any member of the Group, copies of all documents required of the Guarantor or its board of directors to disclose or certify or to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.A. or pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of the U.S.A. and any other documents or information as may be reasonably required by the Bank. |
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5.2 |
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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 the Agreement or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will not, without the prior written consent of the Bank: |
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5.2.1 |
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Negative pledge |
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permit any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) to subsist, arise or be created or extended over all or any of the shares of the Borrower to secure or prefer any present or future Indebtedness of the Guarantor or any other person; |
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5.2.2 |
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No merger |
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merge or consolidate with any other person or enter into any demerger, amalgamation or any corporate reconstruction or redomiciliation of any kind; |
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5.2.3 |
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Other business |
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undertake any business other than that conducted by it at the date of this Guarantee; |
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5.2.4 |
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Distributions |
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declare or pay any dividends or make any other distributions to any of its shareholders if an Event of Default has occurred or will or, in the opinion of the Bank, is likely to occur as a result of, or following, the declaration or payment of such dividends or other distributions; |
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5.2.5 |
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Shareholdings |
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change, cause or permit any change in, the legal and/or beneficial ownership of any of the shares in the Borrower which would result in the Borrower ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor; or |
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5.2.6 |
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Financial year |
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change the computation of its financial year from that existing on the date of this Guarantee (i.e. with financial year-end on 31 December). |
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5.3 |
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Financial undertakings |
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5.3.1 |
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The Guarantor undertakes with the Bank that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any moneys are owing under the Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will ensure that: |
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(a) |
Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth |
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the Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth shall not be less than Two hundred million Dollars ($200,000,000) at any time; |
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(b) |
Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio |
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the Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio shall not be higher than 0.70:1.0 at any time; and |
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(c) |
Consolidated Debt Service Ratio |
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the Consolidated Debt Service Ratio shall not be higher than 5.5:1.0 at any time. |
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5.3.2 |
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All the terms defined in clause 1.2 and used in this clause 5.3, and other accounting terms used in this clause 5.3, are to be determined by the Bank on a consolidated basis and (except as items are expressly included or excluded in the relevant definition or provision) are used and shall be construed in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied and as determined from any relevant Accounting Information and any valuations of the Fleet Vessels and also by reference to any other information available to the Bank at any relevant time. |
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5.3.3 |
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Subject to clause 5.3.4, the compliance of the Guarantor with the undertakings set out in clause 5.3.1 shall be determined and tested by the Bank in its sole discretion on the basis of calculations made by the Bank at the end of each Accounting Period at the time when the relevant Accounting Information and, where applicable, valuations of the Fleet Vessels have been delivered to the Bank pursuant to clause 5.1.4 and clause 5.1.5. |
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5.3.4 |
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Notwithstanding the other terms of this clause 5.3 and, in particular, the time when compliance with the financial undertakings of clause 5.3.1 is to be tested by the Bank pursuant to clause 5.3.3, the Guarantor hereby undertakes that the financial undertakings of clause 5.3.1 will be complied with at all times during the whole term of each Accounting Period. |
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5.3.5 |
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For the purposes of this clause 5.3: (i) no item shall be deducted or credited more than once in any calculation; and (ii) any amount expressed in a currency other than Dollars shall be |
14
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converted into Dollars in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied. |
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6 |
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Set-off |
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The Guarantor authorises the Bank at any time following a demand made by the Bank under clause 2.1 and without notice to the Guarantor to apply any credit balance to which the Guarantor is then entitled on any account of the Guarantor with the Bank at any of its branches in or towards satisfaction of any sum then due and payable from the Guarantor to the Bank under this Guarantee. For this purpose the Bank is authorised to purchase with the moneys standing to the credit of such account such other currencies as may be necessary to effect such application. The Bank shall not be obliged to exercise any right given to it by this clause 6. The Bank shall notify the Guarantor forthwith upon the exercise or purported exercise of any right of set-off giving full details in relation thereto. |
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7 |
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Benefit of this Guarantee |
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7.1 |
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Benefit and burden |
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This Guarantee shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors in title and shall enure for the benefit of the Bank and its successors in title, Assignees and/or Transferees. The Guarantor expressly acknowledges and accepts the provisions of clause 16 of the Agreement and agrees that any person in favour of whom an assignment or a transfer is made in accordance with such clause shall be entitled to the benefit of this Guarantee. |
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7.2 |
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Changes in constitution or reorganisation of Bank |
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For the avoidance of doubt and without prejudice to the provisions of clause 7.1, this Guarantee shall remain binding on the Guarantor notwithstanding any change in the constitution of the Bank 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 Guarantee shall remain valid and effective in all respects in favour of any successor in title, Assignee or Transferee of the Bank in the same manner as if such successor in title, Assignee or Transferee had been named in this Guarantee as a party instead of, or in addition to, the Bank. |
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7.3 |
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No assignment by Guarantor |
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The Guarantor may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Guarantee. |
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7.4 |
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Disclosure of information |
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The Bank may, without the consent of the Guarantor, disclose to a prospective assignee or transferee or to any other person who may propose entering into contractual relations with the Bank in relation to the Agreement such information about the Guarantor as the Bank shall consider appropriate. |
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8 |
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Notices and other matters |
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8.1 |
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Notices |
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Clause 17.1 of the Agreement shall apply to this Guarantee as if set out herein and every notice, request, demand or other communication under this Guarantee shall be sent: |
15
16
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8.7 |
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Maximum liability |
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Anything contained in this Guarantee to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal to the greatest amount that would not render the Guarantors obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar provisions of applicable law (collectively, the Fraudulent Transfer Laws ), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of the Guarantor (a) in respect of inter-company Indebtedness to the Borrower or any other member of the Group to the extent that such Indebtedness would be discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by the Guarantor hereunder and (b) under any guarantee of Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Liabilities, which guarantee contains a limitation as to maximum amount similar to that set forth in this paragraph, pursuant to which the liability of the Guarantor hereunder is included in the liabilities taken into account in determining such maximum amount) and after giving effect as assets to the value (as determined under the applicable provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights of the Guarantor pursuant to (i) applicable law or (ii) any agreement providing for an equitable allocation among the Guarantor and other members of the Group of obligations arising under guarantees by such parties. |
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9 |
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Law and jurisdiction |
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9.1 |
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Law |
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This Guarantee is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
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9.2 |
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Submission to jurisdiction |
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The Guarantor agrees for the benefit of the Bank that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee against the Guarantor or any of its assets may be brought in the English courts, irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Mr. Savvas Savvides at present of 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY, England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings and the Guarantor further undertakes that, in the event that such individual passes away or cannot be found, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Bank to designate, appoint and empower, on the Guarantors behalf, Messrs Cheeswrights or Messrs Saville & Co. at their then principal place of business in London, as substitute process agents of Mr. Savvas Savvides for the purposes of this clause. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against the Guarantor in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. The Guarantor further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other State shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which the Guarantor may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee. |
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9.3 |
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Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 |
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No term of this Guarantee is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to this Guarantee. |
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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. |
17
Schedule 1
Form of Compliance Certificate
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To: |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
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From: |
SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
Dated: []
US$30,400,000 Loan Agreement dated 1 March 2006, as amended (the Loan Agreement) - Corporate Guarantee dated [] 2008 (the Corporate Guarantee)
Terms defined in the Corporate Guarantee shall have the same meaning when used herein.
We refer to clause 5.3.1 of the Corporate Guarantee and hereby certify that, as at [ insert date of accounts ] and on the date hereof:
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1 |
Financial covenants |
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(a) |
the Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth is $[], calculated as follows: [ ]; and |
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(b) |
the Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio is []:1.0, calculated as follows:[ ]; and |
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(c) |
the Consolidated Debt Service Ratio is []:1.0, calculated as follows: [ ]. |
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[and we hereby confirm that the above comply with the provisions of clause 5.3.1 of the Guarantee.] |
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2 |
Default |
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[No Default has occurred and is continuing] |
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or |
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[The following Default has occurred and is continuing: [ provide details of Default ]. [The following steps are being taken to remedy it: [ provide details of steps being taken to remedy Default ]]. |
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Signed: |
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[Director[s]/Officer[s]] [or any other duly authorised representatives [or appropriate] ] |
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For and on behalf of: |
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
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I hereby confirm and certify that the above statements are correct and complete. |
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Signed: |
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Chief Financial
Officer
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18
19
Exhibit 10.50
Private & Confidential
Dated 23 May 2008
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
(1) |
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and |
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THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
(2) |
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CORPORATE GUARANTEE |
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Contents
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Clause |
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Page |
1 |
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Interpretation |
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1 |
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2 |
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Guarantee |
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5 |
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3 |
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Payments and Taxes |
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8 |
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4 |
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Representations and warranties |
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9 |
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5 |
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Undertakings |
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12 |
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6 |
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Set-off |
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15 |
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7 |
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Benefit of this Guarantee |
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15 |
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8 |
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Notices and other matters |
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15 |
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9 |
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Law and jurisdiction |
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17 |
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Schedule 1 Form of Compliance Certificate |
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18 |
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THIS GUARANTEE is dated 23 May 2008 and made BETWEEN: |
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(1) |
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 (the Guarantor ); and |
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(2) |
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THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC of 5-10 Great Tower Street, London EC3P 3HX(the Bank ). |
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WHEREAS : |
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(A) |
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by a loan agreement dated 13 December 2007 as amended and supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 23 May 2008 (together the Agreement ) each made between (1) Kerasies Shipping Corporation as borrower (the Borrower ) and (2) the Bank, the Bank has agreed, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, to make (and has made) available to the Borrower, a multi-currency loan facility of up to US$40,000,000; |
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(B) |
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by a 1992 ISDA master agreement (including a schedule thereto) dated as of 13 December 2007 (the Master Swap Agreement ) and made between the Borrower and the Bank, the Bank agreed the terms and conditions upon which it would enter into interest rate swap or other derivative transactions with the Borrower in respect of the Loan, whether in whole or in part (as the case may be) from time to time; and |
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(C) |
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the execution and delivery of this Guarantee is one of the conditions subsequent to the Bank continuing to make the said loan facility available under the Agreement and this Guarantee is the Corporate Guarantee referred to in the Agreement and it constitutes a Security Document. |
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IT IS AGREED as follows: |
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1 |
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Interpretation |
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1.1 |
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Defined expressions |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee, words and expressions defined in the Agreement and used in this Guarantee shall have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee. |
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1.2 |
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Definitions |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: |
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Accounting Information means (a) the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Group and (b) the quarterly unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group, each as provided or (as the context may require) to be provided to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4; |
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Accounting Period means (a) each financial year of the Guarantor and (b) each financial quarter of each financial year of the Guarantor, for which Accounting Information is required to be delivered pursuant to this Guarantee; |
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Applicable Accounting Principles means the most recent and up-to-date US GAAP applicable at any relevant time; |
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Bank includes the successors in title, Assignees and Transferees of the Bank; |
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Collateral Instruments means notes, bills of exchange, certificates of deposit and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments, guarantees, indemnities and other assurances against financial loss and any other documents or instruments which contain or evidence an obligation (with or without security) to pay, discharge or be responsible directly or indirectly for, |
1
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any indebtedness or liabilities of the Borrower 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; |
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Compliance Certificate means a certificate in the form set out in schedule 1; |
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Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the ratio of (a) the Consolidated Debt to (b) the Consolidated Total Assets, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth means the aggregate of the amounts paid-up or credited as paid-up on the Guarantors issued share capital and the amount of the consolidated capital and revenue reserves of the Group (including any share premium account, capital redemption reserve fund and any credit balance on the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group) all as shown by the latest consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss account of the Group delivered under this Guarantee but after: |
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(a) |
deducting any debit balance on such consolidated profit and loss account; |
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(b) |
deducting any amount shown in such consolidated balance sheet in respect of goodwill (including goodwill arising on consolidation) and other intangible assets; |
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(c) |
deducting (so far as not otherwise excluded as attributable to minority interests) a sum equal to the aggregate of the amount by which the book value of any fixed assets of any member of the Group has been written up after 31 December 2007 (or, in the case of a company becoming a subsidiary after that date, the date on which that company became a subsidiary) by way of revaluation. For the purposes of this paragraph (c) any increase in the book value of any fixed asset resulting from its transfer by one member of the Group to another member of the Group shall be deemed to result from a writing up of its book value by way of revaluation; |
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(d) |
excluding amounts set aside for taxation as at the date of such balance sheet and making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any significant additional taxation expected to result from transactions carried out by any member of the Group after such date and not reflected in that balance sheet; |
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(e) |
deducting all amounts attributable to minority interests in Subsidiaries; |
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(f) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any variation in the amount of such paid up share capital or any such reserves after the date of the relevant balance sheet (but so that no such adjustment shall be made in respect of any variation in profit and loss account except to the extent of any profit or loss, calculated on a cumulative basis, recorded in the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group delivered to the Bank before the date of this Guarantee, or under clause 5.1.4 in respect of any subsequent period); |
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(g) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any distribution declared, recommended or made by any member of the Group (otherwise than attributable directly or indirectly to the Guarantor) out of profits earned up to and including the date of the latest audited balance sheet of that member of the Group to the extent that such distribution is not provided for in that balance sheet; |
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(h) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any variation in the interests of the Guarantor in its Subsidiaries since the date of the latest consolidated balance sheet of the Group; |
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(i) |
if the calculation is required for the purpose of or in connection with a transaction under or in connection with which any company is to become or cease to be a Subsidiary of the |
2
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Guarantor, making all such adjustments as would be appropriate if that transaction had been carried into effect; |
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(j) |
adding the relevant excess in the event that the Fleet Market Value exceeds the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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(k) |
deducting the relevant shortfall in the event that the Fleet Market Value is less than the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; and |
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(l) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in the opinion of the Bank in order that the above amounts are calculated in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles; |
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Consolidated Current Assets means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate of the cash and marketable securities, trade and other receivables from persons other than a member of the Group realisable within one (1) year, inventories and prepaid expenses which are to be charged to income within one (1) year less any doubtful debts and any discounts or allowances given, in each case in relation to the Group, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Debt means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate amount of Debt owed by the members of the Group (other than any Debt owing by any member of the Group to another member of the Group), as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Debt Service Ratio means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, each as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated EBITDA means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the consolidated net pre-taxation profits of the Group in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information, |
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(a) |
including the net pre-taxation profits of a member of the Group or business or assets acquired during that Rolling Four Quarter Period for the part of that Rolling Four Quarter Period when it was not a member of the Group and/or the business or assets were not owned by a member of the Group; but |
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(b) |
excluding the net pre-taxation profits attributable to any member of the Group or to any business or assets sold during that Rolling Four Quarter Period: |
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and all as adjusted by: |
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(i) |
adding back Consolidated Net Interest Expense; |
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(ii) |
taking no account of any exceptional or extraordinary item; |
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(iii) |
adding back depreciation and amortisation; and |
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(iv) |
taking no account of any revaluation of an asset or any loss or gain over book value arising on the disposal of an asset (otherwise than in the ordinary course of trading) by a member of the Group during that Rolling Four Quarter Period; |
3
4
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Listing means the successful completion of the initial public offering of approximately 20% of the shares of the Guarantor, and the listing of the shares of the Guarantor on the New York Stock Exchange; |
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Relevant Jurisdiction means any jurisdiction in which or where the Guarantor is incorporated, resident, domiciled, has a permanent establishment, carries on or has a place of business or is otherwise effectively connected; and |
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Rolling Four Quarter Period means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the twelve-month period ending on such day. |
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1.3 |
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Headings |
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|
Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Guarantee. |
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1.4 |
|
Construction of certain terms |
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|
In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: |
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1.4.1 |
|
references to clauses are to be construed as references to the clauses of this Guarantee; |
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1.4.2 |
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references to (or to any specified provision of) this Guarantee or any other document shall be construed as references to this Guarantee, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties; |
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1.4.3 |
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words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; |
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1.4.4 |
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references to a time of day are to London time; |
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1.4.5 |
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references to a person shall be construed as including references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity; |
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1.4.6 |
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references to a guarantee include references to an indemnity or other assurance against financial loss including, without limitation, any 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; and |
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1.4.7 |
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references to any enactment shall be deemed to include reference to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended. |
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2 |
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Guarantee |
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2.1 |
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Covenant to pay |
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In consideration of the Bank making or continuing loans or advances to, or otherwise giving credit or granting banking facilities or accommodation or granting time to, the Borrower pursuant to the Agreement and/or the Master Swap Agreement, the Guarantor hereby guarantees to pay to the Bank, on demand by the Bank all moneys and discharge all obligations and liabilities now or hereafter due, owing or incurred by the Borrower to the Bank under or pursuant to the Agreement, the Master Swap Agreement and the other Security Documents when the same become due for payment or discharge whether by acceleration or otherwise, and whether such moneys, obligations or liabilities are express or implied, present, future or contingent, joint or several, incurred as principal or surety, originally owing to the Bank or purchased or otherwise acquired by it, denominated in Dollars or in any other currency, or incurred on any banking account or in any other manner whatsoever. |
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Such liabilities shall, without limitation, include interest (as well after as before judgment) to date of payment at such rates and upon such terms as may from time to time be agreed, commission, fees and other charges and all legal and other costs, charges and expenses on a full and unqualified indemnity basis which may be incurred by the Bank in relation to any such moneys, obligations or liabilities or generally in respect of the Borrower, the Guarantor or any Collateral Instrument. |
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2.2 |
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Guarantor as principal debtor; indemnity |
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As a separate and independent stipulation, the Guarantor agrees that if any purported obligation or liability of the Borrower which would have been the subject of this Guarantee had it been valid and enforceable is not or ceases to be valid or enforceable against the Borrower on any ground whatsoever whether or not known to the Bank (including, without limitation, any irregular exercise or absence of any corporate power or lack of authority of, or breach of duty by, any person purporting to act on behalf of the Borrower or any legal or other limitation, whether under the Limitation Acts or otherwise or any disability or Incapacity or any change in the constitution of the Borrower) the Guarantor shall nevertheless be liable to the Bank in respect of that purported obligation or liability as if the same were fully valid and enforceable and the Guarantor were the principal debtor in respect thereof. The Guarantor hereby agrees to keep the Bank fully indemnified on demand against all damages, losses, costs and expenses arising from any failure of the Borrowers or either of them to perform or discharge any such purported obligation or liability. |
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2.3 |
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Statements of account conclusive |
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Any statement of account, signed as correct by an officer of the Bank, showing the amount of the Guaranteed Liabilities shall, in the absence of manifest error, be binding and conclusive on and against the Guarantor. |
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2.4 |
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No security taken by Guarantor |
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The Guarantor warrants that it has not taken or received, and undertakes that until all the Guaranteed Liabilities of the Borrower have been paid or discharged in full, it will not take or receive, the benefit of any security from the Borrowers or either of them or any other person in respect of its obligations under this Guarantee. |
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2.5 |
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Interest |
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The Guarantor agrees to pay interest on each amount demanded of it under this Guarantee from the date of such demand until payment (as well after as before judgment) at the rate specified in clause 3.4 of the Agreement which shall apply to this Guarantee mutatis mutandis. Such interest shall be compounded at the end of each period determined for this purpose by the Bank in the event of it not being paid when demanded but without prejudice to the Banks right to require payment of such interest. |
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2.6 |
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Continuing security and other matters |
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This Guarantee shall: |
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2.6.1 |
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secure the ultimate balance from time to time owing to the Bank by the Borrower and shall be a continuing security, notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter whatsoever; |
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2.6.2 |
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be in addition to any present or future Collateral Instrument, right or remedy held by or available to the Bank; and |
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2.6.3 |
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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 Bank dealing with, exchanging, varying or failing to perfect or |
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enforce any of the same or giving time for payment or indulgence or compounding with any other person liable. |
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2.7 |
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Liability unconditional |
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The liability of the Guarantor shall not be affected nor shall this Guarantee be discharged or reduced by reason of: |
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2.7.1 |
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the Incapacity or any change in the name, style or constitution of the Borrower or any other person liable; |
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2.7.2 |
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the Bank granting any time, indulgence or concession to, or compounding with, discharging, releasing or varying the liability of, the Borrower or any other person liable or renewing, determining, varying or increasing any accommodation, facility or transaction or otherwise dealing with the same in any manner whatsoever or concurring in, accepting or varying any compromise, arrangement or settlement or omitting to claim or enforce payment from the Borrower or any other person liable; or |
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2.7.3 |
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any act or omission which would not have discharged or affected the liability of the Guarantor had it been a principal debtor instead of a guarantor or by anything done or omitted which but for this provision might operate to exonerate the Guarantor. |
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2.8 |
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Collateral Instruments |
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The Bank shall not be obliged to make any claim or demand on the Borrower 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 Bank 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 Bank 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. |
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2.9 |
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Waiver of Guarantors rights |
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Until all the Guaranteed Liabilities have been paid, discharged or satisfied in full (and notwithstanding payment of a dividend in any liquidation or under any compromise or arrangement) the Guarantor agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Bank, it will not: |
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2.9.1 |
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exercise its rights of subrogation, reimbursement and indemnity against the Borrower or any other person liable; |
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2.9.2 |
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demand or accept repayment in whole or in part of any indebtedness now or hereafter due to the Guarantor from the Borrower or from any other person liable or demand or accept any Collateral Instrument in respect of the same or dispose of the same; |
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2.9.3 |
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take any step to enforce any right against the Borrower or any other person liable in respect of any Guaranteed Liabilities; or |
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2.9.4 |
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claim any set-off or counterclaim against the Borrower or any other person liable or claim or prove in competition with the Bank in the liquidation of the Borrower or any other person liable or have the benefit of, or share in, any payment from or composition with, the Borrower or any other person liable or any other Collateral Instrument now or hereafter held by the Bank for any Guaranteed Liabilities or for the obligations or liabilities of any other person liable but so that, if so directed by the Bank, it will prove for the whole or any part of its claim in the liquidation of the Borrower 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 Bank and applied in or towards discharge of the Guaranteed Liabilities in such manner as the Bank shall deem appropriate. |
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2.10 |
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Suspense accounts |
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Any money received in connection with this Guarantee (whether before or after any Incapacity of the Borrower or the Guarantor) may be placed to the credit of a suspense account with a view to preserving the rights of the Bank to prove for the whole of its claims against the Borrower or any other person liable or may be applied in or towards satisfaction of such of the Guaranteed Liabilities as the Bank may from time to time conclusively determine in its absolute discretion. |
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2.11 |
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Settlements conditional |
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Any release, discharge or settlement between the Guarantor and the Bank shall be conditional upon no security, disposition or payment to the Bank by the Borrower 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 for any other reason whatsoever and if such condition shall not be fulfilled the Bank 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. |
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2.12 |
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Guarantor to deliver up certain property |
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If, contrary to clauses 2.4 or 2.9 the Guarantor takes or receives the benefit of any security or receives or recovers any money or other property, such security, money or other property shall be held on trust for the Bank and shall be delivered to the Bank on demand. |
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2.13 |
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Retention of this Guarantee |
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The Bank shall be entitled to retain this Guarantee after as well as before the payment or discharge of all the Guaranteed Liabilities for such period as the Bank may determine whereupon the Bank shall return this Guarantee to the Guarantor. |
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3 |
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Payments and Taxes |
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3.1 |
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No set off or counterclaim |
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All payments to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be made in full, without any set-off or counterclaim whatsoever and, subject as provided in clause 3.2, free and clear of any deductions or withholdings, in Dollars or (if applicable) in the relevant Optional Currency in which they are denominated (except for charges or expenses which shall be paid in the currency in which they are incurred) on the due date to such account of the Bank as it may specify in writing to the Guarantor from time to time. |
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3.2 |
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Grossing up for Taxes |
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If at any time the Guarantor is required to make any deduction or withholding in respect of Taxes from any payment due under this Guarantee for the account of the Bank, the sum due from the Guarantor in respect of such payment shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of such deduction or withholding, the Bank receives on the due date for such payment (and retains, free from any liability in respect of such deduction or withholding) a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required to be made and the Guarantor shall indemnify the Bank against any losses or costs incurred by it by reason of any failure of the Guarantor 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 Guarantor shall promptly deliver to the Bank any receipts, certificates or other proof evidencing the amounts (if any) paid or payable in respect of any deduction or withholding as aforesaid. |
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3.3 |
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Currency indemnity |
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If any sum due from the Guarantor under this Guarantee or any order or judgment given or made in relation hereto has to be converted from the currency (the first currency ) in which the same is payable under this Guarantee 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 Guarantor, (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 this Guarantee, the Guarantor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Bank 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 Bank 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 Guarantor under this clause 3.3 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 this Guarantee 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. |
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4 |
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Representations and warranties |
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4.1 |
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Continuing representations and warranties |
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The Guarantor represents and warrants that: |
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4.1.1 |
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Due incorporation |
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the Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a Marshall Islands corporation and has power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets; |
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4.1.2 |
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Corporate power to guarantee |
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the Guarantor has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and under the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the same and no limitation on the powers of the Guarantor to borrow or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of this Guarantee; |
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4.1.3 |
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Binding obligations |
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this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms; |
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4.1.4 |
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No conflict with other obligations |
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the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under, and compliance with the provisions of, this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party, by the Guarantor will not (i) contravene any existing applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which the Guarantor 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 Guarantor 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 Guarantors constitutional documents or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige the Guarantor to create any Encumbrance on any of the Guarantors undertakings, assets, rights or revenues; |
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4.1.5 |
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No litigation |
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no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding is taking place, pending or, to the knowledge of the officers of the Guarantor, threatened against the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which could have a material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the Guarantor; |
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4.1.6 |
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No filings required |
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it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, 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 this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party and this Guarantee is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Relevant Jurisdiction; |
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4.1.7 |
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Choice of law |
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the choice by the Guarantor of English law to govern this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party and the submission by the Guarantor to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts are valid and binding; |
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4.1.8 |
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No immunity |
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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 (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgment, execution or other enforcement); |
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4.1.9 |
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Consents obtained |
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every consent, authorisation, licence or approval of, or registration with or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by the Guarantor to authorise, or required by the Guarantor in connection with, the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, or the performance by the Guarantor of its obligations under this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor 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 the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same; and |
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4.1.10 |
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No material adverse change |
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there has been no material adverse change in the financial position of the Guarantor or the consolidated financial position of the Group from that described by or on behalf of the Borrowers and/or the Guarantor to the Bank in the negotiation of the Agreement and this Guarantee. |
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4.2 |
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Initial representations and warranties |
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The Guarantor further represents and warrants that as of the date of the Listing: |
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4.2.1 |
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Pari passu |
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the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee are direct, general and unconditional obligations of the Guarantor and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future |
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unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Guarantor with the exception of any obligations which are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract; |
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4.2.2 |
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No default under other Indebtedness |
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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; |
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4.2.3 |
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Information |
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the information, exhibits and reports furnished by the Guarantor to the Bank in connection or with the negotiation and preparation of this Guarantee 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; there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading; |
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4.2.4 |
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No withholding Taxes |
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no Taxes are imposed by withholding or otherwise on any payment to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, or are imposed on or by virtue of the execution or delivery by the Guarantor of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party or any document or instrument to be executed or delivered under this Guarantee or such Security Documents; |
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4.2.5 |
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No Default |
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no Default has occurred and is continuing; and |
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4.2.6 |
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Shareholdings |
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the Borrower is a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor and no less than 75% of all the issued share capital of the Guarantor are ultimately beneficially owned by the Hadjioannou Family. |
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4.3 |
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Repetition of representations and warranties |
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On and as of each day from the date of this Guarantee until all moneys due or owing, whether actually or contingently, under the Agreement and/or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) have been paid in full and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, the Guarantor shall: |
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4.3.1 |
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be deemed to repeat the representations and warranties in clause 4.1 as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day; and |
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4.3.2 |
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be deemed to further represent and warrant to the Bank that the then latest audited financial statements delivered to the Bank under this Guarantee (if any) have been prepared in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles which have been consistently applied and present fairly and accurately the consolidated financial position of the Group as at the end of the financial period to which the same relate and the consolidated results of the operations of the Group for the financial period to which the same relate and, as at the end of such financial period, neither the Guarantor nor any other member of the Group 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. |
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(a) |
audited consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied in respect of each financial year; and |
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(b) |
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied in respect of each financial quarter of each financial year, |
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and, in each case, deliver as many copies of the same as the Bank may reasonably require as soon as practicable but not later than one hundred and eighty (180) days (in the case of audited statements) and sixty (60) days (in the case of unaudited statements) after the end of the financial period to which they relate; |
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5.1.5 |
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Valuations and Compliance Certificate |
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(a) |
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Bank valuations (dated not earlier than 30 days previously) of each Fleet Vessel prepared in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, clause 9.2.2 of the Agreement (at the cost of the Guarantor) at the time when any annual or semi-annual consolidated financial statements of the Group are delivered to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4 (and clause 9.2.2 of the |
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Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis hereto for the purpose of the valuation of Fleet Vessels); and |
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(b) |
deliver to the Bank, a Compliance Certificate for the relevant period executed by the Guarantor and counter-signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Guarantor at the time when any consolidated financial statements of the Group are delivered to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4; |
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5.1.6 |
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Liquidity |
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maintain at all times in bank accounts held with the Bank and which are free from Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) minimum cash balances of no less than $500,000, without taking into account any part of such cash balances already taken into account by the Guarantor and/or any other member of the Group and the Bank for the purposes of compliance with minimum liquidity requirements under, or in connection with, other loan agreements (i.e. excluding the Agreement) made available by the Bank to members of the Group or any relevant guarantees given by the Guarantor in favour of the Bank; |
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5.1.7 |
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Delivery of reports |
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deliver to the Bank copies of every report, circular, notice or like document issued by the Guarantor to its shareholders or creditors generally subject to applicable obligations of confidentiality or rules of the New York Stock Exchange; and |
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5.1.8 |
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Provision of further information |
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provide the Bank with such financial or other information concerning the Group, the Borrower, the Guarantor, the other Security Parties, the other members of the Group and their respective affairs as the Bank may from time to time reasonably require, including, without limitation, any management information, information relating to the position, trading and/or employment of the Ship and any actual or proposed purchase of vessels by any member of the Group, copies of all documents required of the Guarantor or its board of directors to disclose or certify or to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.A. or pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of the U.S.A. and any other documents or information as may be reasonably required by the Bank. |
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5.2 |
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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 the Agreement or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will not, without the prior written consent of the Bank: |
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5.2.1 |
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Negative pledge |
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permit any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) to subsist, arise or be created or extended over all or any of the shares of the Borrower to secure or prefer any present or future Indebtedness of the Guarantor or any other person; |
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5.2.2 |
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No merger |
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merge or consolidate with any other person or enter into any demerger, amalgamation or any corporate reconstruction or redomiciliation of any kind; |
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5.2.3 |
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Other business |
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undertake any business other than that conducted by it at the date of this Guarantee; |
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5.2.4 |
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Distributions |
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declare or pay any dividends or make any other distributions to any of its shareholders if an Event of Default has occurred or will or, in the opinion of the Bank, is likely to occur as a result of, or following, the declaration or payment of such dividends or other distributions; |
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5.2.5 |
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Shareholdings |
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change, cause or permit any change in, the legal and/or beneficial ownership of any of the shares in the Borrower which would result in the Borrower ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor; or |
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5.2.6 |
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Financial year |
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change the computation of its financial year from that existing on the date of this Guarantee (i.e. with financial year-end on 31 December). |
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5.3 |
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Financial undertakings |
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5.3.1 |
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The Guarantor undertakes with the Bank that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any moneys are owing under the Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will ensure that: |
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(a) |
Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth |
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the Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth shall not be less than Two hundred million Dollars ($200,000,000) at any time; |
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(b) |
Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio |
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the Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio shall not be higher than 0.70:1.0 at any time; and |
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(c) |
Consolidated Debt Service Ratio |
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the Consolidated Debt Service Ratio shall not be higher than 5.5:1.0 at any time. |
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5.3.2 |
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All the terms defined in clause 1.2 and used in this clause 5.3, and other accounting terms used in this clause 5.3, are to be determined by the Bank on a consolidated basis and (except as items are expressly included or excluded in the relevant definition or provision) are used and shall be construed in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied and as determined from any relevant Accounting Information and any valuations of the Fleet Vessels and also by reference to any other information available to the Bank at any relevant time. |
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5.3.3 |
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Subject to clause 5.3.4, the compliance of the Guarantor with the undertakings set out in clause 5.3.1 shall be determined and tested by the Bank in its sole discretion on the basis of calculations made by the Bank at the end of each Accounting Period at the time when the relevant Accounting Information and, where applicable, valuations of the Fleet Vessels have been delivered to the Bank pursuant to clause 5.1.4 and clause 5.1.5. |
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5.3.4 |
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Notwithstanding the other terms of this clause 5.3 and, in particular, the time when compliance with the financial undertakings of clause 5.3.1 is to be tested by the Bank pursuant to clause 5.3.3, the Guarantor hereby undertakes that the financial undertakings of clause 5.3.1 will be complied with at all times during the whole term of each Accounting Period. |
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5.3.5 |
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For the purposes of this clause 5.3: (i) no item shall be deducted or credited more than once in any calculation; and (ii) any amount expressed in a currency other than Dollars shall be |
14
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converted into Dollars in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied. |
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6 |
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Set-off |
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The Guarantor authorises the Bank at any time following a demand made by the Bank under clause 2.1 and without notice to the Guarantor to apply any credit balance to which the Guarantor is then entitled on any account of the Guarantor with the Bank at any of its branches in or towards satisfaction of any sum then due and payable from the Guarantor to the Bank under this Guarantee. For this purpose the Bank is authorised to purchase with the moneys standing to the credit of such account such other currencies as may be necessary to effect such application. The Bank shall not be obliged to exercise any right given to it by this clause 6. The Bank shall notify the Guarantor forthwith upon the exercise or purported exercise of any right of set-off giving full details in relation thereto. |
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7 |
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Benefit of this Guarantee |
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7.1 |
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Benefit and burden |
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This Guarantee shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors in title and shall enure for the benefit of the Bank and its successors in title, Assignees and/or Transferees. The Guarantor expressly acknowledges and accepts the provisions of clause 16 of the Agreement and agrees that any person in favour of whom an assignment or a transfer is made in accordance with such clause shall be entitled to the benefit of this Guarantee. |
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7.2 |
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Changes in constitution or reorganisation of Bank |
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For the avoidance of doubt and without prejudice to the provisions of clause 7.1, this Guarantee shall remain binding on the Guarantor notwithstanding any change in the constitution of the Bank 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 Guarantee shall remain valid and effective in all respects in favour of any successor in title, Assignee or Transferee of the Bank in the same manner as if such successor in title, Assignee or Transferee had been named in this Guarantee as a party instead of, or in addition to, the Bank. |
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7.3 |
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No assignment by Guarantor |
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The Guarantor may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Guarantee. |
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7.4 |
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Disclosure of information |
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The Bank may, without the consent of the Guarantor, disclose to a prospective assignee or transferee or to any other person who may propose entering into contractual relations with the Bank in relation to the Agreement such information about the Guarantor as the Bank shall consider appropriate. |
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8 |
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Notices and other matters |
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8.1 |
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Notices |
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Clause 17.1 of the Agreement shall apply to this Guarantee as if set out herein and every notice, request, demand or other communication under this Guarantee shall be sent: |
15
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8.1.1 |
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if to the Guarantor at: |
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32 Karamanli Avenue |
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166 05 Voula |
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Greece |
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Fax No: +30 210 8956900 |
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Attention: George Papadopoulos |
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8.1.2 |
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if to the Bank at: |
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The Shipping Business Centre |
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5-10 Great Tower Street |
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London EC3P 3HX |
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England |
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Fax: +44 207 085 7132 |
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Attention: Shipping Business Centre |
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or to such other address or facsimile number as is notified by the Guarantor or the Bank to the other party to this Guarantee. |
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8.2 |
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No implied waivers, remedies cumulative |
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No failure or delay on the part of the Bank to exercise any power, right or remedy under this Guarantee shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Bank of any power, right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power, right or remedy. The remedies provided in this Guarantee are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law. |
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8.3 |
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English translations |
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All certificates, instruments and other documents to be delivered under or supplied in connection with this Guarantee shall be in the English language or shall be accompanied by a certified English translation upon which the Bank shall be entitled to rely. |
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8.4 |
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Other guarantors |
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The Guarantor agrees to be bound by this Guarantee notwithstanding that any other person intended to execute or to be bound by any other guarantee or assurance under or pursuant to the Agreement may not do so or may not be effectually bound and notwithstanding that such other guarantee or assurance may be determined or be or become invalid or unenforceable against any other person, whether or not the deficiency is known to the Bank. |
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8.5 |
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Expenses |
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The Guarantor agrees to reimburse the Bank on demand for all legal and other costs, charges and expenses on a full and unqualified indemnity basis which may be incurred by the Bank in relation to the enforcement of this Guarantee against the Guarantor. |
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8.6 |
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Partial invalidity |
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If, at any time, any provision of this Guarantee is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law or jurisdiction, neither the legality validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision in any other respect or under the law of any other jurisdiction will be affected or impaired in any way. |
16
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8.7 |
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Maximum liability |
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Anything contained in this Guarantee to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal to the greatest amount that would not render the Guarantors obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar provisions of applicable law (collectively, the Fraudulent Transfer Laws ), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of the Guarantor (a) in respect of inter-company Indebtedness to the Borrower or any other member of the Group to the extent that such Indebtedness would be discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by the Guarantor hereunder and (b) under any guarantee of Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Liabilities, which guarantee contains a limitation as to maximum amount similar to that set forth in this paragraph, pursuant to which the liability of the Guarantor hereunder is included in the liabilities taken into account in determining such maximum amount) and after giving effect as assets to the value (as determined under the applicable provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights of the Guarantor pursuant to (i) applicable law or (ii) any agreement providing for an equitable allocation among the Guarantor and other members of the Group of obligations arising under guarantees by such parties. |
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9 |
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Law and jurisdiction |
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9.1 |
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Law |
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This Guarantee is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
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9.2 |
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Submission to jurisdiction |
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The Guarantor agrees for the benefit of the Bank that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee against the Guarantor or any of its assets may be brought in the English courts, irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Mr. Savvas Savvides at present of 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY, England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings and the Guarantor further undertakes that, in the event that such individual passes away or cannot be found, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Bank to designate, appoint and empower, on the Guarantors behalf, Messrs Cheeswrights or Messrs Saville & Co. at their then principal place of business in London, as substitute process agents of Mr. Savvas Savvides for the purposes of this clause. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against the Guarantor in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. The Guarantor further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other State shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which the Guarantor may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee. |
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9.3 |
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Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 |
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No term of this Guarantee is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to this Guarantee. |
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.
17
Schedule 1
Form of Compliance Certificate
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To: |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
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From: |
SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
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Dated: [] |
US$40,000,000 Loan Agreement dated 13 December 2007, as amended (the Loan Agreement) - Corporate Guarantee dated [] 2008 (the Corporate Guarantee)
Terms defined in the Corporate Guarantee shall have the same meaning when used herein.
We refer to clause 5.3.1 of the Corporate Guarantee and hereby certify that, as at [ insert date of accounts ] and on the date hereof:
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1 |
Financial covenants |
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(a) |
the Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth is $[], calculated as follows: [ ]; and |
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(b) |
the Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio is []:1.0, calculated as follows:[ ]; and |
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(c) |
the Consolidated Debt Service Ratio is []:1.0, calculated as follows: [ ]. |
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[and we hereby confirm that the above comply with the provisions of clause 5.3.1 of the Guarantee.] |
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2 |
Default |
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[No Default has occurred and is continuing] |
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or |
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[The following Default has occurred and is continuing: [ provide details of Default ]. [The following steps are being taken to remedy it: [ provide details of steps being taken to remedy Default ] ]. |
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Signed: |
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[Director[s]/Officer[s]] [or any other duly authorised representatives [or appropriate] ] |
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For and on behalf of:
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I hereby confirm and certify that the above statements are correct and complete. |
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Signed: |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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For and on behalf of |
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
18
19
Exhibit 10.51
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Private & Confidential |
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Dated 23 May 2008 |
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
(1) |
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and |
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THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
(2) |
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||
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CORPORATE GUARANTEE |
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Contents
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Clause |
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Page |
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1 |
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Interpretation |
1 |
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2 |
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Guarantee |
5 |
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3 |
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Payments and Taxes |
8 |
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4 |
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Representations and warranties |
9 |
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5 |
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Undertakings |
12 |
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6 |
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Set-off |
15 |
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7 |
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Benefit of this Guarantee |
15 |
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8 |
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Notices and other matters |
15 |
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9 |
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Law and jurisdiction |
17 |
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Schedule 1 Form of Compliance Certificate |
18 |
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THIS GUARANTEE is dated 23 May 2008 and made BETWEEN: |
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(1) |
SAFE BULKERS, INC. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 (the Guarantor ); and |
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(2) |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC of 5-10 Great Tower Street, London EC3P 3HX (the Bank ). |
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WHEREAS : |
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(A) |
by a loan agreement dated 19 November 2007 as amended and supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 23 May 2008 (together the Agreement ) each made between (1) Soffive Shipping Corporation as borrower (the Borrower ) and (2) the Bank, the Bank has agreed, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, to make (and has made) available to the Borrower, a multi-currency loan facility of up to US$45,000,000; |
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(B) |
by a 1992 ISDA master agreement (including a schedule thereto) dated as of 19 November 2007 (the Master Swap Agreement ) and made between the Borrower and the Bank, the Bank agreed the terms and conditions upon which it would enter into interest rate swap or other derivative transactions with the Borrower in respect of the Loan, whether in whole or in part (as the case may be) from time to time; and |
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(C) |
the execution and delivery of this Guarantee is one of the conditions subsequent to the Bank continuing to make the said loan facility available under the Agreement and this Guarantee is the Corporate Guarantee referred to in the Agreement and it constitutes a Security Document. |
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IT IS AGREED as follows: |
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1 |
Interpretation |
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1.1 |
Defined expressions |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee, words and expressions defined in the Agreement and used in this Guarantee shall have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee. |
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1.2 |
Definitions |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: |
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Accounting Information means (a) the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Group and (b) the quarterly unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group, each as provided or (as the context may require) to be provided to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4; |
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Accounting Period means (a) each financial year of the Guarantor and (b) each financial quarter of each financial year of the Guarantor, for which Accounting Information is required to be delivered pursuant to this Guarantee; |
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Applicable Accounting Principles means the most recent and up-to-date US GAAP applicable at any relevant time; |
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Bank includes the successors in title, Assignees and Transferees of the Bank; |
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Collateral Instruments means notes, bills of exchange, certificates of deposit and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments, guarantees, indemnities and other assurances against financial loss and any other documents or instruments which contain or evidence an obligation (with or without security) to pay, discharge or be responsible directly or indirectly for, |
1
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any indebtedness or liabilities of the Borrower 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; |
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Compliance Certificate means a certificate in the form set out in schedule 1; |
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Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the ratio of (a) the Consolidated Debt to (b) the Consolidated Total Assets, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth means the aggregate of the amounts paid-up or credited as paid-up on the Guarantors issued share capital and the amount of the consolidated capital and revenue reserves of the Group (including any share premium account, capital redemption reserve fund and any credit balance on the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group) all as shown by the latest consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss account of the Group delivered under this Guarantee but after: |
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(a) |
deducting any debit balance on such consolidated profit and loss account; |
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(b) |
deducting any amount shown in such consolidated balance sheet in respect of goodwill (including goodwill arising on consolidation) and other intangible assets; |
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(c) |
deducting (so far as not otherwise excluded as attributable to minority interests) a sum equal to the aggregate of the amount by which the book value of any fixed assets of any member of the Group has been written up after 31 December 2007 (or, in the case of a company becoming a subsidiary after that date, the date on which that company became a subsidiary) by way of revaluation. For the purposes of this paragraph (c) any increase in the book value of any fixed asset resulting from its transfer by one member of the Group to another member of the Group shall be deemed to result from a writing up of its book value by way of revaluation; |
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(d) |
excluding amounts set aside for taxation as at the date of such balance sheet and making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any significant additional taxation expected to result from transactions carried out by any member of the Group after such date and not reflected in that balance sheet; |
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(e) |
deducting all amounts attributable to minority interests in Subsidiaries; |
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(f) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any variation in the amount of such paid up share capital or any such reserves after the date of the relevant balance sheet (but so that no such adjustment shall be made in respect of any variation in profit and loss account except to the extent of any profit or loss, calculated on a cumulative basis, recorded in the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group delivered to the Bank before the date of this Guarantee, or under clause 5.1.4 in respect of any subsequent period); |
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(g) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any distribution declared, recommended or made by any member of the Group (otherwise than attributable directly or indirectly to the Guarantor) out of profits earned up to and including the date of the latest audited balance sheet of that member of the Group to the extent that such distribution is not provided for in that balance sheet; |
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(h) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any variation in the interests of the Guarantor in its Subsidiaries since the date of the latest consolidated balance sheet of the Group; |
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(i) |
if the calculation is required for the purpose of or in connection with a transaction under or in connection with which any company is to become or cease to be a Subsidiary of the |
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Guarantor, making all such adjustments as would be appropriate if that transaction had been carried into effect; |
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(j) |
adding the relevant excess in the event that the Fleet Market Value exceeds the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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(k) |
deducting the relevant shortfall in the event that the Fleet Market Value is less than the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; and |
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(l) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in the opinion of the Bank in order that the above amounts are calculated in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles; |
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Consolidated Current Assets means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate of the cash and marketable securities, trade and other receivables from persons other than a member of the Group realisable within one (1) year, inventories and prepaid expenses which are to be charged to income within one (1) year less any doubtful debts and any discounts or allowances given, in each case in relation to the Group, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Debt means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate amount of Debt owed by the members of the Group (other than any Debt owing by any member of the Group to another member of the Group), as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Debt Service Ratio means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, each as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated EBITDA means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the consolidated net pre-taxation profits of the Group in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information, |
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(a) |
including the net pre-taxation profits of a member of the Group or business or assets acquired during that Rolling Four Quarter Period for the part of that Rolling Four Quarter Period when it was not a member of the Group and/or the business or assets were not owned by a member of the Group; but |
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(b) |
excluding the net pre-taxation profits attributable to any member of the Group or to any business or assets sold during that Rolling Four Quarter Period: |
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and all as adjusted by: |
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(i) |
adding back Consolidated Net Interest Expense; |
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(ii) |
taking no account of any exceptional or extraordinary item; |
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(iii) |
adding back depreciation and amortisation; and |
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(iv) |
taking no account of any revaluation of an asset or any loss or gain over book value arising on the disposal of an asset (otherwise than in the ordinary course of trading) by a member of the Group during that Rolling Four Quarter Period; |
3
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Consolidated Net Interest Expense means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, all interest and other financing charges incurred or paid by the Group minus all interest income received by the Group in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Tangible Fixed Assets means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate of (a) the Fleet Market Value and (b) the book value (less depreciation computed in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied) on a consolidated basis of all other tangible fixed assets of the Group (i.e. excluding Fleet Vessels), as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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Consolidated Total Assets means, at any relevant time, the aggregate of Consolidated Current Assets and Consolidated Tangible Fixed Assets; |
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Debt means, in relation to any member of the Group (the debtor ): |
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(a) |
Borrowed Money of the debtor; |
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(b) |
liability for any credit to the debtor from a supplier of goods or services or under any instalment purchase or payment plan or other similar arrangement; |
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(c) |
contingent liabilities of the debtor (including without limitation any taxes or other payments under dispute) which have been or, under the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied, should be recorded in the notes to the Accounting Information; |
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(d) |
deferred tax of the debtor; and |
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(e) |
liability under a guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation entered into by the debtor in respect of a liability of another person who is not a member of the Group which would fall within (a) to (d) above if the references to the debtor referred to the other person; |
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Fleet Market Value means, as of the date of calculation, the aggregate market value of the Fleet Vessels as most recently determined pursuant to valuations obtained and made in accordance with clause 5.1.5 of this Guarantee and the provisions of clause 9.2.2 of the Agreement (at the cost of the Guarantor) (and for the purposes of this Guarantee and the calculation of Fleet Market Value, such clause 9.2.2 shall apply to this Guarantee mutatis mutandis); |
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Fleet Vessels means the vessels (including, but not limited to, the Ship) from time to time owned by the members of the Group and Fleet Vessel means any of them; |
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Group means, together, the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries from time to time (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower) and member of the Group shall be construed accordingly; |
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Guarantee includes each separate or independent stipulation or agreement by the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee; |
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Guaranteed Liabilities means all moneys, obligations and liabilities expressed to be guaranteed by the Guarantor in clause 2.1; |
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Guarantor includes the Guarantors successors in title; |
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Incapacity means, in relation to a person, the death, bankruptcy, unsoundness of mind, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, administration, receivership, amalgamation, reconstruction or other incapacity of that person whatsoever (and, in the case of a partnership, includes the termination or change in the composition of the partnership); |
4
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Listing means the successful completion of the initial public offering of approximately 20% of the shares of the Guarantor, and the listing of the shares of the Guarantor on the New York Stock Exchange; |
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Relevant Jurisdiction means any jurisdiction in which or where the Guarantor is incorporated, resident, domiciled, has a permanent establishment, carries on or has a place of business or is otherwise effectively connected; and |
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Rolling Four Quarter Period means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the twelve-month period ending on such day. |
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1.3 |
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Headings |
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Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Guarantee. |
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1.4 |
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Construction of certain terms |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: |
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1.4.1 |
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references to clauses are to be construed as references to the clauses of this Guarantee; |
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1.4.2 |
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references to (or to any specified provision of) this Guarantee or any other document shall be construed as references to this Guarantee, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties; |
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1.4.3 |
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words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; |
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1.4.4 |
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references to a time of day are to London time; |
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1.4.5 |
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references to a person shall be construed as including references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity; |
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1.4.6 |
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references to a guarantee include references to an indemnity or other assurance against financial loss including, without limitation, any 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; and |
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1.4.7 |
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references to any enactment shall be deemed to include reference to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended. |
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2 |
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Guarantee |
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2.1 |
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Covenant to pay |
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In consideration of the Bank making or continuing loans or advances to, or otherwise giving credit or granting banking facilities or accommodation or granting time to, the Borrower pursuant to the Agreement and/or the Master Swap Agreement, the Guarantor hereby guarantees to pay to the Bank, on demand by the Bank all moneys and discharge all obligations and liabilities now or hereafter due, owing or incurred by the Borrower to the Bank under or pursuant to the Agreement, the Master Swap Agreement and the other Security Documents when the same become due for payment or discharge whether by acceleration or otherwise, and whether such moneys, obligations or liabilities are express or implied, present, future or contingent, joint or several, incurred as principal or surety, originally owing to the Bank or purchased or otherwise acquired by it, denominated in Dollars or in any other currency, or incurred on any banking account or in any other manner whatsoever. |
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Such liabilities shall, without limitation, include interest (as well after as before judgment) to date of payment at such rates and upon such terms as may from time to time be agreed, commission, fees and other charges and all legal and other costs, charges and expenses on a full and unqualified indemnity basis which may be incurred by the Bank in relation to any such moneys, obligations or liabilities or generally in respect of the Borrower, the Guarantor or any Collateral Instrument. |
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2.2 |
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Guarantor as principal debtor; indemnity |
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As a separate and independent stipulation, the Guarantor agrees that if any purported obligation or liability of the Borrower which would have been the subject of this Guarantee had it been valid and enforceable is not or ceases to be valid or enforceable against the Borrower on any ground whatsoever whether or not known to the Bank (including, without limitation, any irregular exercise or absence of any corporate power or lack of authority of, or breach of duty by, any person purporting to act on behalf of the Borrower or any legal or other limitation, whether under the Limitation Acts or otherwise or any disability or Incapacity or any change in the constitution of the Borrower) the Guarantor shall nevertheless be liable to the Bank in respect of that purported obligation or liability as if the same were fully valid and enforceable and the Guarantor were the principal debtor in respect thereof. The Guarantor hereby agrees to keep the Bank fully indemnified on demand against all damages, losses, costs and expenses arising from any failure of the Borrowers or either of them to perform or discharge any such purported obligation or liability. |
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2.3 |
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Statements of account conclusive |
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Any statement of account, signed as correct by an officer of the Bank, showing the amount of the Guaranteed Liabilities shall, in the absence of manifest error, be binding and conclusive on and against the Guarantor. |
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2.4 |
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No security taken by Guarantor |
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The Guarantor warrants that it has not taken or received, and undertakes that until all the Guaranteed Liabilities of the Borrower have been paid or discharged in full, it will not take or receive, the benefit of any security from the Borrowers or either of them or any other person in respect of its obligations under this Guarantee. |
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2.5 |
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Interest |
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The Guarantor agrees to pay interest on each amount demanded of it under this Guarantee from the date of such demand until payment (as well after as before judgment) at the rate specified in clause 3.4 of the Agreement which shall apply to this Guarantee mutatis mutandis. Such interest shall be compounded at the end of each period determined for this purpose by the Bank in the event of it not being paid when demanded but without prejudice to the Banks right to require payment of such interest. |
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2.6 |
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Continuing security and other matters |
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This Guarantee shall: |
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2.6.1 |
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secure the ultimate balance from time to time owing to the Bank by the Borrower and shall be a continuing security, notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter whatsoever; |
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2.6.2 |
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be in addition to any present or future Collateral Instrument, right or remedy held by or available to the Bank; and |
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2.6.3 |
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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 Bank dealing with, exchanging, varying or failing to perfect or |
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enforce any of the same or giving time for payment or indulgence or compounding with any other person liable. |
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2.7 |
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Liability unconditional |
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The liability of the Guarantor shall not be affected nor shall this Guarantee be discharged or reduced by reason of: |
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2.7.1 |
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the Incapacity or any change in the name, style or constitution of the Borrower or any other person liable; |
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2.7.2 |
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the Bank granting any time, indulgence or concession to, or compounding with, discharging, releasing or varying the liability of, the Borrower or any other person liable or renewing, determining, varying or increasing any accommodation, facility or transaction or otherwise dealing with the same in any manner whatsoever or concurring in, accepting or varying any compromise, arrangement or settlement or omitting to claim or enforce payment from the Borrower or any other person liable; or |
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2.7.3 |
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any act or omission which would not have discharged or affected the liability of the Guarantor had it been a principal debtor instead of a guarantor or by anything done or omitted which but for this provision might operate to exonerate the Guarantor. |
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2.8 |
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Collateral Instruments |
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The Bank shall not be obliged to make any claim or demand on the Borrower 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 Bank 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 Bank 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. |
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2.9 |
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Waiver of Guarantors rights |
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Until all the Guaranteed Liabilities have been paid, discharged or satisfied in full (and notwithstanding payment of a dividend in any liquidation or under any compromise or arrangement) the Guarantor agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Bank, it will not: |
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2.9.1 |
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exercise its rights of subrogation, reimbursement and indemnity against the Borrower or any other person liable; |
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2.9.2 |
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demand or accept repayment in whole or in part of any indebtedness now or hereafter due to the Guarantor from the Borrower or from any other person liable or demand or accept any Collateral Instrument in respect of the same or dispose of the same; |
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2.9.3 |
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take any step to enforce any right against the Borrower or any other person liable in respect of any Guaranteed Liabilities; or |
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2.9.4 |
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claim any set-off or counterclaim against the Borrower or any other person liable or claim or prove in competition with the Bank in the liquidation of the Borrower or any other person liable or have the benefit of, or share in, any payment from or composition with, the Borrower or any other person liable or any other Collateral Instrument now or hereafter held by the Bank for any Guaranteed Liabilities or for the obligations or liabilities of any other person liable but so that, if so directed by the Bank, it will prove for the whole or any part of its claim in the liquidation of the Borrower 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 Bank and applied in or towards discharge of the Guaranteed Liabilities in such manner as the Bank shall deem appropriate. |
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2.10 |
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Suspense accounts |
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Any money received in connection with this Guarantee (whether before or after any Incapacity of the Borrower or the Guarantor) may be placed to the credit of a suspense account with a view to preserving the rights of the Bank to prove for the whole of its claims against the Borrower or any other person liable or may be applied in or towards satisfaction of such of the Guaranteed Liabilities as the Bank may from time to time conclusively determine in its absolute discretion. |
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2.11 |
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Settlements conditional |
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Any release, discharge or settlement between the Guarantor and the Bank shall be conditional upon no security, disposition or payment to the Bank by the Borrower 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 for any other reason whatsoever and if such condition shall not be fulfilled the Bank 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. |
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2.12 |
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Guarantor to deliver up certain property |
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If, contrary to clauses 2.4 or 2.9 the Guarantor takes or receives the benefit of any security or receives or recovers any money or other property, such security, money or other property shall be held on trust for the Bank and shall be delivered to the Bank on demand. |
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2.13 |
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Retention of this Guarantee |
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The Bank shall be entitled to retain this Guarantee after as well as before the payment or discharge of all the Guaranteed Liabilities for such period as the Bank may determine whereupon the Bank shall return this Guarantee to the Guarantor. |
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3 |
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Payments and Taxes |
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3.1 |
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No set off or counterclaim |
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All payments to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be made in full, without any set-off or counterclaim whatsoever and, subject as provided in clause 3.2, free and clear of any deductions or withholdings, in Dollars or (if applicable) in the relevant Optional Currency in which they are denominated (except for charges or expenses which shall be paid in the currency in which they are incurred) on the due date to such account of the Bank as it may specify in writing to the Guarantor from time to time. |
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3.2 |
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Grossing up for Taxes |
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If at any time the Guarantor is required to make any deduction or withholding in respect of Taxes from any payment due under this Guarantee for the account of the Bank, the sum due from the Guarantor in respect of such payment shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of such deduction or withholding, the Bank receives on the due date for such payment (and retains, free from any liability in respect of such deduction or withholding) a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required to be made and the Guarantor shall indemnify the Bank against any losses or costs incurred by it by reason of any failure of the Guarantor 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 Guarantor shall promptly deliver to the Bank any receipts, certificates or other proof evidencing the amounts (if any) paid or payable in respect of any deduction or withholding as aforesaid. |
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3.3 |
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Currency indemnity |
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If any sum due from the Guarantor under this Guarantee or any order or judgment given or made in relation hereto has to be converted from the currency (the first currency ) in which the same is payable under this Guarantee 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 Guarantor, (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 this Guarantee, the Guarantor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Bank 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 Bank 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 Guarantor under this clause 3.3 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 this Guarantee 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. |
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4 |
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Representations and warranties |
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4.1 |
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Continuing representations and warranties |
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The Guarantor represents and warrants that: |
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4.1.1 |
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Due incorporation |
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the Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a Marshall Islands corporation and has power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets; |
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4.1.2 |
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Corporate power to guarantee |
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the Guarantor has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and under the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the same and no limitation on the powers of the Guarantor to borrow or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of this Guarantee; |
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4.1.3 |
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Binding obligations |
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this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms; |
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4.1.4 |
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No conflict with other obligations |
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the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under, and compliance with the provisions of, this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party, by the Guarantor will not (i) contravene any existing applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which the Guarantor 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 Guarantor 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 Guarantors constitutional documents or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige the Guarantor to create any Encumbrance on any of the Guarantors undertakings, assets, rights or revenues; |
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4.1.5 |
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No litigation |
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no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding is taking place, pending or, to the knowledge of the officers of the Guarantor, threatened against the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which could have a material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the Guarantor; |
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4.1.6 |
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No filings required |
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it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, 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 this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party and this Guarantee is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Relevant Jurisdiction; |
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4.1.7 |
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Choice of law |
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the choice by the Guarantor of English law to govern this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party and the submission by the Guarantor to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts are valid and binding; |
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4.1.8 |
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No immunity |
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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 (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgment, execution or other enforcement); |
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4.1.9 |
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Consents obtained |
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every consent, authorisation, licence or approval of, or registration with or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by the Guarantor to authorise, or required by the Guarantor in connection with, the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, or the performance by the Guarantor of its obligations under this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor 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 the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same; and |
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4.1.10 |
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No material adverse change |
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there has been no material adverse change in the financial position of the Guarantor or the consolidated financial position of the Group from that described by or on behalf of the Borrowers and/or the Guarantor to the Bank in the negotiation of the Agreement and this Guarantee. |
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4.2 |
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Initial representations and warranties |
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The Guarantor further represents and warrants that as of the date of the Listing: |
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4.2.1 |
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Pari passu |
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the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee are direct, general and unconditional obligations of the Guarantor and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future |
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unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Guarantor with the exception of any obligations which are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract; |
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4.2.2 |
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No default under other Indebtedness |
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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; |
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4.2.3 |
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Information |
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the information, exhibits and reports furnished by the Guarantor to the Bank in connection or with the negotiation and preparation of this Guarantee 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; there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading; |
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4.2.4 |
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No withholding Taxes |
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no Taxes are imposed by withholding or otherwise on any payment to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, or are imposed on or by virtue of the execution or delivery by the Guarantor of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party or any document or instrument to be executed or delivered under this Guarantee or such Security Documents; |
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4.2.5 |
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No Default
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4.2.6 |
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Shareholdings |
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the Borrower is a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor and no less than 75% of all the issued share capital of the Guarantor are ultimately beneficially owned by the Hadjioannou Family. |
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4.3 |
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Repetition of representations and warranties |
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On and as of each day from the date of this Guarantee until all moneys due or owing, whether actually or contingently, under the Agreement and/or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) have been paid in full and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, the Guarantor shall: |
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4.3.1 |
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be deemed to repeat the representations and warranties in clause 4.1 as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day; and |
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4.3.2 |
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be deemed to further represent and warrant to the Bank that the then latest audited financial statements delivered to the Bank under this Guarantee (if any) have been prepared in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles which have been consistently applied and present fairly and accurately the consolidated financial position of the Group as at the end of the financial period to which the same relate and the consolidated results of the operations of the Group for the financial period to which the same relate and, as at the end of such financial period, neither the Guarantor nor any other member of the Group 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. |
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(a) |
audited consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied in respect of each financial year; and |
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(b) |
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied in respect of each financial quarter of each financial year, |
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and, in each case, deliver as many copies of the same as the Bank may reasonably require as soon as practicable but not later than one hundred and eighty (180) days (in the case of audited statements) and sixty (60) days (in the case of unaudited statements) after the end of the financial period to which they relate; |
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5.1.5 |
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Valuations and Compliance Certificate |
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(a) |
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Bank valuations (dated not earlier than 30 days previously) of each Fleet Vessel prepared in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, clause 9.2.2 of the Agreement (at the cost of the Guarantor) at the time when any annual or semi-annual consolidated financial statements of the Group are delivered to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4 (and clause 9.2.2 of the |
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Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis hereto for the purpose of the valuation of Fleet Vessels); and |
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deliver to the Bank, a Compliance Certificate for the relevant period executed by the Guarantor and counter-signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Guarantor at the time when any consolidated financial statements of the Group are delivered to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4; |
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5.1.6 |
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Liquidity |
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maintain at all times in bank accounts held with the Bank and which are free from Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) minimum cash balances of no less than $500,000, without taking into account any part of such cash balances already taken into account by the Guarantor and/or any other member of the Group and the Bank for the purposes of compliance with minimum liquidity requirements under, or in connection with, other loan agreements (i.e. excluding the Agreement) made available by the Bank to members of the Group or any relevant guarantees given by the Guarantor in favour of the Bank; |
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5.1.7 |
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Delivery of reports |
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deliver to the Bank copies of every report, circular, notice or like document issued by the Guarantor to its shareholders or creditors generally subject to applicable obligations of confidentiality or rules of the New York Stock Exchange; and |
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5.1.8 |
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Provision of further information |
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provide the Bank with such financial or other information concerning the Group, the Borrower, the Guarantor, the other Security Parties, the other members of the Group and their respective affairs as the Bank may from time to time reasonably require, including, without limitation, any management information, information relating to the position, trading and/or employment of the Ship and any actual or proposed purchase of vessels by any member of the Group, copies of all documents required of the Guarantor or its board of directors to disclose or certify or to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.A. or pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of the U.S.A. and any other documents or information as may be reasonably required by the Bank. |
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5.2 |
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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 the Agreement or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will not, without the prior written consent of the Bank: |
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5.2.1 |
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Negative pledge |
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permit any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) to subsist, arise or be created or extended over all or any of the shares of the Borrower to secure or prefer any present or future Indebtedness of the Guarantor or any other person; |
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5.2.2 |
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No merger |
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merge or consolidate with any other person or enter into any demerger, amalgamation or any corporate reconstruction or redomiciliation of any kind; |
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5.2.3 |
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Other business |
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undertake any business other than that conducted by it at the date of this Guarantee; |
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5.2.4 |
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Distributions |
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declare or pay any dividends or make any other distributions to any of its shareholders if an Event of Default has occurred or will or, in the opinion of the Bank, is likely to occur as a result of, or following, the declaration or payment of such dividends or other distributions; |
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5.2.5 |
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Shareholdings |
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change, cause or permit any change in, the legal and/or beneficial ownership of any of the shares in the Borrower which would result in the Borrower ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor; or |
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5.2.6 |
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Financial year |
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change the computation of its financial year from that existing on the date of this Guarantee (i.e. with financial year-end on 31 December). |
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5.3 |
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Financial undertakings |
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5.3.1 |
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The Guarantor undertakes with the Bank that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any moneys are owing under the Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will ensure that: |
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(a) |
Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth |
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the Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth shall not be less than Two hundred million Dollars ($200,000,000) at any time; |
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(b) |
Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio |
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the Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio shall not be higher than 0.70:1.0 at any time; and |
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(c) |
Consolidated Debt Service Ratio |
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the Consolidated Debt Service Ratio shall not be higher than 5.5:1.0 at any time. |
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5.3.2 |
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All the terms defined in clause 1.2 and used in this clause 5.3, and other accounting terms used in this clause 5.3, are to be determined by the Bank on a consolidated basis and (except as items are expressly included or excluded in the relevant definition or provision) are used and shall be construed in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied and as determined from any relevant Accounting Information and any valuations of the Fleet Vessels and also by reference to any other information available to the Bank at any relevant time. |
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5.3.3 |
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Subject to clause 5.3.4, the compliance of the Guarantor with the undertakings set out in clause 5.3.1 shall be determined and tested by the Bank in its sole discretion on the basis of calculations made by the Bank at the end of each Accounting Period at the time when the relevant Accounting Information and, where applicable, valuations of the Fleet Vessels have been delivered to the Bank pursuant to clause 5.1.4 and clause 5.1.5. |
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5.3.4 |
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Notwithstanding the other terms of this clause 5.3 and, in particular, the time when compliance with the financial undertakings of clause 5.3.1 is to be tested by the Bank pursuant to clause 5.3.3, the Guarantor hereby undertakes that the financial undertakings of clause 5.3.1 will be complied with at all times during the whole term of each Accounting Period. |
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5.3.5 |
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For the purposes of this clause 5.3: (i) no item shall be deducted or credited more than once in any calculation; and (ii) any amount expressed in a currency other than Dollars shall be |
14
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converted into Dollars in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied. |
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6 |
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Set-off |
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The Guarantor authorises the Bank at any time following a demand made by the Bank under clause 2.1 and without notice to the Guarantor to apply any credit balance to which the Guarantor is then entitled on any account of the Guarantor with the Bank at any of its branches in or towards satisfaction of any sum then due and payable from the Guarantor to the Bank under this Guarantee. For this purpose the Bank is authorised to purchase with the moneys standing to the credit of such account such other currencies as may be necessary to effect such application. The Bank shall not be obliged to exercise any right given to it by this clause 6. The Bank shall notify the Guarantor forthwith upon the exercise or purported exercise of any right of set-off giving full details in relation thereto. |
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7 |
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Benefit of this Guarantee |
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7.1 |
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Benefit and burden |
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This Guarantee shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors in title and shall enure for the benefit of the Bank and its successors in title, Assignees and/or Transferees. The Guarantor expressly acknowledges and accepts the provisions of clause 16 of the Agreement and agrees that any person in favour of whom an assignment or a transfer is made in accordance with such clause shall be entitled to the benefit of this Guarantee. |
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7.2 |
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Changes in constitution or reorganisation of Bank |
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For the avoidance of doubt and without prejudice to the provisions of clause 7.1, this Guarantee shall remain binding on the Guarantor notwithstanding any change in the constitution of the Bank 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 Guarantee shall remain valid and effective in all respects in favour of any successor in title, Assignee or Transferee of the Bank in the same manner as if such successor in title, Assignee or Transferee had been named in this Guarantee as a party instead of, or in addition to, the Bank. |
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7.3 |
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No assignment by Guarantor |
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The Guarantor may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Guarantee. |
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7.4 |
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Disclosure of information |
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The Bank may, without the consent of the Guarantor, disclose to a prospective assignee or transferee or to any other person who may propose entering into contractual relations with the Bank in relation to the Agreement such information about the Guarantor as the Bank shall consider appropriate. |
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8 |
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Notices and other matters |
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8.1 |
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Notices |
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Clause 17.1 of the Agreement shall apply to this Guarantee as if set out herein and every notice, request, demand or other communication under this Guarantee shall be sent: |
15
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8.1.1 |
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if to the Guarantor at: |
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32 Karamanli
Avenue
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Fax No: |
+30 210 8956900 |
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Attention: |
George Papadopoulos |
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8.1.2 |
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if to the Bank at: |
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The Shipping
Business Centre
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Fax: |
+44 207 085 7132 |
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Attention: |
Shipping Business Centre |
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or to such other address or facsimile number as is notified by the Guarantor or the Bank to the other party to this Guarantee. |
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8.2 |
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No implied waivers, remedies cumulative |
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No failure or delay on the part of the Bank to exercise any power, right or remedy under this Guarantee shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Bank of any power, right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power, right or remedy. The remedies provided in this Guarantee are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law. |
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8.3 |
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English translations |
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All certificates, instruments and other documents to be delivered under or supplied in connection with this Guarantee shall be in the English language or shall be accompanied by a certified English translation upon which the Bank shall be entitled to rely. |
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8.4 |
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Other guarantors |
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The Guarantor agrees to be bound by this Guarantee notwithstanding that any other person intended to execute or to be bound by any other guarantee or assurance under or pursuant to the Agreement may not do so or may not be effectually bound and notwithstanding that such other guarantee or assurance may be determined or be or become invalid or unenforceable against any other person, whether or not the deficiency is known to the Bank. |
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8.5 |
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Expenses |
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The Guarantor agrees to reimburse the Bank on demand for all legal and other costs, charges and expenses on a full and unqualified indemnity basis which may be incurred by the Bank in relation to the enforcement of this Guarantee against the Guarantor. |
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8.6 |
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Partial invalidity |
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If, at any time, any provision of this Guarantee is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law or jurisdiction, neither the legality validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision in any other respect or under the law of any other jurisdiction will be affected or impaired in any way. |
16
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8.7 |
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Maximum liability |
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Anything contained in this Guarantee to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal to the greatest amount that would not render the Guarantors obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar provisions of applicable law (collectively, the Fraudulent Transfer Laws ), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of the Guarantor (a) in respect of inter-company Indebtedness to the Borrower or any other member of the Group to the extent that such Indebtedness would be discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by the Guarantor hereunder and (b) under any guarantee of Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Liabilities, which guarantee contains a limitation as to maximum amount similar to that set forth in this paragraph, pursuant to which the liability of the Guarantor hereunder is included in the liabilities taken into account in determining such maximum amount) and after giving effect as assets to the value (as determined under the applicable provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights of the Guarantor pursuant to (i) applicable law or (ii) any agreement providing for an equitable allocation among the Guarantor and other members of the Group of obligations arising under guarantees by such parties. |
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9 |
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Law and jurisdiction |
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9.1 |
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Law |
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This Guarantee is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
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9.2 |
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Submission to jurisdiction |
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The Guarantor agrees for the benefit of the Bank that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee against the Guarantor or any of its assets may be brought in the English courts, irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Mr. Savvas Savvides at present of 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY, England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings and the Guarantor further undertakes that, in the event that such individual passes away or cannot be found, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Bank to designate, appoint and empower, on the Guarantors behalf, Messrs Cheeswrights or Messrs Saville & Co. at their then principal place of business in London, as substitute process agents of Mr. Savvas Savvides for the purposes of this clause. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against the Guarantor in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. The Guarantor further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other State shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which the Guarantor may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee. |
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9.3 |
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Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 |
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No term of this Guarantee is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to this Guarantee. |
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.
17
Schedule 1
Form of Compliance Certificate
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To: |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
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From: |
SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
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Dated: [] |
US$45,000,000 Loan Agreement dated 19 November 2007, as amended (the Loan Agreement) - Corporate Guarantee dated [] 2008 (the Corporate Guarantee)
Terms defined in the Corporate Guarantee shall have the same meaning when used herein.
We refer to clause 5.3.1 of the Corporate Guarantee and hereby certify that, as at [ insert date of accounts ] and on the date hereof:
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1 |
Financial covenants |
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(a) |
the Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth is $[] , calculated as follows: [ ]; and |
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(b) |
the Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio is []:1.0, calculated as follows:[ ]; and |
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(c) |
the Consolidated Debt Service Ratio is []:1.0, calculated as follows: [ ]. |
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[and we hereby confirm that the above comply with the provisions of clause 5.3.1 of the Guarantee.] |
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2 |
Default |
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[No Default has occurred and is continuing] |
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or |
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[The following Default has occurred and is continuing: [ provide details of Default ]. [The following steps are being taken to remedy it: [ provide details of steps being taken to remedy Default ]]. |
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Signed: |
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[Director[s]/Officer[s]] [or any other duly authorised representatives [or appropriate] ] |
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For and on behalf of: |
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
I hereby confirm and certify that the above statements are correct and complete.
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Signed: |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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For and on behalf of |
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
18
19
Exhibit 10.52
Private & Confidential
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Dated 23 May 2008 |
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SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
(1) |
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and |
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THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
(2) |
Contents
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Clause |
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Page |
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1 |
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Interpretation |
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1 |
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2 |
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Guarantee |
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5 |
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3 |
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Payments and Taxes |
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8 |
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4 |
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Representations and warranties |
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9 |
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5 |
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Undertakings |
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12 |
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6 |
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Set-off |
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15 |
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7 |
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Benefit of this Guarantee |
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15 |
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8 |
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Notices and other matters |
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15 |
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||||
9 |
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Law and jurisdiction |
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17 |
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||||
Schedule 1 Form of Compliance Certificate |
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18 |
THIS GUARANTEE is dated 23 May 2008 and made BETWEEN:
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(1) |
SAFE BULKERS, INC. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 (the Guarantor ); and |
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(2) |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC of 5-10 Great Tower Street, London EC3P 3HX (the Bank ). |
WHEREAS :
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(A) |
by a loan agreement dated 16 February 2005 as amended and supplemented by a supplemental agreement dated 23 May 2008 (together the Agreement ) each made between (1) Marathassa Shipping Corporation as borrower (the Borrower ) and (2) the Bank, the Bank has agreed, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, to make (and has made) available to the Borrower, a multi-currency loan facility of up to US$28,000,000; |
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(B) |
by a 1992 ISDA master agreement (including a schedule thereto) dated as of 16 February 2005 (the Master Swap Agreement ) and made between the Borrower and the Bank, the Bank agreed the terms and conditions upon which it would enter into interest rate swap or other derivative transactions with the Borrower in respect of the Loan, whether in whole or in part (as the case may be) from time to time; and |
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(C) |
the execution and delivery of this Guarantee is one of the conditions subsequent to the Bank continuing to make the said loan facility available under the Agreement and this Guarantee is the Corporate Guarantee referred to in the Agreement and it constitutes a Security Document. |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
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1 |
Interpretation |
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1.1 |
Defined expressions |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee, words and expressions defined in the Agreement and used in this Guarantee shall have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee. |
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1.2 |
Definitions |
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: |
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Accounting Information means (a) the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Group and (b) the quarterly unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group, each as provided or (as the context may require) to be provided to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4; |
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Accounting Period means (a) each financial year of the Guarantor and (b) each financial quarter of each financial year of the Guarantor, for which Accounting Information is required to be delivered pursuant to this Guarantee; |
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Applicable Accounting Principles means the most recent and up-to-date US GAAP applicable at any relevant time; |
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Bank includes the successors in title, Assignees and Transferees of the Bank; |
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Collateral Instruments means notes, bills of exchange, certificates of deposit and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments, guarantees, indemnities and other assurances against financial loss and any other documents or instruments which contain or evidence an obligation (with or without security) to pay, discharge or be responsible directly or indirectly for, |
1
any indebtedness or liabilities of the Borrower 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;
Compliance Certificate means a certificate in the form set out in schedule 1;
Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the ratio of (a) the Consolidated Debt to (b) the Consolidated Total Assets, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information;
Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth means the aggregate of the amounts paid-up or credited as paid-up on the Guarantors issued share capital and the amount of the consolidated capital and revenue reserves of the Group (including any share premium account, capital redemption reserve fund and any credit balance on the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group) all as shown by the latest consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss account of the Group delivered under this Guarantee but after:
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(a) |
deducting any debit balance on such consolidated profit and loss account; |
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(b) |
deducting any amount shown in such consolidated balance sheet in respect of goodwill (including goodwill arising on consolidation) and other intangible assets; |
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(c) |
deducting (so far as not otherwise excluded as attributable to minority interests) a sum equal to the aggregate of the amount by which the book value of any fixed assets of any member of the Group has been written up after 31 December 2007 (or, in the case of a company becoming a subsidiary after that date, the date on which that company became a subsidiary) by way of revaluation. For the purposes of this paragraph (c) any increase in the book value of any fixed asset resulting from its transfer by one member of the Group to another member of the Group shall be deemed to result from a writing up of its book value by way of revaluation; |
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(d) |
excluding amounts set aside for taxation as at the date of such balance sheet and making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any significant additional taxation expected to result from transactions carried out by any member of the Group after such date and not reflected in that balance sheet; |
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(e) |
deducting all amounts attributable to minority interests in Subsidiaries; |
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(f) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any variation in the amount of such paid up share capital or any such reserves after the date of the relevant balance sheet (but so that no such adjustment shall be made in respect of any variation in profit and loss account except to the extent of any profit or loss, calculated on a cumulative basis, recorded in the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group delivered to the Bank before the date of this Guarantee, or under clause 5.1.4 in respect of any subsequent period); |
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(g) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any distribution declared, recommended or made by any member of the Group (otherwise than attributable directly or indirectly to the Guarantor) out of profits earned up to and including the date of the latest audited balance sheet of that member of the Group to the extent that such distribution is not provided for in that balance sheet; |
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(h) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in respect of any variation in the interests of the Guarantor in its Subsidiaries since the date of the latest consolidated balance sheet of the Group; |
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(i) |
if the calculation is required for the purpose of or in connection with a transaction under or in connection with which any company is to become or cease to be a Subsidiary of the |
2
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Guarantor, making all such adjustments as would be appropriate if that transaction had been carried into effect; |
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(j) |
adding the relevant excess in the event that the Fleet Market Value exceeds the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; |
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(k) |
deducting the relevant shortfall in the event that the Fleet Market Value is less than the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information; and |
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(l) |
making such adjustments as may be appropriate in the opinion of the Bank in order that the above amounts are calculated in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles; |
Consolidated Current Assets means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate of the cash and marketable securities, trade and other receivables from persons other than a member of the Group realisable within one (1) year, inventories and prepaid expenses which are to be charged to income within one (1) year less any doubtful debts and any discounts or allowances given, in each case in relation to the Group, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information;
Consolidated Debt means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate amount of Debt owed by the members of the Group (other than any Debt owing by any member of the Group to another member of the Group), as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information;
Consolidated Debt Service Ratio means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, each as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information;
Consolidated EBITDA means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the consolidated net pre-taxation profits of the Group in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information,
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(a) |
including the net pre-taxation profits of a member of the Group or business or assets acquired during that Rolling Four Quarter Period for the part of that Rolling Four Quarter Period when it was not a member of the Group and/or the business or assets were not owned by a member of the Group; but |
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(b) |
excluding the net pre-taxation profits attributable to any member of the Group or to any business or assets sold during that Rolling Four Quarter Period: |
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and all as adjusted by: |
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(i) |
adding back Consolidated Net Interest Expense; |
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(ii) |
taking no account of any exceptional or extraordinary item; |
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(iii) |
adding back depreciation and amortisation; and |
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(iv) |
taking no account of any revaluation of an asset or any loss or gain over book value arising on the disposal of an asset (otherwise than in the ordinary course of trading) by a member of the Group during that Rolling Four Quarter Period; |
3
Consolidated Net Interest Expense means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, all interest and other financing charges incurred or paid by the Group minus all interest income received by the Group in respect of the Rolling Four Quarter Period ending on such day, as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information;
Consolidated Tangible Fixed Assets means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the aggregate of (a) the Fleet Market Value and (b) the book value (less depreciation computed in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied) on a consolidated basis of all other tangible fixed assets of the Group (i.e. excluding Fleet Vessels), as stated in the then most recent and relevant Accounting Information;
Consolidated Total Assets means, at any relevant time, the aggregate of Consolidated Current Assets and Consolidated Tangible Fixed Assets;
Debt means, in relation to any member of the Group (the debtor ):
|
|
(a) |
Borrowed Money of the debtor; |
|
|
(b) |
liability for any credit to the debtor from a supplier of goods or services or under any instalment purchase or payment plan or other similar arrangement; |
|
|
(c) |
contingent liabilities of the debtor (including without limitation any taxes or other payments under dispute) which have been or, under the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied, should be recorded in the notes to the Accounting Information; |
|
|
(d) |
deferred tax of the debtor; and |
|
|
(e) |
liability under a guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation entered into by the debtor in respect of a liability of another person who is not a member of the Group which would fall within (a) to (d) above if the references to the debtor referred to the other person; |
Fleet Market Value means, as of the date of calculation, the aggregate market value of the Fleet Vessels as most recently determined pursuant to valuations obtained and made in accordance with clause 5.1.5 of this Guarantee and the provisions of clause 9.2.2 of the Agreement (at the cost of the Guarantor) (and for the purposes of this Guarantee and the calculation of Fleet Market Value, such clause 9.2.2 shall apply to this Guarantee mutatis mutandis);
Fleet Vessels means the vessels (including, but not limited to, the Ship) from time to time owned by the members of the Group and Fleet Vessel means any of them;
Group means, together, the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries from time to time (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower) and member of the Group shall be construed accordingly;
Guarantee includes each separate or independent stipulation or agreement by the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee;
Guaranteed Liabilities means all moneys, obligations and liabilities expressed to be guaranteed by the Guarantor in clause 2.1;
Guarantor includes the Guarantors successors in title;
Incapacity means, in relation to a person, the death, bankruptcy, unsoundness of mind, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, administration, receivership, amalgamation, reconstruction or other incapacity of that person whatsoever (and, in the case of a partnership, includes the termination or change in the composition of the partnership);
4
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Listing means the successful completion of the initial public offering of approximately 20% of the shares of the Guarantor, and the listing of the shares of the Guarantor on the New York Stock Exchange; |
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Relevant Jurisdiction means any jurisdiction in which or where the Guarantor is incorporated, resident, domiciled, has a permanent establishment, carries on or has a place of business or is otherwise effectively connected; and |
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Rolling Four Quarter Period means, as of the last day of an Accounting Period or on any other day, the twelve-month period ending on such day. |
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1.3 |
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Headings |
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Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Guarantee. |
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1.4 |
|
Construction of certain terms |
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|
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: |
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1.4.1 |
|
references to clauses are to be construed as references to the clauses of this Guarantee; |
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1.4.2 |
|
references to (or to any specified provision of) this Guarantee or any other document shall be construed as references to this Guarantee, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties; |
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1.4.3 |
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words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; |
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1.4.4 |
|
references to a time of day are to London time; |
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1.4.5 |
|
references to a person shall be construed as including references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity; |
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1.4.6 |
|
references to a guarantee include references to an indemnity or other assurance against financial loss including, without limitation, any 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; and |
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1.4.7 |
|
references to any enactment shall be deemed to include reference to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended. |
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2 |
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Guarantee |
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2.1 |
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Covenant to pay |
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In consideration of the Bank making or continuing loans or advances to, or otherwise giving credit or granting banking facilities or accommodation or granting time to, the Borrower pursuant to the Agreement and/or the Master Swap Agreement, the Guarantor hereby guarantees to pay to the Bank, on demand by the Bank all moneys and discharge all obligations and liabilities now or hereafter due, owing or incurred by the Borrower to the Bank under or pursuant to the Agreement, the Master Swap Agreement and the other Security Documents when the same become due for payment or discharge whether by acceleration or otherwise, and whether such moneys, obligations or liabilities are express or implied, present, future or contingent, joint or several, incurred as principal or surety, originally owing to the Bank or purchased or otherwise acquired by it, denominated in Dollars or in any other currency, or incurred on any banking account or in any other manner whatsoever. |
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Such liabilities shall, without limitation, include interest (as well after as before judgment) to date of payment at such rates and upon such terms as may from time to time be agreed, commission, fees and other charges and all legal and other costs, charges and expenses on a full and unqualified indemnity basis which may be incurred by the Bank in relation to any such moneys, obligations or liabilities or generally in respect of the Borrower, the Guarantor or any Collateral Instrument. |
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2.2 |
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Guarantor as principal debtor; indemnity |
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As a separate and independent stipulation, the Guarantor agrees that if any purported obligation or liability of the Borrower which would have been the subject of this Guarantee had it been valid and enforceable is not or ceases to be valid or enforceable against the Borrower on any ground whatsoever whether or not known to the Bank (including, without limitation, any irregular exercise or absence of any corporate power or lack of authority of, or breach of duty by, any person purporting to act on behalf of the Borrower or any legal or other limitation, whether under the Limitation Acts or otherwise or any disability or Incapacity or any change in the constitution of the Borrower) the Guarantor shall nevertheless be liable to the Bank in respect of that purported obligation or liability as if the same were fully valid and enforceable and the Guarantor were the principal debtor in respect thereof. The Guarantor hereby agrees to keep the Bank fully indemnified on demand against all damages, losses, costs and expenses arising from any failure of the Borrowers or either of them to perform or discharge any such purported obligation or liability. |
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2.3 |
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Statements of account conclusive |
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Any statement of account, signed as correct by an officer of the Bank, showing the amount of the Guaranteed Liabilities shall, in the absence of manifest error, be binding and conclusive on and against the Guarantor. |
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2.4 |
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No security taken by Guarantor |
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The Guarantor warrants that it has not taken or received, and undertakes that until all the Guaranteed Liabilities of the Borrower have been paid or discharged in full, it will not take or receive, the benefit of any security from the Borrowers or either of them or any other person in respect of its obligations under this Guarantee. |
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2.5 |
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Interest |
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The Guarantor agrees to pay interest on each amount demanded of it under this Guarantee from the date of such demand until payment (as well after as before judgment) at the rate specified in clause 3.4 of the Agreement which shall apply to this Guarantee mutatis mutandis. Such interest shall be compounded at the end of each period determined for this purpose by the Bank in the event of it not being paid when demanded but without prejudice to the Banks right to require payment of such interest. |
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2.6 |
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Continuing security and other matters |
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This Guarantee shall: |
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2.6.1 |
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secure the ultimate balance from time to time owing to the Bank by the Borrower and shall be a continuing security, notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter whatsoever; |
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2.6.2 |
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be in addition to any present or future Collateral Instrument, right or remedy held by or available to the Bank; and |
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2.6.3 |
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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 Bank dealing with, exchanging, varying or failing to perfect or |
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enforce any of the same or giving time for payment or indulgence or compounding with any other person liable. |
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2.7 |
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Liability unconditional |
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The liability of the Guarantor shall not be affected nor shall this Guarantee be discharged or reduced by reason of: |
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2.7.1 |
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the Incapacity or any change in the name, style or constitution of the Borrower or any other person liable; |
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2.7.2 |
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the Bank granting any time, indulgence or concession to, or compounding with, discharging, releasing or varying the liability of, the Borrower or any other person liable or renewing, determining, varying or increasing any accommodation, facility or transaction or otherwise dealing with the same in any manner whatsoever or concurring in, accepting or varying any compromise, arrangement or settlement or omitting to claim or enforce payment from the Borrower or any other person liable; or |
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2.7.3 |
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any act or omission which would not have discharged or affected the liability of the Guarantor had it been a principal debtor instead of a guarantor or by anything done or omitted which but for this provision might operate to exonerate the Guarantor. |
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2.8 |
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Collateral Instruments |
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The Bank shall not be obliged to make any claim or demand on the Borrower 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 Bank 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 Bank 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. |
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2.9 |
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Waiver of Guarantors rights |
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Until all the Guaranteed Liabilities have been paid, discharged or satisfied in full (and notwithstanding payment of a dividend in any liquidation or under any compromise or arrangement) the Guarantor agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Bank, it will not: |
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2.9.1 |
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exercise its rights of subrogation, reimbursement and indemnity against the Borrower or any other person liable; |
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2.9.2 |
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demand or accept repayment in whole or in part of any indebtedness now or hereafter due to the Guarantor from the Borrower or from any other person liable or demand or accept any Collateral Instrument in respect of the same or dispose of the same; |
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2.9.3 |
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take any step to enforce any right against the Borrower or any other person liable in respect of any Guaranteed Liabilities; or |
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2.9.4 |
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claim any set-off or counterclaim against the Borrower or any other person liable or claim or prove in competition with the Bank in the liquidation of the Borrower or any other person liable or have the benefit of, or share in, any payment from or composition with, the Borrower or any other person liable or any other Collateral Instrument now or hereafter held by the Bank for any Guaranteed Liabilities or for the obligations or liabilities of any other person liable but so that, if so directed by the Bank, it will prove for the whole or any part of its claim in the liquidation of the Borrower 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 Bank and applied in or towards discharge of the Guaranteed Liabilities in such manner as the Bank shall deem appropriate. |
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2.10 |
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Suspense accounts |
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Any money received in connection with this Guarantee (whether before or after any Incapacity of the Borrower or the Guarantor) may be placed to the credit of a suspense account with a view to preserving the rights of the Bank to prove for the whole of its claims against the Borrower or any other person liable or may be applied in or towards satisfaction of such of the Guaranteed Liabilities as the Bank may from time to time conclusively determine in its absolute discretion. |
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2.11 |
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Settlements conditional |
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Any release, discharge or settlement between the Guarantor and the Bank shall be conditional upon no security, disposition or payment to the Bank by the Borrower 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 for any other reason whatsoever and if such condition shall not be fulfilled the Bank 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. |
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2.12 |
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Guarantor to deliver up certain property |
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If, contrary to clauses 2.4 or 2.9 the Guarantor takes or receives the benefit of any security or receives or recovers any money or other property, such security, money or other property shall be held on trust for the Bank and shall be delivered to the Bank on demand. |
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2.13 |
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Retention of this Guarantee |
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The Bank shall be entitled to retain this Guarantee after as well as before the payment or discharge of all the Guaranteed Liabilities for such period as the Bank may determine whereupon the Bank shall return this Guarantee to the Guarantor. |
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3 |
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Payments and Taxes |
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3.1 |
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No set off or counterclaim |
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All payments to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be made in full, without any set-off or counterclaim whatsoever and, subject as provided in clause 3.2, free and clear of any deductions or withholdings, in Dollars or (if applicable) in the relevant Optional Currency in which they are denominated (except for charges or expenses which shall be paid in the currency in which they are incurred) on the due date to such account of the Bank as it may specify in writing to the Guarantor from time to time. |
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3.2 |
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Grossing up for Taxes |
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If at any time the Guarantor is required to make any deduction or withholding in respect of Taxes from any payment due under this Guarantee for the account of the Bank, the sum due from the Guarantor in respect of such payment shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of such deduction or withholding, the Bank receives on the due date for such payment (and retains, free from any liability in respect of such deduction or withholding) a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required to be made and the Guarantor shall indemnify the Bank against any losses or costs incurred by it by reason of any failure of the Guarantor 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 Guarantor shall promptly deliver to the Bank any receipts, certificates or other proof evidencing the amounts (if any) paid or payable in respect of any deduction or withholding as aforesaid. |
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3.3 |
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Currency indemnity |
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If any sum due from the Guarantor under this Guarantee or any order or judgment given or made in relation hereto has to be converted from the currency (the first currency ) in which the same is payable under this Guarantee 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 Guarantor, (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 this Guarantee, the Guarantor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Bank 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 Bank 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 Guarantor under this clause 3.3 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 this Guarantee 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. |
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4 |
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Representations and warranties |
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4.1 |
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Continuing representations and warranties |
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The Guarantor represents and warrants that: |
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4.1.1 |
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Due incorporation |
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the Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a Marshall Islands corporation and has power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets; |
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4.1.2 |
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Corporate power to guarantee |
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the Guarantor has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and under the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the same and no limitation on the powers of the Guarantor to borrow or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of this Guarantee; |
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4.1.3 |
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Binding obligations |
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this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms; |
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4.1.4 |
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No conflict with other obligations |
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the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under, and compliance with the provisions of, this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party, by the Guarantor will not (i) contravene any existing applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which the Guarantor 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 Guarantor 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 Guarantors constitutional documents or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige the Guarantor to create any Encumbrance on any of the Guarantors undertakings, assets, rights or revenues; |
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4.1.5 |
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No litigation |
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no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding is taking place, pending or, to the knowledge of the officers of the Guarantor, threatened against the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which could have a material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the Guarantor; |
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4.1.6 |
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No filings required |
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it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, 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 this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party and this Guarantee is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Relevant Jurisdiction; |
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4.1.7 |
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Choice of law |
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the choice by the Guarantor of English law to govern this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party and the submission by the Guarantor to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts are valid and binding; |
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4.1.8 |
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No immunity |
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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 (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgment, execution or other enforcement); |
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4.1.9 |
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Consents obtained |
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every consent, authorisation, licence or approval of, or registration with or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by the Guarantor to authorise, or required by the Guarantor in connection with, the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, or the performance by the Guarantor of its obligations under this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor 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 the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same; and |
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4.1.10 |
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No material adverse change |
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there has been no material adverse change in the financial position of the Guarantor or the consolidated financial position of the Group from that described by or on behalf of the Borrowers and/or the Guarantor to the Bank in the negotiation of the Agreement and this Guarantee. |
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4.2 |
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Initial representations and warranties |
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The Guarantor further represents and warrants that as of the date of the Listing: |
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4.2.1 |
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Pari passu |
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the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee are direct, general and unconditional obligations of the Guarantor and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future |
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unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Guarantor with the exception of any obligations which are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract; |
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4.2.2 |
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No default under other Indebtedness |
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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; |
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4.2.3 |
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Information |
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the information, exhibits and reports furnished by the Guarantor to the Bank in connection or with the negotiation and preparation of this Guarantee 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; there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading; |
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4.2.4 |
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No withholding Taxes |
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no Taxes are imposed by withholding or otherwise on any payment to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, or are imposed on or by virtue of the execution or delivery by the Guarantor of this Guarantee or any of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party or any document or instrument to be executed or delivered under this Guarantee or such Security Documents; |
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4.2.5 |
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No Default |
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no Default has occurred and is continuing; and |
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4.2.6 |
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Shareholdings |
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the Borrower is a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor and no less than 75% of all the issued share capital of the Guarantor are ultimately beneficially owned by the Hadjioannou Family. |
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4.3 |
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Repetition of representations and warranties |
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On and as of each day from the date of this Guarantee until all moneys due or owing, whether actually or contingently, under the Agreement and/or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) have been paid in full and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, the Guarantor shall: |
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4.3.1 |
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be deemed to repeat the representations and warranties in clause 4.1 as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day; and |
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4.3.2 |
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be deemed to further represent and warrant to the Bank that the then latest audited financial statements delivered to the Bank under this Guarantee (if any) have been prepared in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles which have been consistently applied and present fairly and accurately the consolidated financial position of the Group as at the end of the financial period to which the same relate and the consolidated results of the operations of the Group for the financial period to which the same relate and, as at the end of such financial period, neither the Guarantor nor any other member of the Group 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. |
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5 |
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Undertakings |
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5.1 |
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General |
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The Guarantor undertakes that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any moneys are owing, whether actually or contingently, under the Agreement or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will: |
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5.1.1 |
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Notice of default |
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promptly inform the Bank of any occurrence of which it becomes aware which might adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Guarantee and each of the other Security Documents and the Underlying Documents to which the Guarantor is or is to be a party, and of any Default forthwith upon becoming aware thereof and will from time to time, if so requested by the Bank, confirm to the Bank in writing that, save as otherwise stated in such confirmation, no Default has occurred and is continuing; |
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5.1.2 |
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Consents and licences |
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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 consent, authorisation, licence 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 its obligations under this Guarantee; |
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5.1.3 |
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Pari passu |
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ensure that its obligations under this Guarantee shall, without prejudice to the provisions of clause 5.2, at all times rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness with the exception of any obligations which are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract; |
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5.1.4 |
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Financial statements |
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prepare or cause to be prepared: |
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audited consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied in respect of each financial year; and |
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(b) |
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied in respect of each financial quarter of each financial year, |
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and, in each case, deliver as many copies of the same as the Bank may reasonably require as soon as practicable but not later than one hundred and eighty (180) days (in the case of audited statements) and sixty (60) days (in the case of unaudited statements) after the end of the financial period to which they relate; |
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5.1.5 |
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Valuations and Compliance Certificate |
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(a) |
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Bank valuations (dated not earlier than 30 days previously) of each Fleet Vessel prepared in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, clause 9.2.2 of the Agreement (at the cost of the Guarantor) at the time when any annual or semi-annual consolidated financial statements of the Group are delivered to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4 (and clause 9.2.2 of the |
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Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis hereto for the purpose of the valuation of Fleet Vessels); and |
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deliver to the Bank, a Compliance Certificate for the relevant period executed by the Guarantor and counter-signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Guarantor at the time when any consolidated financial statements of the Group are delivered to the Bank in accordance with clause 5.1.4; |
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5.1.6 |
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Liquidity |
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maintain at all times in bank accounts held with the Bank and which are free from Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) minimum cash balances of no less than $500,000, without taking into account any part of such cash balances already taken into account by the Guarantor and/or any other member of the Group and the Bank for the purposes of compliance with minimum liquidity requirements under, or in connection with, other loan agreements (i.e. excluding the Agreement) made available by the Bank to members of the Group or any relevant guarantees given by the Guarantor in favour of the Bank; |
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5.1.7 |
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Delivery of reports |
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deliver to the Bank copies of every report, circular, notice or like document issued by the Guarantor to its shareholders or creditors generally subject to applicable obligations of confidentiality or rules of the New York Stock Exchange; and |
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5.1.8 |
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Provision of further information |
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provide the Bank with such financial or other information concerning the Group, the Borrower, the Guarantor, the other Security Parties, the other members of the Group and their respective affairs as the Bank may from time to time reasonably require, including, without limitation, any management information, information relating to the position, trading and/or employment of the Ship and any actual or proposed purchase of vessels by any member of the Group, copies of all documents required of the Guarantor or its board of directors to disclose or certify or to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.A. or pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of the U.S.A. and any other documents or information as may be reasonably required by the Bank. |
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5.2 |
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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 the Agreement or the other Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will not, without the prior written consent of the Bank: |
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5.2.1 |
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Negative pledge |
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permit any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) to subsist, arise or be created or extended over all or any of the shares of the Borrower to secure or prefer any present or future Indebtedness of the Guarantor or any other person; |
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5.2.2 |
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No merger |
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merge or consolidate with any other person or enter into any demerger, amalgamation or any corporate reconstruction or redomiciliation of any kind; |
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5.2.3 |
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Other business |
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undertake any business other than that conducted by it at the date of this Guarantee; |
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5.2.4 |
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Distributions |
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declare or pay any dividends or make any other distributions to any of its shareholders if an Event of Default has occurred or will or, in the opinion of the Bank, is likely to occur as a result of, or following, the declaration or payment of such dividends or other distributions; |
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5.2.5 |
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Shareholdings |
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change, cause or permit any change in, the legal and/or beneficial ownership of any of the shares in the Borrower which would result in the Borrower ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor; or |
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5.2.6 |
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Financial year |
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change the computation of its financial year from that existing on the date of this Guarantee (i.e. with financial year-end on 31 December). |
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5.3 |
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Financial undertakings |
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5.3.1 |
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The Guarantor undertakes with the Bank that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any moneys are owing under the Security Documents (including this Guarantee) and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will ensure that: |
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(a) |
Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth |
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the Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth shall not be less than Two hundred million Dollars ($200,000,000) at any time; |
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(b) |
Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio |
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the Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio shall not be higher than 0.70:1.0 at any time; and |
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(c) |
Consolidated Debt Service Ratio |
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the Consolidated Debt Service Ratio shall not be higher than 5.5:1.0 at any time. |
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5.3.2 |
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All the terms defined in clause 1.2 and used in this clause 5.3, and other accounting terms used in this clause 5.3, are to be determined by the Bank on a consolidated basis and (except as items are expressly included or excluded in the relevant definition or provision) are used and shall be construed in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied and as determined from any relevant Accounting Information and any valuations of the Fleet Vessels and also by reference to any other information available to the Bank at any relevant time. |
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5.3.3 |
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Subject to clause 5.3.4, the compliance of the Guarantor with the undertakings set out in clause 5.3.1 shall be determined and tested by the Bank in its sole discretion on the basis of calculations made by the Bank at the end of each Accounting Period at the time when the relevant Accounting Information and, where applicable, valuations of the Fleet Vessels have been delivered to the Bank pursuant to clause 5.1.4 and clause 5.1.5. |
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5.3.4 |
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Notwithstanding the other terms of this clause 5.3 and, in particular, the time when compliance with the financial undertakings of clause 5.3.1 is to be tested by the Bank pursuant to clause 5.3.3, the Guarantor hereby undertakes that the financial undertakings of clause 5.3.1 will be complied with at all times during the whole term of each Accounting Period. |
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5.3.5 |
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For the purposes of this clause 5.3: (i) no item shall be deducted or credited more than once in any calculation; and (ii) any amount expressed in a currency other than Dollars shall be |
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converted into Dollars in accordance with the Applicable Accounting Principles consistently applied. |
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6 |
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Set-off |
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The Guarantor authorises the Bank at any time following a demand made by the Bank under clause 2.1 and without notice to the Guarantor to apply any credit balance to which the Guarantor is then entitled on any account of the Guarantor with the Bank at any of its branches in or towards satisfaction of any sum then due and payable from the Guarantor to the Bank under this Guarantee. For this purpose the Bank is authorised to purchase with the moneys standing to the credit of such account such other currencies as may be necessary to effect such application. The Bank shall not be obliged to exercise any right given to it by this clause 6. The Bank shall notify the Guarantor forthwith upon the exercise or purported exercise of any right of set-off giving full details in relation thereto. |
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7 |
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Benefit of this Guarantee |
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7.1 |
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Benefit and burden |
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This Guarantee shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors in title and shall enure for the benefit of the Bank and its successors in title, Assignees and/or Transferees. The Guarantor expressly acknowledges and accepts the provisions of clause 16 of the Agreement and agrees that any person in favour of whom an assignment or a transfer is made in accordance with such clause shall be entitled to the benefit of this Guarantee. |
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7.2 |
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Changes in constitution or reorganisation of Bank |
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For the avoidance of doubt and without prejudice to the provisions of clause 7.1, this Guarantee shall remain binding on the Guarantor notwithstanding any change in the constitution of the Bank 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 Guarantee shall remain valid and effective in all respects in favour of any successor in title, Assignee or Transferee of the Bank in the same manner as if such successor in title, Assignee or Transferee had been named in this Guarantee as a party instead of, or in addition to, the Bank. |
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7.3 |
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No assignment by Guarantor |
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The Guarantor may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Guarantee. |
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7.4 |
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Disclosure of information |
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The Bank may, without the consent of the Guarantor, disclose to a prospective assignee or transferee or to any other person who may propose entering into contractual relations with the Bank in relation to the Agreement such information about the Guarantor as the Bank shall consider appropriate. |
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8 |
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Notices and other matters |
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8.1 |
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Notices |
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Clause 17.1 of the Agreement shall apply to this Guarantee as if set out herein and every notice, request, demand or other communication under this Guarantee shall be sent: |
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8.7 |
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Maximum liability |
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Anything contained in this Guarantee to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal to the greatest amount that would not render the Guarantors obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar provisions of applicable law (collectively, the Fraudulent Transfer Laws ), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of the Guarantor (a) in respect of inter-company Indebtedness to the Borrower or any other member of the Group to the extent that such Indebtedness would be discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by the Guarantor hereunder and (b) under any guarantee of Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Liabilities, which guarantee contains a limitation as to maximum amount similar to that set forth in this paragraph, pursuant to which the liability of the Guarantor hereunder is included in the liabilities taken into account in determining such maximum amount) and after giving effect as assets to the value (as determined under the applicable provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights of the Guarantor pursuant to (i) applicable law or (ii) any agreement providing for an equitable allocation among the Guarantor and other members of the Group of obligations arising under guarantees by such parties. |
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9 |
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Law and jurisdiction |
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9.1 |
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Law |
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This Guarantee is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
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9.2 |
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Submission to jurisdiction |
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The Guarantor agrees for the benefit of the Bank that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee against the Guarantor or any of its assets may be brought in the English courts, irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Mr. Savvas Savvides at present of 24 Exeter Road, London N14 5JY, England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings and the Guarantor further undertakes that, in the event that such individual passes away or cannot be found, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Bank to designate, appoint and empower, on the Guarantors behalf, Messrs Cheeswrights or Messrs Saville & Co. at their then principal place of business in London, as substitute process agents of Mr. Savvas Savvides for the purposes of this clause. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against the Guarantor in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. The Guarantor further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other State shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which the Guarantor may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee. |
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9.3 |
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Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 |
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No term of this Guarantee is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to this Guarantee. |
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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. |
17
Schedule 1
Form of Compliance Certificate
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To: |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
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From: |
SAFE BULKERS, INC. |
Dated: []
US$28,000,000 Loan Agreement dated 16 February 2005, as amended (the Loan Agreement) - Corporate Guarantee dated [ ] 2008 (the Corporate Guarantee)
Terms defined in the Corporate Guarantee shall have the same meaning when used herein.
We refer to clause 5.3.1 of the Corporate Guarantee and hereby certify that, as at [ insert date of accounts ] and on the date hereof:
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1 |
Financial covenants |
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(a) |
the Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth is $[], calculated as follows: [ ]; and |
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(b) |
the Consolidated Adjusted Leverage Ratio is []:1.0, calculated as follows:[ ]; and |
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(c) |
the Consolidated Debt Service Ratio is []:1.0, calculated as follows: [ ]. |
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[and we hereby confirm that the above comply with the provisions of clause 5.3.1 of the Guarantee.] |
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2 |
Default |
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[No Default has occurred and is continuing] |
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or |
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[The following Default has occurred and is continuing: [ provide details of Default ]. [The following steps are being taken to remedy it: [ provide details of steps being taken to remedy Default ]]. |
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18 |
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19 |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Amendment No. 1 on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-150995) of our report dated May 15, 2008, except for Note 20 (b) (v), as to which the date is May 23, 2008, relating to the combined financial statements of the Predecessor Businesses of Safe Bulkers, Inc. and to the use in this Registration Statement on Amendment No. 1 on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-150995) of our report dated May 15, 2008, except for Note 5 (c), as to which the date is May 23, 2008, relating to the financial statements of Safe Bulkers, Inc. appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Prospectus.
/s/ Deloitte. Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A.
Athens, Greece
May 23, 2008