As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2012.

Registration No. 333-



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


F ORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


COSTAMARE INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)

 

 

 

Republic of the Marshall Islands
(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

N/A
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

60 Zephyrou Street &
Syngrou Avenue
17564 Athens, Greece
(+30-210-949-0050)

(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10011
(212) 590-9338

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)


With copies to:

William P. Rogers, Jr., Esq.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Worldwide Plaza
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 474-1000


Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale of the Securities to the Public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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

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

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

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

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

(Cover continued on next page)




(Cover continued from previous page)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be
Registered
(1)

 

Proposed
Maximum Aggregate
Price Per Unit
(2)

 

Proposed
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
(3)

 

Amount of
Registration Fee
(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, including preferred stock purchase rights, par value $0.0001 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$300,000,000

 

100%

 

$300,000,000

 

$34,380

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of the securities of each identified class being registered as may be sold from time to time at indeterminate prices, with any initial aggregate public offering price not to exceed $300,000,000. Separate consideration may or may not be received for shares that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units. Rights to purchase preferred stock initially will trade together with the common stock. The value attributable to the rights, if any, will be reflected in the price of the common stock. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in a maximum aggregate offering price not to exceed $300,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder.

 

(2)

 

 

 

The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of each class of securities will be determined from time to time by the Registrant in connection with the issuance by the Registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of securities pursuant to the General Instruction II.C. of Form F-3 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

(3)

 

 

 

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the securities to be sold by the Registrant.


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 of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the 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 it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED January 30, 2012.

PROSPECTUS

$300,000,000

Costamare Inc.

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units

Through this prospectus, we may offer common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights and units from time to time. We may also offer securities of the types listed above that are convertible or exchangeable into one or more of the securities listed above. When we decide to sell a particular class or series of securities, we will provide specific terms of the offered securities in a prospectus supplement.

The securities covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time in one or more offerings, which may be through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to the purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, will be included in a supplement to this prospectus.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CMRE.”

Our principal executive offices are located at 60 Zephyrou Street & Syngrou Avenue, 17564 Athens, Greece. Our telephone number at such address is +30-210-949-0050.

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before buying any securities you should carefully read the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page 6 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other 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.

The date of this prospectus is   , 2012.


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”, “could” 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 file with the Securities Exchange Commission (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:

 

 

 

 

general market conditions and shipping industry trends, including charter rates, vessel values and factors affecting supply and demand;

 

 

 

 

our continued ability to enter into time charters with our customers;

 

 

 

 

our contracted revenue;

 

 

 

 

future operating or financial results and future revenues and expenses;

 

 

 

 

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, as well as our ability to refinance indebtedness;

 

 

 

 

future, pending or recent acquisitions of vessels or other assets, business strategy, areas of possible expansion and expected capital spending or operating expenses;

 

 

 

 

our expectations relating to dividend payments and our ability to make such payments;

 

 

 

 

our expectations about availability of existing vessels to acquire or newbuilds to purchase, the time that it may take to construct and deliver new vessels or the useful lives of our vessels;

 

 

 

 

availability of crew, number of off-hire days, drydocking requirements and insurance costs;

 

 

 

 

our anticipated general and administrative expenses;

 

 

 

 

our ability to leverage to our advantage our managers’ relationships and reputation within the container shipping industry;

 

 

 

 

expected compliance with financing agreements and the expected effect of restrictive covenants in such agreements;

 

 

 

 

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”.

Many of these statements are based on our assumptions about factors that are beyond our ability to control or predict and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are described more fully in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus. Any of these factors or a combination of these factors could materially affect future results of operations and the ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause future results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 

 

 

changes in law, governmental rules and regulations, or actions taken by regulatory authorities;

 

 

 

 

changes in economic and competitive conditions affecting our business;

 

 

 

 

potential liability from future litigation;

 

 

 

 

length and number of off-hire periods and dependence on affiliated managers; and

 

 

 

 

other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus.

1


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.

2


THE COMPANY

Costamare Inc. is an international owner of containerships, chartering our vessels to many of the world’s largest liner companies. As of December 31, 2011, we had a fleet of 57 containerships aggregating approximately 327,000 TEU, including 10 newbuilds on order and one secondhand vessel to be delivered, making us one of the largest containership charter owners in the world, based on total TEU capacity.

Our strategy is to time-charter our containerships to a geographically diverse, financially strong and loyal group of leading liner companies. As of December 31, 2011, the average (weighted by TEU capacity) remaining time charter duration for our fleet of 57 containerships, including 10 newbuilds on order and one secondhand vessel to be delivered, was 5.8 years, based on the remaining fixed terms and assuming the earliest redelivery dates possible under our containerships’ time charters.

The tables below provide additional information, as of December 31, 2011, about our fleet of 57 containerships. Each vessel is a cellular containership, meaning it is a dedicated container vessel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vessel Name

 

Charterer

 

Year
Built

 

Capacity
(TEU)

 

Time
Charter
Term
(1)

 

Current Daily
Charter Hire
(U.S. dollars)

 

Expiration
of Charter
(1)

 

Average Daily
Charter Rate
Until Earliest
Expiry of
Charter
(U.S. dollars)
(2)

1

 

COSCO GUANGZHOU

 

COSCO

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

9,469

   

12 years

 

 

 

36,400

   

December 2017

 

 

 

36,400

 

2

 

COSCO NINGBO

 

COSCO

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

9,469

   

12 years

 

 

 

36,400

   

January 2018

 

 

 

36,400

 

3

 

COSCO YANTIAN

 

COSCO

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

9,469

   

12 years

 

 

 

36,400

   

February 2018

 

 

 

36,400

 

4

 

COSCO BEIJING

 

COSCO

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

9,469

   

12 years

 

 

 

36,400

   

April 2018

 

 

 

36,400

 

5

 

COSCO HELLAS

 

COSCO

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

9,469

   

12 years

 

 

 

37,519

   

May 2018

 

 

 

37,519

 

6

 

HYUNDAI NAVARINO

 

HMM

 

 

 

2010

 

 

 

 

8,531

   

1.2 years

 

 

 

44,000

   

March 2012

 

 

 

44,000

 

7

 

MAERSK KAWASAKI (i)

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

1997

 

 

 

 

7,403

   

10 years

 

 

 

37,000

   

December 2017

 

 

 

37,000

 

8

 

MAERSK KURE (i)

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

1996

 

 

 

 

7,403

   

10 years

 

 

 

37,000

   

December 2017

 

 

 

37,000

 

9

 

MAERSK KOKURA (i)

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

1997

 

 

 

 

7,403

   

10 years

 

 

 

37,000

   

February 2018

 

 

 

37,000

 

10

 

MSC METHONI

 

MSC

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

6,724

   

10 years

 

 

 

29,000

   

September 2021

 

 

 

29,000

 

11

 

SEALAND NEW YORK

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

2000

 

 

 

 

6,648

   

11 years

 

 

 

30,375

(3)

 

 

March 2018

 

 

 

27,725

 

12

 

MAERSK KOBE

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

2000

 

 

 

 

6,648

   

11 years

 

 

 

38,179

(4)

 

 

May 2018

 

 

 

30,863

 

13

 

SEALAND WASHINGTON

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

2000

 

 

 

 

6,648

   

11 years

 

 

 

30,375

(5)

 

 

June 2018

 

 

 

27,846

 

14

 

SEALAND MICHIGAN

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

2000

 

 

 

 

6,648

   

11 years

 

 

 

25,375

(6)

 

 

August 2018

 

 

 

25,794

 

15

 

SEALAND ILLINOIS

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

2000

 

 

 

 

6,648

   

11 years

 

 

 

30,375

(7)

 

 

October 2018

 

 

 

27,950

 

16

 

MAERSK KOLKATA

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

6,644

   

11 years

 

 

 

38,490

(8)

 

 

November 2019

 

 

 

32,452

 

17

 

MAERSK KINGSTON

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

6,644

   

11 years

 

 

 

38,461

(9)

 

 

February 2020

 

 

 

32,652

 

18

 

MAERSK KALAMATA

 

A.P. Moller-Maersk

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

6,644

   

11 years

 

 

 

38,418

(10)

 

 

April 2020

 

 

 

32,713

 

19

 

MSC ROMANOS

 

MSC

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

5,050

   

5.3 years

 

 

 

28,000

   

November 2016

 

 

 

28,000

 

20

 

ZIM NEW YORK

 

ZIM

 

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 

4,992

   

10 years

 

 

 

16,205

(11)

 

 

July 2012

 

 

 

52,352

 

21

 

ZIM SHANGHAI

 

ZIM

 

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 

4,992

   

10 years

 

 

 

16,205

(12)

 

 

August 2012

 

 

 

46,439

 

22

 

ZIM PIRAEUS (ii)

 

ZIM

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

4,992

   

10 years

 

 

 

18,150

(13)

 

 

March 2014

 

 

 

26,607

 

23

 

OAKLAND EXPRESS

 

Hapag Lloyd

 

 

 

2000

 

 

 

 

4,890

   

8 years

 

 

 

30,500

   

September 2016

 

 

 

30,500

 

24

 

HALIFAX EXPRESS

 

Hapag Lloyd

 

 

 

2000

 

 

 

 

4,890

   

8 years

 

 

 

30,500

   

October 2016

 

 

 

30,500

 

25

 

SINGAPORE EXPRESS

 

Hapag Lloyd

 

 

 

2000

 

 

 

 

4,890

   

8 years

 

 

 

30,500

   

July 2016

 

 

 

30,500

 

26

 

MSC MANDRAKI

 

MSC

 

 

 

1988

 

 

 

 

4,828

   

7.8 years

 

 

 

20,000

   

August 2017

 

 

 

20,000

 

27

 

MSC MYKONOS

 

MSC

 

 

 

1988

 

 

 

 

4,828

   

8.2 years

 

 

 

20,000

   

September 2017

 

 

 

20,000

 

28

 

MSC ULSAN (iii)

 

MSC

 

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 

4,132

   

5.3 years

 

 

 

16,500

   

March 2017

 

 

 

16,500

 

29

 

MSC ANTWERP

 

MSC

 

 

 

1993

 

 

 

 

3,883

   

4.3 years

 

 

 

17,500

   

August 2013

 

 

 

17,500

 

30

 

MSC WASHINGTON

 

MSC

 

 

 

1984

 

 

 

 

3,876

   

3.2 years

 

 

 

17,250

   

February 2013

 

 

 

17,250

 

31

 

MSC KYOTO

 

MSC

 

 

 

1981

 

 

 

 

3,876

   

3.1 years

 

 

 

17,250

   

June 2013

 

 

 

17,250

 

32

 

MSC AUSTRIA

 

MSC

 

 

 

1984

 

 

 

 

3,584

   

9.5 years

 

 

 

17,250

(14)

 

 

September 2018

 

 

 

13,971

 

33

 

KARMEN

 

Sea Consortium

 

 

 

1991

 

 

 

 

3,351

   

1 year

 

 

 

19,400

   

April 2012

 

 

 

19,400

 

34

 

MARINA

 

PO Hainan

 

 

 

1992

 

 

 

 

3,351

   

1 year

 

 

 

18,000

   

March 2012

 

 

 

18,000

 

35

 

KONSTANTINA

 

Sea Consortium

 

 

 

1992

 

 

 

 

3,351

   

0.7 years

 

 

 

17,400

   

February 2012

 

 

 

17,400

 

36

 

AKRITAS

 

Hapag Lloyd

 

 

 

1987

 

 

 

 

3,152

   

4 years

 

 

 

12,500

   

August 2014

 

 

 

12,500

 

37

 

GIFTED (iv)

 

Evergreen

 

 

 

1984

 

 

 

 

2,922

   

5 years

 

 

 

15,200

   

November 2012

 

 

 

15,200

 

38

 

GENIUS I (iv)

 

Evergreen

 

 

 

1984

 

 

 

 

2,922

   

3.3 years

 

 

 

15,200

   

November 2012

 

 

 

15,200

 

39

 

GATHER (iv)

 

Evergreen

 

 

 

1984

 

 

 

 

2,922

   

5 years

 

 

 

15,200

   

November 2012

 

 

 

15,200

 

40

 

MSC CHALLENGER

 

MSC

 

 

 

1986

 

 

 

 

2,633

   

4.8 years

 

 

 

10,000

   

July 2015

 

 

 

10,000

 

41

 

MSC REUNION

 

MSC

 

 

 

1992

 

 

 

 

2,024

   

6 years

 

 

 

12,000

(15)

 

 

June 2014

 

 

 

11,615

 

42

 

MSC NAMIBIA II

 

MSC

 

 

 

1991

 

 

 

 

2,023

   

6.8 years

 

 

 

11,500

   

July 2014

 

 

 

11,500

 

43

 

MSC SIERRA II

 

MSC

 

 

 

1991

 

 

 

 

2,023

   

5.7 years

 

 

 

11,250

(16)

 

 

June 2014

 

 

 

11,448

 

44

 

MSC PYLOS

 

MSC

 

 

 

1991

 

 

 

 

2,020

   

3 years

 

 

 

9,200

(17)

 

 

January 2014

 

 

 

11,321

 

45

 

PROSPER

 

TS Lines

 

 

 

1996

 

 

 

 

1,504

   

1 year

 

 

 

10,500

   

March 2012

 

 

 

10,500

 

46

 

ZAGORA

 

MSC

 

 

 

1995

 

 

 

 

1,162

   

0.7 years

 

 

 

7,000

   

March 2012

 

 

 

7,000

 

47

 

HORIZON

 

OACL

 

 

 

1991

 

 

 

 

1,068

   

7.1 years

 

 

 

10,050

   

April 2012

 

 

 

10,050

 

3


Newbuilds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vessel Name

 

Shipyard

 

Charterer

 

Expected Delivery

 

Approximate
Capacity
(TEU)

1

 

Hull S4010

 

Sungdong Shipbuilding

 

MSC

 

4th Quarter 2012

 

 

 

9,000

 

2

 

Hull S4011

 

Sungdong Shipbuilding

 

MSC

 

4th Quarter 2012

 

 

 

9,000

 

3

 

Hull S4020

 

Sungdong Shipbuilding

 

Evergreen

 

1st Quarter 2013

 

 

 

8,800

 

4

 

Hull S4021

 

Sungdong Shipbuilding

 

Evergreen

 

1st Quarter 2013

 

 

 

8,800

 

5

 

Hull S4022

 

Sungdong Shipbuilding

 

Evergreen

 

2nd Quarter 2013

 

 

 

8,800

 

6

 

Hull S4023

 

Sungdong Shipbuilding

 

Evergreen

 

2nd Quarter 2013

 

 

 

8,800

 

7

 

Hull S4024

 

Sungdong Shipbuilding

 

Evergreen

 

3rd Quarter 2013

 

 

 

8,800

 

8

 

H1068A

 

Jiangnan Changxing

 

MSC

 

November 2013

 

 

 

9,000

 

9

 

H1069A

 

Jiangnan Changxing

 

MSC

 

December 2013

 

 

 

9,000

 

10

 

H1070A

 

Jiangnan Changxing

 

MSC

 

January 2014

 

 

 

9,000

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Charter terms and expiration dates are based on the earliest date charters could expire.

 

(2)

 

 

 

This average rate is calculated based on contracted charter rates for the days remaining between December 31, 2011 and the earliest expiration of each charter. Certain of our charter rates change until their earliest expiration dates, as indicated in the footnotes below.

 

(3)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on May 8, 2014 to $26,100 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(4)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on June 30, 2014 to $26,100 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(5)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on August 24, 2014 to $26,100 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(6)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on October 20, 2014 to $26,100 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(7)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on December 4, 2014 to $26,100 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(8)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on January 13, 2016 to $26,100 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(9)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on April 28, 2016 to $26,100 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(10)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on June 11, 2016 to $26,100 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(11)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on July 1, 2012 to $23,150 per day until the earliest redelivery date. In addition, if the charterer does not exercise its unilateral option to make a one-time payment at the earliest redelivery of the charter of approximately $6.9 million, the charter will be extended for a period of approximately 3 years at a minimum rate of $23,150.

 

(12)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on July 1, 2012 to $23,150 per day until the earliest redelivery date. In addition, if the charterer does not exercise its unilateral option to make a one-time payment at the earliest redelivery of the charter of approximately $6.9 million, the charter will be extended for a period of approximately 3 years at a minimum rate of $23,150.

 

(13)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on May 8, 2012 to $18,274 per day and on January 1, 2013 to $22,150 per day until the earliest redelivery date. In addition, the charterer is required to pay approximately $5.0 million no later than July 2016, representing accrued charter hire, the payment of which was deferred.

 

(14)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on December 29, 2011 to $17,250 per day until the earliest redelivery date. As from December 1, 2012 until redelivery, hire to be minimum $13,500 per day plus 50% of the difference between the market rate and the hire rate of $13,500. Market rate to be determined annually based on the Hamburg ConTex type 3500TEU index published on October 1 of each year until redelivery.

 

(15)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on July 27, 2012 to $11,500 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(16)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on July 1, 2012 to $11,500 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

 

(17)

 

 

 

This charter rate changes on February 28, 2012 to $11,500 per day until the earliest redelivery date.

4


 

(i)

 

 

 

The charterer has a unilateral option to extend the charter of the vessel for two periods of 30 months each +/-90 days on the final period performed, at a rate of $41,700 per day.

 

(ii)

 

 

 

The charterer has a unilateral option to extend the charter of the vessel for a period of 12 months +/-60 days at a rate of $27,500 per day.

 

(iii)

 

 

 

The company has agreed to purchase the vessel MSC Ulsan, subject to final documentation. The vessel is expected to be delivered within the first quarter of 2012.

 

(iv)

 

 

 

Each charterer has a unilateral option to extend the charter of the vessel for an additional period through 2014, at a rate of $14,000 per day.


In November 2010, we completed an initial public offering of shares of our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. If any securities are to be listed or quoted on any other securities exchange or quotation system, the applicable prospectus supplement will so state.

We maintain our principal executive offices at 60 Zephyrou Street & Syngrou Avenue, 17564 Athens, Greece. Our telephone number at that address is +30-210-949-0050. We maintain a website at www.costamare.com. Our registered address in the Marshall Islands is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. The name of our registered agent at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc.

5


RISK FACTORS

Investing in the securities to be offered pursuant to this prospectus may involve a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the important factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference and in the accompanying prospectus supplement for such issuance before investing in any securities that may be offered. For further details, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

In addition to the matters described under the heading “ Our vessels may call on ports located in countries that are subject to restrictions imposed by the United States government, which could negatively affect the trading price of our shares of common stock ” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, the U.S. Congress is currently considering the enactment of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Reform and Modernization Act of 2011, which would, among other things, provide for the imposition of sanctions, including a prohibition on investments by U.S. persons and a 180-day prohibition on calling at any U.S. port, on companies or persons that provide certain shipping services to or from Iran, North Korea or Syria with respect to certain prohibited goods.

Any of the risk factors referred to above 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. The risks referred to above are not the only ones that may exist. Additional risks not currently known by us or that we deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. You may lose all or a part of your investment.

SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES

We are a Marshall Islands corporation and our principal executive offices are located outside of the United States in Athens, Greece. All 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.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell up to an aggregate public offering price of $300,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide you with this prospectus, as well as a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. That prospectus supplement may include additional risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those particular securities. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information contained in that particular prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

6


WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the offer and sale of securities pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus, filed as a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules thereto in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and no reference is hereby made to such omitted information. Statements made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are summaries of all of the material terms of such contracts, agreements or documents, but do not repeat all of their terms. Reference is made to each such exhibit for a more complete description of the matters involved and such statements shall be deemed qualified in their entirety by such reference. The registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto filed with the SEC may be inspected, without charge, and copies may be obtained at prescribed rates, at the public reference facility maintained by the SEC at its principal office at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference facility by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. For further information pertaining to the securities offered by this prospectus and Costamare Inc., reference is made to the registration statement.

We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and we file periodic reports and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports and other information are available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference facilities and the website of the SEC referred to above. As a “foreign private issuer,” we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to stockholders, but we are required to furnish certain proxy statements to stockholders under NYSE rules. Those proxy statements are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. In addition, as a “foreign private issuer,” we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to short swing profit reporting and liability.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those filed documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC prior to the termination of this offering will also be considered to be part of this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede previously filed information, including information contained in this document.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the following documents:

 

 

 

 

our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2011;

 

 

 

 

our Reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on April 12, 2011, May 11, 2011, May 24, 2011, May 24, 2011, June 30, 2011, July 11, 2011, July 19, 2011, July 27, 2011, July 28, 2011, September 15, 2011, September 20, 2011, October 11, 2011, October 21, 2011, October 25, 2011, October 26, 2011, October 27, 2011 and January 12, 2012; and

 

 

 

 

the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-34934), filed with the SEC on October 27, 2010 which incorporates by reference the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-170033), as amended, filed with the SEC on October 20, 2010, and any amendments or reports filed updating that description.

We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F that we file with the SEC and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC after the date of this

7


prospectus (if they state that they are incorporated by reference into this prospectus) until we file a post-effective amendment indicating that the offering of the securities made by this prospectus has been terminated. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

We will provide, free of charge upon written or oral request, to each person to whom this prospectus is delivered, including any beneficial owner of the securities, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference into this prospectus, but which has not been delivered with the prospectus. Copies of these documents also may be obtained on the “Investors” section of our website at www.costamare.com. Requests for such information should be made to us at the following address:

Costamare Inc.
60 Zephyrou Street &
Syngrou Avenue
17564 Athens, Greece
+30-210-949-0050
Attention: Konstantinos Zacharatos

You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as the information we previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the dates on the front cover of those documents only. Our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table shows our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated, computed using amounts derived from our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

9 Months
Ended
September 30,

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

 

3.29

 

 

 

 

2.85

 

 

 

 

2.54

 

 

 

 

2.41

 

 

 

 

2.18

 

 

 

 

2.11

 

We have not issued any preferred stock as of the date of this prospectus. Accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends is equivalent to the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

For the purpose of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of net income plus fixed charges less interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized, amortization and write-off of capitalized expenses relating to indebtedness.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds received from the sale of the securities we offer by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

 

 

 

 

potential future vessel acquisitions;

 

 

 

 

additions to working capital; and

 

 

 

 

the repayment of indebtedness.

We may raise additional funds from time to time through equity or debt financings not involving the issuance of securities described in this prospectus, including borrowings under credit facilities, to finance our business and operations and new vessel acquisitions.

8


CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

Our capitalization and indebtedness will be set forth in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus or in a report on Form 6-K subsequently furnished to the SEC and specifically incorporated herein by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

A description of our common stock can be found in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-34934), filed with the SEC on October 27, 2010 which incorporates by reference the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333- 170033), as amended, filed with the SEC on October 20, 2010, and any amendments or reports filed updating that description.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of shares of our common stock.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any series of preferred shares in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

 

 

 

the designation of the series;

 

 

 

 

the number of shares in the series, which our board of directors may, except where otherwise provided in the preferred shares designation, increase or decrease, but not below the number of shares then outstanding;

 

 

 

 

whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or non-cumulative and the dividend rate of the series;

 

 

 

 

the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable;

 

 

 

 

the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;

 

 

 

 

the terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

 

 

 

 

the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of our company;

 

 

 

 

whether the shares of the series will be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of our company or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of the other class or series or other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any rate adjustments, the date or dates as of which the shares will be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which the conversion may be made;

 

 

 

 

restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series; and

 

 

 

 

the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any preferred stock we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable certificate of designations or specimen stock certificate, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer preferred stock. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any certificate of designations or specimen stock certificate if we offer preferred stock, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable certificate of designations, the applicable specimen stock certificate and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

9


DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may elect to offer debt securities. The following description of debt securities sets forth the material terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. Our debt securities would be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee. The debt securities we may offer may be convertible into common stock or other securities. The indenture, a form of which is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, will be executed at the time we issue any debt securities. Any supplemental indentures will be filed with the SEC on a Form 6-K or by a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to the offered debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The terms of the debt securities will include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.

Because the following summaries of the material terms and provisions of the indenture and the related debt securities are not complete, you should refer to the form of the indenture and the debt securities for complete information on some of the terms and provisions of the indenture, including definitions of some of the terms used below, and the debt securities.

General

The provisions of the indenture do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities which may be issued thereunder. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations and will have the same rank in liquidation as all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The debt securities may be convertible into common stock or other securities if specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Payments

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The provisions of the indenture allow us to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series. The debt securities may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars or other currencies. We may also issue debt securities from time to time with the principal amount or interest payable on any relevant payment date to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. Holders of these types of debt securities will receive payments of principal or interest that depend upon the value of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index on the relevant payment dates.

Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate, which may be zero, a floating rate, or a rate which varies during the lifetime of the debt security. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount.

Terms Specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of, and other information relating to, any offered debt securities:

 

 

 

 

the specific designation;

 

 

 

 

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities, their purchase price and denomination;

 

 

 

 

the currency in which the debt securities are denominated and/or in which principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, is payable;

10


 

 

 

 

the date of maturity;

 

 

 

 

the interest rate or rates or the method by which the calculation agent will determine the interest rate or rates, if any;

 

 

 

 

the interest payment dates, if any;

 

 

 

 

the place or places for payment of the principal of and any premium and/or interest on the debt securities;

 

 

 

 

any repayment, redemption, prepayment or sinking fund provisions, including any redemption notice provisions;

 

 

 

 

whether we will issue the debt securities in registered form or bearer form or both and, if we are offering debt securities in bearer form, any restrictions applicable to the exchange of one form for another and to the offer, sale and delivery of those debt securities in bearer form;

 

 

 

 

whether we will issue the debt securities in definitive form and under what terms and conditions;

 

 

 

 

the terms on which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange these securities into or for common stock or other securities, any specific terms relating to the adjustment of the conversion or exchange feature and the period during which the holders may make the conversion or exchange;

 

 

 

 

information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date and/or the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on that date is linked;

 

 

 

 

any agents for the debt securities, including trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars;

 

 

 

 

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts on debt securities for any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem those debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts;

 

 

 

 

any material United States federal income tax or other income tax consequences, including, but not limited to:

 

 

 

 

tax considerations applicable to any discounted debt securities or to debt securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a discount for United States federal income tax purposes; and

 

 

 

 

tax considerations applicable to any debt securities denominated and payable in non-United States currencies;

 

 

 

 

whether certain payments on the debt securities will be guaranteed under a financial insurance guarantee policy and the terms of that guarantee;

 

 

 

 

whether the debt securities will be secured;

 

 

 

 

any applicable selling restrictions; and

 

 

 

 

any other specific terms of the debt securities, including any modifications to or additional events of default, covenants or modified or eliminated acceleration rights, and any terms required by or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities. Original issue discount securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates and may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information relating to income tax, accounting, and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount securities.

Registration and Transfer of Debt Securities

Holders may present debt securities for exchange, and holders of registered debt securities may present these securities for transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions

11


stated in the debt securities and described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will provide these services without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with these services and subject to any limitations or requirements provided in the indenture or the supplemental indenture or issuer order under which that series of debt securities is issued. Holders may transfer debt securities in bearer form and/or the related coupons, if any, by delivery to the transferee. If any of the securities are held in global form, the procedures for transfer of interests in those securities will depend upon the procedures of the depositary for those global securities.

Events of Default

The indenture provides holders of debt securities with remedies if we fail to perform specific obligations, such as making payments on the debt securities, or if we become bankrupt. Holders should review these provisions and understand which actions trigger an event of default and which actions do not. The indenture permits the issuance of debt securities in one or more series, and, in many cases, whether an event of default has occurred is determined on a series-by-series basis.

An event of default is defined under the indenture, with respect to any series of debt securities issued under the indenture, as any one or more of the following events, subject to modification in a supplemental indenture, each of which we refer to in this prospectus as an event of default, having occurred and be continuing:

 

 

 

 

default is made for more than 30 days in the payment of interest, premium or principal in respect of the securities;

 

 

 

 

we fail to perform or observe any of our other obligations under the securities and this failure has continued for the period of 60 days next following the service on us of notice requiring the same to be remedied;

 

 

 

 

our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or insolvency related reorganization law;

 

 

 

 

an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for the winding up or liquidation of us; or

 

 

 

 

any other event of default provided in the supplemental indenture or issuer order, if any, under which that series of debt securities is issued.

Acceleration of Debt Securities Upon an Event of Default

The indenture provides that, unless otherwise set forth in a supplemental indenture:

 

 

 

 

if an event of default occurs due to the default in payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any series of debt securities issued under the indenture, or due to the default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty of us applicable to that series of debt securities but not applicable to all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, voting as one class, by notice in writing to us may declare the principal of and accrued interest on the debt securities of such affected series (but not any other debt securities issued under the indenture) to be due and payable immediately;

 

 

 

 

if an event of default occurs due to specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us, the principal of all debt securities and interest accrued on the debt securities to be due and payable immediately; and

 

 

 

 

if an event of default due to a default in the performance of any other of the covenants or agreements in the indenture applicable to all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture for which any applicable supplemental indenture does not prevent acceleration under the relevant circumstances, voting as one class, by notice in writing to us may declare the principal of all debt securities and interest accrued on the debt securities to be due and payable immediately.

12


Annulment of Acceleration and Waiver of Defaults

In some circumstances, if any and all events of default under the indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of the securities that has become due as a result of an acceleration, have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied, then the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all series of outstanding debt securities affected, voting as one class, may annul past declarations of acceleration or waive past defaults of the debt securities.

Indemnification of Trustee for Actions Taken on Your Behalf

The indenture provides that the trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of debt securities issued under the indenture relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. In addition, the indenture contains a provision entitling the trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee to act with the required standard of care during a default, to be indemnified to its satisfaction by the holders of debt securities issued under the indenture before proceeding to exercise any right or power at the request of holders. Subject to these provisions and specified other limitations, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of each series of outstanding debt securities of each affected series, voting as one class, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

Limitation on Actions by You as an Individual Holder

The indenture provides that no individual holder of debt securities may institute any action against us under the indenture, except actions for payment of overdue principal and interest, unless the following actions have occurred:

 

 

 

 

the holder must have previously given written notice to the trustee of the continuing default;

 

 

 

 

the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, treated as one class, must have:

 

 

 

 

requested the trustee to institute that action; and

 

 

 

 

offered the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it;

 

 

 

 

the trustee must have failed to institute that action within 60 days after receipt of the request referred to above; and

 

 

 

 

the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, voting as one class, must not have given directions to the trustee inconsistent with those of the holders referred to above.

The indenture contains a covenant that we will file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default or a certificate specifying any default that exists.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We have the ability to eliminate most or all of our obligations on any series of debt securities prior to maturity if we comply with the following provisions:

Discharge of Indenture. We may discharge all of our obligations, other than as to transfers and exchanges, under the indenture after we have:

 

 

 

 

paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all of the outstanding debt securities in accordance with their terms;

 

 

 

 

delivered to the trustee for cancellation all of the outstanding debt securities; or

 

 

 

 

irrevocably deposited with the trustee cash or, in the case of a series of debt securities payable only in U.S. dollars, U.S. government obligations in trust for the benefit of the holders of any series of debt securities issued under the indenture that have either become

13


 

 

 

 

due and payable, or are by their terms due and payable, or are scheduled for redemption, within one year, in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay on each date that they become due and payable, the principal of and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments for, those debt securities. However, the deposit of cash or U.S. government obligations for the benefit of holders of a series of debt securities that are due and payable, or are scheduled for redemption, within one year will discharge obligations under the indenture relating only to that series of debt securities.

Defeasance of a Series of Securities at Any Time. We may also discharge all of our obligations, other than as to transfers and exchanges, under any series of debt securities at any time, which we refer to as defeasance in this prospectus. We may be released with respect to any outstanding series of debt securities from the obligations imposed by any covenants and elect not to comply with those covenants without creating an event of default. Discharge under those procedures is called covenant defeasance.

Defeasance or covenant defeasance may be effected only if, among other things:

 

 

 

 

we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or, in the case of debt securities payable only in U.S. dollars, U.S. government obligations, as trust funds in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay on each date that they become due and payable, the principal of and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments for, all outstanding debt securities of the series being defeased; and

 

 

 

 

we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that:

 

 

 

 

the holders of the series of debt securities being defeased will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

 

 

 

the defeasance or covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter those holders’ United States federal income tax treatment of principal and interest payments on the series of debt securities being defeased; and

 

 

 

 

in the case of a defeasance, this opinion must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of this prospectus, since that result would not occur under current tax law.

Modification of the Indenture

Modification without Consent of Holders. We and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities issued under the indenture to:

 

 

 

 

secure any debt securities;

 

 

 

 

evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations;

 

 

 

 

add covenants for the protection of the holders of debt securities;

 

 

 

 

cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency;

 

 

 

 

establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series; or

 

 

 

 

evidence the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee.

Modification with Consent of Holders. We and the trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of each affected series of outstanding debt securities, voting as one class, may add any provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of those debt securities. However, we and the trustee may not make any of the following changes to any outstanding debt security without the consent of each holder that would be affected by the change:

 

 

 

 

extend the final maturity of the security;

 

 

 

 

reduce the principal amount;

 

 

 

 

reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest;

14


 

 

 

 

reduce any amount payable on redemption;

 

 

 

 

change the currency in which the principal, including any amount of original issue discount, premium, or interest on the security is payable;

 

 

 

 

modify or amend the provisions for conversion of any currency into another currency;

 

 

 

 

reduce the amount of any original issue discount security payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy;

 

 

 

 

alter the terms on which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange debt securities for common stock or other securities, other than in accordance with the antidilution provisions or other similar adjustment provisions included in the terms of the debt securities;

 

 

 

 

impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due; or

 

 

 

 

reduce the percentage of debt securities the consent of whose holders is required for modification of the indenture.

Form of Debt Security

Each debt security will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Both certificated securities in definitive form and global securities may be issued either:

 

 

 

 

in registered form, where our obligation runs to the holder of the security named on the face of the security; or

 

 

 

 

in bearer form, where our obligation runs to the bearer of the security.

Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, other than definitive bearer securities, which name the bearer as owner, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable.

Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities represented by these global securities, other than global bearer securities, which name the bearer as owner. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

Global Securities

Registered Global Securities. We may issue the debt securities in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees. If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements:

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face

15


amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or selling agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities. So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture.

Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of us, the trustee or any other agent of us or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests. We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. In addition, we may, at any time and in our sole discretion, decide not to have any of the securities represented by one or more registered global securities. If we make that decision, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global security or securities representing those securities. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.

16


Bearer Global Securities. The securities may also be issued in the form of one or more bearer global securities that will be deposited with a common depositary for the Euroclear System and Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme or with a nominee for the depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. The specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement, with respect to any securities to be represented by a bearer global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities.

New York Law to Govern

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase our equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. A series of warrants may be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of any applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

 

 

 

the title of such warrants;

 

 

 

 

the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

 

 

 

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

 

 

 

the currency or currencies, in which the price of such warrants will be payable;

 

 

 

 

the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

 

 

 

the price at which and the currency or currencies, in which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

 

 

 

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

 

 

 

the amount of warrants outstanding;

 

 

 

 

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

 

 

 

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;

 

 

 

 

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

 

 

 

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

 

 

 

if applicable, a discussion of any material United States Federal income tax considerations; and

 

 

 

 

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any warrants we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant certificate or warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any warrant certificate or warrant agreement if we

17


offer warrants, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable warrant certificate, the applicable warrant agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase our equity securities. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered by this prospectus and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the rights in the rights offering. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which the underwriter will purchase any securities that remain unsubscribed for upon completion of the rights offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any rights will describe the terms of the offered rights, including, where applicable, the following:

 

 

 

 

the exercise price for the rights;

 

 

 

 

the number of rights issued to each stockholder;

 

 

 

 

the extent to which the rights are transferable;

 

 

 

 

any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights;

 

 

 

 

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

 

 

 

the amount of rights outstanding;

 

 

 

 

the extent to which the rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

 

 

 

 

the material terms of any standby underwriting arrangement entered into by us in connection with the rights offering.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights certificate or rights agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any rights certificate or rights agreement if we offer rights, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable rights certificate, the applicable rights agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS

We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights and debt securities, or in combination thereof. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of units will describe the terms of the units, including, where applicable, the following:

 

 

 

 

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

 

 

 

any provisions of the governing unit agreement; and

 

 

 

 

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any units we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable unit

18


certificate or unit agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer units. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any unit certificate or unit agreement if we offer units, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable unit certificate, the applicable unit agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer and sell, from time to time, some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus up to an aggregate public offering price of $300,000,000. We have registered the securities covered by this prospectus for offer and sale so that those securities may be freely sold to the public. Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean, however, that those securities necessarily will be offered or sold.

Securities covered by this prospectus may be sold from time to time, in one or more transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices, by a variety of methods including the following:

 

 

 

 

on the New York Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange or U.S. inter-dealer system of a registered national securities association on which our common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

 

 

 

in the over-the-counter market;

 

 

 

 

in privately negotiated transactions;

 

 

 

 

in an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

 

 

 

as settlement of short sales entered into after the date of the prospectus;

 

 

 

 

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

 

 

 

through broker-dealers, who may act as agents or principals;

 

 

 

 

through sales “at the market” to or through a market-maker;

 

 

 

 

in a block trade, in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell a block as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

 

 

 

through one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or best-efforts basis;

 

 

 

 

directly to one or more purchasers;

 

 

 

 

through agents;

 

 

 

 

in options transactions;

 

 

 

 

over the Internet;

 

 

 

 

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law; or

 

 

 

 

in any combination of the above.

In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by us may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Broker-dealer transactions may include:

 

 

 

 

purchases of the securities by a broker-dealer as principal and resales of the securities by the broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus;

 

 

 

 

ordinary brokerage transactions; or

 

 

 

 

transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers.

In addition, we may sell any securities covered by this prospectus in private transactions or under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

In connection with the sale of securities covered by this prospectus, broker-dealers may receive commissions or other compensation from us in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions. Broker-dealers may also receive compensation from purchasers of the securities for whom they act

19


as agents or to whom they sell as principals or both. Compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be in excess of customary commissions or in amounts to be negotiated. In connection with any underwritten offering, underwriters may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. We and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any profit on the sale of the securities by them and any discounts, commissions or concessions received by any of those underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

In connection with the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus or otherwise, we may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of our securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with us. We may also sell securities short and deliver the securities offered by this prospectus to close out our short positions. We may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction. We may also from time to time pledge securities pursuant to the margin provisions of any customer agreements with brokers. Upon default, the broker may offer and sell such pledged securities from time to time pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction.

At any time a particular offer of the securities covered by this prospectus is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of securities covered by this prospectus being offered and the terms of the offering, including the expected issue price or method of determining the price, the time period during which the offer will be open and whether the purchase period may be extended or shortened, the method and time limits for paying up and delivering securities, name or names of any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents, any discounts, commissions, concessions and other items constituting compensation from us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Such prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, will be filed with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional information with respect to the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities sold under this prospectus may only be sold through registered or licensed broker-dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

In connection with an underwritten offering, we would execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement, such underwriting agreement would provide that the obligations of the underwriter or underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriter or underwriters with respect to a sale of the covered securities will be obligated to purchase all of the covered securities if any such securities are purchased. We may grant to the underwriter or underwriters an option to purchase additional securities at the public offering price, as may be set forth in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement. If we grant any such option, the terms of the option will be set forth in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement.

Pursuant to a requirement by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or “FINRA,” the maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer may not be greater than 8% of the gross proceeds received by us for the sale of any securities being registered pursuant to SEC Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

20


Underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers may be entitled, pursuant to relevant agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that may arise from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in this prospectus, any supplement or amendment hereto, or in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers may be required to make.

We will bear all costs relating to all of the securities being registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

EXPENSES

The following are the expenses estimated to be incurred by us in connection with a possible offering of $300,000,000 of the securities registered under this registration statement.

 

 

 

SEC Registration Fee

 

 

$

 

34,380

 

Printing

 

 

 

*

 

Legal Fees and Expenses

 

 

 

*

 

Accountants’ Fees and Expenses

 

 

 

*

 

NYSE Fees

 

 

 

*

 

FINRA Fee

 

 

 

30,500

 

Miscellaneous Costs

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

*

 

 

 

 


 

 

*

 

 

  To be provided by a prospectus supplement or as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities that may be offered by this prospectus and certain other matters relating to Marshall Islands law will be passed upon for us by Cozen O’Connor, New York, New York. Certain other legal matters relating to United States law will be passed upon for us by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Costamare Inc. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010 have been audited by Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference herein, and are so incorporated in reliance upon such report, given on the authority of such firm, as experts in accounting and auditing.

21


PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The Registrant is a corporation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “Marshall Islands”). Section 60 of the Business Corporations Act 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 such person 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 such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person 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 such person’s 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 such person 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 such person’s 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 such person 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 such person or in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person 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 such person’s 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 paragraphs, or in the defense of a claim, issue or matter therein, such director or officer shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such director or officer 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 such director or officer 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 such person and incurred by such person in such capacity whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability 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

II-1


advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

The Registrant’s articles of incorporation 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.

The Registrant’s bylaws provide that the Registrant must indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party to or a witness in or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, claim, inquiry or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including an action by or in the right of the Registrant) and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact that such person, or any other person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Registrant or is or was serving at the Registrant’s request as a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another entity or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, nonprofit entity or other entity (including service with respect to employee benefit plans) against all liability and loss suffered, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred, by such person in connection with such action, suit, claim, inquiry or proceeding. The Registrant’s bylaws also expressly authorize the advancement of certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements and court costs) to directors and officers and the carrying of directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for the Registrant’s directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities.

Item 9. Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

 

1.1

   

Form of Underwriting Agreement (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

4.1

   

Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1/A filed with the SEC on October 27, 2009 (Registration No. 333-170033)).

 

4.2

   

Stockholder Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on October 20, 2009 (Registration No. 333-170033)).

 

 

4.3

   

Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.4

   

Form of Indenture.

 

 

4.5

   

Form of Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.4).

 

4.6

   

Form of Warrant Agreement (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

4.7

   

Form of Warrant Certificate (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.8

   

Form of Rights Agreement (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

4.9

   

Form of Rights Certificate (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.10

   

Form of Unit Agreement (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

4.11

   

Form of Unit Certificate (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

5.1

   

Opinion of Cozen O’Connor (New York) (special counsel on Marshall Islands law to the Company).

II-2


 

 

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

 

5.2

   

Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (United States counsel to the Company).

 

 

12

   

Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

23.1

   

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

23.2

   

Consent of Cozen O’Connor (New York) (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

23.3

   

Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).

 

 

24.1

   

Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto).

 

25.1

   

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility for Indenture (to be filed in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended).

Item 10. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided , however , that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to

II-3


include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Rule 3-19 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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.

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

To supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period,

II-4


the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 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 Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)2 of the Trust Indenture Act.

II-5


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Athens, Greece, on January 30, 2012.

                                                

C OSTAMARE I NC.

     
     
     
     
     
     

By:

 

/ S / K ONSTANTINOS K ONSTANTAKOPOULOS


Name: Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos
Title: Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos, Gregory Zikos and Konstantinos Zacharatos his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, including any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 30, 2012.

Signature

 

Title

 

/ S / K ONSTANTINOS K ONSTANTAKOPOULOS


(Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos)

 

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
(Principal Executive Officer)

/ S / G REGORY Z IKOS


(Gregory Zikos)

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/ S / K ONSTANTINOS Z ACHARATOS


(Konstantinos Zacharatos)

 

General Counsel, Secretary and Director

/ S / C HARLOTTE S TRATOS


(Charlotte Stratos)

 

Director

/ S / V AGN L EHD M øLLER


(Vagn Lehd Møller)

 

Director


AUTHORIZED UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of the aforementioned Registrant, has signed this Registration Statement on January 30, 2012.

P UGLISI & A SSOCIATES

 
     
     
     
     
     
     

By:

 

/ S / D ONALD J. P UGLISI


Name: Donald J. Puglisi
Title: Managing Director


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

 

1.1

   

Form of Underwriting Agreement (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

4.1

   

Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1/A filed with the SEC on October 27, 2009 (Registration No. 333-170033)).

 

4.2

   

Stockholder Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on October 20, 2009 (Registration No. 333-170033)).

 

 

4.3

   

Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.4

   

Form of Indenture.

 

 

4.5

   

Form of Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.4).

 

4.6

   

Form of Warrant Agreement (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

4.7

   

Form of Warrant Certificate (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.8

   

Form of Rights Agreement (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

4.9

   

Form of Rights Certificate (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.10

   

Form of Unit Agreement (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

4.11

   

Form of Unit Certificate (to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference).

 

5.1

   

Opinion of Cozen O’Connor (New York) (special counsel on Marshall Islands law to the Company).

 

 

5.2

   

Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (United States counsel to the Company).

 

12

   

Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

 

23.1

   

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

23.2

   

Consent of Cozen O’Connor (New York) (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

 

23.3

   

Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).

 

24.1

   

Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto).

 

 

25.1

   

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility for Senior Indenture (to be filed in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended).


Exhibit 4.4

 


 

 

 

COSTAMARE INC.

 

 

and

 

[               ],

as Trustee

 

 

FORM OF INDENTURE

 

 

Dated as of _____________, _____

 

 

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE 1

 

 

Definitions

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

  Certain Terms Defined  

1

 

 

ARTICLE 2

 

 

Securities

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

 

Forms Generally

5

SECTION 2.02.

 

Form of Trustee’s Certification of Authentication

5

SECTION 2.03.

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

5

SECTION 2.04.

 

Authentication and Delivery of Securities

8

SECTION 2.05.

 

Execution of Securities

9

SECTION 2.06.

 

Certificate of Authorization

10

SECTION 2.07.

 

Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest

10

SECTION 2.08.

 

Regulation, Transfer and Exchange

10

SECTION 2.09.

 

Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

11

SECTION 2.10.

 

Cancellation of Securities

12

SECTION 2.11.

 

Temporary Securities

13

SECTION 2.12.

 

CUSIP Numbers

13

ARTICLE 3

 

Covenants of the Issuer and the Trustee

 

SECTION 3.01.

 

Payment of Principal and Interest

13

SECTION 3.02.

 

Offices for Payments, etc

14

SECTION 3.03.

 

Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee

14

SECTION 3.04.

 

Paying Agents

14

SECTION 3.05.

 

Certificate of the Issuer

15

SECTION 3.06.

 

Securityholders Lists

15

SECTION 3.07.

 

Reports by the Issuer

16

SECTION 3.08.

 

Reports by the Trustee

16

ARTICLE 4

 

Remedies of the Trustee and Securityholders on Event of Default

 

SECTION 4.01.

 

Event of Default; Acceleration of Maturity, Waiver of Default

16

i



 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.02.

 

Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt

19

SECTION 4.03.

 

Application of Proceeds

21

SECTION 4.04.

 

Suits for Enforcement

22

SECTION 4.05.

 

Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceeding

22

SECTION 4.06.

 

Limitations on Suits by Securityholder

22

SECTION 4.07.

 

Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Institute Certain Suits

23

SECTION 4.08.

 

Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default

23

SECTION 4.09.

 

Control by Securityholders

23

SECTION 4.10.

 

Waiver of Past Defaults

24

SECTION 4.11.

 

Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances

24

SECTION 4.12.

 

Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs

24

 

ARTICLE 5

 

 

Concerning the Trustee

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default

25

SECTION 5.02.

 

Certain Rights of the Trustee

26

SECTION 5.03.

 

Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof

28

SECTION 5.04.

 

Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc

28

SECTION 5.05.

 

Moneys Held by Trustee

28

SECTION 5.06.

 

Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and its Prior Claim

28

SECTION 5.07.

 

Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, etc

29

SECTION 5.08.

 

Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee

29

SECTION 5.09.

 

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee

30

SECTION 5.10.

 

Acceptance of Appointment By Successor Trustee

31

SECTION 5.11.

 

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee

32

 

ARTICLE 6

 

Concerning the Securityholders

 

SECTION 6.01.

 

Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders

32

SECTION 6.02.

 

Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date

33

SECTION 6.03.

 

Holders to be Treated as Owners

33

SECTION 6.04.

 

Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding

33

SECTION 6.05.

 

Right of Revocation of Action Taken

34


ii



 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Indentures

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01.

 

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders

34

SECTION 7.02.

 

Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders

35

SECTION 7.03.

 

Effect of Supplemental Indenture

37

SECTION 7.04.

 

Documents to Be Given to Trustee

37

SECTION 7.05.

 

Notation On Securities In Respect Of Supplemental Indentures

37

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

 

 

 

 

Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01.

 

Issuer May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

38

SECTION 8.02.

 

Successor Substituted

38

SECTION 8.03.

 

Opinion of Counsel to Trustee

38

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9

 

 

 

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Unclaimed Moneys

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

39

SECTION 9.02.

 

Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities

42

SECTION 9.03.

 

Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent

43

SECTION 9.04.

 

Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years

43

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Provisions

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01.

 

Incorporators, Stockholders, Members, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability

43

SECTION 10.02.

 

Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Securityholders

43

SECTION 10.03.

 

Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture

44

SECTION 10.04.

 

Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Securityholders

44

SECTION 10.05.

 

Communication by Securityholders with Other Securityholders.

45

SECTION 10.06.

 

Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to be Contained Therein

45

SECTION 10.07.

 

Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays

46

iii



 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.08.

 

Conflict of any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939

46

SECTION 10.09.

 

New York Law to Govern

46

SECTION 10.10.

 

Counterparts

47

SECTION 10.11.

 

Effect of Headings

47

SECTION 10.12.

 

Securities in a Non-U.S. Currency

47

SECTION 10.13.

 

Submission to Jurisdiction

47

SECTION 10.14.

 

Judgment Currency

48

SECTION 10.15.

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

48

SECTION 10.16.

 

Force Majeure

48

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11

 

 

 

 

Redemption of Securities

 

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01.

 

Applicability Of Article

49

SECTION 11.02.

 

Notice Of Redemption; Partial Redemptions

49

SECTION 11.03.

 

Payment of Securities Called for Redemption

50

SECTION 11.04.

 

Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption

51

iv


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

 

 

Indenture Section


 

 


310

 

(a)(1)

 

5.08

 

 

(a)(2)

 

5.08

 

 

(a)(3)

 

Not Applicable

 

 

(a)(4)

 

Not Applicable

 

 

(a)(5)

 

5.08

 

 

(b)

 

5.09(b)

 

 

(c)

 

Not Applicable

311

 

(a)

 

5.04

 

 

(b)

 

5.04

 

 

(c)

 

Not Applicable

312

 

(a)

 

3.06

 

 

(b)

 

10.05

 

 

(c)

 

10.05

313

 

(a)

 

3.08

 

 

(b)(1)

 

Not Applicable

 

 

(b)(2)

 

3.08

 

 

(c)

 

3.08; 10.02

 

 

(d)

 

3.08

314

 

(a)

 

3.05; 3.07

 

 

(b)

 

Not Applicable

 

 

(c)(1)

 

10.06

 

 

(c)(2)

 

10.06

 

 

(c)(3)

 

10.06

 

 

(d)

 

Not Applicable

 

 

(e)

 

10.06

 

 

(f)

 

Not Applicable

315

 

(a)

 

5.01

 

 

(b)

 

4.11

 

 

(c)

 

5.01

 

 

(d)

 

5.01

 

 

(e)

 

4.12

316

 

(a) (last sentence)

 

6.04

 

 

(a)(1)(A)

 

4.09

 

 

(a)(1)(B)

 

4.10

 

 

(a)(2)

 

Not Applicable

 

 

(b)

 

4.07

 

 

(c)

 

6.02

 

 

317 (a)(1)

 

4.02

 

 

(a)(2)

 

4.02

 

 

(b)

 

3.04

 

 

318 (a)

 

10.08

 

 

(b)

 

Not Applicable

 

 

(c)

 

10.08

*This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.

v



 

 

 

          THIS INDENTURE, dated as of _____________, _____ between Costamare Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “ Issuer ”), and [                    ], as trustee (the “ Trustee ”),

                    In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Issuer to be issued in one or more series (the “ Securities ”) by the holders thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Definitions

                    SECTION 1.01. Certain Terms Defined. The following terms (except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto, or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or the definitions of which in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular. The words “including,” “includes” and similar words shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”.

                    “ Authorized Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.13.

                    “ Bearer Security ” means any Security other than a Registered Security.

                    “ Board ” means either the board of directors of the Issuer or any committee of such board of directors duly authorized to act hereunder.

                    “ Board Resolution ” means one or more resolutions, certified by the secretary of the Board to have been duly adopted or consented to by the Board and to be in full force and effect, and delivered to the Trustee.


                    “ Business Day ” means, with respect to any Security, a day that in the city (or in any of the cities, if more than one) in which amounts are payable, as specified in the form of such Security, is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law or regulation to close.

                    “ Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or if at any time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

                    “ Corporate Trust Office ” means the office of the Trustee located in The City of New York at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered.

                    “ Depositary ” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Registered Global Securities of that series.

                    “ Dollar ” means the coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

                    “ Event of Default ” means any event or condition specified as such in Section 4.01.

                    “ Holder ”, “ Holder of Securities ”, “ Securityholder ” or other similar terms mean the registered holder of any Security.

                    “ Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

                    “ Interest ” means, when used with respect to non-interest bearing Securities, interest payable after maturity.

                    “ Issuer ” means (except as otherwise provided in Article 5) Costamare Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation, and, subject to Article 8, its successors and assigns.

                    “ Judgment Currency ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.14.

                    “ New York Banking Day ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.14.

2


                    “ Non-U.S. Currency ” means a currency issued by the government of a country other than the United States (or any currency unit comprised of any such currencies).

                    “ Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate (i) signed by any officer of the Issuer authorized by the Board to execute any such certificate and (ii) delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

                    “ Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee in writing signed by legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer. Each such opinion shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and include the statements provided for in Section 10.06, if and to the extent required hereby.

                    “ Original Issue Date ” of any Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution.

                    “ Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01.

                    “ Outstanding ”, when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

 

 

 

          (a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

 

 

          (b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), provided that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

 

 

 

          (c) Securities in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered, or which shall have been paid, pursuant to the terms of Section 2.09 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer).

                    In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization,

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direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01.

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

                    “ Principal ” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to include “and premium, if any”.

                    “ Registered Global Security ”, means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Registered Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 2.03, and bearing the legend prescribed by the applicable supplemental indenture.

                    “ Registered Security ” means any Security registered on the Security register of the Issuer.

                    “ Required Currency ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.14.

                    “ Responsible Officer ” when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with that particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

                    “ Security ” or “ Securities ” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture, or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

                    “ Trustee ” means the Person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof and, subject to the provisions of Article 5, shall also include any successor trustee.

                    “ Trust Indenture Act of 1939 ” (except as otherwise provided in Sections 5.01 and 5.02) means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was originally executed.

                    “ U.S. Government Obligations ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.

                    “ Yield to Maturity ” means the yield to maturity on a series of securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if applicable, at the most recent

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redetermination of interest on such series, and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

ARTICLE 2

Securities

                    SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.

                    The definitive Securities shall be printed or lithographed on security printed paper or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

                    SECTION 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certification of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the following form:

                    This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

[                    ],

AS TRUSTEE,

 

 

 

 

by

 

 

 


 

 

Authorized Signatory


 

 

Dated:

 

 


                    SECTION 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

                    The Securities may be issued in one or more series and unless provided for otherwise in an indenture supplemental hereto, each such series shall rank equally and pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of the Issuer. There shall be established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board and set forth in an Officers’

5


Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,

 

 

 

          (a) the designation of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);

 

 

 

          (b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.11 or 11.03);

 

 

 

          (c) if other than Dollars, the coin or currency in which the Securities of that series are denominated (including any Non-U.S. Currency);

 

 

 

          (d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;

 

 

 

          (e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;

 

 

 

          (f) the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable (if other than as provided in Section 3.02);

 

 

 

          (g) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;

 

 

 

          (h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

 

 

          (i) if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

 

 

          (j) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 4.02;

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          (k) if other than the coin or currency in which the Securities of that series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable;

 

 

 

          (l) if the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series are to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

 

 

 

          (m) if the amount of payments of principal of and interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated, or with reference to any currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

 

 

          (n) if the Holders of the Securities of the series may convert or exchange the Securities of the series into or for securities of the Issuer or of other entities or other property (or the cash value thereof), the specific terms of and period during which such conversion or exchange may be made;

 

 

 

          (o) whether the Securities of the series will be issuable as Registered Securities (and if so, whether such Securities will be issuable as Registered Global Securities) or Bearer Securities (with or without Coupons), or any combination of the foregoing, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale, transfer, exchange or delivery of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities or the payment of interest thereon and, if other than as provided herein, the terms upon which Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series and vice versa;

 

 

 

          (p) whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such additional amounts;

 

 

 

          (q) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

 

 

          (r) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series;

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          (s) any applicable United States federal income tax and other income tax provisions, including: whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional amounts on Securities for any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether it will have the option to redeem those Securities rather than pay the additional amounts; tax considerations applicable to any discounted Securities or to Securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a discount for United States federal income tax purposes; and tax considerations applicable to any Securities denominated and payable in foreign currencies;

 

 

 

          (t) whether certain payments on the Securities will be guaranteed under a financial insurance guaranty policy and the terms of that guaranty;

 

 

 

          (u) any applicable selling restrictions;

 

 

 

          (v) any other events of default, modifications or elimination of any acceleration rights, or covenants with respect to the Securities of such series and any terms required by or advisable under applicable laws or regulations, including laws and regulations relating attributes required for the Securities to be afforded certain capital treatment for bank regulatory or other purposes; and

 

 

 

          (w) any other terms of the series.

                    All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Board Resolution or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

                    SECTION 2.04. Authentication and Delivery of Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities to or upon the written order of the Issuer, signed by any officer of the Issuer authorized by the Board to execute any such order, without any further action by the Issuer. In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities the Trustee shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 5.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

 

 

 

          (a) a certified copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board authorizing the action taken pursuant to the resolution or resolutions delivered under clause 2.04(b) below;

 

 

 

          (b) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board relating to such series, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer;

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          (c) an executed supplemental indenture, if any;

 

 

 

 

          (d) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form and terms of the Securities as required pursuant to Section 2.01 and 2.03, respectively and prepared in accordance with Section 10.06;

 

 

 

 

          (e) an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 10.06, to the effect that

 

 

 

 

 

          (i) that the form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 and 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

 

 

 

 

          (ii) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer;

 

 

 

 

 

          (iii) that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Issuer of the Securities have been complied with; and

 

 

 

 

 

          (iv) covering such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

                    The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or board of trustees, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees or Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

                    SECTION 2.05. Execution of Securities. The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by any officer of the Issuer authorized by the Board to execute such Securities, which Securities may, but need not, be attested. Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

                    In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such person as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be a proper officer of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

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                    SECTION 2.06. Certificate of Authorization. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

                    SECTION 2.07. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities shall be issuable as registered securities without coupons and in denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

                    Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest, if any, from the date and shall be payable on the dates, in each case, which shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03.

                    The person in whose name any Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Outstanding Securities for such series are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the holders of Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date. The term “ record date ” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of any particular series, or, if no such date is so specified, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.

                    SECTION 2.08. Regulation, Transfer and Exchange. The Issuer will keep or cause to be kept at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02 a register or registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will register, and will register the transfer of, Securities as in this Article provided. Such register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other

10


form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such register or registers shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.

                    Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount.

                    Any Security or Securities of any series may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of the same series in other authorized denominations, in an equal aggregate principal amount. Securities of any series to be exchanged shall be surrendered at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

                    All Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

                    The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.

                    The Issuer shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days next preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed, or (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Security where notice has been given that such Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.

                    All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

                    SECTION 2.09. Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon the written request of any officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a

11


substitute Security shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof in the case of mutilation or defacement shall surrender the Security to the Trustee or such agent.

                    Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee or its agent) connected therewith. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

                    Every substitute Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this section by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced or destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

                    SECTION 2.10. Cancellation of Securities. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of cancelled Securities held by it in accordance with its procedures for the disposition of cancelled Securities and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Issuer upon its request therefor. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

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                    SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable as registered Securities without coupons, of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.02, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series unless otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.03.

                    SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE 3

Covenants of the Issuer and the Trustee

                    SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and interest on, each of the Securities of such series (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) at the place or places, at the respective times and in the manner provided in such Securities. Subject to any other provisions that may be established pursuant to Section 2.03, the interest on Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only to or upon the written order of the Holders thereof and, at the option of the Issuer, may be paid by wire transfer or by mailing checks for such interest payable to or upon the written order of such Holders at their last addresses as they appear on the registry books of the Issuer.

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                    SECTION 3.02. Offices for Payments, etc. So long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Issuer will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the following for each series: an office or agency (a) where the Securities may be presented for payment, (b) where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and (c) where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served. The Issuer will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 2.03, the Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, as the office to be maintained by it for each such purpose. In case the Issuer shall fail to so designate or maintain any such office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Corporate Trust Office.

                    The Issuer may from time to time designate one or more additional offices or agencies where the Securities of a series may be presented for payment, where the Securities of that series may be presented for exchange as provided in this Indenture and pursuant to Section 2.03 and where the Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer as provided in this Indenture, and the Issuer may from time to time rescind any such designation, as the Issuer may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain the agencies provided for in this Section. The Issuer will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.

                    SECTION 3.03. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 5.09, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each series of Securities hereunder.

                    SECTION 3.04. Paying Agents. Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section,

 

 

 

          (a) that it will hold all sums received by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series or of the Trustee,

 

 

 

          (b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable, and

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          (c) that it will pay any such sums so held in trust by it to the Trustee upon the Trustee’s written request at any time during the continuance of the failure referred to in clause 3.04(b) above.

                    The Issuer will, on or prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

                    If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the Securities of any Series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

                    Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Issuer or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

                    Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this section is subject to the provisions of Section 9.03 and 9.04.

                    SECTION 3.05. Certificate of the Issuer. The Issuer will furnish to the Trustee on or before [    ] in each year (beginning with [    ]) an Officers’ Certificate of the Issuer as to the signers’ knowledge of the Issuer’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture). In the event an Officer of the Issuer comes to have actual knowledge of an Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, regardless of the date, the Issuer shall deliver an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee specifying such Default and the nature and status thereof.

                    SECTION 3.06. Securityholders Lists. If and so long as the Trustee shall not be the Security registrar for the Securities of any series, the Issuer will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the holders of the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (a) semi-annually not more than 15 days after each record date for the payment of interest on such Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date and on dates to be determined pursuant to Section 2.03 for non-interest bearing securities in each year, and (b) at such other times as the Trustee

15


may request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished.

                    SECTION 3.07. Reports by the Issuer. The Issuer covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports that the Issuer may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

                    SECTION 3.08. Reports by the Trustee. Any Trustee’s report required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 shall be transmitted on or before [          ] in each year following the date hereof, so long as any Securities are outstanding hereunder, and shall be dated as of a date convenient to the Trustee no more than 60 nor less than 45 days prior thereto. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

ARTICLE 4

Remedies of the Trustee and Securityholders on Event of Default

                    SECTION 4.01. Event of Default; Acceleration of Maturity, Waiver of Default. Unless otherwise established in accordance with Section 2.03 or by any applicable supplemental indenture, “Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series wherever used herein, means each one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

 

 

 

 

          (a) default for more than 30 days in the payment of interest, premium or principal in respect of the Securities; or

 

 

 

 

          (b) the failure to perform or observe any other obligations under the Securities which failure continues for the period of 60 days next following service on the Issuer of notice requiring the same to be remedied; or

 

 

 

 

          (c) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of:

 

 

 

 

 

          (i) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law; or

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          (ii) a decree or order adjudging the Issuer a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Issuer under any applicable U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Issuer or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

 

 

 

          (d) the commencement by the Issuer of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by the Issuer to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against the Issuer, or the filing by the Issuer of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. law, or the consent by the Issuer to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or the taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Issuer or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by the Issuer of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Issuer in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Issuer expressly in furtherance of any such action; or

 

 

 

 

          (e) any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture or resolution of the Board under which such series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such series.

                    Unless otherwise set forth in any applicable supplemental indenture, if an Event of Default described in clauses 4.01(a), 4.01(b), or 4.01(e) above (if the Event of Default under clauses 4.01(b) or 4.01(e) is with respect to less than all series of Securities then Outstanding) occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected thereby then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of any such affected series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such affected series and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. Unless otherwise set forth in any applicable supplemental indenture, if an Event of Default described in clauses 4.01(b) or 4.01(e) (if the Event of Default under clauses 4.01(b) or 4.01(e) is with respect to all

17


series of Securities at the time Outstanding) occurs and is continuing, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all the then Outstanding Securities hereunder (treated as one class) for which any applicable supplemental indenture does not prevent acceleration under the relevant circumstances, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities then Outstanding and interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. Unless otherwise set forth in any applicable supplemental indenture, if an Event of Default described in clauses 4.01(c) or 4.01(d), then the principal and accrued and unpaid interest, and premium of any, with respect to any Securities then Outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

                    The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of the Securities of any series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Issuer shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) and the principal of any and all Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series (or at the respective rates of interest or Yields to Maturity of all the Securities, as the case may be) to the date of such payment or deposit) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith, and if any and all Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein--then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be), then Outstanding (in each case treated as one class), by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to each such series (or with respect to all the Securities, as the case may be) and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

                    For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and

18


payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

                    SECTION 4.02. Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt. The Issuer covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series when such interest shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of such series or upon any redemption or by declaration or otherwise--then upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Securities of such series for principal or interest, as the case may be (with interest to the date of such payment upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

                    Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any series to the registered holders, whether or not the principal of and interest on the Securities of such series be overdue.

                    In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or other obligor upon such Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

                    In case there shall be pending proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other applicable federal, state or non-U.S. bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or its property or such other obligor, or in case of any other comparable judicial

19


proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of any Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

 

 

 

          (a) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (or, if the Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of any series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, except as a result of negligence or bad faith) and of the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor,

 

 

 

          (b) unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Securities of any series in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, and

 

 

 

          (c) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Securityholders and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any trustee, receiver, or liquidator, custodian or other similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith.

                    Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding except, as aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar person.

                    All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the

20


Securities or the production thereof on any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the payment of the expenses, disbursements and compensation of the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

                    In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Securities in respect to which such action was taken, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of such Securities parties to any such proceedings.

                    SECTION 4.03. Application of Proceeds. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of any series shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities in respect of which monies have been collected and stamping (or otherwise noting) thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of like series if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

 

 

          FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses applicable to such series in respect of which monies have been collected, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys and of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith;

 

 

 

          SECOND: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

 

 

 

          THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay

21



 

 

 

in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest or Yield to Maturity, without preference or priority of principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and

 

 

 

          FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct in writing.

                    SECTION 4.04. Suits for Enforcement. In case an Event of Default has occurred, has not been waived and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

                    SECTION 4.05. Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceeding. In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

                    SECTION 4.06. Limitations on Suits by Securityholder. No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each affected series then Outstanding (treated as a single class) shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.09; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Securities of any series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any

22


other such Holder of Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Securities of the applicable series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

                    SECTION 4.07. Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Institute Certain Suits. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture and any provision of any Security, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

                    SECTION 4.08. Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default. Except as provided in Section 4.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

                    No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Securityholder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to Section 4.06, every power and remedy given by this Indenture or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.

                    SECTION 4.09. Control by Securityholders. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected (with all such series voting as a single class) at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by this Indenture; provided that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture and provided further that (subject to the provisions of Section 5.01) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or if the Trustee in good faith shall so determine that the actions or forebearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders of the Securities of all series so affected not joining in the giving of said direction, it being understood that (subject to Section 5.01) the

23


Trustee shall have no duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forebearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders.

                    Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction or directions by Securityholders.

                    SECTION 4.10. Waiver of Past Defaults. Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of any Securities as provided in Section 4.01, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series at the time Outstanding with respect to which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (voting as a single class) may on behalf of the Holders of all such Securities waive any past default or Event of Default described in Section 4.01 and its consequences, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Security affected. In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all such Securities shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

                    Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist and be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, and not to have occurred for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

                    SECTION 4.11. Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall give to the Securityholders of any series, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the registry books, notice by mail of all defaults known to the Trustee which have occurred with respect to such series, such notice to be transmitted within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” or “defaults” for the purposes of this section being hereby defined to mean any event or condition which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default); provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of such series.

                    SECTION 4.12. Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and

24


that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder or group of Securityholders of any series holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series, or, in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clauses 4.01(b) or 4.01(e) (if the suit relates to Securities of more than one but less than all series), 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities Outstanding affected thereby, or in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clauses 4.01(b) or 4.01(e) (if the suit relates to all the Securities then Outstanding), 4.01(c) or 4.01(d), 10% in aggregate principal amount of all Securities Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the due date expressed in such Security.

ARTICLE 5

Concerning the Trustee

                    SECTION 5.01. Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default. With respect to the Holders of any series of Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred with respect to such series, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (which has not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall exercise with respect to such series of Securities such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

                    No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that

 

 

 

 

          (a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

 

 

 

 

 

          (i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any Series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

25



 

 

 

 

 

          (ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);

 

 

 

 

          (b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

 

 

 

          (c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders pursuant to Section 4.09 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.

                    None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably assured to it.

                    The provisions of this Section 5.01 are in furtherance of and subject to Sections 315 and 316 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

                    SECTION 5.02. Certain Rights of the Trustee. In furtherance of and subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and subject to Section 5.01:

 

 

 

          (a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officers’ Certificate or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

 

 

          (b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer;

 

 

 

          (c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in

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respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

 

 

 

          (d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby;

 

 

 

          (e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

 

 

 

          (f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer or, if paid by the Trustee or any predecessor trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand;

 

 

 

          (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys not regularly in its employ and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

 

 

          (h) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

 

 

 

          (i) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Event of Default or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is

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received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

 

 

 

          (j) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

 

 

 

          (k) the Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded; and

 

 

 

          (l) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

                    SECTION 5.03. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

                    SECTION 5.04. Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc. Subject to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

                    SECTION 5.05. Moneys Held by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.04 hereof, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder.

                    SECTION 5.06. Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and its Prior Claim. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, compensation as the Issuer and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard

28


to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) and the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee upon its request for all expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance is caused by its own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and their agents for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim of liability in the premises, except to the extent such loss liability or expense is caused by the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Trustee, its agents or employees or such predecessor Trustee. The obligations of the Issuer under this section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim.

                    When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 4.01(c) or Section 4.01(d), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal, state or non-U.S. bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

                    SECTION 5.07. Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, etc. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

                    SECTION 5.08. Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee. The Trustee for each series of Securities hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or the District of Columbia having a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000, and which is eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a federal, state or District of Columbia

29


supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

                    SECTION 5.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer and by mailing notice thereof by first class mail to Holders of the applicable series of Securities at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Security register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee at the Issuer’s expense may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 4.12, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

 

 

 

 

          (b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

 

 

 

 

 

          (i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or

 

 

 

 

 

          (ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder; or

 

 

 

 

 

          (iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of the Issuer, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or,

30


subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

 

 

 

          (c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 6.01 of the action in that regard taken by the Securityholders.

 

 

 

          (d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 5.09 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 5.10.

                    SECTION 5.10. Acceptance of Appointment By Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 5.09 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 9.04, pay over to the successor trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder and shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a prior claim upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.06.

                    If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one

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trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts under separate indentures.

                    Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 5.10, the Issuer shall mail notice thereof by first-class mail to the Holders of Securities of any series for which such successor trustee is acting as trustee at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security register. If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by the preceding sentence may be combined with the notice called for by Section 5.09. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.

                    SECTION 5.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 5.08, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

                    In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities of such series or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

ARTICLE 6

Concerning the Securityholders

                    SECTION 6.01. Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Securityholders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Securityholders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein

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otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article.

                    SECTION 6.02. Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02, the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Securities shall be proved by the Security register or by a certificate of the registrar thereof. The Issuer may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of holders of Securities of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action referred to in Section 6.01, which record date may be set at any time or from time to time by notice to the Trustee, for any date or dates (in the case of any adjournment or reconsideration) not more than 60 days nor less than five days prior to the proposed date of such vote or consent, and thereafter, notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, only holders of Securities of such series of record on such record date shall be entitled to so vote or give such consent or revoke such vote or consent.

                    SECTION 6.03. Holders to be Treated as Owners. The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Security register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such person, or upon his order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.

                    SECTION 6.04. Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and

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that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

                    SECTION 6.05. Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 6.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action.

ARTICLE 7

Supplemental Indentures

                    SECTION 7.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders. The Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board (which resolutions may provide general authorization for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined by officers of the Issuer authorized thereby), and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:

 

 

 

          (a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any property or assets;

 

 

 

          (b) to evidence the succession of another legal entity to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor legal entity of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Article 8;

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          (c) to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Issuer and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default;

 

 

 

          (d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture; or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture or under any supplemental indenture as the Board may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities in any material respect;

 

 

 

          (e) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03; and

 

 

 

          (f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 5.10.

                    The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

                    Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 7.02.

                    SECTION 7.02. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 6) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class),

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the Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board (which resolutions may provide general authorization for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined by officers of the Issuer authorized thereby), and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series; provided, that no such supplemental indenture shall (a) (i) extend the final maturity of any Security, (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof, (iii) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, (iv) reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof, (v) make the principal thereof (including any amount in respect of original issue discount), or interest thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Securities or in accordance with the terms thereof, (vi) modify or amend any provisions for converting any currency into any other currency as provided in the Securities or in accordance with the terms thereof, (vii) reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 4.02, (viii) modify or amend any provisions relating to the conversion or exchange of the Securities for securities of the Issuer or of other entities or other property (or the cash value thereof), including the determination of the amount of securities or other property (or cash) into which the Securities shall be converted or exchanged, other than as provided in the antidilution provisions or other similar adjustment provisions of the Securities or otherwise in accordance with the terms thereof, (ix) alter the provisions of Section 10.12 or Section 10.14 or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof or, if the Securities provide therefor, any right of repayment at the option of the Securityholder, in each case without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Security so affected.

                    A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of holders of Securities of such series, with respect to such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the holders of Securities of any other series.

                    Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board (which resolutions may provide general authorization for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined by officers of the Issuer authorized thereby) certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 6.01, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which

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case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

                    It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

                    Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall give notice thereof by (a) first class mail to the Holders of Securities of each series affected thereby at their addresses as they shall appear on the registry books of the Issuer or (b) by any other means set forth in such supplemental indenture, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

                    SECTION 7.03. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Securities of each series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

                    SECTION 7.04. Documents to Be Given to Trustee. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be provided with, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

                    SECTION 7.05. Notation On Securities In Respect Of Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture or as to any action taken by Securityholders. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding.

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ARTICLE 8

Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance

                    SECTION 8.01. Issuer May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. The Issuer covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with any other Person or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless (i) either the Issuer shall be the continuing legal entity, or the successor legal entity or the Person which acquires by sale or conveyance substantially all the assets of the Issuer (if other than the Issuer) shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Issuer, by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such successor legal entity, and (ii) the Issuer or such successor legal entity, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition.

                    SECTION 8.02. Successor Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, and following such an assumption by the successor legal entity, all in the manner described in Section 8.01, such successor legal entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Issuer, with the same effect as if it had been named herein. Such successor legal entity may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Issuer prior to such succession any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor legal entity instead of the Issuer and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor legal entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All of the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

                    In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance such changes in phrasing and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

                    In the event of any such sale or conveyance (other than a conveyance by way of lease) the Issuer or any successor legal entity which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Article shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be liquidated and dissolved.

                    SECTION 8.03. Opinion of Counsel to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.01 and 5.02, shall receive an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 10.06, as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation,

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merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and any such assumption, and any such liquidation or dissolution, complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

ARTICLE 9

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Unclaimed Moneys

                    SECTION 9.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. (a) If at any time (i) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all the Securities of any series outstanding hereunder (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (ii) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09) or (iii) (A) all the securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (B) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 9.04) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in United States dollars, direct obligations of the United States of America, backed by its full faith and credit (“ U.S. Government Obligations ”), maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash, or a combination thereof, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of such series (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09) not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due or to become due on or prior to such date of maturity as the case may be, and if, in any such case, the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer with respect to Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of such series (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of securities of such series, and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon upon the original stated due date therefor (but no upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (v) the rights of the Securityholders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them), and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series; provided, that the rights of Holders of the Securities to receive amounts in respect of principal of and interest on the Securities held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-

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applicable mandatory rules or policies of any securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed. The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities of such series.

 

 

 

 

          (b) The following provisions shall apply to the Securities of each series unless specifically otherwise provided in a Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto provided pursuant to Section 2.03. In addition to discharge of the Indenture pursuant to the next preceding paragraph, in the case of any series of Securities the exact amounts (including the currency of payment) of principal of and interest due on which can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in clause 9.01(b)(i) below, the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Securities of such a series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in clause 9.01(b)(i) below, and the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series thereto shall no longer be in effect (except as to (1) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any, (2) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (3) rights of Holders of Securities to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (4) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (5) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (6) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.02) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall at the Issuer’s request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, if

 

 

 

 

 

          (i) with reference to this provision the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series (A) cash in an amount, or (B) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (1) the principal and interest on all Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto on each date that such principal or interest is due and payable and (2) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series;

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

 

 

 

 

 

          (iii) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel based on the fact that (x) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (y) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

          (c) The Issuer shall be released from its obligations under Section 9.01 with respect to the Securities of any Series, Outstanding, on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ covenant defeasance ”). For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any Series, the Issuer may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in such Sections, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to such Sections or by reason of any reference in such Sections to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute an Event of Default under Section 4.01, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Coupons shall be unaffected thereby. The following shall be the conditions to application of this subsection (c) of this Section 9.01:

 

 

 

 

          (i) The Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series, (A) cash in an amount, or (B) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (1) the principal and interest on all Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto and (2) any

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mandatory sinking fund payments on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series.

 

 

 

 

 

          (ii) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as subsections 4.01(c) and 4.01(d) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

 

 

 

 

 

          (iii) Such covenant defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to any securities of the Issuer.

 

 

 

 

 

          (iv) Such covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound.

 

 

 

 

 

          (v) Such covenant defeasance shall not cause any Securities then listed on any registered national securities exchange under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be delisted.

 

 

 

 

 

          (vi) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

 

 

 

 

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

                    SECTION 9.02. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 9.04 and any subordination provisions applicable to the Securities, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

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                    SECTION 9.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

                    SECTION 9.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

                    The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.01 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.

ARTICLE 10

Miscellaneous Provisions

                    SECTION 10.01. Incorporators, Stockholders, Members, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, member, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

                    SECTION 10.02. Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Securityholders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein

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contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.

                    SECTION 10.03. Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

                    SECTION 10.04. Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Securityholders. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities to or on the Issuer may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to Costamare Inc. at the following address:

Costamare Inc.
60 Zephyrou Street & Syngrou Avenue
17564, Athens, GREECE
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: 30-210-949-6454

with copies to:

Cravath Swaine & Moore
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Attention: William P. Rogers, Jr., Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 474-3700

                    Any notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Securityholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail to the Trustee at [                    ].

                    Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security register. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

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                    In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Issuer and Securityholders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

                    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner, and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

                    SECTION 10.05. Communication by Securityholders with Other Securityholders. Securityholders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Issuer, the Trustee, any registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

                    SECTION 10.06. Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to be Contained Therein. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

                    Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with

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

                    Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, information with respect to which is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer of officers of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

                    Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

                    Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

                    SECTION 10.07. Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. If the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of any series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any such Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

                    SECTION 10.08. Conflict of any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture by operation of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (an “ incorporated provision ”), such incorporated provision shall control.

                    SECTION 10.09. New York Law to Govern. This Indenture and each Security shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, except as may otherwise be required by mandatory provisions of law.

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                    SECTION 10.10. Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                    SECTION 10.11. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

                    SECTION 10.12. Securities in a Non-U.S. Currency. Unless otherwise specified in an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars, then the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate. For purposes of this Section 10.12, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, or such other quotations as the Trustee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

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

                    SECTION 10.13. Submission to Jurisdiction. The Issuer agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture may be instituted in any federal or state court sitting in New York City, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such court in any suit, action or proceeding. The Issuer, as long as any of the Securities remain Outstanding or the parties hereto have any obligation under this Indenture, shall have an authorized agent (the “ Authorized Agent ”) in the United States upon whom process may be served in any such legal action or proceeding. Service of process upon such agent and written notice of such service mailed or delivered to it shall to the extent permitted by law be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such legal action or

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proceeding and, if it fails to maintain such agent, any such process or summons may be served by mailing a copy thereof by registered mail, or a form of mail substantially equivalent thereto, addressed to it at its address as provided for notices hereunder. The Issuer hereby appoints [                    ] as its agent for such purposes, and covenants and agrees that service of process in any legal action or proceeding may be made upon it at such office of such agent.

                    SECTION 10.14. Judgment Currency. The Issuer agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “ Required Currency ”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “ Judgment Currency ”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

                    SECTION 10.15. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

                    SECTION 10.16. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and

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hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

ARTICLE 11

Redemption of Securities

                    SECTION 11.01. Applicability Of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.

                    SECTION 11.02. Notice Of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series.

                    The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

                    The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed at the option of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer; provided , however , in the latter case the Issuer shall give the Trustee at least ten (10) days advance notice of the date upon which the notice is to be given (unless a shorter notice period shall be agreed to by the Trustee in writing).

                    A notice of redemption may be conditioned and provide that it is subject to the occurrence of any event described in the notice before the date fixed for the

49


redemption. A notice of conditional redemption will be of no effect unless all conditions to the redemption have occurred before the redemption date or have been waived by the Issuer.

                    On or before the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.04) an amount of money or other property sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If less than all the outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee at least 70 days prior to the date fixed for redemption an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.

                    If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such Series to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

                    SECTION 11.03. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue and, except as provided in Sections 5.05 and 9.04, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that any semiannual payment of interest becoming due on the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.04 hereof.

50


                    If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security.

                    Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

                    SECTION 11.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer.

[Signature Page Follows]

51


                    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of ____________, ________.

 

 

 

 

 

COSTAMARE INC.,

 

 

 

by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

    Name:

 

 

 

    Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[                    ],

 

AS TRUSTEE,

 

 

 

by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

    Name:

 

 

 

    Title:

 

52


Exhibit 5.1

(COZEN O’CONNOR LOGO)

A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

16TH FLOOR          45 BROADWAY          NEW YORK, NY 10006-3792          212.509.9400          800.437.7040          212.509.9492 FAX          www.cozen.com

Costamare Inc.

69 Zephyrou Street & Syngrou Avenue

17564 Athens

Greece

 

Re: Costamare Inc.

Dear Sirs:

We have acted as special counsel on matters of the law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (“ Marshall Islands Law ”) to Costamare Inc. (the “ Company ”) in connection with the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), and the rules and regulations thereunder, of a Registration Statement on Form F-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) relating to the shelf registration by the Company of its (i) common stock, including preferred stock purchase rights (the “ Rights ”), par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”), (iii) debt securities of the Company (the “ Debt Securities ”), (iv) equity subscription rights of the Company (the “ Subscription Rights ”), (v) warrants of the Company (the “ Warrants ” and together with the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities and the Subscription Rights, the “ Non-Unit Securities ”) and (vi) units of the Company comprised of one or more of the Non-Unit Securities (the “ Units ” and together with the Non-Units Securities, the “ Securities ”) some or all of which may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act at an aggregate offering price of up to $300,000,000. Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms are used as defined in the Registration Statement.

In so acting, we have examined originals, or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement and the form of preliminary prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”) included therein, (ii) the Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of October 19, 2010 (the “ Stockholder Rights Agreement ”) between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as rights agent and (iii) originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of all such records of the Company, agreements and other documents, certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and other appropriate persons, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examination, we have assumed without independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the original documents of all documents submitted to us as photostatic or facsimile copies, and the accuracy of the factual representations made to us by officers and other representatives of the Company. As to any questions of fact material to our opinion, we have, wherein relevant facts were not independently established, relied upon the aforesaid certificates.

We have also assumed that (i) the definitive terms of any Security, other than Common Stock, offered pursuant to the Registration Statement will have been established in


Costamare Inc.

January 30, 2012

Page 2


 

accordance with resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company and applicable law, (ii) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Securities being offered, will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise, (iii) any Securities consisting of Common Stock, including shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Securities that may be issued under the Registration Statement, have been duly authorized and will be validly issued, and the certificates evidencing the same will be duly executed and delivered, against receipt of the consideration approved by the Company which will be no less than par value, if any, thereof, (iv) any Securities consisting of Preferred Stock, including shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security that may be issued under the Registration Statement, will be duly authorized and validly issued, and the certificates evidencing the same will be duly executed and delivered, against receipt of the consideration approved by the Company which will be no less than the par value, if any, thereof, (v) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, will have become effective, (vi) a Prospectus Supplement will have been filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby, and (vii) all Securities will be issued in compliance with applicable U.S. Federal and State Securities and other laws.

With respect to the issuance and sale of any series of Preferred Stock, we have further assumed that appropriate certificate of designations, or similar instruments setting forth the preferential, deferred, qualified and/or special rights, privileges, and/or conditions with respect to such series of Preferred Stock will have been duly adopted by Company’s Board of Directors in the form to be incorporated by reference in and filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

With respect to the issuance and sale of any Warrants, we have further assumed that (i) a warrant agreement (the “ Warrant Agreement ”) with respect to such Warrants will have been executed and delivered by the Company, as issuer, and a warrant agent, (ii) the Warrant Agreement will be governed by New York law and will be in compliance with all applicable provisions of Marshall Islands and U.S. Federal and State laws, (iii) the Warrants will have been duly and validly authorized, created, executed and delivered by the Company and duly executed by the warrant agent appointed by the Company, and (iv) the Warrants will have been issued and delivered by the Company (a) against receipt of consideration therefore approved by the Company and (b) as provided in the Warrant Agreement.

With respect to the issuance and sale of any Debt Securities, we have further assumed that (i) an indenture in substantially the form annexed to the Registration Statement which we have reviewed together with any applicable supplemental indenture (an “ Indenture ”) will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the trustee named therein, (ii) such Indenture will be governed by New York law and will be in compliance with all applicable provisions of Marshall Islands and U.S. Federal and State laws, and (iii) with respect to all Debt Securities, when issued, such Debt Securities will be executed, authenticated, issued and


Costamare Inc.

January 30, 2012

Page 3


 

delivered by the Company (a) against receipt of consideration therefore approved by the Company and (b) as provided in such Indenture.

With respect to the issuance and sale of Subscription Rights, we have further assumed (i) a subscription rights agreement (the “ Subscription Agreement ”) with respect to such Subscription Rights will have been executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (ii) the Subscription Agreement will be governed by New York law and will be in compliance with all applicable provisions of Marshall Islands and U.S. Federal and State laws, (iii) the Subscription Rights will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company (a) against receipt of consideration therefore approved by the Company and (b) as provided in the Subscription Agreement.

With respect to the issuance and sale of any Units, we have further assumed that (i) a unit agreement (the “ Unit Agreement ”) with respect to such Units will have been executed and delivered by the Company, as issuer, and a unit agent, (ii) the Unit Agreement will be governed by New York law and will be in compliance with all applicable provisions of Marshall Islands and U.S. Federal and State laws, (iii) the Units will have been duly and validly authorized, created, executed and delivered by the Company and duly executed by the unit agent appointed by the Company, and (iv) the Units will have been issued and delivered by the Company (a) against receipt of consideration therefore approved by the Company and (b) as provided in the Unit Agreement.

We have also assumed the power, authority and legal rights of all parties (other than the Company) to the Shareholder Rights Agreement to enter into and perform their respective obligations thereunder and the due authorization, execution and delivery of such document by such parties.

This opinion is limited to Marshall Islands Law as of the date hereof. In rendering our opinion as to the valid existence in good standing of the Company, we have relied solely on a Certificate of Goodstanding issued by the Registrar of Corporations of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the date hereof. In rendering our opinion in Paragraph F below, we have, with your permission, relied on the opinion addressed to you dated the date hereof of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, U.S. counsel to the Company, with respect to the Stockholders Rights Agreement.

Based on the foregoing and having regard to legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

     
 

A.

The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the law of the Republic of The Marshall Islands.

     
 

B.

Any Securities consisting of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, including any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock issued on conversion, exchange or exercise of other Securities when issued and delivered against payment therefor, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


Costamare Inc.

January 30, 2012

Page 4


 

     
 

C.

Any Securities consisting of Warrants, Subscription Rights, Debt Securities or Units will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, and will be, in the case of Debt Securities, entitled to the benefits provided by the applicable Indenture.

     
 

D.

The Company has the corporate power and corporate authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform the Stockholder Rights Agreement.

     
 

E.

The Company has taken all corporate action required to authorize the execution and delivery of the Stockholder Rights Agreement and the issuance of the Rights, and the Stockholder Rights Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized signatory of the Company.

     
 

F.

When issued in accordance with the terms of the Stockholder Rights Agreement, the Rights associated with the Common Stock will have been validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

Our opinions in Paragraphs C and F above are subject to the qualification that the rights and remedies of any party to the Stockholder Rights Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the Indentures or the Unit Agreement (a) may be limited by bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights from time to time in effect, and (b) are subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such rights and remedies are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including application by a court of competent jurisdiction of principles of good faith, fair dealing, commercial reasonableness, materiality, unconscionability and conflict with public policy or other similar principles.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters”. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Cozen O’Connor

 

COZEN O'CONNOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Exhibit 5.2

 

 

 

January 30, 2012

 

Costamare Inc.

Registration Statement on Form F-3

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special United States counsel for Costamare Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) of a registration statement on Form F-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) with respect to the registration under the Securities Act and the proposed issuance and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of up to an aggregate initial offering amount of $300,000,000 of (i) shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), including the associated preferred stock purchase rights (the “ Stockholder Rights ”), (ii) shares of preferred stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”), (iii) debt securities of the Company (the “ Debt Securities ”), (iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or other rights of the Company (the “ Warrants ”), (v) rights to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock (the “ Rights ”) and (vi) units consisting of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants or Rights or in combination thereof (the “ Units ” and, together with the securities specified in clauses (i) through (v) above, the “ Securities ”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. As to various questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon representations of officers or directors of the Company and documents furnished to us by the Company without independent verification of their accuracy. We have also assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.

 


2

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and assuming that: (a) the Registration Statement and any supplements and amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective and will comply with all applicable laws; (b) the Registration Statement will be effective and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (c) a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing any Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws; (d) any Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units will be issued and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate prospectus supplement; (e) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units offered or issued will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, together with the other parties thereto; (f) none of the terms of the Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units, nor the issuance and delivery of the Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of the Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units will violate any applicable laws or will result in a violation of any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company, or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (g) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered or issued will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise, we are of the opinion that:

1. With respect to the Debt Securities to be issued in one or more series under an indenture (the “ Indenture ”) to be entered into by the Company and a trustee (the “ Trustee ”), when (a) the Trustee is qualified to act as Trustee under the Indenture, (b) the Trustee has duly executed and delivered the Indenture, (c) the Indenture has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee, (d) the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (e) the board of directors of the Company, a duly constituted and acting committee thereof or any officers of the Company delegated such authority (such board of directors, committee or officers being hereinafter referred to as the “ Board ”) has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the due and valid issuance and terms of a particular series of Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (f) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, including any supplemental indenture related thereto, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

2. With respect to the Warrants to be issued in one or more series under a warrant agreement (the “ Warrant Agreement ”) to be entered into by the Company and a warrant agent (the “ Warrant Agent ”), when (a) the Warrant Agent has duly executed and delivered the Warrant Agreement, (b) the Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company to the Warrant Agent, (c) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the due and valid issuance and terms of a particular series of Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (d) such Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant

 


3

Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

3. With respect to the Rights to be issued in one or more series under a rights agreement (the “ Rights Agreement ”) to be entered into by the Company and a rights agent (the “ Rights Agent ”), when (a) the Rights Agent has duly executed and delivered the Rights Agreement, (b) the Rights Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company to the Rights Agent, (c) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the due and valid issuance and terms of a particular series of Rights, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (d) such Rights have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Rights Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

4. With respect to the Units to be issued in one or more series under a unit agreement (the “ Unit Agreement ”) to be entered into by the Company and a unit agent (the “ Unit Agent ”), when (a) the Unit Agent has duly executed and delivered the Unit Agreement, (b) the Unit Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company to the Unit Agent, (c) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the due and valid issuance and terms of a particular series of Units, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (d) such Units have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Unit Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

5. To the extent governed by the laws of the State of New York, the Stockholders Rights Agreement made and entered into as of October 19, 2010 by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent (the “ Stockholders Rights Agreement ”) has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, and to the extent governed by the laws of the State of New York, the Stockholder Rights have been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by the Company and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Stockholders Rights Agreement and enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

Our opinions in paragraphs 1 through 5 above are subject to the qualification that the enforceability of any Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights, Units, Stockholder Rights or the Stockholder Rights Agreement against the Company is subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in proceeding in equity or at law.

 


4

We express no opinion herein as to any provision of the Indenture, Warrant Agreement, Rights Agreement or Unit Agreement or the Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units that (a) relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of any Federal court of the United States of America, or any Federal appellate court, to adjudicate any controversy related thereto, (b) contains a waiver of an inconvenient forum, (c) relates to the waiver of rights to jury trial or (d) provides for indemnification, contribution or limitations on liability. We also express no opinion as to (i) the enforceability of the provisions of the Indenture, Warrant Agreement, Rights Agreement or Unit Agreement or the Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units to the extent that such provisions constitute a waiver of illegality as a defense to performance of contract obligations or any other defense to performance which cannot, as a matter of law, be effectively waived or (ii) whether a state court outside the State of New York or a Federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for therein.

Courts in the United States have not customarily rendered judgments for money damages denominated in any currency other than United States dollars. Section 27(b) of the Judiciary Law of the State of New York provides, however, that a judgment or decree in an action based upon an obligation denominated in a currency other than United States dollars shall be rendered in the foreign currency of the underlying obligation and converted into United States dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the entry of the judgment or decree. We express no opinion as to whether a Federal court would render a judgment other than in United States dollars.

We are admitted to practice in the State of New York and express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other the laws of the State of New York and the Federal laws of the United States of America. In particular, we do not purport to pass on any matter governed by the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. With respect to all matters of Marshall Islands law, we note that you are being provided with the opinion, dated the date hereof, of Cozen O’Connor (New York), special counsel on Marshall Islands law to the Company.

We understand that we may be referred to as counsel for certain matters relating to United States law in the prospectus and in any prospectus supplement forming a part of the Registration Statement, and we hereby consent to such use of our name in the Registration Statement and to the use of this opinion for filing with the Registration Statement as Exhibit 5.2 thereto. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

 

Costamare Inc.

60 Zephyrou Street &

Syngrou Avenue

17564 Athens

GREECE



Exhibit 12

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our unaudited ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the preceding four fiscal years. (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine
months
ended
September
30,

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

 

61,510

 

 

 

$

 

81,224

 

 

 

$

 

116,929

 

 

 

$

 

99,779

 

 

 

$

 

115,423

 

 

 

$

 

123,406

 

Plus: Fixed charges

 

 

$

 

51,723

 

 

 

$

 

67,636

 

 

 

$

 

82,820

 

 

 

$

 

64,678

 

 

 

$

 

62,383

 

 

 

$

 

53,854

 

Less: Interest capitalized

 

 

$

 

(3,885

)

 

 

 

$

 

(1,616

)

 

 

 

$

 

(466

)

 

 

 

$

 

0

 

 

 

$

 

0

 

 

 

$

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Earnings

 

 

$

 

109,348

 

 

 

$

 

147,244

 

 

 

$

 

199,283

 

 

 

$

 

164,457

 

 

 

$

 

177,806

 

 

 

$

 

177,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expensed and capitalized

 

 

$

 

49,697

 

 

 

$

 

65,809

 

 

 

$

 

82,074

 

 

 

$

 

63,714

 

 

 

$

 

62,193

 

 

 

$

 

53,713

 

Amortization and write-off of capitalized expenses relating to indebtedness

 

 

$

 

2,026

 

 

 

$

 

1,827

 

 

 

$

 

746

 

 

 

$

 

964

 

 

 

$

 

190

 

 

 

$

 

141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Fixed Charges

 

 

$

 

51,723

 

 

 

$

 

67,636

 

 

 

$

 

82,820

 

 

 

$

 

64,678

 

 

 

$

 

62,383

 

 

 

$

 

53,854

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (2)

 

 

 

2.11

 

 

 

 

2.18

 

 

 

 

2.41

 

 

 

 

2.54

 

 

 

 

2.85

 

 

 

 

3.29

 


 

(1)

 

 

 

We have not issued any preferred stock as of the date of this prospectus. Accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends is equivalent to the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

(2)

 

 

 

For purposes of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of net income plus fixed charges less interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized, amortization and write-off of capitalized expenses relating to indebtedness.


Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form F-3) and related Prospectus of Costamare Inc. for the registration of up to $300,000,000 of its common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, rights and units, and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March 22, 2011, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Costamare Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 20-F) for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A.

 

 

Athens, Greece

January 30, 2012