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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on [                ] [    ], 2004

Registration No. 333-[            ]



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM F-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization
  4412
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  Inapplicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

Par-la-Ville Place,
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda.
(441) 295-9500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

Seward & Kissel LLP
Attn: Gary J. Wolfe, Esq.
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004 (212) 574-1200
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies of communications to :

Gary J. Wolfe, Esq.
Seward & Kissel LLP
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004


Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.


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

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


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of each class of securities
to be registered

  Amount to be
registered

  Proposed
maximum offering
price per unit

  Proposed
maximum aggregate
offering price

  Amount of
registration fee(1)


8 1 / 2 % Senior notes due 2013   $580,000,000   100%   $580,000,000   $73,486

Guarantees relating to the 8 1 / 2 % Senior notes due 2013   —(2)   —(2)   —(2)   —(2)

(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act of 1933.

(2)
No separate consideration will be received for the guarantees relating to the 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2013.


         The registrant hereby amends the registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay the 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 Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.





TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

Name

  Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

  IRS Employee
Identification
No.

  Primary
Standard
Industrial
Classification
Code

Granite Shipping Co. Ltd.   Bahamas   N/A.   4412
Golden Current Limited   Isle of Man   N/A.   4412
Oscilla Shipping Limited   Isle of Man   N/A.   4412
Ariake Transport Corporation   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Bonfield Shipping Ltd.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Edinburgh Navigation SA   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Fourways Marine Limited   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Ardenne Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Brabant Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Falcon Corp.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Glory Shipping Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Pride Shipping Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Saga Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Serenade Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Splendour Shipping Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Front Stratus Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Golden Estuary Corporation   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Golden Fjord Corporation   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Golden Seaway Corporation   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Golden Sound Corporation   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Golden Tide Corporation   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Hitachi Hull #4983 Ltd.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Katong Investments Ltd.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Langkawi Shipping Ltd.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Patrio Shipping Ltd.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Rakis Maritime S.A.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Sea Ace Corporation   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Sibu Shipping Ltd.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Southwest Tankers Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
West Tankers Inc.   Liberia   N/A.   4412
Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.   Panama   N/A.   4412
Aspinall Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Blizana Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Bolzano Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Fox Maritime Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Front Dua Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Front Empat Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Front Enam Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Front Lapan Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Front Lima Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Front Tiga Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Front Sembilan Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Rettie Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412
Transcorp Pte Ltd.   Singapore   N/A.   4412

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS OUTSTANDING 8 1 / 2 % SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2013 FOR 8 1 / 2 % SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2013, WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

    We will exchange all of our outstanding 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due December 15, 2013 that were issued on December 18, 2003, which we refer to as the "outstanding notes" and which have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, that are validly tendered and not properly withdrawn for an equal principal amount of 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due December 15, 2013, which we refer to as the "exchange notes" and which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are freely tradable. References we make in this prospectus to "notes" shall mean both outstanding notes and exchange notes.

    Any holder of outstanding notes electing to exchange its outstanding notes for exchange notes must surrender its exchange notes, together with the appropriate letter of transmittal, to Wilmington Trust Company.

    You are entitled to withdraw your election to tender the outstanding notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

    This exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 21, 2004, unless we extend the expiration date.

    The exchange of the outstanding notes for the exchange notes in the exchange offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

    We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.

TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES:

    The exchange notes are being offered in order to satisfy some of our obligations under the registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the private placement of the outstanding notes.

    The terms of the exchange notes are identical to the terms of the outstanding notes except that the exchange notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate.

    Outstanding notes not tendered in the exchange offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest but will not retain any rights under the registration rights agreement.

RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES

    The exchange notes may be sold in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions or through a combination of these methods.


         SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 23 FOR A DISCUSSION OF SOME OF THE RISKS THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH PARTICIPATION IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.


        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


The date of this Prospectus is May 21, 2004.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF SHIPPING TERMS   6
SUMMARY   9
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER   13
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES   17
RISK FACTORS   23
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION   31
USE OF PROCEEDS OF OUR OUTSTANDING NOTES   38
CAPITALIZATION   39
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES   40
SELECTED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND OTHER DATA   41
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS   43
INDUSTRY   57
BUSINESS   62
MANAGEMENT   77
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT   78
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS   79
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS   81
THE EXCHANGE OFFER   82
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES   92
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS   142
CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS   146
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION   148
LEGAL MATTERS   149
EXPERTS   149
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION   149
INDEX TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED CARVE-OUT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-1
INDEX TO STAND ALONE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-27

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        Ship Finance International Limited is a Bermuda company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline Ltd. Our principal executive offices are located at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and our telephone number at that address is (441) 295-9500. We do not currently maintain a website, however, information about our fleet may be found on the website of our parent at www.frontline.bm. No information on www.frontline.bm should be considered part of this prospectus.

        In this prospectus, "Ship Finance International Limited", the "Company", "we", "us" and "our" refers only to Ship Finance International Limited and its subsidiaries.

        This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances where the offer or sale is not permitted. Please refer to the letter of transmittal and the other documents relating to this prospectus for instructions as to your eligibility to tender outstanding notes in this exchange offer. You must not:

    use this prospectus for any other purpose;

    make copies of any part of this prospectus or give a copy of it to any other person; or

    disclose any information in this prospectus to any other person.

        We have prepared this prospectus and we are solely responsible for its contents. You are responsible for making your own examination of us and your own assessment of the merits and risks of investing in the notes. You may contact us if you need any additional information.

        We are not providing you with any legal, business, tax or other advice in this prospectus. You should consult with your own advisors as needed to assist you in making your investment decision and to advise you whether you are legally permitted to tender your outstanding notes for exchange notes.

        You must comply with all laws that apply to you in any place in which you buy, offer or sell any notes or possess this prospectus. You must also obtain any consents or approvals that you need in order to tender outstanding notes. We are not responsible for your compliance with these legal requirements.



NOTICE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS

         NEITHER THE FACT THAT A REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AN APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE HAS BEEN FILED UNDER RSA 421-B WITH THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE NOR THE FACT THAT A SECURITY IS EFFECTIVELY REGISTERED OR A PERSON IS LICENSED IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CONSTITUTES A FINDING BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE THAT ANY DOCUMENT FILED UNDER RSA 421-B IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING. NEITHER ANY SUCH FACT NOR THE FACT THAT AN EXEMPTION OR EXCEPTION IS AVAILABLE FOR A SECURITY OR A TRANSACTION MEANS THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS PASSED IN ANY WAY UPON THE MERITS OR QUALIFICATIONS OF, OR RECOMMENDED OR GIVEN APPROVAL TO, ANY PERSON, SECURITY, OR TRANSACTION. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE, OR CAUSE TO BE MADE, TO ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER, CUSTOMER OR CLIENT ANY REPRESENTATION INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus contains assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events, in particular under the headings "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". These statements are intended as "forward-looking statements." We may also from time to time make forward-looking statements in our periodic reports that we will file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, other information sent to our security holders, and other written materials. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events may and often do vary from actual results and the differences can be material.

        All statements in this document that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, such matters as:

    future operating or financial results;

    statements about future, pending or recent acquisitions, business strategy, areas of possible expansion, and expected capital spending or operating expenses;

    statements about tanker market trends, including charter rates and factors affecting supply and demand;

    expectations about the availability of vessels to purchase, the time which it may take to construct new vessels, or vessels' useful lives; and

    our ability to obtain additional financing.

        When used in this document, words such as "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

        We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this prospectus might not occur, and our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.


INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENFORCEABILITY OF JUDGMENTS
AND THE EFFECT OF FOREIGN LAW

        We are a Bermuda exempted company and we operate through our vessel owning subsidiaries located in the Bahamas, the Isle of Man, Liberia, Panama and Singapore. Our executive offices are located outside of the United States. The majority of our directors, officers and the experts named in this prospectus reside outside of the United States. In addition, substantially all 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 on some of these persons.

        We have been advised by our Bermuda counsel, Mello, Jones & Martin, that the United States and Bermuda do not currently have a treaty providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments obtained in civil and commercial matters and that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of Bermuda would (1) enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal or state securities laws or (2) entertain original actions brought in Bermuda against us or such persons, predicated upon the United States federal and state securities laws. As a result, it may be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in United States courts against our assets located outside the United States, and it

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may be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in United States courts against our directors, officers and experts that are not in the United States.

        We have appointed Seward & Kissel LLP as our authorized agent upon which process may be served in any action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the notes and instituted in any United States federal or state court having subject matter jurisdiction in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, New York. In connection therewith, we have irrevocably submitted to the jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding in the United States with respect to the indenture or the notes.


INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

        Some of the industry and market data used throughout this prospectus were obtained through company research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties and industry and general publications. We believe that this information is accurate and accordingly rely on it in this prospectus, however, neither we nor any of our respective affiliates have undertaken any independent investigation to confirm the accuracy or completeness of such information. In addition, some of the shipping industry information, statistics and charts contained in the section entitled "Industry" have been compiled by P.F. Bassøe AS & Co. ("P.F. Bassøe"), a leading shipping industry consultant.


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GLOSSARY OF SHIPPING TERMS

        The following are definitions of certain terms that are commonly used in the tanker shipping industry and in this Prospectus.

        Aframax tanker.     Tanker ranging in size from 80,000 dwt to 120,000 dwt.

        Annual survey.     The inspection of a vessel pursuant to international conventions, by a classification society surveyor, on behalf of the flag state, that takes place every year.

        Ballast.     A substance, usually water, used to improve the stability and control the draft of a ship.

        Bareboat charter.     Charter of a vessel under which the shipowner is usually paid a fixed amount of charterhire for a certain period of time during which the charterer is responsible for the operating and voyage costs of the vessel and for the management of the vessel, including crewing. A bareboat charter is also known as a "demise charter" or a "time charter by demise."

        Bunkers.     Heavy fuel oil used to power the engines of a vessel.

        Charter.     The hire of a vessel for a specified period of time or to carry a cargo from a loading port to a discharging port. The contract for a charter is called a charterparty.

        Charterer.     The company that hires a vessel.

        Charterhire.     A sum of money paid to the shipowner by a charterer under a charter for the use of a vessel.

        Classification society.     An independent society that certifies that a vessel has been built and maintained according to the society's rules for that type of vessel and complies with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of the vessel and the international conventions of which that country is a member. A vessel that receives its certification from time to time is referred to as being "in-class."

        Contract of Affreightment.     A contract for the carriage of a specific type and quantity of cargo which will be carried in two or more shipments over an agreed period of time, usually for more than one year.

        Demurrage.     The delaying of a ship caused by a voyage charterer's failure to take on or discharge its cargo before the time of scheduled departure. The term is also used to describe the payment owed by the voyage charterer for such delay.

        Double-bottom.     Hull construction design in which a vessel has watertight protective spaces that do not carry any oil and which separate the bottom of tanks that hold any oil within the cargo tank length from the outer skin of the vessel.

        Double hull.     Hull construction design in which a vessel has an inner and outer side and bottom separated by void space, usually several feet in width.

        Double side.     Hull construction design in which a vessel has watertight protective spaces that do not carry any oil and which separate the sides of tanks that hold any oil within the cargo tank length from the outer skin of the vessel.

        Drydocking.     The removal of a vessel from the water for inspection and/or repair of those parts of a vessel which are below the water line.

        Dwt.     Deadweight ton. A unit of a vessel's capacity, for cargo, fuel oil, stores and crew, measured in metric tons of 1,000 kilograms.

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        Gross ton.     Unit of 100 cubic feet or 2.831 cubic meters.

        Hull.     Shell or body of a ship.

        IMO.     International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency that issues international standards for shipping.

        Lightering.     To put cargo in a lighter to partially discharge a vessel or to reduce her draft. A lighter is a small vessel used to transport cargo from a vessel anchored offshore.

        Newbuilding.     A new vessel under construction or just completed.

        OBO carrier.     Oil/bulk/ore carrier. A vessel that is designed to carry either oil or dry bulk cargoes, such as ores and minerals, coal, grain forest products and iron/steel products.

        Off hire.     The period a vessel is unable to perform the services for which it is immediately required under a time charter. Off hire periods include days spent on repairs, drydocking and surveys, whether or not scheduled.

        OPA.     The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

        Operating Costs.     The costs of operating a vessel that is incurred during a charter, primarily consisting of crew wages and associated costs, insurance premiums, lubricants and spare parts, and repair and maintenance costs. For a time charter or a voyage charter, the shipowner pays operating costs. For a bareboat charter, the charterer pays operating costs.

        Panamax tanker.     A tanker of approximately 50,000 to 80,000 dwt. The term is derived from the maximum length, breadth and draft capable of passing fully loaded through the Panama Canal.

        Petroleum products.     Refined crude oil products, such as fuel oils, gasoline and jet fuel.

        Protection and indemnity insurance.     Insurance obtained through a mutual association formed by shipowners to provide liability insurance protection against large financial loss to one member by contribution towards that loss by all members.

        Scrapping.     The disposal of old vessel tonnage by way of sale as scrap metal.

        Single hull.     Hull construction design in which a vessel has only one hull.

        Special survey.     The inspection of a vessel by a classification society surveyor that takes place every four to five years.

        Spot market.     The market for immediate chartering a vessel, usually for single voyages.

        Suezmax tanker.     Tanker ranging in size from 120,000 dwt to 200,000 dwt. The term is derived from the maximum length, breadth and draft capable of passing fully loaded through the Suez Canal.

        Tanker.     Ship designed for the carriage of liquid cargoes in bulk with cargo space consisting of many tanks. Tankers carry a variety of products including crude oil, refined products, liquid chemicals and liquid gas.

        Time charter.     Charter under which the shipowner is paid charterhire on a per day basis for a certain period of time. The shipowner is responsible for providing the crew and paying operating costs while the charterer is responsible for paying the voyage costs. Any delays at port or during the voyages are the responsibility of the charterer, save for certain specific exceptions such as off-hire.

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        Time charter equivalent.     A measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis determined by dividing net voyage revenues by voyage days for the applicable time period. For bareboat charters, operating costs are added to revenues attributable to such charters.

        ULCC.     Ultra large crude carrier. Tanker that is 320,000 dwt or greater in size.

        VLCC.     Very large crude carrier. Tanker ranging in size from 200,000 to 320,000 dwt.

        Voyage charter.     Charter under which a shipowner is paid freight on the basis of moving cargo from a loading port to a discharge port. The shipowner is responsible for paying both operating costs and voyage costs. The charterer is typically responsible for any delay at the loading or discharging ports.

        Voyage costs.     Bunker costs, port charges and canal dues (or tolls) incurred during the course of a voyage.

        Voyage revenues.     Revenues generated from voyage charters and time charters.

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SUMMARY

         This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus, including documents that are incorporated by reference. Before investing in the notes you should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the section entitled "Risk Factors" and our financial statements and related notes for a more complete understanding of our business and this offering. Unless we specify otherwise, all references and data in this prospectus to our business, our vessels and our fleet refers to our fleet of 46 vessels that we acquired in the first quarter of 2004. Unless we specify otherwise, all references in this prospectus to "we," "our," "us" and the "Company" refer to Ship Finance International Limited and our subsidiaries, and not to Frontline or its other affiliates.

Overview

        We were formed in October 2003 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline Ltd. (NYSE: FRO), which is one of the largest owners and operators of large crude oil tankers in the world. We purchased a fleet of 46 crude oil tankers from Frontline, which we have chartered under long term, fixed rate charters to Frontline Shipping Limited, also a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline that we refer to as the Charterer. We also acquired from Frontline an option to purchase one additional VLCC tanker, which we expect to exercise before the end of 2004. The Charterer was initially capitalized with $250 million in cash provided by Frontline to support its obligation to make payments to us under the charters. We have also entered into fixed rate management and administrative services agreements with Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd., which we refer as Frontline Management, also a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, to provide for the operation and maintenance of our vessels and administrative support services. These arrangements are intended to provide us with stable cash flow and reduce our exposure to volatility in the markets for seaborne oil transportation services.

Our Fleet

        The vessels we acquired from Frontline, including the vessel under option, consist of 23 very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, each having a capacity of 275,000 to 308,000 dwt, and 24 Suezmax tankers, each having a capacity of 142,000 to 169,000 dwt. Our fleet is one of the largest tanker fleets in the world, with a combined deadweight tonnage of 10.5 million dwt, and has an average age of 8.6 years as of December 31, 2003. Thirteen of our VLCCs and 16 of our Suezmax tankers are of double hull construction, with the remainder being modern single hull or double sided vessels built since 1990.

        Our tankers primarily transport crude oil. VLCCs, due to their size, principally operate on routes from the Middle East to the Far East, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, or LOOP. Suezmax tankers are similarly designed for worldwide trade, although the trade for those vessels is mainly in the Atlantic basin on routes between Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the United States. Eight of our Suezmax tankers are oil/bulk/ore carriers, or OBO carriers, which can be configured to carry either oil or dry cargo as market conditions warrant.

Strategy

        Our long term charters with the Charterer are our sole source of operating income. We currently plan to grow our fleet and to replace vessels as they are retired with modern double hull vessels to maintain stable cash flow and the quality of our fleet. We expect that our replacement and growth vessels will be either existing or newly built VLCC or Suezmax tankers. Depending on market conditions, we may charter any additional vessels that we acquire on long or short term time charters or in the spot markets. We may also seek to diversify our customer base by securing charters with companies other than the Charterer. Frontline currently intends to distribute approximately 40% of our shares to Frontline's shareholders, at which time we will seek to list our shares on the New York Stock Exchange. We cannot assure you that this distribution will occur.

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Competitive Strengths

        We believe that our fleet, together with our contractual arrangements with Frontline, give us a number of competitive strengths, including:

    one of the largest and most modern VLCC and Suezmax fleets in the world;

    fixed rate, long term charters intended to reduce our exposure to volatility in tanker rates;

    profit sharing potential when the Charterer's earnings from deploying our vessels exceed certain levels;

    substantially fixed operating costs under our management agreements;

    a charter counterparty initially capitalized with $250 million to support its obligation to make charter payments to us; and

    vessels managed by Frontline Management, which we believe is one of the industry's most experienced operators of tankers.

Fleet Purchase Agreement

        Pursuant to a fleet purchase agreement executed in December 2003, we have acquired from Frontline 46 vessel owning subsidiaries and one subsidiary that holds an option to purchase an additional vessel for an aggregate purchase price of $950 million, excluding working capital and other intercompany balances retained by Frontline. We also assumed senior secured indebtedness with respect to our fleet of 46 vessels in the amount of approximately $1.158 billion. The purchase price for the fleet and the refinancing of the existing senior secured indebtedness were financed through a combination of the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to the initial purchasers, funds from a $1.058 billion senior secured credit facility and a deemed equity contribution from Frontline. The charters and the management agreements were each given economic effect as of January 1, 2004.

Time Charters

        We have chartered the vessels that we acquired from Frontline to the Charter under long term time charters, which will extend for various periods depending on the age of the vessels, ranging from approximately seven to 23 years.

        With certain exceptions, the daily base charter rates, which are payable to us monthly in advance, for a maximum of 360 days per year (361 days per leap year), are as follows:

Year

  VLCC
  Suezmax
2003 to 2006   $ 25,575   $ 21,100
2007 to 2010   $ 25,175   $ 20,700
2011 and beyond   $ 24,175   $ 19,700

These daily base charter rates are subject to reductions after some periods and to deferral rights that we describe more fully in this prospectus under "Business—Charter Arrangements."

        In addition to the base charter rates, the Charterer has agreed to pay us a profit sharing payment equal to 20% of its excess revenues, calculated annually on a time charter equivalent, or TCE, basis, realized by the Charterer for our fleet above a weighted average rate of $25,575 per day for each VLCC and $21,100 per day for each Suezmax tanker.

The Charterer

        The Charterer was initially capitalized by Frontline with $250 million in cash, which will serve to support the Charterer's obligations to make charter payments to us. The Charterer is entitled to use these funds only (1) to make charter payments to us and (2) for reasonable working capital to meet

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short term voyage expenses. The Charterer's obligations to us under the charters are secured by a lien over all the assets of the Charterer and a pledge of the equity interests of the Charterer.

        The Charterer is a Bermuda corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, formed to charter the vessels in our fleet and to engage in matters necessary or incidental to that business. Under its constituent documents, the Charterer is not permitted to engage in other businesses or activities and is required to have at least one independent director on its board of directors whose consent is required to approve bankruptcy actions and other extraordinary transactions.

Management and Administrative Services Agreements

        To give us added certainty with respect to the costs of operating our vessels, our vessel owning subsidiaries have entered into fixed rate management agreements with Frontline Management. Under the management agreements, Frontline Management is responsible for all technical management of the vessels, including crewing, maintenance, repair, capital expenditures, drydocking, vessel taxes, maintaining insurance and other vessel operating expenses. Frontline Management will also reimburse us for all lost charter revenue caused by our vessels being off hire for more than five days per year on a fleet-wide basis. Under the management agreements, we pay Frontline Management a fixed fee of $6,500 per day per vessel for all of these services, for as long as the relevant charter is in place. Frontline has guaranteed to us Frontline Management's performance under these management agreements.

        We have also entered into an administrative services agreement with Frontline Management under which Frontline Management provides us with administrative support services. We and each of our vessel owning subsidiaries pay Frontline Management a fixed fee of $20,000 per year for its services under the agreement, and agree to reimburse Frontline Management for reasonable third party costs.

        Because Frontline Management has assumed full managerial responsibility for our fleet and our administrative services, we currently do not have management or employees who are not also officers or employees of Frontline. We have one independent director, while each of our other directors is also a director or executive officer of Frontline.

Structure

        The following diagram depicts our ownership and contractual structure. This diagram does not depict Frontline's other activities.

CHART

11


Our Contractual Cash Flow

        The following table sets forth the aggregate contracted charter revenue that is payable to us under our charters with the Charterer, together with the management fees that are payable by us under the management agreements and the administrative services agreement, but does not include any debt service or other expenses. These figures do not include any profit sharing payments or reflect charter payment deferrals. These amounts are based on our current fleet of 46 vessels and include the additional VLCC under option from January 1, 2005. This table assumes that all parties fully perform their obligations under the relevant agreements and that none of the charters are terminated due to loss of the vessel or otherwise, except for the charters for our non-double hull vessels, which are assumed to be terminated after 2010. Factors beyond our control may affect other parties' ability to satisfy their contractual obligations to us, and we cannot assure you that these results will actually be achieved. These factors may include, among others, a decline in tanker charter rates that could prevent the Charterer from earning sufficient revenue to satisfy its obligation to us if the $250 million cash reserve provided by Frontline is not sufficient to cover any deficiency. Please see "Risks Relating to Our Business—We depend on the Charterer for all of our operating cash flow" and "The Charterer's ability to pay charterhire to us could be materially and adversely affected by volatility in the tanker markets". For more complete information about the rates and terms of our charters, please see "Business—Charter Arrangements".

Year

  Charter
Payments

  Management and
Administrative
Fees

  Net
Contracted
Cash Payments

 
  (dollars in millions)

2004   $ 385.9   $ 110.9   $ 275.0
2005     394.1     112.9     281.2
2006     394.1     112.9     281.2
2007     387.3     112.9     274.4
2008     388.4     113.3     275.1
2009     383.0     112.9     270.1
2010     370.4     112.9     257.5
2011     226.6     69.9     156.7
2012     219.4     70.1     149.3
2013     214.1     69.9     144.2
2014 and beyond     1,517.1     496.8     1,020.3
   
 
 
Total   $ 4,880   $ 1,495.4   $ 3,385.0
   
 
 

12



SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

        The following summary contains basic information about the exchange notes and is not intended to be complete. For a more complete understanding of the exchange notes, please refer to the section of this prospectus entitled "Description of Exchange Notes".

Exchange Offer   We are offering to exchange up to $580,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of our 8 1 / 2 % Senior notes due 2013 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, in exchange for any or all of our outstanding 8 1 / 2 % Senior notes due 2013. In this prospectus, we refer to the unregistered notes as the outstanding notes and the registered notes as the exchange notes. We refer to both the outstanding and the exchange notes collectively as the notes. The issuance of the exchange notes is intended to satisfy some of our obligations under the registration rights agreement entered into in connection with our private placement of the outstanding notes. For procedures for tendering your outstanding notes, please see the section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer". The exchange notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000, and integral multiples of $1,000.

Expiration Date

 

This exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 21, 2004, unless we extend the expiration date. Please read the section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Extensions, Delay in Acceptance, Termination or Amendment" for more information about the expiration date of the exchange offer.

Withdrawal of Tenders

 

You are entitled to withdraw your election to tender outstanding notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. We will return to you, without charge, promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer any outstanding notes that you tendered but that were not accepted for exchange.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

 

We will not be required to accept outstanding notes for exchange:

 

 


 

if the exchange offer would be unlawful or would violate any interpretation of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, or

 

 


 

if any legal action has been instituted or threatened that would impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer.

 

 

The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes being tendered. For more information about the conditions to the exchange offer please read the section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer".
         

13



Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes

 

If your outstanding notes are held through The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to in this prospectus as DTC, and you wish to participate in the exchange offer, you may do so through DTC's automated tender offer program. If you tender under this program, you will agree to be bound by the letter of transmittal that we are providing with this prospectus as though you had signed the letter of transmittal. By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

 

 


 

any exchange notes that you receive will be acquired in the ordinary course of your business;

 

 


 

you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933) of the exchange notes in violation of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

 


 

you are not an "affiliate" of ours or of any of our subsidiaries within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933; and

 

 


 

if you are a broker-dealer that will receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding notes that you acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes.

Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners

 

If you own a beneficial interest in outstanding notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender the outstanding notes in the exchange offer, please contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct the registered holder to tender on your behalf and to comply with our instructions described in this prospectus.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

 

You must tender your outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described on page 88 of this prospectus under the heading "The Exchange Offer—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" if any of the following apply:

 

 


 

you wish to tender your outstanding notes but they are not immediately available;

 

 


 

you cannot deliver your outstanding notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent, who is identified below, before the expiration date; or

 

 


 

you cannot comply with the applicable procedures under DTC's automated tender offer program before to the expiration date.
         

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Resales

 

Except as indicated in this prospectus, we believe that the exchange notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, provided that:

 

 


 

you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business;

 

 


 

you are not participating, do not intend to participate, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution of the exchange notes; and

 

 


 

you are not an affiliate of the Company.

 

 

Our belief is based on existing interpretations of the Securities Act of 1933 by the SEC staff set forth in several no-action letters to third parties. We do not intend to seek our own no-action letter, and there is no assurance that the SEC staff would make a similar determination with respect to the exchange notes. If this interpretation is inapplicable, and you transfer any exchange note without delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 or without an exemption from such requirements, you may incur liability under the Securities Act of 1933. We do not assume or indemnify holders of notes against such liability.

 

 

Each broker-dealer that is issued exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding notes that were acquired by that broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. Broker-dealers who acquired outstanding notes directly from us will not be eligible to receive exchange notes in return for those outstanding notes. A broker-dealer may use this prospectus for an offer to resell, resale or other transfer of the exchange notes. Please read the section of this prospectus entitled "Plan of Distribution" for more information regarding the resale of the exchange notes.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes under the exchange offer will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. You will not recognize any taxable gain or loss or any interest income as a result of such exchange. For more information about tax considerations of the exchange offer please read the section of the prospectus entitled "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences".
         

15



Use of proceeds

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer. We are making this exchange offer solely to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement. We will pay all our expenses incident to the exchange offer.

Registration Rights

 

If we fail to complete the exchange offer as required by the registration rights agreement, we may be obligated to pay additional interest to holders of outstanding notes.

Exchange Agent

 

Wilmington Trust Company is the exchange agent for this exchange offer. Please direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for the notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent. If you are not tendering under DTC's automated tender offer program, you should send the letter of transmittal and any other required documents to the exchange agent as follows:

 

 

 

 

Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
Attention: Mary St. Amand
Assistant Vice President
Telephone: (302) 636-6436
Facsimile: (302) 636-4145

16



SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES

        The summary below describes the principal terms of the exchange notes. Some of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. A more detailed description of the terms and conditions of the exchange notes is contained in this prospectus in the section entitled "Description of the Exchange Notes".

Issuer   Ship Finance International Limited.
Securities   $580 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2013, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The terms of the exchange notes and the outstanding notes are identical in all material respects, except that the exchange notes will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with the registration rights agreement. The same indenture will govern the exchange notes as governs the outstanding notes.

Maturity

 

December 15, 2013.

Interest payment dates

 

June 15 and December 15, commencing June 15, 2004.

Optional redemption

 

The notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 15, 2008, at the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

 

 

At any time prior to December 15, 2006, we may redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of one or more equity offerings of our common stock at a redemption price of 108 1 / 2 % of the principal amount of the notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

Optional tax redemption

 

The notes are redeemable, in whole, but not in part, at our option, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, in the event of a change in tax law requiring the imposition of withholding taxes by any relevant tax jurisdiction.

Guarantees

 

The notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our current subsidiaries and any future restricted subsidiaries. The guarantees will be unsecured senior indebtedness of our subsidiary guarantors and will have the same ranking with respect to indebtedness of our subsidiary guarantors as the exchange notes will have with respect to our indebtedness. Neither Frontline nor any of its other subsidiaries has guaranteed the notes.

Ranking

 

The notes will:

 

 


 

be our unsecured obligations;

 

 


 

rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness;
         

17



 

 


 

be effectively junior to our $1.058 billion senior secured credit facility that we have entered into as of the date of this prospectus and to any future senior secured indebtedness; and

 

 


 

be senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness.

 

 

For more information about our $1.058 billion senior credit facility, please read the section of this prospectus entitled "Description of Existing Credit Facility".

Covenants

 

The outstanding notes were issued under an indenture with Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. The indenture, among other things, limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

 


 

incur additional debt;

 

 


 

issue redeemable stock and preferred stock;

 

 


 

pay dividends on our common stock;

 

 


 

repurchase capital stock;

 

 


 

make other restricted payments including, without limitation, investments;

 

 


 

redeem debt that is junior in right of payment to the notes;

 

 


 

create liens;

 

 


 

sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries;

 

 


 

enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries;

 

 


 

amend certain of our material agreements prior to a successful public listing;

 

 


 

enter into mergers or consolidations;

 

 


 

enter into transactions with affiliates; and

 

 


 

enter into sale/leaseback transactions.

 

 

These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications, which are discussed in more detail in the section of this prospectus entitled "Description of the Exchange Notes".
         

18



Additional amounts

 

All payments with respect to the notes will be made without withholding or deduction for taxes imposed by Bermuda or any jurisdiction from or through which payment on the notes is made unless required by law or the interpretation or administration thereof, in which case, subject to some exceptions, we will pay additional amounts as may be necessary so that the net amount received by the holders after such withholding or deduction will not be less than the amount that would have been received in the absence of such withholding or deduction.

Mandatory offers to purchase

 

Upon the occurrence of a change of control, you will have the right to require us to purchase all or a portion of your exchange notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.

 

 

In connection with some asset dispositions, we may be required to use the proceeds from those asset dispositions to make an offer to purchase the notes at 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase if such proceeds are not otherwise used within 360 days to repay some types of indebtedness, or to invest in assets related to our business.

Registration rights agreement

 

You will be entitled to the payment of additional interest if we do not comply with the obligations of the registration rights agreement within the specified time periods.

Absence of public market for the notes

 

The exchange notes are a new issue of securities and there is currently no established trading market for the notes. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the exchange notes. The initial purchasers of the outstanding notes have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the exchange notes. However, they are not obligated to do so, and any market making with respect to the exchange notes may be discontinued without notice. We do not intend to apply for a listing of the exchange notes on any securities exchange or an automated dealer quotation system.


RISK FACTORS

        In evaluating participation in the exchange offer, you should carefully consider, along with the other information set forth in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the specific factors set forth under "Risk Factors" for risks involved with an investment in the notes.

19




SUMMARY COMBINED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

        The following summary combined financial and other data summarize our historical combined financial information. The summary combined income statement data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, 2001 and the summary combined balance sheet data with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 have been derived from our audited predecessor combined carve-out financial statements included herein. The combined balance sheet data with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 has been derived from our audited predecessor combined carve-out financial statements not included herein. The summary combined financial data are not necessarily indicative of our future results. The following standalone financial information as at December 31, 2003 has been derived from our audited standalone financial statements included herein. This information should be read in conjunction with "Selected Combined Financial and Other Data", "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our historical predecessor combined carve-out financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

    Predecessor Combined Carve-Out Financial Information

 
  Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)

 
Income Statement Data:                    
  Total operating revenues   $ 695,068   $ 365,174   $ 486,655  
  Net operating income     348,816     86,091     230,718  
  Net income     334,812     18,024     212,010  
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):                    
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 26,519   $ 20,634   $ 26,041  
  Total assets     2,156,348     2,123,607     1,951,353  
  Stockholders' equity     822,026     485,605     466,742  
Cash Flow Data                    
  Cash provided by operating activities   $ 415,523   $ 115,658   $ 307,167  
  Cash provided by (used in) investing activities     (51,632 )   (261,779 )   (271,850 )
  Cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (358,006 )   140,714     (24,549 )
Other Financial Data                    
  EBITDA(1)   $ 470,078   $ 162,554   $ 330,687  
Fleet Data                    
  Number of wholly owned vessels (end of period)     43     42     38  
  Number of vessels owned in joint ventures (end of period)     6     9     7  
Average Daily Time Charter Equivalent(2)                    
  VLCCs   $ 40,400   $ 22,200   $ 34,600  
  Suezmaxes   $ 33,500   $ 18,400   $ 30,600  
  Suezmax OBOs   $ 32,000   $ 17,700   $ 28,900  

(1)
EBITDA is defined as net income before taxes, interest expense, interest income, depreciation and amortization and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. We believe that EBITDA is a relevant measurement for assessing performance since it attempts to eliminate variances caused by the effects of differences in taxation, the amount and types of capital employed and depreciation and amortization policies. EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered by investors as an alternative to income from operations or net income as an indicator of our performance. The EBITDA disclosed here is not necessarily comparable to EBITDA disclosed by other companies

20


    because EBITDA is not uniformly defined. The following table reconciles EBITDA to Net Income for the 12-month periods ending December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003:

 
  Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)

 
Net income (loss)   334,812   18,024   212,010  
Interest income   (5,866 ) (8,511 ) (4,346 )
Interest expense   35,117   42,126   58,892  
Depreciation and amortization   106,015   96,773   88,603  
Change in Accounting Principle     14,142   (24,472 )
   
 
 
 
EBITDA   470,078   162,554   330,687  

(2)
Time charter equivalent, or TCE, is a standard industry measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel. This is calculated by dividing net operating revenues by the number of days on charter. Net operating revenues are revenues minus voyage expenses. Days spent off hire are excluded from this calculation.

21



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Audited Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003 on a Stand Alone Basis

(in thousands of $)

ASSETS      
Current Assets      
  Restricted cash   565,500  
  Other receivables   211  
   
 
  Total current assets   565,711  
   
 
Deferred charges   16,481  
   
 
  Total assets   582,192  
   
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 
Current liabilities      
  Trade accounts payable    
  Accrued expenses   4,015  
  Amount due to parent company   102  
   
 
  Total current liabilities   4,117  
Long-term liabilities      
  Long term debt   580,000  
   
 
  Total liabilities   584,117  
Commitments and contingencies    
Stockholders' equity      
  Share capital (12,000 shares of $1 authorized and issued)   12  
  Retained deficit   (1,937 )
   
 
  Total stockholders' equity   (1,925 )
   
 
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   582,192  
   
 

22



RISK FACTORS

         An investment in the notes involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and other information included in this prospectus before investing in the notes.

Risks Related to the Notes

We may not be able to satisfy our obligations to holders of the notes upon a change of control.

        In the event of a change of control, we may be required to offer to purchase all of the outstanding notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase. It is possible that we will not have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control to make the required repurchase of the notes or that restrictions in our other indebtedness may not allow these repurchases. Our failure to purchase notes that we are required to purchase would be a default under the indenture.

The notes are effectively subordinated to our and the subsidiary guarantors' secured indebtedness.

        The notes and the guarantees will be our and the subsidiary guarantors' unsecured obligations and will be effectively subordinated to our and their secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that debt. We currently have outstanding senior secured indebtedness of $1.058 billion that is secured by the vessels owned by each of our vessel owning subsidiaries. The effect of this subordination is that upon a default in payment on, or the acceleration of, any indebtedness under our credit facilities or other secured indebtedness, or in the event of our or a subsidiary guarantor's bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding, our assets and those of the subsidiary guarantors that secure indebtedness will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all indebtedness under our expected credit facilities or other secured indebtedness has been paid in full from those assets. We may not have sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the notes then outstanding. The notes also will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future obligations, including indebtedness, of any of our future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes, and the claims of creditors of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes will have priority as to those subsidiaries' assets.

A court may void the guarantees of the notes or subordinate the guarantees to other obligations of the guarantors.

        Although standards may vary depending upon applicable law, a court could void all or a portion of the guarantees of the notes or subordinate the guarantees to other obligations of the guarantors. If the claims of the holders of the notes against any guarantor were voided or held to be subordinated in favor of other creditors of that guarantor, the other creditors would be entitled to be paid in full before any payment could be made on the notes. If one or more of the guarantees is voided or subordinated, we cannot assure you that after providing for all prior claims, there would be sufficient assets remaining to satisfy the claims of the holders of the notes.

In the future, we intend to pay significant cash dividends on our equity.

        If our equity becomes publicly traded, we contemplate making significant cash dividends to our shareholders to the extent permitted by the indenture and the terms of our credit facilities. In that case we will not likely hold any significant cash reserves other than amounts that our board of directors may from time to time deem necessary for the conduct of our business. Our expected credit facilities and the indenture governing the notes will permit us to make significant distributions on our equity.

23



You may be unable to sell the notes because there is no public trading market for the notes.

        The exchange notes will constitute a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of any trading market that may develop for the exchange notes. We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any national securities exchange, although we do expect that they will be eligible for trading in the PORTAL market. In addition, although the initial purchasers have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market-making activities at any time without notice. If an active market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the exchange notes may be adversely affected. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of the market for the exchange notes or the prices at which you may be able to sell the exchange notes.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We depend on the Charterer for all of our operating cash flow.

        All of our vessels are chartered to the Charterer under long term time charters, and the Charterer's payments to us are currently our sole source of operating cash flow. The Charterer is a newly formed entity created to charter our fleet and has no business or sources of funds other than those related to the chartering of our fleet to third parties and no assets other than, initially, $250 million in cash provided by Frontline, which serves to support the Charterer's obligations to make charter payments to us under the charters. Neither Frontline nor any of its affiliates guarantees the payment of the charter payments or is obligated to contribute additional capital to the Charterer at any time.

        Although there are restrictions on the Charterer's rights to use its cash to pay dividends or make other distributions if its cash reserves are below the specified minimum reserve requirement, the Charterer is permitted to use its cash reserves to pay charter payments to us and for reasonable working capital purposes. Accordingly, at any given time in the future, its cash reserves may be diminished or exhausted, and we cannot assure you that the Charterer will be able to make charter payments to us. If the Charterer is unable to make charter payments to us, our results of operations and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.

The Charterer's ability to pay charterhire to us could be materially and adversely affected by volatility in the tanker markets.

        The Charterer subcharters our vessels to end users under long term time charters, on the spot charter market, or under contracts of affreightment under which our vessels carry an agreed upon quantity of cargo over a specified route and time period. As a result, it is directly exposed to the risk of volatility in tanker charter rates. Tanker charter rates have historically fluctuated significantly based upon many factors, including:

    global and regional economic and political conditions;

    changes in production of crude oil, particularly by OPEC and other key producers;

    developments in international trade;

    changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, including changes in the distances that cargoes are transported;

    environmental concerns and regulations;

    weather; and

    competition from alternative sources of energy.

24


        Tanker charter rates also tend to be subject to seasonal variations, with demand (and rates) normally higher in winter months.

        The Charterer's successful operation of our vessels in the tanker charter market will depend on, among other things, its ability to obtain profitable tanker charters. We cannot assure you that future tanker charters will be available to the Charterer at rates sufficient to enable the Charterer to meet its obligations to pay charterhire to us.

We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline and depend on officers and directors of Frontline for our management, which may create conflicts of interest.

        We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline. For so long as Frontline owns at least a majority of our outstanding common shares, it will generally be able to control the outcome of any shareholder vote, including the election of directors. We do not have any employees or officers who are not employees or officers of Frontline. Although we do have one independent director, all of our other directors are directors or executive officers of Frontline. These directors owe fiduciary duties to the shareholders of each company and may have conflicts of interest in matters involving or affecting us and Frontline, including matters arising under our agreements with Frontline and its affiliates. In addition, due to their ownership of Frontline common shares, some of these individuals may have conflicts of interest when faced with decisions that could have different implications for Frontline than they do for us. We cannot assure you that any of these conflicts of interest will be resolved in our favor.

The agreements between us and Frontline and its other affiliates may be less favorable than agreements that we could obtain from unaffiliated third parties.

        The charters, the management agreements, the charter ancillary agreement and the other contractual agreements we have with Frontline and its other affiliates were made in the context of an affiliated relationship and were negotiated in the overall context of the private offering of the notes to the initial purchasers and other related transactions. Because we are a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, the negotiation of these agreements may have resulted in prices and other terms that are less favorable to us than terms we might have obtained in arm's length negotiations with unaffiliated third parties for similar services.

Frontline's other business activities may create conflicts of interest with Frontline.

        While Frontline has agreed to cause the Charterer to use its commercial best efforts to employ our vessels on market terms and not to give preferential treatment in the marketing of any other vessels owned or managed by Frontline or its other affiliates, it is possible that conflicts of interests in this regard will adversely affect us. Under our charter ancillary agreement with the Charterer and Frontline, we are entitled to receive annual profit sharing payments to the extent that the average TCE rates realized by the Charterer exceed specified levels. Because Frontline also owns or manages other vessels in addition to our fleet, which are not included in the profit sharing calculation, conflicts of interest may arise between us and Frontline in the allocation of chartering opportunities that could limit our fleet's earnings and reduce our profit sharing payments or charter payments under our charters.

Holders of notes must rely on us to enforce our rights against our contract counterparties.

        Holders of exchange notes will have no direct right to enforce the obligations of the Charterer, Frontline Management or Frontline under the charters and related agreements, the Frontline performance guarantee or the management agreements with Frontline Management. Accordingly, if any of those counterparties were to breach their obligations to us under any of these agreements, holders of notes would have to rely on us to pursue our remedies against those counterparties. Under the

25



indenture, some breaches of these agreements by the counterparties will constitute an event of default under the notes only prior to our completing a successful public listing, after which they will not be an event of default. A distribution by Frontline to its shareholders of 40% of our shares and a listing of our shares with the New York Stock Exchange would constitute a successful public listing for this purpose.

If our charters or management agreements terminate, we could be exposed to increased volatility in our business and financial results.

        If any of our charters terminate, it is unlikely that we would be able to re-charter these vessels on a long term basis with terms similar to the terms of our charters with the Charterer. While the terms of our current charters end between 2014 and 2025, the Charterer has the option to terminate the charters of our non double hull vessels in 2010. One or more of the charters with respect to our vessels may also terminate in the event of a requisition for title or a loss of a vessel. We may acquire additional vessels in the future and we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into similar charters with the Charterer or with a third party charterer. In addition, under our vessel management agreements with Frontline Management, for a fixed management fee Frontline Management is responsible for all of the technical and operational management of our vessels, and will indemnify us against certain losses of hire and various other liabilities relating to the operation of the vessels. Our current management agreements with Frontline Management may be terminated if the relevant charter is terminated. If our management agreements with Frontline Management were to terminate or we were to acquire additional vessels in the future, we do not believe we could obtain similar fixed rate terms from an independent third party.

        With respect to any vessels we acquire that are not subject to the charter and management agreements with the Charterer and Frontline Management, we will be directly exposed to all of the operational and other risks associated with operating our vessels as described in these risk factors. As a result, our future cash flow could be more volatile and we could be exposed to increases in our vessel operating expenses, each of which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and business and our ability to meet the debt service obligations on our senior secured indebtedness and the notes.

An increase in interest rates could materially and adversely affect our financial performance.

        We have outstanding approximately $1.058 billion in floating rate debt under a senior secured credit facility as of the date of this prospectus. Although we use interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate exposure from a portion of our floating rate debt, if interest rates rise, interest payments on our floating rate debt that we have not swapped into effectively fixed rates would increase. As of March 22, 2004 we have entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest on $500.0 million of our outstanding indebtedness. Any such increase could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to make payments on the notes.

Because we are a newly formed company with no separate operating history, our historical financial and operating data will not be representative of our future results.

        We are a newly formed company with no separate operating history. The predecessor combined carve-out financial statements included in this prospectus have been prepared on a carve-out basis and reflect the historical business activities of Frontline relating to our vessel owning subsidiaries. These predecessor financial statements do not reflect the results we would have obtained under our current fixed rate long term charters and management agreements and therefore are not a meaningful representation of our future results of operations.

26



We are highly leveraged and subject to restrictions in our financing agreements that impose constraints on our operating and financing flexibility.

        We have significant indebtedness outstanding and have significant principal amortization requirements during the term of the notes. We may need to refinance some or all of our indebtedness on maturity but we cannot assure you we will be able to do so. We may incur additional debt following this offering subject to limitations under our credit facilities and the indenture. These limitations include:

    limitations on our incurrence of additional indebtedness, including our issuance of additional guarantees;

    limitations on our incurrence of liens; and

    limitations on our ability to pay dividends.

        For more detailed descriptions of these limitations, please see "Description of the Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants" and "Description of Other Indebtedness".

        Our debt service obligations require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to required payments on indebtedness and could limit our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for capital expenditures, acquisitions, and other general corporate activities. It also may limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the shipping industry or detract from our ability to successfully withstand a downturn in our business or the economy generally and place us at a competitive disadvantage against other less leveraged competitors.

An acceleration of the current prohibition to trade deadlines for our non-double hull tankers could adversely affect our operations.

        Our tanker fleet includes 18 non-double hull tankers. The United States, the European Union and the International Maritime Organization, or the IMO, have all imposed limits or prohibitions on the use of these types of tankers in specified markets after certain target dates, which range from 2010 to 2015. The sinking of the single hull m.t. Prestige offshore Spain in November 2002 has led to proposals by the European Union and the IMO to accelerate the prohibition to trade of all non-double hull tankers, with certain limited exceptions. In December 2003, the Marine Environmental Protection Committee of the IMO adopted a proposed amendment to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships to accelerate the phase out of single hull tankers from 2015 to 2010 unless the relevant flag states extend the date to 2015. This proposed amendment will take effect in April 2005 unless objected to by a sufficient number of states. We do not know whether any of our vessels will be subject to this accelerated phase-out, but this change could result in a number of our vessels being unable to trade in many markets after 2010. Moreover, the IMO may still adopt regulations in the future that could adversely affect the useful lives of our non-double hull tankers as well as our ability to generate income from them.

Compliance with safety, environmental and other governmental and other requirements may adversely affect our business.

        The shipping industry is affected by numerous regulations in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws and national and international regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which such tankers operate, as well as in the country or countries in which such tankers are registered. These regulations include the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, the IMO International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966 and the U.S. Marine Transportation Security Act of 2002. In addition, vessel classification societies also impose significant safety and other

27



requirements on our vessels. We believe our tankers are maintained in good condition in compliance with present regulatory and class requirements relevant to areas in which they operate, and are operated in compliance with applicable safety/environmental laws and regulations.

        However, regulation of tankers, particularly in the areas of safety and environmental impact may change in the future and require significant capital expenditures be incurred on our vessels to keep them in compliance.

We may incur losses when we sell vessels, which may adversely affect our earnings.

        The market value of our vessels will change depending on a number of factors, including general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry, competition, cost of vessel construction, governmental or other regulations, prevailing levels of charter rates, and technological changes. During the period a vessel is subject to a charter with the Charterer, we will not be permitted to sell it to take advantage of increases in vessel values without the Charterer's agreement. On the other hand, if the Charterer were to default under the charters due to adverse conditions in the tanker market, causing a termination of the charters, it is likely that the fair market value of vessels would be depressed in such market conditions. If we were to sell a vessel at a time when vessel prices have fallen, we could incur a loss and a reduction in earnings.

Our business has inherent operational risks, which may not be adequately covered by insurance.

        Our tankers and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather, mechanical failures, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events. In addition, transporting crude oil across a wide variety of international jurisdictions creates a risk of business interruptions due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities, labor strikes and boycotts, the potential for changes in tax rates or policies, and the potential for government expropriation of our vessels. Any of these events may result in loss of revenues, increased costs and decreased cash flows to the Charterer, which could impair its ability to make payments to us under our charters.

        In the event of a casualty to a vessel or other catastrophic event, we will rely on our insurance to pay the insured value of the vessel or the damages incurred. Under the management agreements, Frontline Management is responsible for procuring insurance for our fleet against those risks that we believe the shipping industry commonly insures against. These insurances include marine hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which includes pollution risks and crew insurances and war risk insurance. Currently, the amount of coverage for liability for pollution, spillage and leakage available to us on commercially reasonable terms through protection and indemnity associations and providers of excess coverage is $1 billion per vessel per occurrence. We cannot assure you that we will be adequately insured against all risks. Frontline Management may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for our fleet in the future. Additionally, our insurers may refuse to pay particular claims. Any significant loss or liability for which we are not insured could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Maritime claimants could arrest our tankers, which could interrupt the Charterer's or our cash flow.

        Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against that vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt the Charterer's or our cash flow and require us to pay a significant amount of money to have the arrest lifted. In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the "sister ship" theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is subject to the claimant's maritime lien and any "associated" vessel,

28



which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert "sister ship" liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another vessel in our fleet.

As our fleet ages, the risks associated with older tankers could adversely affect our operations.

        In general, the costs to maintain a tanker in good operating condition increase as the tanker ages. Due to improvements in engine technology, older tankers typically are less fuel-efficient than more recently constructed tankers. Cargo insurance rates increase with the age of a tanker, making older tankers less desirable to charterers.

        Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of tankers may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment to our tankers to comply with safety or environmental laws or regulations that may be enacted in the future. These laws or regulations may also restrict the type of activities in which our tanker may engage or the geographic regions in which they may operate. We cannot predict what alterations or modifications our vessels may be required to undergo in the future or that as our tankers age, market conditions will justify any required expenditures or enable us to operate our tankers profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.

There may be risks associated with the purchase and operation of secondhand tankers.

        Our current business strategy includes additional growth through the acquisition of secondhand tankers. Although we will inspect secondhand tankers prior to purchase, this does not normally provide us with the same knowledge about their condition that we would have had if such tankers had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Therefore, our future operating results could be negatively affected if some of the tankers do not perform as we expect. Also, we do not receive the benefit of warranties from the builders if the tankers we buy are older than one year.

If Frontline were to become insolvent, a bankruptcy court could pool our or the Charterer's assets and liabilities with those of Frontline under the equitable doctrine of substantive consolidation.

        Under United States bankruptcy law, the equitable doctrine of substantive consolidation can permit a bankruptcy court to disregard the separateness of related entities and to consolidate and pool the entities' assets and liabilities and treat them as though held and incurred by one entity where the interrelationship among the entities warrants such consolidation. Substantive consolidation is an equitable remedy in bankruptcy that results in the pooling of assets and liabilities of a debtor with one or more of its debtor affiliates or, in rare circumstances, non-debtor affiliates, for the purposes of administering claims and assets of creditors as part of the bankruptcy case, including treatment under a reorganization plan.

        Not all jurisdictions that could potentially have jurisdiction over an insolvency or bankruptcy case involving Frontline, us, and/or any of our respective affiliates recognize the substantive consolidation doctrine. For example, we have been advised by our Bermuda counsel that Bermuda does not recognize this doctrine. However, if Frontline or its creditors were to assert claims of substantive consolidation or related theories in a Frontline bankruptcy proceeding in a jurisdiction that recognizes the doctrine of substantive consolidation, such as the United States, the bankruptcy court could make our assets or the Charterer's assets available to satisfy Frontline obligations to its creditors. This could have a material adverse effect on us and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial and other obligations.

        We are a holding company, and have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries own all of our vessels, and payments under our charter agreements with

29



the Charterer will be made to our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make required payments on the notes depends on the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. If we are unable to obtain funds from our subsidiaries, we will not be able to pay interest or principal on the notes when due, or to redeem the notes upon a change of control, unless we obtain funds from other sources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the necessary funds from other sources.

Risks relating to the exchange offer

        If you do not exchange your outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer, then you will continue to be subject to the transfer restrictions on the outstanding notes described in the offering circular distributed in connection with the private offering of the outstanding notes. In general, the outstanding notes may not be offered or sold unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreement that we entered into with Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., to whom we refer as the initial purchasers in this prospectus, we do not intend to register resales of the outstanding notes under the Securities Act of 1933. You should refer to the section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer" for information about how to tender your outstanding notes. The tender of outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer will reduce the outstanding principal amount of the outstanding notes, which may have an adverse effect on, and increase the volatility of, the market price of the outstanding notes due to a reduction in liquidity.

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The unaudited pro forma statement of operations and balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2003 gives effect to the following events as if they had occurred on and from January 1, 2003.

    Our purchase from Frontline of our subsidiaries that own a fleet of 46 crude oil tankers and an option to acquire the vessel Oscilla , which assumes: The exercise of our option to acquire the vessel Oscilla , the exchange of Frontline's interests in six associated companies for three wholly owned companies, each owning a VLCC, and a deemed equity contribution from Frontline of $525 million, establishment of an opening cash balance of $5 million and forgiveness of certain historical intercompany balances.

    The charter by us of the fleet to the Charterer under long term fixed rate charters.

    Our entry into the charter ancillary agreement with the Charterer.

    Our entry into the vessel management agreements and the administrative services agreement with Frontline Management.

    The refinancing of our subsidiaries' existing senior secured indebtedness.

        The unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not represent what our statements of operations or balance sheet would actually have been if the transactions had in fact occurred on those dates and is not representative of our results of operations for any future periods. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this unaudited pro forma financial information.

        The footnotes to the pro forma financial information contain a more detailed discussion of how adjustments to reflect the events described above are presented. The unaudited pro forma statements of operations should be read in conjunction with our predecessor combined carve-out financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this offering circular. The historical statement of operations and the historical balance sheet as of and for year ended December 31, 2003 are derived from the stand alone statement of operations and stand alone balance sheet included elsewhere in this registration statement.

        All of the 47 vessels we have purchased from Frontline are currently under voyage, bareboat or time charter to third parties. The majority of existing charter arrangements will expire prior to March 31, 2004 and the remainder will expire on or before December 31, 2008. We also acquired from Frontline an option to purchase one additional VLCC tanker, which we expect to exercise before the end of 2004.

        The cash flow obligations from our charters with the Charterer became effective as of January 1, 2004, however, we have not reflected any change in the status of the current charter arrangements with third parties for those that expire after March 31, 2004 in either the pro forma statement of operations or the pro forma combined balance sheet. We have determined that we would account for 34 of the long term charters to the Charterer as sales type leases under U.S. GAAP. The remaining 13 vessels will initially be accounted for as chartered under operating leases. We refer you to footnote A to the unaudited pro forma statements of operations for further information regarding the lease classification of our charters. Classification of charters as sales type leases or as operating leases is determined with reference to, among other things, assumptions about useful lives, fair values and scrap values of our vessels. The lease classification of our charters for the purposes of preparing this unaudited pro forma financial information is based on assumptions which reflect our current estimates and reasonably available information. These estimates and available information may change between now and the date of inception of each charter and may cause us to classify our charters differently than the classification we have applied in preparing this unaudited pro forma financial information.

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        The following table summarizes our key assumptions about fair values, useful lives and scrap values which we used in classifying our charters as operating leases or sales type leases. Fair values of vessels are generally estimated using the average of three independent broker valuations (which assume a sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller under no compulsion to sell).

Type of vessel

  Number of
vessels

  Dates of
construction

  Estimated
scrapping dates

  Average of
estimated fair
values

  Average of
estimated scrap
values

 
   
   
   
  (dollars in millions)

Double hull Suezmax OBO   8   1991 to 1992   2016 to 2017   $ 34.8   $ 2.4
Double hull Suezmax   8   1993 to 1998   2018 to 2023   $ 44.6   $ 3.3
Non-double hull Suezmax   8   1991 to 1993   2015 to 2017   $ 24.6   $ 3.0
Double hull VLCC   13   1998 to 2002   2023 to 2027   $ 79.3   $ 6.0
Non-double hull VLCC   10   1990 to 1996   2015 to 2017   $ 34.7   $ 4.2


Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December, 2003

 
  Historical stand
alone

  Pro forma
Adjustments

  Notes
  Pro forma
 
  (dollars in thousands)

REVENUES                      
  Sales type lease income   $   $ 150,557   A   $ 150,557
  Time, bareboat and voyage charter revenues         143,416   A     143,416
  Interest income     199               199
   
           
      199               294,172
   
           

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Depreciation         35,756   C     35,756
  Ship operating expenses         21,352   B     21,352
  Interest expense     2,123     25,723   E      
            47,246   F      
            4,026   G     79,118
  Administrative expenses     14     960   D     974
   
           
      2,137               137,200
   
           
Net income   $ 1,938             $ 156,972
   
           

Notes to Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Statements of Operations

        A.    We have chartered all of the 47 vessels we acquired from Frontline to the Charterer under long term charters. All of these vessels are currently under charter to third parties. We refer you to the introduction to this section and to "Business—Our Fleet" in this registration statement for key information regarding the vessels that we acquired and chartered to the Charterer.

        Thirty four of these vessels will complete their current voyage or time charter prior to March 31, 2004 and are assumed to be free and available as of January 1, 2003 for the purposes of this unaudited pro forma financial information. Charters of these vessels have been accounted for as sales type leases and our net investment in the lease is recorded at the inception of the lease. For sales type leases, we will remove the depreciated cost of the associated vessel from our balance sheet and record a net investment in sales type leases. The net investment in a sales type lease is calculated as the sum of the net present values of the minimum lease cash flows, calculated at the inception of the lease. In the unaudited pro forma financial information we have recorded the difference between the depreciated

32



cost of the vessel and the initial net investment in a sales type lease as a gain or loss recorded in the determination of invested equity at the date of inception of the lease.

        Lease cash flows from sales type leases, net of executory costs, are allocated between sales type lease income and a reduction in the balance of the net investment in a manner that results in a constant periodic return based on the reducing balance of the net investment. Management fees payable in respect of vessels with charters classified as sales type leases will be classified as executory costs, and, as such will be recorded as a component of sales type lease cash flows.

        For the purposes of this unaudited pro forma financial information the remaining 13 vessels will be classified as initially chartered under operating leases in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These 13 vessels are currently on charters that end after March 31, 2004 and are therefore assumed by us to be not free and available as of January 1, 2003. When existing charters expire and our new charters to the Charterer take effect for accounting purposes, we will evaluate whether they should be classified as sales type or operating leases.

        Lease cash flows from operating leases are recorded wholly as revenues. Management fees payable in respect of vessels with charters classified as operating leases will be recorded as ship operating expenses. For these vessels, pro forma charter revenues reflect the rates due under existing charter arrangements. These charters will be accounted for as operating leases until the expiration of the existing charters.

        As the economic effect of the new charters to the Charterer took effect January 1, 2004, we will pay to or receive from the Charterer the difference between the new charter rates and the underlying charter rates until vessels complete their current charter arrangements.

        Current charter arrangements for the 12 vessels on charters expiring after March 31, 2004 expire as follows:

Period of charter expiration

  Number of vessels
July 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004   3
October 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004   1
January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005   1
January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006   5
January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008   3
   
  Total   13

        The pro forma adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2003 are calculated as follows:

 
  Year ended
December 31,
2003

Adjustment to recognize historical revenues from vessels that will be chartered to the Charterer by March 31, 2004 under sales type leases   $ 130,685
Adjustment to recognize estimated revenues from acquisition of Oscilla from January 1, 2003     12,731
   
Total pro forma adjustment     143,416
   
Adjustment to recognize sales type lease income from charters accounted for as sales type leases     150,557
   
Total pro forma adjustment   $ 150,557
   

        Assuming we entered into the sales type leases as of January 1, 2003, we estimate that we would have recognized a gain of $82.2 million in the determination of our deemed equity.

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        In addition to the charters to the Charterer which are given effect in this unaudited pro forma financial information, we entered enter into a profit sharing agreement with the Charterer. Under the terms of this agreement, beginning with the final 11-month period in 2004 and for each calendar year thereafter, the Charterer has agreed to pay us a profit sharing payment equal to 20% of the charter revenues for the applicable period, calculated and paid annually in arrears on a TCE basis, realized by the Charterer for our fleet in excess of a weighted average rate of $25,575 per day for each VLCC and $21,100 per day for each Suexmax tanker. We have assumed that there would be no profit sharing payments made to us and no adjustment has been made to this pro forma financial information to reflect any effect of this arrangement.

        B.    This adjustment is to recognize ship operating expenses for the 47 vessels we acquired and to reflect the $6,500 per day per vessel that we will pay under the vessel management agreements. These management fee payments will be recorded as ship operating expenses for the 13 charters accounted for as operating leases. Management fees will be recorded as executory costs for the 34 charters accounted for as sales type leases and as such will be recorded, with the charter payments, as a component of sales type lease cash flows.

        C.    This adjustment is to recognize the depreciation charge relating to the 13 vessels accounted for as chartered under operating leases and to adjust depreciation to reflect the acquisition of Oscilla from January 1, 2003.

        D.    This adjustment is to recognize administrative expenses of $20,000 per year payable by us and each of our subsidiaries under the administrative services agreement. No adjustment has been made to the amount of third party expenses of the Company which comprise out of pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the service recipients, including legal fees, independent auditors, printers, mailing costs, depositories, transfer agents, insurance, proxy solicitors, filing fees, self-regulatory agencies, listing fees, stock exchange maintenance fees, directors' fees as set by the relevant service recipient, and similar fees and expenses. These costs are not covered by the administrative services agreement and will be borne by the Company.

        E.    We refinanced the senior secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries at the time that we acquired them from Frontline with the proceeds of a new senior secured credit facility. This new credit facility has an original principal balance of $1,058 million and is repayable over six years. This adjustment is to recognize the change in interest expense that we would have incurred if our refinancing had taken place as of January 1, 2003. We assumed repayments of $93.7 million in 2003 based on the repayment profile of the new credit facility. The pro forma adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2003 are calculated as follows:

 
  Year ended
December 31,
2003

 
Estimated average balance   $ 1,022,634  
Effective Interest rate     2.48 %
Estimated interest on new credit facility   $ 25,723  
   
 
Total pro forma adjustment   $ 25,723  
   
 

        Interest on the new credit facility is payable at an interest rate based on LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25%. We estimated interest payable on the new credit facility using an average LIBOR rates of 1.235% the year ended December 31, 2003. These rates are based on an average of three month LIBOR over the applicable period. An increase or decrease in assumed interest rates of 0.125% would increase or decrease estimated interest expense $1.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2003 respectively.

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        Under our new credit facility we are required to enter into new interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rate payable on at least $500 million of our new credit facility for five years. We have not made any adjustments to this unaudited pro forma combined financial information to reflect the estimated effect of our new interest rate swap agreements. We estimate that had we entered into new interest rate swap agreements on or around January 1, 2003 we would have effectively fixed the interest rate payable at 3.34%, which was the five year swap rate at January 1, 2003, on the amount so fixed. The estimated effect of effectively fixing our interest rate at 3.34% on $500 million principal amount of debt would be to record additional interest expense of $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. We have not estimated the effect of changes in market values of interest rate swap contracts in this unaudited pro forma combined financial information.

        F.     This adjustment is to reflect the interest expense on the notes at an interest rate of 8.5% per year. Interest on the notes is estimated to be $49.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2003.

        G.    This adjustment represents the estimated adjustment of amortization of deferred charges and financing fees resulting from our refinancing. The pro forma adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2003 are calculated as follows:

 
  Year ended
December 31,
2003

Amortization of deferred charges and financing fees associated with the refinancing of the existing bank debt     2,371
Amortization of deferred charges and financing fees associated with the notes     1,655
   
Total pro forma adjustment   $ 4,026
   

35



Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003

 
   
  Pro forma
Adjustments

  Pro forma
Adjustments

  Pro forma
Adjustments

  Pro forma
Adjustments

   
  Pro forma
Adjustments

   
 
  Historical
stand alone

  Pro forma
before effect
of charters

   
 
  Note A
  Note B
  Note C
  Note D
  Note E
  Pro forma
 
  (dollars in thousands)

Assets                                              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 565,500   $ (399,520 ) $ 1,043,775   $ (1,031,533 ) $ (173,222 ) $ 5,000       $ 5,000
  Other current assets     211                             211         211
   
                         
     
  Total current assets     565,711                             5,211         5,211
   
                         
     
Newbuildings and vessel purchase options                                        
Vessels and equipment, net         2,098,011                       2,098,011   (1,510,949 )   587,062
Net investments in sales type leases                                     1,593,167     1,593,167
Investment in associated companies                                            
Deferred charges     16,480     4,498     14,225     (4,498 )         30,705         30,705
Other long term assets                                            
   
                         
     
  Total assets   $ 582,191                           $ 2,133,927       $ 2,216,145
   
                         
     
Liabilities and Stockholders' equity                                              
  Current portion of long term debt   $     144,321   $ 93,711   $ (144,321 )       $ 93,711       $ 93,711
  Current liabilities     4,015     2,897           (2,897 )         4,015         4,015
  Mark to market valuation of derivatives         5,655           (5,655 )                
  Amount due to parent company     102                             102         102
   
                         
     
Total current liabilities     4,117                             97,828         97,828
Long term debt     580,000     878,660     964,289     (878,660 )         1,544,289         1,544,289
   
                         
     
Total liabilities     584,117                             1,642,117         1,642,117
Invested equity     (1,926 )   671,456           (4,498 )   (173,222 )   491,810   82,218     574,028
   
                         
     
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity   $ 582,191                           $ 2,133,927       $ 2,216,145
   
                         
     

Notes to Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet

        A.    These adjustments reflect the effect of our purchase from Frontline of our subsidiaries that own a fleet of 47 crude oil tankers, which assumes: The exercise of Frontline's option to acquire the vessel Oscilla , the exchange of Frontline's interests in six associated companies for three wholly owned companies, each owning a VLCC, and a deemed equity contribution from Frontline of $525 million. We paid Frontline $950 million to acquire our subsidiaries. The subsidiaries assets and liabilities (adjusted for the pro forma exercise of Frontline's option to acquire the Oscilla) consist of $25.5 million of cash balances, $2,098.0 million of vessels at book value, $4.5 million of deferred charges, $2.9 million of current liabilities and $1,028.6 million of secured debt and related interest rate swap derivatives.

        The pro forma adjustments to cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2003 is calculated as follows:

 
  Year ended
December 31,
2003

 
Purchase price for our subsidiaries   $ (950,000 )
Deemed equity contribution from Frontline     525,000  
Cash balances acquired with our subsidiaries     25,480  
   
 
Total pro forma adjustment   $ (399,520 )
   
 

        B.    These adjustments reflect the drawdown of our new senior secured credit facility and payment of estimated finance fees on this facility.

36



        C.    These adjustments reflect the effect of the repayment of our subsidiaries' existing senior secured indebtedness. In addition they reflect the estimated adjustment to deferred charges and financing fees resulting from the repayment of that existing indebtedness.

        D.    These adjustments reflect the effect of a deemed dividend payable by us to Frontline out of the surplus cash remaining after our acquisition of the fleet from Frontline, our refinancing of the existing senior secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries and the establishment of an opening cash balance of $5.0 million.

        E.    These adjustments reflect our entry into the charters with the Charterer. For the 13 vessels with charters that are classified as operating leases (we refer you to footnote A to the adjustments to the unaudited pro forma statements of operations above) there is no change in the classification of the vessels. For the remaining 34 vessels, the charters will be accounted for as sales type leases and the net investment in sales type leases will be recorded at the inception of the leases. For those 31 vessels the book value of the vessels is eliminated on the sale of the vessels and the charter is recognized by recording the net investment in the sales type lease. The difference between the sales price and the net investment is recorded as invested equity. The pro forma effect on invested equity of entering into these sales type leases as of December 31, 2003 would be to recognize a gain of $82.2 million.

37



USE OF PROCEEDS OF OUR OUTSTANDING NOTES

        We are making the exchange offer to satisfy our obligations under the outstanding notes, the indenture and the registration rights agreement. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the exchange offer. In consideration of issuing the exchange notes in the exchange offer, we will receive an equal principal amount of outstanding notes. Any outstanding notes that are properly tendered in the exchange offer will be accepted, canceled and retired and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, issuance of the exchange notes will not result in a change in the capitalization of the Company.

        We issued $580 million principal amount of the outstanding notes on December 18, 2003 to the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes. Our net proceeds from the offering of the outstanding notes, after deducting initial purchasers' discounts and commissions, were approximately $565 million. In addition we incurred approximately $2 million of expenses in connection with our initial offerings.

        We used these net proceeds, together with senior secured bank borrowings of approximately $1.058 billion and an equity contribution of approximately $525 million, to acquire our fleet of 46 vessels and an option to acquire one additional vessel from Frontline for a purchase price of approximately $950 million plus the assumption of indebtedness with respect to the fleet of approximately $1.162 billion.

38




CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our stand alone capitalization at December 31, 2003 and as adjusted to reflect:

    the completion of the refinancing of our existing senior secured credit facilities in the amount of $1.158 billion by our senior secured credit facility in the amount of $1.058 billion;

    our purchase of the 46 vessels and an option to purchase an additional vessel from Frontline for a total purchase price of $950 million, excluding working capital and other intercompany balances retained by Frontline; and

    the deemed equity contribution from Frontline, which established an opening cash balance for us of $5.0 million and eliminated any remaining amount due to Frontline.

        The information presented below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Use of Proceeds" and our predecessor combined carve-out financial statements together with the notes thereto, included in this prospectus.

 
  December 31, 2003
 
  Actual
  As Adjusted
 
  (dollars in millions)

  (dollars in millions)

Long-term debt including current portion:            
  8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2013(3)   $ 580.0   $ 580.0
  New senior secured credit facility         1,058.0
Total debt     580.0     1,638.0
   
 
Stockholders' equity(1)(2)     (2.0 )   525.0
   
 
Total capitalization   $ 578.0   $ 2,163.0
   
 

(1)
As required by Bermuda law, the initial capital contribution was $12,000.

(2)
Does not reflect any gain or loss that may be recorded under U.S. GAAP on the effective date of the charters. We refer you to "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information" for a discussion of the effect of the expected change in status of 31 of our long term charters from operating leases to sales type leases under U.S. GAAP.

(3)
This exchange offer will replace the outstanding notes with exchange notes of the same value.

39



RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the 12-month periods ending December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003. We define the term "earnings" is defined as the amount resulting from adding and subtracting the following items: add the following: (a) net income or loss, (b) fixed charges. From the total of added items subtract the following: (a) share in results of associated companies, (b) interest capitalized. We define the term "fixed charges" as the sum of the following: (a) interest expensed, (b) interest capitalized, (c) amortization of deferred finance charges.

 
  Year Ended December 31,
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
  (dollars in thousands, except ratios)

Earnings   347,831   70,275   256,643
   
 
 
Fixed charges   35,117   43,062   59,763
   
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges   9.90   1.63   4.29
   
 
 

40



SELECTED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND OTHER DATA

        The following selected combined financial and other data summarize our historical combined financial information. The selected combined income statement data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, 2001 and the selected combined balance sheet data with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 have been derived from our audited predecessor combined carve-out financial statements included herein. The selected income statement data for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and the selected combined balance sheet data with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 have been derived from our audited predecessor combined carve-out financial statements not included herein. The following standalone financial information as at December 31, 2003 has been derived from our audited standalone financial statements included herein. The selected combined financial data are not necessarily indicative of future results. This information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our historical predecessor combined carve-out financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

        This prospectus does not include selected combined financial and other data for the 12-month period ending December 31, 1999. As noted above, the Company's selected combined financial and other data is derived from the combined carve-out financial statements of Frontline and the Company is not in a position to prepare carve-out financial statements for the 12-month period ending

41



December 31, 1999 or the selected combined financial and other data derived from such financial statements without unreasonable effort and expense.

 
  Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
 
  (dollars in thousands, except ratios)

   
 
Income Statement Data:                          
  Total operating revenues   $ 695,068   $ 365,174   $ 486,655   $ 482,908  
  Total operating expenses     346,252     279,083     255,937     220,657  
  Net operating income     348,816     86,091     230,718     262,251  
  Net other income (expenses)     (14,004 )   (53,925 )   (43,180 )   (50,107 )
  Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle     334,812     32,166     187,538     212,144  
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle         (14,142 )   24,472      
  Net income     334,812     18,024     212,010     212,144  
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):                          
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 26,519   $ 20,634   $ 26,041   $ 15,274  
  Newbuildings and vessel purchase options     8,370     8,370     63,470     36,326  
  Vessels and equipment, net     1,863,504     1,904,146     1,696,528     1,572,844  
  Total assets     2,156,348     2,123,607     1,951,353     1,784,676  
  Short-term debt and current portion of long term debt     141,522     131,293     130,428     121,399  
  Long-term debt     850,088     975,554     870,109     850,453  
  Share capital                  
  Stockholders' equity     822,026     485,605     466,742     259,632  
Cash Flow Data                          
  Cash provided by operating activities   $ 415,523   $ 115,658   $ 307,167        
  Cash provided by (used in) investing activities     (51,632 )   (261,779 )   (271,850 )      
  Cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (358,006 )   140,714     (24,549 )      
Other Financial Data                          
  EBITDA(1)   $ 470,078   $ 162,554   $ 330,687   $ 342,908  
Fleet Data                          
  Number of wholly owned vessels (end of period)     43     42     38     35  
  Number of vessels owned in joint ventures (end of period)     6     9     7     2  
Average Daily Time Charter Equivalent(2)                          
  VLCCs   $ 40,400   $ 22,200   $ 34,600   $ 34,500  
  Suezmaxes   $ 33,500   $ 18,400   $ 30,600   $ 35,000  
  Suezmax OBOs   $ 32,000   $ 17,700   $ 28,900   $ 33,500  

(1)
EBITDA is defined as net income before taxes, interest expense, interest income, depreciation and amortization and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. EBITDA is included because it is used by certain investors to measure a company's performance. EBITDA is not a measure recognized by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of a company's performance required by GAAP. The definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies. For a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income see note 1 to "Summary Combined Financial and Other Data".

(2)
Time charter equivalent, or TCE, is a standard industry measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel. This is calculated by dividing net operating revenues by the number of days on charter. Net operating revenues are revenues minus voyage expenses. Days spent off hire are excluded from this calculation.

42



MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our predecessor combined carve-out financial statements, which we call our combined financial statements, and the related notes, and the other financial information included elsewhere in this document. This discussion includes forward-looking statements based on assumptions about our future business. Our actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

Overview—Predecessor

        For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the combined financial statements presented herein have been carved out of the consolidated financial statements of Frontline. Our financial position, results of operations and cash flows reflected in our combined financial statements are not necessarily indicative of those that would have been achieved had we operated autonomously for all periods presented.

        Our combined financial statements assume that our business was operated as a separate corporate entity prior to its inception. Ship Finance International Limited, or the Company, was formed on October 10, 2003, and prior to that time our business was operated as part of the shipping business of Frontline. Our combined financial statements have been prepared to reflect the combination of certain of Frontline's wholly owned VLCC and Suezmax owning subsidiaries, interests in joint ventures and an option to acquire an additional VLCC, which taken together represent the 46 vessel owning subsidiaries and one subsidiary holding an option to acquire a VLCC that we have acquired from Frontline and which we refer to collectively as the Vessel Interests.

        Where Frontline's assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses relate to the specific Vessel Interests, these have been identified and carved out for inclusion in our combined financial statements. Frontline's shipping interests and other assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that do not relate to the Vessel Interests have been identified and not included in our combined financial statements. The preparation of our combined financial statements requires allocation of certain assets and liabilities and expenses where these items are not identifiable as related to one specific activity. Administrative overheads of Frontline that cannot be related to a specific vessel have been allocated pro rata based on the number of vessels in the Company compared with the number in Frontline's total fleet. Management has deemed that the related allocations are reasonable to present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company. Management believes the various allocated amounts would not materially differ from those that would have been achieved had the Company operated on a stand- alone basis for all periods presented. However, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company are not necessarily indicative of those that would have been achieved had the Company operated autonomously for all periods presented as the Company may have made different operational and investment decisions as a Company independent of Frontline.

        The majority of the Company's assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are vessel specific and are included in the vessel owning subsidiaries' financial statements. However, in addition, the following significant allocations have been made:

        Goodwill:     Goodwill has arisen on certain of the acquisitions undertaken in the three year period ended December 31, 2003 as described in Note 21 to our combined financial statements. Goodwill has been allocated to the Company on the basis that the vessels obtained in these acquisitions, and to which the goodwill is considered to relate, are included in our combined financial statements. The associated amortization of goodwill has also been allocated to the Company and recognized in our combined financial statements. Following the adoption of FAS 142 effective January 1, 2002, we no longer amortize goodwill, but rather test it for impairment at least on an annual basis.

43



        Long term debt:     An allocation of corporate debt of Frontline has been made. This debt has been allocated as it relates specifically to a vessel over which the Company has a purchase option. The associated interest expense has also been allocated to our combined financial statements.

        Interest rate swaps:     For the purposes of our combined financial statements, interest rate swaps specific to carved out debt have been included. In addition, non-debt specific interest rate swaps have been included on the basis that such swaps were intended to cover the floating rate debt that has been included in our combined statements. The associated mark to market adjustments arising on the swaps has also been allocated to our combined financial statements and is included in other financial items, net.

        Administrative expenses:     Frontline's overheads relate primarily to management organizations in Bermuda and Oslo that manage the business. These overhead costs include salaries and other employee related costs, office rents, legal and professional fees and other general administrative expenses. Other employee related costs includes costs recognized in relation to Frontline's employee share option plan.

        No allocation of interest income has been made and interest income reported in our combined financial statements represents interest income earned by the vessel owning subsidiaries and interest earned on loans to joint ventures.

        Our combined financial statements have been prepared based on the completion of the transaction between the Company and Frontline described in this prospectus.

        The Company and Frontline entered into a fleet purchase agreement pursuant to which we purchased the Vessel Interests for $950 million, excluding working capital and other intercompany balances to be retained by Frontline, plus assumption of senior secured indebtedness with respect to the fleet in the amount of $1.158 billion. The purchase price for the Vessel Interests and the refinancing of the existing senior secured indebtedness was financed through a combination of the net proceeds of the Notes, funds from our $1.058 billion senior secured credit facility and a deemed equity contribution from Frontline.

        All of our vessels are chartered to the Charterer under long term time charters. All of our vessel technical management is performed for us by Frontline Management under the management agreements for a fixed rate. As such, our future operations and the operations of our subsidiaries will differ significantly from the historical operations of Frontline and its subsidiaries upon which our historical carved out financial statements are based. In particular, our revenues are generated primarily from charter payments made to us by the Charterer under the charters that consist of sales type leases and operating leases. Our expenses consist primarily of interest on the notes and our senior secured credit facility and payments that we make to Frontline Management.

Overview—Stand Alone Basis

        Ship Finance International Limited was incorporated in Bermuda on October 10, 2003 for the purpose of acquiring certain of the shipping assets of its parent company, Frontline Ltd. Frontline is a publicly listed Bermuda based shipping company engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of oil tankers, including oil/bulk/ore, OBO, carriers. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline. Frontline operates tankers of two sizes: very large crude carriers, which are between 200,000 and 320,000 dwt, and Suezmaxes, which are vessels between 120,000 and 170,000 dwt. Frontline is a holding company which operates through subsidiaries and joint ventures located in Bermuda, Isle of Man, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Singapore, the Bahamas and Sweden

        On December 11, 2003 the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Frontline to purchase certain of Frontline's wholly owned VLCC and Suezmax owning subsidiaries, including certain subsidiaries acquired or expected to be acquired through a reorganization of interests in certain joint

44



ventures plus a purchase option to acquire a further VLCC, which we refer to collectively as the Vessel Interests.

        On December 18, 2003 the Company issued $580 million of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 in a private offering to Qualified Institutional Buyers. The proceeds from this offering, together with a deemed equity contribution of approximately $525 million from Frontline, were used to complete the acquisition of the Vessel Interests.

        On January 1, 2004 the Company completed the purchase of the Vessel Interests it agreed to purchase from Frontline on December 11, 2003.

        As a result of these transactions the Company has acquired a fleet of 24 Suezmax tankers, 22 VLCCs, and an option to acquire an additional VLCC with a combined deadweight tonnage of 10,498,000,000 tones and a combined book value of approximately $2,107 million.

        On January 1, 2004 the Company entered into time charter agreements with Frontline Shipping Ltd., a subsidiary of Frontline, to charter the 46 vessels for substantially the remainder of their useful lives at fixed rates.

        On January 1, 2004 the Company entered into management agreements with Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd. a subsidiary of Frontline, to manage the 46 vessels for substantially the remainder of their useful lives at fixed rates.

Predecessor Business

        Our combined financial statements reflect the business activities of Frontline related to the Vessel Interests. Frontline's principal focus and expertise is to provide transportation services to major integrated oil companies and other customers that require transportation of crude oil and oil products cargoes.

        As at December 31, 2003, the Vessel Interests were comprised of 19 wholly owned VLCCs, 24 wholly owned Suezmax tankers, one option to acquire a VLCC and interests in six associated companies which each own a VLCC. In 2002, we took delivery of four wholly owned newbuilding double hull VLCCs. In 2001, we took delivery of three VLCCs built in 1999 on which we had purchase options. In addition, through Frontline's acquisition of Mosvold Shipping Limited, which was completed in 2001, we acquired one VLCC newbuilding contract, which was delivered in October 2002. In 2000, through Frontline's acquisition of Golden Ocean Group Limited, we acquired three VLCCs, interests in two associated companies which each owned a VLCC and four options to acquire a VLCC.

Future Business

        The completion of the purchase of the 46 crude oil tanker owning subsidiaries and one subsidiary holding an option on an additional tanker from Frontline took place as of January 1, 2004. We have chartered our fleet to the Charterer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, under long term, fixed rate charters effective as of January 1, 2004. The Charterer was initially capitalized by Frontline with $250 million to support its obligation to make charter payments to us. We also entered into fixed rate management agreements with another wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline. These arrangements are intended to provide us with stable cash flow and reduce our exposure to volatility in the markets for these vessels.

Factors Affecting Our Historical Results

        The principal factors that have affected our historical results of operations and financial position include:

    the earnings of our vessels in the charter market;

45


    vessel expenses;

    administrative expenses;

    depreciation;

    interest expense; and

    foreign exchange.

        We have derived our earnings from bareboat charters, time charters, voyage charters and contracts of affreightment.

        A bareboat charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a specified period of time where the charterer pays substantially all of the vessel voyage costs and operating costs. A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a specific period of time during which the charterer pays substantially all of the vessel voyage costs but the vessel owner pays the operating costs. A voyage charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a specific voyage in which the vessel owner pays substantially all of the vessel voyage costs and operating costs. A contract of affreightment is a form of voyage charter in which the owner agrees to carry a specific type and quantity of cargo in two or more shipments over an agreed period of time. Accordingly, for equivalent profitability, charter income under a voyage charter would be greater than that under a time charter to take account of the owner's payment of the vessel voyage costs. In order to compare vessels trading under different types of charters, it is standard industry practice to measure the revenue performance of a vessel in terms of average daily time charter equivalent earnings, or TCEs. For voyage charters, this is calculated by dividing net operating revenues by the number of days on charter. Days spent offhire are excluded from this calculation.

        As at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, 29, 35 and 24, respectively, of our vessels operated in the voyage charter market. The tanker industry has historically been highly cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability, vessel values and freight rates. In particular, freight and charter rates are strongly influenced by the supply of tanker vessels and the demand for oil transportation services. The following table sets forth the average daily TCEs earned by our tanker fleet over the last three years:

 
  Year Ended December 31,
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
  (dollars per day)

VLCC   40,400   22,200   34,600
Suezmax   33,500   18,400   30,600
Suezmax OBO   32,000   17,700   28,900

        Operating costs are the direct costs associated with running a vessel and include crew costs, vessel supplies, repairs and maintenance, drydockings, lubricating oils and insurance.

        Administrative expenses are composed of general corporate overhead expenses, including personnel costs, property costs, legal and professional fees and other general administrative expenses. Personnel costs include, among other things, salaries, pension costs, fringe benefits, travel costs and health insurance. In 2002 and 2001, administrative expenses also included administrative costs associated with the Frontline's participation in Tankers International LLC, or Tankers, a pooling arrangement for the commercial operation of the VLCCs of Frontline and five other VLCC operators, entered into in December of 1999. Frontline withdrew from the pool in July of 2002 and these costs ceased in the second half of 2002.

        Depreciation, or the periodic cost charged to our income for the reduction in usefulness and long-term value of our vessels, is also related to the number of vessels we own. We depreciate the cost

46



of our vessels, less their estimated residual value, over their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. No charge is made for depreciation of vessels under construction until they are delivered.

        Interest expense in our combined financial statements relates to vessel specific debt facilities of our subsidiaries and to corporate debt that has been allocated to us. Interest expense depends on our overall borrowing levels and may significantly increase when we acquire vessels or on the delivery of newbuildings. Interest incurred during the construction of a newbuilding is capitalized in the cost of the newbuilding. Interest expense may also change with prevailing interest rates, although the effect of these changes may be reduced by interest rate swaps or other derivative instruments. As at December 31, 2003, all of our debt was floating rate debt. We may enter into interest rate swap arrangements if we believe it is advantageous to do so. As at December 31, 2003, certain of our subsidiaries had Yen denominated debt and charters denominated in Yen, which expose us to exchange rate risk. As at December 31, 2003 and 2002, we had Yen denominated debt in subsidiaries of ¥9.6 billion and ¥5.1 billion respectively.

        Although inflation has had a moderate impact on our vessel operating expenses and corporate overheads, management does not consider inflation to be a significant risk to direct costs in the current and foreseeable economic environment. In addition, in a shipping downturn, costs subject to inflation can usually be controlled because shipping companies typically monitor costs to preserve liquidity and encourage suppliers and service providers to lower rates and prices in the event of a downturn.

Factors Affecting Our Future Results

        Principal factors that are expected to affect our future results of operations and financial position include:

    the earnings of our vessels under time charters to the Charterer;

    the amount we receive under the profit sharing arrangement with the Charterer;

    the earnings and expenses related to any additional vessels that we acquire;

    vessel management fees;

    administrative expenses; and

    interest expense.

        Initially, our future revenues will derive primarily from our long term, fixed rate time charters with the Charterer. All 46 vessels that we have acquired from Frontline are chartered to the Charterer under long term charters, described under "Business—Charter Arrangements." In addition, beginning with the final 11-month period in 2004 and for each calendar year thereafter, the Charterer will pay us a profit sharing payment if our vessels' earnings exceed certain amounts.

        The Company's future expenses will consist primarily of vessel management fees, administrative expenses and interest expense. With respect to vessel management fees, our vessel owning subsidiaries have entered into fixed cost management agreements with Frontline Management under which Frontline Management will be responsible for all technical management of the vessels, including crewing, maintenance, repair, capital expenditures, drydocking, vessel taxes and other vessel operating and voyage expenses. Each of these subsidiaries pay Frontline Management a fixed fee of $6,500 per day per vessel for all of the above services.

        The Company has entered into an administrative services agreement with Frontline Management under which Frontline Management provides us with administrative support services such as the maintenance of our corporate books and records, the preparation of tax returns and financial statements, assistance with corporate and regulatory compliance matters not related to our vessels, payroll services, legal services, and other non-vessel related administrative services. The Company and

47



our vessel owning subsidiaries pay Frontline Management a fixed fee of $20,000 each per year for its services under the agreement, and reimburse Frontline Management for reasonable third party costs, if any, advanced on our behalf by Frontline, including directors fees and expenses, shareholder communications and public relations, registrars, audit, legal fees and listings costs. The Company currently does not have its own employees.

        Other than the interest expense associated with our notes, the amount of our interest expense will be dependent on the same factors set forth above as to Frontline's historic incurrence of interest expense. The Company has a $1.058 billion secured six-year credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions. This credit facility provided us with a portion of the capital required to complete the acquisition of the Vessel Interests and to refinance related secured indebtedness. We have entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest on $500.0 million of the borrowings under this facility for a period of five years at an average rate of 3.4%.

Change in Accounting Policies

        In 2001, the Company changed its accounting policy for drydockings to the "expense as incurred" method, whereby drydocking expenses are recognized when they take place. Prior to 2001, provisions for future drydockings were accrued and charged as an expense on a pro-rata basis over the period to the next scheduled vessel drydocking. The "expense as incurred" method is considered by management to be more reliable as it eliminates the uncertainty associated with estimating the cost and timing of future drydockings. The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle is shown separately in the combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2001 and resulted in a credit to income of $24.5 million in 2001. The cumulative effect of this change as of January 1, 2001 on our combined balance sheet was to reduce total liabilities by $24.5 million.

        In June 2001, the FASB approved Statement of Financial Accounting Standard, or SFAS, No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." As of January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" and recorded an impairment charge of $14.1 million for the unamortized goodwill on that date that is shown separately in the combined statement of operations as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. The valuation of the fair value of the reporting unit used to assess the recoverability of goodwill, was a combination of independent third party valuations and the quoted market price of Frontline's shares.

        As of January 1, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities." Certain hedge relationships met the hedge criteria prior to SFAS 133, but do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting under SFAS 133. The Company adopted SFAS 133 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2001 and upon initial adoption recorded certain transition adjustments resulting in recognizing the fair value of its derivatives as assets of $0.4 million and liabilities of $0.7 million. We recognized a gain of $0.2 million in income and a charge of $0.5 million made to other comprehensive income. On January 1, 2002, the Company discontinued hedge accounting for two interest rate swaps previously accounted for as cash flow hedges. This resulted in a balance of $4.9 million being frozen in accumulated other comprehensive income as at that date and this will be reclassified to the income statement over the life of the underlying instrument.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

        In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46 Revised, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In general, a variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust, or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. Interpretation 46 requires a variable interest entity to be combined by a company if that company is

48



subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or both. The consolidation requirements of Interpretation 46 apply in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after December 15, 2003 to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after December 15, 2003 for "Special Purpose Entities" created before January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after March 15, 2004 for other entities created before January 31, 2003. Certain of the disclosure requirements apply in all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003, regardless of when the variable interest entity was established.

        The Company has an option to purchase the VLCC Oscilla on or before the expiry of a five-year time charter, which commenced in March 2000. Oscilla is owned and operated by an unrelated entity, Seacrest Shipping Ltd. ("Seacrest"). If the Company had exercised its option at December 31, 2003, the cost to the Company of the Oscilla would have been approximately $42.3 million and the maximum exposure to loss is $17.4 million, representing amounts outstanding from Seacrest of $9.0 million and the carrying value of the option of $8.4 million. At December 31, 2003, Seacrest had total indebtedness of $36.0 million (including $9.0 million due to the Company) and JPY674.6 million (equivalent to $6.3 million) and the fair value of the vessel Oscilla was $78.5 million.

Critical Accounting Policies

        The preparation of our combined financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our combined financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The following is a discussion of the accounting policies applied by the Company that are considered to involve a higher degree of judgment in their application. See Note 2 to our combined financial statements for details of all of the Company's material accounting policies.

    Carve out of the Financial Statements of Frontline

        For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, our combined financial statements presented herein have been carved out of the financial statements of Frontline.

        Frontline is a shipping company with activities that include the ownership and operations of oil tankers and dry bulk carriers as well as leasing in vessels and participation in tanker owning joint venture arrangements. Frontline is also involved in the purchase and sale of vessels. Where Frontline's assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses relate to the specific Vessel Interests, these have been identified and carved out for inclusion in our combined financial statements. Frontline's shipping interests and other assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that do not relate to the Vessel Interests have been identified and not included in our combined financial statements. The preparation of our combined financial statements requires the allocation of certain assets and liabilities and expenses where these items are not identifiable as related to one specific activity. Administrative overheads of Frontline that cannot be related to a specific vessel have been allocated based on the number of vessels in the Company compared with the number in Frontline's total fleet. Management has deemed the related allocations are reasonable to present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company. Management believes the various allocated amounts would not materially differ from those that would have been achieved had the Company operated on a stand-alone basis for all periods presented. The financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company are not necessarily indicative of those that would have been achieved had the Company operated autonomously for all years presented as the Company may have made different operational and investment decisions as a company independent of Frontline.

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    Revenue Recognition

        Revenues are generated from freight billings, contracts of affreightment, time charter and bareboat charter hires. Time charter and bareboat charter revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided. Under a voyage charter the revenues and associated voyage costs are recognized ratably over the estimated duration of the voyage. The operating results of voyages in progress at a reporting date are estimated and recognized pro-rata on a per day basis. Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated. Amounts receivable or payable arising from profit sharing arrangements are accrued based on the estimated results of the voyage recorded as at the reporting date.

        The operating revenues and voyage expenses of the vessels operating in the Tankers pool, and certain other pool arrangements, are pooled and net operating revenues, calculated on a TCE basis, are allocated to the pool participants according to an agreed formula. The same revenue and expenses principles stated above are applied in determining the pool's net operating revenues.

    Vessels and Depreciation

        The cost of the Company's vessels is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the vessels' remaining economic useful lives. Management estimates the useful life of the Company's vessels to be 25 years. This is a common life expectancy applied in the shipping industry. Effective in April 2001, the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, implemented new regulations that result in the accelerated phase out of certain non-double hull vessels.

        In December 2003, the Marine Environmental Protection Committee of the IMO adopted a proposed amendment to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships to accelerate the phase out of single hull tankers from 2015 to 2010 unless the relevant flag states extend the date to 2015. This proposed amendment will take effect in April 2005 unless objected to by a sufficient number of states. As a result, the Company has re-evaluated the estimated useful lives of its single hull vessels and determined this to be the earlier of 25 years or the vessel's anniversary date in 2015, resulting in the reduction of the estimated useful lives of thirteen of the Company's vessels in the fourth quarter of 2003. This reduction has resulted in an annualized increase in depreciation expense of $4.4 million effective from October 1, 2003.

        If the estimated economic useful life is incorrect, or circumstances change and the estimated economic useful life has to be revised, an impairment loss could result in future periods. The Company will continue to monitor the situation and revise the estimated useful lives of its non-double hull vessels as appropriate when new regulations are implemented.

        Our vessels are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of the vessels' carrying amounts, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows. These assumptions include assumptions about the spot market rates for vessels, the revenues the vessel could earn under time charter, voyage charter or bareboat charter, the operating costs of our vessels and the estimated economic useful life of our vessels. In making these assumptions, the Company refers to historical trends and performance as well as any known future factors. Factors we consider important that could effect recoverability and trigger impairment include significant underperformance relative to expected operating results, new regulations that change the estimated useful economic lives of our vessels and significant negative industry or economic trends. If our review indicates impairment, an impairment charge is recognized based on the difference between carrying value and fair value. Fair value is typically established using an average of three independent valuations.

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    Variable Interest Entities

        In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. A variable interest entity is a legal entity that lacks either (a) equity interest holders as a group that lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, including: decision making ability and an interest in the entity's residual risks and rewards or (b) the equity holders have not provided sufficient equity investment to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. Interpretation 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated if any of its interest holders are entitled to a majority of the entity's residual return or are exposed to a majority of its expected losses.

        In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN 46(R) replaces FIN 46 and clarifies the accounting for interests in variable interest entities.

        In applying the provisions of Interpretation 46(R), the Company must make assumptions in respect of, but not limited to, the sufficiency of the equity investment in the underlying entity. These assumptions include assumptions about the future revenues, operating costs and estimated economic useful lives of assets of the underlying entity.

        The Company initially applied the provisions of Interpretation 46(R) to all special purpose entities and other entities created after January 31, 2003 on December 31, 2003. This application has not had a material impact on the results of operations or financial position of the Company. In accordance with the requirements of Interpretation 46(R), the Company will initially apply its provisions to entities that are not considered to be special purpose entities that were created before January 31, 2003 as of March 31, 2004.

Results of Operations—Predecessor

    Year ended December 31, 2003 compared with the year ended December 31, 2002

        Total operating revenues increased by 90% to $695.1 million in 2003 from $365.2 million in 2002. Time charter equivalent revenues increased by 102% to $546.5 million in 2003 compared with $271.2 million in 2002. In 2002, the Company took delivery of four wholly owned double hull VLCCs, which are included for the entire 2003 period. However, this increase primarily reflects the strong earnings in the tanker market in the 2003 period. The average daily TCEs earned by the Company's VLCCs, Suezmax tankers, and Suezmax OBO carriers in 2003 were $40,400, $33,500 and $32,000, respectively, compared with $22,200, $18,400 and $17,700, respectively, in 2002. This increase in average daily TCEs is in line with the overall increase in operating revenues that we have experienced during 2003.

        Spot voyage charters represented 88% and 85% of the Company's time charter equivalent revenues in 2003 and 2002 respectively. Accordingly, the Company's revenues are significantly affected by the prevailing spot rates in the markets in which the vessels operate. Traditionally, spot market rates are highly volatile and are determined by market forces such as worldwide demand, changes in the production of crude oil, changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns including changes in the distances that cargoes are transported, environmental concerns and regulations and competition from alternative sources of energy. Fiscal year 2003 started with extremely strong charter rates which were mainly driven by factors such as the strike in Venezuela which resulted in longer haul imports, a cold winter in the northern hemisphere resulting in increased demand for heating oil and increased consumption in the Far East especially China, all of which have resulted in spot market rates being significantly stronger than in 2002. Oil demand for 2003 experienced its strongest growth in 15 years with an increase of approximately 3.5% for the 2003 calendar year.

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        Voyage expenses and commission increased by 58% from $94.0 million in 2002 to $148.5 million in 2003. This increase is primarily as a result of the withdrawal of Frontline from participation in the Tankers International LLC pool in July 2002. Under the pool arrangement, voyage costs and commission for vessels entered in the pool were borne by the pool. After Frontline's withdrawal from the pool these costs were borne by Frontline. The increase also reflects increased commissions due to increased operating revenues.

        Vessel operating expenses, which include drydocking costs, have remained steady, increasing marginally by 0.8% to $82.0 million in 2003 from $81.4 million in 2002. The average daily operating costs, including drydockings, of the Company's VLCCs, Suezmax tankers and Suezmax OBO carriers were $6,318, $5,578 and $5,466 respectively, compared with $7,211, $5,972 and $5,711 respectively, in 2002. VLCC rates have reduced primarily as a result of a decrease in the number of VLCCs drydocked in the year from four in 2002 to two in 2003.

        Depreciation and amortization increased 10% to $106.0 million in 2003 to $96.8 million in 2002. The increase primarily relates to a full year's depreciation being included in 2003 for the four vessels delivered in 2002. Effective October 1, 2003, the Company re-evaluated the estimated useful life of its single hull vessels and determined this to be either 25 years or the vessel's anniversary date in 2015 whichever came first. As a result, the estimated useful life of thirteen of the Company's vessels was reduced resulting in an increase in depreciation expense of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 ($4.4 million on an annualized basis).

        Administrative expenses increased 40% to $9.7 million in 2003 from $6.9 million in 2002 primarily as a result an increase in costs recognized in relation to Frontline's employee share option plan along with increased legal costs incurred by the Company.

        Net interest expense for 2003 was $29.3 million, a decrease of 13% compared with $33.6 million in 2002. Interest income decreased 31.1% to $5.9 million in 2003 from $8.5 million in 2002 mainly due to a decrease in interest income from loans to associated companies. This is as a result of reductions in our average total interest bearing loans to associated companies in 2003. Interest expense decreased to $35.1 million in 2003 from $42.1 million in 2002. At December 31, 2003, the Company had $991.6 million of floating rate debt and the decrease in the interest expense reflects the benefit of lower interest rates in the 2003 period along with reduced debt in the year.

        The share in result of associated companies increased from a loss $10.1 million in 2002 to earnings of $22.1 million in 2003. The increase is due to a combination of the strength of tanker earnings in 2003 compared with 2002 and foreign currency exchange losses recognized in associated companies with Yen denominated long term debt in 2002. In the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $5.2 million related to the other-than-temporary decline in value of its investments in Golden Lagoon Corporation and Ichiban Transport Corporation. This impairment charge was triggered by signing agreements on June 25, 2003 for the sale of our investments for proceeds which were less than book value of those investments.

        The Company incurred a foreign currency exchange loss of $10.4 million in 2003 compared with a loss of $5.6 million in 2002. Foreign exchange gains and losses arise primarily on the Yen debt in certain subsidiaries. In the 2003, the Yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar from ¥118.54 at December 31, 2002 to ¥107.1 at December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2003, the Company had Yen debt of ¥9.6 billion, compared with ¥5.1 billion at December 31, 2002.

        Other financial items have increased from a charge of $4.5 in 2002 million to income of $3.6 million in 2003. In both years, other financial items consisted primarily of market value adjustment on interest rate swaps following the adoption of SFAS No. 133 on January 1, 2001.

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    Year ended December 31, 2002 compared with the year ended December 31, 2001

        Total operating revenues decreased by 25% to $365.2 million in 2002 from $486.7 million in 2001. Time charter equivalent revenues decreased by 34% to $271.2 million in 2002 compared with $411.5 million in 2001. In 2002, the Company took delivery of four wholly owned double hull VLCCs. The decrease reflects the significantly weaker tanker charter market in 2002 compared with 2001. The annual average daily TCEs earned by the Company's VLCCs, Suezmax tankers, and Suezmax OBO carriers for 2002 were $22,200, $18,400 and $17,700, respectively, compared with $34,600, $30,600 and $28,900, respectively, in 2001. Spot voyage charters represented 85% and 92% of the Company's time charter equivalent revenues in 2002 and 2001 respectively. The tanker market weakened significantly in the first half of 2002 mainly as a result of the influence of a global economic recession that began in 2001; the lingering effects on September 11 on the airline industry and the quota cuts imposed by OPEC which resulted in an increase in short haul imports. Market conditions improved in the last quarter of 2002 as demand for oil increased due to factors such as a colder than normal winter, a gradual global economic recovery and the shutdown of nuclear power plants in Japan resulting in increased consumption of fossil fuels.

        Voyage expenses and commission increased by 25% from $75.2 million in 2001 to $94.0 million in 2002. This increase is primarily as a result of the withdrawal of Frontline from participation in the Tankers International LLC pool in July 2002. Under the pool arrangement, voyage costs and commission for vessels entered in the pool were borne by the pool. After Frontline's withdrawal from the pool these costs were borne by Frontline.

        Vessel operating expenses, which include drydocking costs, decreased 4% to $81.4 million from $85.1 million in 2001. This decrease was a result of a cost saving initiative. The average daily operating costs, including drydockings, of the Company's VLCCs, Suezmax tankers and Suezmax OBO carriers were $7,211, $5,972 and $5,711 respectively, compared with $7,012, $6,049 and $8,883, respectively, in 2001. In 2002, 11 of the vessels went into drydock compared with 15 in 2001. The decrease in daily operating costs for the Suezmax OBO carriers was a result of seven out of the eight vessels having been drydocked in 2001.

        Administrative expenses decreased 1% to $6.9 million in 2002 from $7.0 million in 2001. A reduction in non-cash charges in connection with employee stock options offset expenses for an increased number of Frontline employees.

        Depreciation and amortization increased 9% from $88.6 million in 2001 to $96.8 million in 2002. The increase relates to the acquisition of four new vessels in 2002 and the impact for a full year of the reduced expected useful life for one of the Company's vessels following the implementation of IMO regulations in 2001.

        Net interest expense for 2002 was $33.6 million, a decrease of 38% compared with $54.5 million in 2001. Interest expense decreased from $58.9 million in 2001 to $42.1 million in 2002. At December 31, 2002 the Company had $1,104.0 million of floating rate debt and the decrease in the interest expense reflects the benefit of lower interest rates throughout 2002.

        The share in result of associated companies decreased from earnings of $14.3 million in 2001 to a loss of $10.1 million in 2002. Certain of the associated companies in which the Company has investments have Yen denominated long term debt. In 2002 the loss was due to a combination of lower revenues and the strengthening of the Yen against the U.S. dollar with the resulting unrealized loss included with the share in results of associated companies.

        The Company incurred a foreign currency exchange loss of $5.6 million in 2002 compared with a gain of $6.2 million in 2001, as a result of the strengthening of the Yen against the U.S. dollar from ¥131.14 at December 31, 2001 to ¥118.54 at December 31, 2002. At December 31, 2002, the Company had Yen debt of ¥5.1 billion, compared with ¥5.6 billion at December 31, 2001.

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        The charge for other financial items decreased from $9.1 million in 2001 to $4.5 million in 2002. In both years, other financial items consisted primarily of market value adjustment on interest rate swaps following the adoption of SFAS No. 133 on January 1, 2001. These mark to market valuation adjustments were $3.3 million and $8.6 million for 2002 and 2001, respectively.

        The Company adopted FAS 142 effective January 1, 2002 and recognized an impairment loss on goodwill of $14.1 million that is shown separately in the consolidated statement of operations as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. Net income for 2002 before the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle was $32.2 million.

Results of Operations—Stand Alone Basis

        Administrative expenses consist of initial start up costs incurred by the Company.

        Interest income consists of interest accruing on the net proceeds from the offering.

        Interest expense consists of interest accruing on our issue of $580 million of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 together with amortization of capitalized fees associated with our offering.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        The Company operates in a capital intensive industry and has historically financed its purchase of tankers and other capital expenditures through a combination of cash generated from operations, equity capital and borrowings from commercial banks. The liquidity requirements of the Company relate to servicing its debt, funding the equity portion of investments in vessels, funding working capital requirements and maintaining cash reserves against fluctuations in operating cash flows. Revenues from time charters and bareboat charters are received monthly or fortnightly in advance, while revenues from voyage charters are received upon completion of the voyage.

        The Company's funding and treasury activities are conducted within corporate policies to maximize investment returns while maintaining appropriate liquidity for the Company's requirements. Cash and cash equivalents are held primarily in U.S. dollars, with some balances held in Japanese Yen, British Pound and Norwegian Kroner.

        As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $26.5 million, and $20.6 million, respectively. The Company generated cash from operations of $415.5 million in 2003 compared with $115.7 million in 2002 and $307.2 million in 2001. Net cash used in investing activities in 2003 was $51.6 million compared with net cash used in investing activities of $261.8 million in 2002 and $271.9 million in 2001. In 2003, investing activities related primarily to $70 million in funding payments to the various investments in associated companies, in addition to $17 million received as proceeds from the sale of investments in associated companies. In 2002, the Company's investing activities related to the acquisition of four VLCC's for an amount totaling $249.3 million. In 2001, investing activities consisted primarily of payments for three VLCC acquisitions, totaling $210.0 million.

        Cash used in financing activities was $358.0 million at December 31, 2003 compared with cash provided by financing activities of $140.7 million in 2002 and cash used in financing activities of $24.5 million at December 31, 2001. In 2003 there were $178.2 million in principal repayments on long term debt compared to principal repayments of $126.7 million and $228.7 million proceeds from long term debt in 2002. In 2001 there were proceeds from long term debt of $164.6 million and repayments of long term debt of $129.2 million. In 2003 there was a net reduction of $178.8 million in the amount due to parent company compared with an increase of $41.4 million in 2002 and a decrease of $59.5 million in 2001.

        In July, 2003 the Company disposed of it interests in Golden Lagoon Corporation and Ichiban Transport Corporation for proceeds of $17 million.

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        In June 2003, the Company acquired the remaining 50% of the shares in Golden Tide Corporation for $9.5 million.

        In July 2002, the Company acquired a 33% interest in a joint venture, which acquired a 2002-built VLCC for approximately $78.5 million. At the same time, $52.5 million of bank financing was secured for the joint venture.

        In 2002, the Company took delivery of four vessels: Front Serenade ; Front Stratus ; Front Page ; and Front Falcon . In March 2002 the Company obtained bank financing for a total sum of $150 million for the Front Serenade , Front Stratus and Front Falcon . In August 2002, the Company obtained bank financing for a total sum of $50 million for Front Page .

        In February 2001, the Company acquired a 50.1% interest in a joint venture, which acquired a VLCC built in 1993 for approximately $53.0 million. At the same time, $35 million of financing was secured for this joint venture.

        In 2001, the Company took delivery of three vessels that were acquired through the exercise of purchase options; Front Commerce ; Front Comanche; and Opalia . In April 2001, the Company obtained bank financing for Front Commerce , for a total amount of $55 million. In May 2001, the Company obtained bank financing for a total sum of $59 million for the Front Comanche and in July 2001, obtained bank financing for a total sum of $50 million for Opalia .

        The Company had total long term debt outstanding of $991.6 million at December 31, 2003 compared with $1,106.8 million at December 31, 2002 and $1,000.5 million at December 31, 2001. As of December 31, 2003, all of company's debt was floating rate debt. The Company is exposed to various market risks, including interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations. The Company uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. The interest rates swaps are used solely to hedge interest flow on the Company's debt portfolio and are not used for speculative purposes. As at December 31, 2003, the Company's interest rate swap arrangements effectively fixed the Company's interest rate exposure on $152.6 million of floating rate debt (2002 $327.7 million, 2001 362.8 million). The interest rate swap agreements expire between January 2006 and August 2008.

        At December 31, 2003, the Company, on a predecessor combined carve-out basis, had outstanding debt of $991.6 million which is repayable as follows:

 
  December 31, 2003
 
  (dollars in thousands)

2004     141,522
2005     230,993
2006     205,044
2007     111,543
2008 and later     302,508
   
Total debt   $ 991,610
   

        We believe that our cash flow from the charters will be sufficient to fund our anticipated debt service and working capital requirements for the short and medium term. To the extent we determine to acquire additional vessels, we may consider additional borrowings, and equity and debt issuances. Our long-term liquidity requirements include repayment of the balance our secured credit facility in 2010 and repayment of our issue of 8.5% Senior Notes in 2013. We may require additional borrowings or issuances of equity in the long-term to meet these requirements.

        As of December 31, 2003 the Company on a stand-alone basis had cash and cash equivalents of $565.5 million. This amount represents the net proceeds from our issue of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2013.

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        The Company on a stand-alone basis had total long term debt outstanding of $580.0 million at December 31, 2003 which consists of our issue of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2013. We expect interest expense on the Notes to amount to $49.3 million per year and amortization of related capitalized fees and expenses to amount to approximately $1.7 million per year.

        On January 1, 2004, our agreements with the Charterer and the management agreements and administrative services agreements that we entered into on December 11, 2003 became effective. Under these agreements, we are contracted to make and receive amounts that will impact our future liquidity requirements. Based upon our current fleet of 46 vessels, and including the additional VLCC under option from January 1, 2005, we estimate that we will receive approximately $385.9 million under these contracts in 2004 and will be required to pay approximately $110.9 million during the same period. For further information on contractual operating cash flows, please refer to "Summary—Our Contractual Cash Flow". In February 2004, we completed the refinancing of the existing senior secured indebtedness with a $1.058 billion senior secured credit facility. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.25% payable quarterly in arrears and may be prepaid without penalty. The principal amortization schedule in respect of our senior secured credit facility, assuming that it is fully drawn upon, will be as follows:

Year

  Amount
 
  (dollars in millions)

2004   $ 93.7
2005     93.7
2006     93.7
2007     93.7
2008     93.7
2009     89.8
At maturity in 2010     499.7

Contractual Commitments

        At December 31, 2003, on a predecessor combined carve-out basis, the Company had the following contractual obligations and commitments:

 
  Payment due by period
 
  Less than 1 year
  1 - 3 years
  3 - 5 years
  After 5 years
  Total
 
  In thousands of $

Borrowings   141,522   230,993   316,587   302,508   991,610
   
 
 
 
 
Total contractual cash obligations   141,522   230,993   316,587   302,508   991,610
   
 
 
 
 

        At December 31, 2003, on a stand alone basis, the Company had no contractual commitments other than those relating to our agreement to purchase the Vessel Interests from Frontline and our issue of $580.0 million 8.5% Senior Notes due 2013. These commitments are discussed in "Overview" above.

        Following the drawdown of the $1.058 billion senior secured credit facility as discussed above, the Company has the following contractual obligations and commitments:

 
  Payment due by period
 
  Less than 1 year
  1 - 3 years
  3 - 5 years
  After 5 years
  Total
 
  In thousands of $

Borrowings   93,700   93,700   187,400   1,263,200   1,638,000
   
 
 
 
 
Total contractual cash obligations   93,700   93,700   187,400   1,263,200   1,638,000
   
 
 
 
 

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INDUSTRY

        The discussion of tanker industry statistics and charts under this heading have been complied by P.F. Bassøe AS & Co., which has confirmed to us that they accurately describe the international tanker market, subject to the availability and reliability of the data supporting the statistical and graphical information presented. P.F. Bassøe AS & Co.'s methodologies for collecting data, and therefore the data collected, may differ from those of other sources, and its data does not reflect all or even necessarily a comprehensive set of the actual transactions occurring in the market.

Overview

        The tanker industry provides crude oil transportation between oil producing and consuming nations. Almost one-half of the world's crude oil production is transported by sea. There are primarily two types of operators that provide international seaborne oil and petroleum products transportation services: major integrated oil companies with captive fleets (both private and state-owned) and independent shipowners. Both types of operators transport oil under short term contracts (including single voyage spot charters) and long term time charters with oil companies, oil traders, petroleum product producers and government agencies. The oil companies use their fleets to transport their own oil as well as to transport oil for third party charterers in direct competition with independent shipowners in the tanker charter market.

        Since the latter half of the 1990s, the market situation for tanker owners has improved significantly. Several factors have contributed to this improvement. Increased focus on vessel quality has been a main driver. Long seen as a commodity market with little degree of differentiation between vessels and owners, the industry began to change during the 1990s. This process was triggered by the Exxon Valdez incident in 1989, which began the movement towards double hull vessels and tighter industry regulations, including OPA. The emergence of vessels equipped with double hulls represented a differentiation in vessel quality and enabled such vessels to command higher rates in the spot charter markets. The effect has been a shift in major charterers' preference towards greater use of double hulls and, therefore, more difficult trading conditions for older single hull vessels. These changes are reflected in the sharp increase in scrapping of older vessels during periods of weaker market conditions in recent years. As a result, the net increase in transportation capacity for Suezmax tankers and VLCCs has been low during this period.

    Types of Tankers

        The oil tanker fleet is generally divided into six major categories of vessels, based on carrying capacity. To minimize the cost of shipping, tanker charterers transporting crude oil will typically charter the largest vessel that meets the specific port and canal size restrictions for the voyage. The six types of vessels, categorized according to their size in dwt, are:

    ULCCs of approximately 320,000 dwt or more;

    VLCCs of approximately 200,000 to 320,000 dwt;

    Suezmax tankers of approximately 120,000 to 200,000 dwt;

    Aframax tankers of approximately 80,000 to 120,000 dwt;

    Panamax tankers of approximately 50,000 to 80,000 dwt; and

    Small tankers (such as Handysize) of less than approximately 50,000 dwt.

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    World Crude Oil Tanker Fleet by Type of Vessel

        ULCCs and VLCCs provide the most efficient means of long haul transportation, and mainly transport oil from the Arabian Gulf to Western Europe, the United States and Asia. According to P.F. Bassøe, as of October 31, 2003, the cargo capacity of ULCCs and VLCCs represented approximately 55% of the world's crude oil tanker fleet above 80,000 dwt.

        Suezmax tankers engage in long- and medium-haul crude oil trades, such as from West Africa and the North Sea to the United States. Aframax vessels generally engage in both medium- and short-haul trades and carry crude oil or petroleum products. As of October 31 2003, data from P.F. Bassøe shows that the cargo capacity of Aframax and Suezmax tankers represented approximately 24% and 20%, respectively, of the total world crude oil tanker fleet over 80,000 dwt. Unlike smaller vessels, Aframax and Suezmax vessels are large enough to allow them to benefit from economies of scale in some regional markets. They also have access to a wide range of ports, many of which are not accessible by larger vessels such as ULCCs and VLCCs, and are particularly well-suited for trading in regional markets, including the Atlantic basin.

        Panamax and smaller tankers mostly transport petroleum products in short- to medium-haul trades.

        Besides tankers, oil/bulk/ore (OBO) carriers are vessels which are capable of carrying either crude oil or dry bulk cargoes. As a result of being able to transport more than one type of cargo, OBOs can have a higher utilization and charter rates over a similar size tanker. Frontline's OBO vessels are similar in size to Suezmax tankers.

Tanker Demand Drivers

    Overview

        Tanker demand is derived from a combination of factors, including world oil supply and demand, and the geographic locations of oil production, refinement and consumption. Tanker demand is generally expressed in "ton-miles" and is measured as the product of (1) cargo volume, usually measured in metric tons, and (2) the distance over which this oil is transported.

        Tanker demand is a function of global trends in oil consumption and oil production, with a particular emphasis on the geographic location of both the consumers and the producers. Consumption and production trends are in turn influenced by a combination of economic growth, oil prices, weather conditions and long term geological profiles. Tonnage of oil shipped is also influenced by the cost and availability of transportation alternatives such as pipelines.

    Oil Demand

        Oil demand has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 1.5% over the past ten years. In addition, oil demand has consistently grown every year for over 40 years, except for two periods: 1974 to 1975 and 1980 to 1983. Demand growth was weak in the early part of this decade following the sharp increase in oil prices since 1999 and the ensuing recession in industrialized countries. During the past year growth has increased, led by strong economic performance in China and the recovery in the United States. The International Energy Agency, or IEA, recently upgraded its outlook for global demand growth through 2004. The IEA expects world oil demand to increase by 1.3 million barrels per day (mbd), or 1.7%, in 2003 and 1.0 mbd, or 1.4%, in 2004. Longer-term, the IEA expects global oil demand to grow at an overall rate of 1.6% per year. Growth in the mature OECD regions is expected to be less than 1.0% per year while growth in the emerging Asian economies is expected to be between 3.0% and 4.0% per year. Given that the region is a net importer on oil, we expect this trend to result in increased tanker demand.

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    Oil production and reserves

        There are significant differences in reserves, geological profiles, and production costs in the various oil producing regions of the world. While swings in oil prices, technological advances and government energy policies can influence production trends in the short- to medium-term, the level of oil reserves will ultimately determine production trends in the long term.

        Countries in the Middle East have nearly twice the proved reserves of all of the other countries combined, which will continue to drive long- and medium-haul seaborne transportation.

        World oil production is expected to reach approximately 79 mbd in 2003. OPEC countries located in the Middle East are expected to supply approximately 28% of this volume. Given the dominance of world oil reserves located in this region, this share is expected to grow in coming years as oil fields in other parts of the world gradually reach maturity and begin a process of natural decline. The length of transportation distances between the Middle East and consuming areas means that such a trend would boost ton-miles and would be beneficial for tanker demand.

    Seaborne Transportation of Crude Oil

        Seaborne transportation of oil has grown on average by 2.7% per year over the past decade, which is nearly twice as fast as the rate of growth in oil demand over the same period. The higher rate of growth for seaborne oil trade illustrates that while total trade is roughly 60% of total oil demand, virtually all of the increase in consumption from year to year has to be transported. In addition, crude oil production in some consuming regions has fallen.

    Major consumers, producers, importers and exporters of oil

        The United States is the largest consumer and importer of oil, and China is the fastest growing importer of oil. The Middle East and the former Soviet Union, or FSU, are the largest producers and, together with the North Sea, the largest exporters of oil, making them the primary drivers of long- and medium-haul seaborne transportation. The FSU is the fastest growing exporter of crude oil and generates demand for medium-haul transportation.

    Crude Oil Trading Patterns

        The distance over which oil is transported by sea reflects prevailing seaborne trading and distribution patterns. These patterns are in turn a function of the optimal economic distribution of that production for refining and consumption, as dictated by, among other things, the level of spot and forward oil prices, the price between different crude oil qualities, refining margins and freight rates. Seaborne trading patterns also are influenced by geopolitical events that divert tankers from normal trading patterns, as well as by inter-regional oil trading activity created by global oil supply and demand imbalances. The Middle East is the only region in the world that holds significant volumes of excess oil production capacity. Production volumes from this region fluctuate in line with OPEC's attempts to keep world oil prices within OPEC's desired price range of $22 to $28 per barrel. Because the Middle East is the main loading area for VLCCs, these output swings have a direct and significant bearing on the VLCC freight market.

    Crude Oil Inventories

        The level of oil inventories is an important element of tanker demand because it indicates the available cushion in the oil industry to absorb unexpected events. Typically, low inventories will raise the importance of tanker transportation in providing incremental supply to meet higher oil demand or shortfalls in production. Currently, U.S. commercial oil inventories (crude and products) are near their five year lows and OECD commercial oil inventories are in the bottom half of their five year range at

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approximately 960 and 2,590 million barrels, respectively. This decrease has taken place over a protracted period and reflects both major oil companies' drive to reduce capital employed as well as OPEC's desire for higher oil prices. The result for the tanker industry has been that its role in the supply logistics of the oil market has increased. As of September 30, 2003, the OECD inventory level was approximately 50 million barrels, or 2% below its five-year average and as of November 14, 2003 the United States inventory level was approximately 54 million barrels, or 5% below its five year average.

        Demand for oil fluctuates with the different seasons and in response to price swings and unforeseen events. As inventory levels have declined, producers with excess capacity have been relied upon to balance such swings. These producers are mainly located in the Middle East and are net exporters of oil, which means demand for tankers increasingly has become a part of such fluctuations.

        Continued low inventories would in all likelihood result in continued volatility in tanker rates as demand for tonnage responds to swings in regional oil balances. A general increase in inventory levels would likely reduce this volatility but would involve a period of above-trend tanker demand.

Tanker Supply Drivers

    Overview

        The supply of tankers increases with deliveries of newbuildings, and decreases with scrapping of older vessels and loss of tonnage as a result of casualties and conversion of vessels to other uses, such as floating production and storage facilities. A tanker's size is measured in dwt, which is the amount of crude oil measured in metric tons that the vessel is capable of loading. The supply of tankers is measured both in the number of vessels and in aggregate dwt.

    Newbuildings

        Typically, newbuildings are delivered 18 months after they are ordered, depending on the available capacity of the shipyard. Shipyard capacity for 2004, 2005 and part of 2006 has already been committed and, as a result, a large tanker ordered today is unlikely to be delivered until 2007.

    Scrapping

        Vessel owners often conclude that it is more economical to scrap a vessel that has exhausted its useful life than to upgrade the vessel to maintain it in-class. A vessel is deemed to be "in-class" if the surveyors of a classification society determine that the vessel conforms to the standards and rules of that classification society. In many cases, particularly when tankers reach 25 years of age, the costs of conducting the special survey and performing associated repairs, such as the replacement of steel plate, in order to maintain a vessel in-class may not be economically efficient. Customers, insurance companies and other industry participants use the survey and classification regime to obtain reasonable assurance of a vessel's seaworthiness, and vessels must be certified as in-class in order to continue to trade (i.e., to be admitted to ports worldwide). In addition, regulations set by the IMO impose significant restrictions on tankers trading beyond 25 years of age.

        Scrapping of most of the vessels delivered in the mid-1970s, as they near the end of their useful lives, in conjunction with customers' preference for younger vessels, has changed the tanker business in recent years and is expected to continue to do so during the next several years. Factors affecting the amount of tonnage scrapped include market conditions and second hand vessel values in relation to scrap prices. Scrap prices are currently at a modern-day high of $270 per light weight ton, or the weight of the tanker unloaded. According to P.F. Bassøe, approximately 11 million dwt of VLCC tankers and 2.2 million dwt of Suezmax tankers were scrapped during 2002.

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    Deliveries and Scrapping of VLCC and Suezmax Tankers

        Despite the large number of newbuildings delivered in the past two years, the size of the VLCC and Suezmax tanker fleets have remained relatively constant. Increased focus on environmental and safety concerns has led to increased scrapping to offset the increase in newbuilding deliveries, creating greater stability in tanker supply. Since 1999, there has been a net increase in the global VLCC fleet of 2.0 million dwt, or approximately 0.5% growth per year. Suezmax net supply has increased by approximately 2.8 million dwt, or about 1.7% per year. The marginal increase in fleet growth was absorbed through increased tanker demand, which grew by more than 3% per year over the same time period.

        The following table shows the growth in the global fleet of VLCC and Suezmax tankers since 1990:

Gross and net growth in tanker fleet capacity

Newbuilding deliveries and net growth, total VLCC and Suezmax fleet

CHART

Source: P.F. Bassøe               

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BUSINESS

Overview

        We were formed in October of 2003 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, which is one of the largest owners and operators of large crude oil tankers in the world. We have purchased from Frontline a fleet of 46 crude oil tankers, which we have chartered under long term, fixed rate charters to Frontline Shipping Limited, which we refer to as the Charterer and the option to purchase an additional vessel. The Charterer was initially capitalized with $250 million in cash provided by Frontline to support its obligation to make payments to us under the charters. We have also entered into fixed rate management and administrative services agreements with Frontline Management (Bermuda) Limited, or Frontline Management, to provide for the operation and maintenance of our vessels and administrative support services. These arrangements are intended to provide us with stable cash flow and reduce our exposure to volatility in the markets for seaborne oil transportation services.

        We have acquired from Frontline 23 VLCCs, including the VLCC under option, each having a capacity of 275,000 to 308,000 dwt, and 24 Suezmax tankers, each having a capacity of 142,000 to 169,000 dwt. Our fleet is one of the largest tanker fleets in the world, with a combined deadweight tonnage of 10.5 million dwt, and has an average age of 8.6 years as of December 31, 2003. Thirteen of our VLCCs and 16 of our Suezmax tankers are of double hull construction, with the remainder being modern single hull or double sided vessels built since 1990. Eight of our Suezmax tankers are oil/bulk/ore carriers, or OBO carriers, which can be configured to carry either oil or dry cargo as market conditions warrant.

Strategy

        Our long term charters with the Charterer are our sole source of operating income. We plan to grow our fleet and to replace vessels as they are retired with modern double hull vessels to maintain stable cash flow and the quality of our fleet. We expect that our replacement and growth vessels will be either existing or newly built VLCC or Suezmax tankers. Depending on market conditions, we may charter our additional vessels on long or short term time charters or in the spot markets. We may also seek to diversify our customer base by securing charters with companies other than the Charterer. Frontline currently intends to distribute 40% of our shares to Frontline's shareholders, at which time we will seek to have our shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange, although we cannot assure you that this will occur.

Competitive Strengths

        We believe that our fleet, together with our contractual arrangements with Frontline and its affiliates, give us a number of competitive strengths, including:

    one of the largest and most modern VLCC and Suezmax fleets in the world;

    fixed rate, long term charters intended to reduce our exposure to volatility in tanker rates;

    profit sharing potential when the Charterer's earnings from deploying our vessels exceed certain levels;

    substantially fixed operating costs under our management agreements;

    a charter counterparty initially capitalized with $250 million to support its obligation to make charter payments to us; and

    vessels managed by Frontline Management, one of the industry's most experienced operators of tankers.

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Charter Arrangements

    Time Charters

        We have chartered the vessels we acquired from Frontline to the Charterer under long term time charters, which will extend for various periods depending on the age of the vessels, ranging from approximately seven to 23 years. We refer you to "—Our Fleet" below for the relevant charter termination dates for each of our vessels. Eleven of the vessels that we acquired are on current long term time charters and three vessels are on current long term bareboat charters. We have agreed with the Charterer that it will treat all of these vessels as being under time charters with us, on the same terms and effective on the same dates as with the other 32 vessels for all economic purposes. If the current underlying charterer defaults, the Charterer will continue to perform the economic terms of the charters with us. On redelivery of a vessel from its underlying charter, that vessel will be deemed delivered under the Charterer's charter with us for the rest of its term.

        With the exceptions described below, the daily base charter rates, which are payable to us monthly in advance for a maximum of 360 days per year (361 days per leap year), are as follows:

Year

  VLCC
  Suezmax
2003 to 2006   $ 25,575   $ 21,100
2007 to 2010   $ 25,175   $ 20,700
2011 and beyond   $ 24,175   $ 19,700

The daily base charter rates for vessels that reach their 18th delivery date anniversary, in the case of non-double hull vessels, or their 20th delivery date anniversary, in the case of double hull vessels, will decline to $18,262 per day for VLCCs and $15,348 for Suezmax tankers after such dates, respectively.

        In addition, the base charter rate for our non-double hull vessels will decline to $7,500 per day after 2010, at which time the Charterer will have the option to terminate the charters for those vessels. Each charter also provides that the base charter rate will be reduced if the vessel does not achieve the performance specifications set forth in the charter. The related management agreement provides that Frontline Management will reimburse us for any such reduced charter payments. The Charterer has the right under a charter to direct us to bareboat charter the related vessel to a third party. During the term of the bareboat charter, the Charterer will continue to pay us the daily base charter rate for the vessel, less $6,500 per day. The related management agreement provides that our obligation to pay the $6,500 fixed fee to Frontline Management will be suspended for so long as the vessel is bareboat chartered.

        Under the charters we are required to keep the vessels seaworthy, and to crew and maintain them. Frontline Management performs those duties for us under the management agreements described below. If a structural change or new equipment is required due to changes in classification society or regulatory requirements, the Charterer may make them, at its expense, without our consent, but those changes or improvements will become our property. The Charterer is not obligated to pay us charterhire for off hire days in excess of five off hire days per year per vessel calculated on a fleet-wide basis, which include days a vessel is unable to be in service due to, among other things, repairs or drydockings. However, under the management agreements described below, Frontline Management will reimburse us for any loss of charter revenue in excess of five off hire days per vessel, calculated on a fleet-wide basis.

        The terms of the charters do not provide the Charterer with an option to terminate the charter before the end of its term, other than with respect to our non-double hull vessels after 2010. We may terminate any or all of the charters in the event of an event of default under the charter ancillary agreement that we describe below. The charters may also terminate in the event of (1) a requisition for

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title of a vessel or (2) the total loss or constructive total loss of a vessel. In addition, each charter provides that we may not sell the related vessel without the Charterer's consent.

    The Charterer

        The Charterer's activities are limited in its organizational documents to chartering our vessels and any business necessary or incidental to that purpose. Under its constituent documents, the Charterer is not permitted to engage in other businesses or activities and is required to have at least one independent director on its board of directors whose consent will be required to file for bankruptcy, liquidate or dissolve the Charterer, merge or sell all or substantially all of the Charterer's assets. The Charterer is also required under its constituent documents to maintain, among other things, its corporate separateness from its affiliates, to maintain books, records and accounts separate from any other entities, to observe all corporate formalities, not to co-mingle its assets, to maintain an arm's-length relationship with its affiliates and not to guarantee or become obligated for the debts of any other entity.

    Charter Ancillary Agreement

        We have entered into a charter ancillary agreement with the Charterer, our vessel owning subsidiaries that own our vessels and Frontline, which remains in effect until the last long term charter with the Charterer terminates in accordance with its terms. Frontline has guaranteed the Charterer's obligations under the charter ancillary agreement.

        Charter Service Reserve.     Frontline has made an initial capital contribution to the Charterer in the amount of $250 million in cash. These funds are being held as a charter service reserve to support the Charterer's obligation to make charter payments to us under the charters. The Charterer is entitled to use the charter service reserve only (1) to make charter payments to us and (2) for reasonable working capital to meet short term voyage expenses. The Charterer is required to provide us with monthly certifications of the balances of and activity in the charter service reserve.

        Material Covenants.     Pursuant to the terms of the charter ancillary agreement, the Charterer has agreed not to pay dividends or other distributions to its shareholders or loan, repay or make any other payment in respect of indebtedness of the Charterer or any of its affiliates (other than us or our wholly owned subsidiaries), unless (1) the Charterer is then in compliance with its obligations under the charter ancillary agreement, (2) after giving effect to the dividend or other distribution, (A) it remains in compliance with such obligations, (B) the balance of the charter service reserve equals at least $250 million (which threshold will be reduced by $5.3 million upon the termination of each charter other than by reason of a default by the Charterer), which we refer to as the "Minimum Reserve", and (C) it certifies to us that it reasonably believes that the charter service reserve will be equal to or greater than the Minimum Reserve level for at least 30 days after the date of that dividend or distribution, taking into consideration the Charterer's reasonably expected payment obligations during such 30-day period, (3) any charter payments deferred pursuant to the deferral provisions described below by the Charterer have been fully paid to us and (4) any profit sharing payments deferred by the Charterer pursuant to the profit sharing payments provisions described below have been fully paid to us. In addition, the Charterer has agreed to certain other restrictive covenants, including restrictions on its ability to, without our consent:

    amend its organizational documents in a manner that would adversely affect us;

    violate its organizational documents;

    engage in businesses other than the operation and chartering of our vessels;

    incur debt, other than in the ordinary course of business;

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    sell all or substantially all of its assets or the assets of any of its subsidiaries or enter into any merger, consolidation or business combination transaction;

    enter into transactions with affiliates, other than on an arm's-length basis;

    permit the incurrence of any liens on any of its assets, other than liens incurred in the ordinary course of business;

    issue any capital stock to any person or entity other than Frontline; and

    make any investments in, provide loans or advances to, or grant guarantees for the benefit of any person or entity other than in the ordinary course of business.

In addition, Frontline has agreed that it will cause the Charterer at all times to remain its wholly owned subsidiary.

        Deferral of Charter Payments.     For any period during which the cash and cash equivalents held by the Charterer are less than $75 million, the Charterer is entitled to defer from the payments payable to us under each charter up to $4,600 per day for each of our vessels that is a VLCC and up to $3,400 per day for each of our vessels that is a Suezmax, in each case without interest. However, no such deferral with respect to a particular charter may be outstanding for more than one year at any given time. The Charterer will be required to immediately use all revenues that the Charterer receives that are in excess of the daily charter rates payable to us to pay any deferred amounts at such time as the cash and cash equivalents held by the Charterer are greater than $75 million, unless the Charterer reasonably believes that the cash and cash equivalents held by the Charterer will not exceed $75 million for at least 30 days after the date of the payment. In addition, the Charterer will not be required to make any payment of deferred charter amounts until the payment would be at least $2 million.

        Profit Sharing Payments.     Under the terms of the charter ancillary agreement, beginning with the final 11-month period in 2004 and for each calendar year after that, the Charterer has agreed to pay us a profit sharing payment equal to 20% of the charter revenues for the applicable period, calculated annually on a TCE basis, realized by the Charterer for our fleet in excess of a weighted average rate of $25,575 per day for each VLCC and $21,100 per day for each Suezmax tanker. After 2010, all of our non-double hull vessels will be excluded from the annual profit sharing payment calculation. For purposes of calculating bareboat revenues on a TCE basis, expenses are assumed to equal $6,500 per day. The Charterer has agreed to use its commercial best efforts to charter our vessels on market terms and not to give preferential treatment to the marketing of any other vessels owned or managed by Frontline or its affiliates.

        The Charterer is entitled to defer, without interest, any profit sharing payment to the extent that, after giving effect to the payment, the charter service reserve would be less than the Minimum Reserve. The Charterer is required to immediately use all revenues that the Charterer receives that are in excess of the daily charter rates payable to us to pay any deferred profit sharing amounts at such time as the charter service reserve exceeds the minimum reserve, unless the Charterer reasonably believes that the charter service reserve will not exceed the minimum reserve level for at least 30 days after the date of the payment. In addition, the Charterer will not be required to make any payment of deferred profit sharing amounts until the payment would be at least $2 million.

        Collateral Arrangements.     The charter ancillary agreement provides that the obligations of the Charterer to us under the charters and the charter ancillary agreement are secured by a lien over all of the assets of the Charterer and a pledge of the equity interests in the Charterer.

        Default.     An event of default shall be deemed to occur under the charter ancillary agreement if:

    the Charterer materially breaches any of its obligations under any of the Charters,

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    the Charterer or Frontline materially breaches any of its obligations under the charter ancillary agreement or the Frontline performance guarantee,

    Frontline Management materially breaches any of its obligations under any of the management agreements or

    the Charterer fails at any time to hold at least $55 million in cash and cash equivalents.

        The occurrence of any event of default under the charter ancillary agreement that continues for 30 days after notice, we may elect to:

    terminate any or all of the charters,

    foreclose on any or all of our security interests described above and/or

    pursue any other available rights or remedies.

Management and Administrative Services Agreements

    Vessel Management Agreements

        Our vessel owning subsidiaries that we acquired from Frontline entered into fixed rate management agreements with Frontline Management. Under the management agreements, Frontline Management is responsible for all technical management of the vessels, including crewing, maintenance, repair, certain capital expenditures, drydocking, vessel taxes and other vessel operating expenses. In addition, if a structural change or new equipment is required due to changes in classification society or regulatory requirements, Frontline Management will be responsible for making them, unless the Charterer does so under the charters. We expect that Frontline Management will outsource many of these services to third party providers.

        Frontline Management is also obligated under the management agreements to maintain insurance for each of our vessels, including marine hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance (including pollution risks and crew insurances) and war risk insurance. Frontline Management will also reimburse us for all lost charter revenue caused by our vessels being off hire for more than five days per year on a fleet-wide basis or failing to achieve the performance standards set forth in the charters. Under the management agreements, we will pay Frontline Management a fixed fee of $6,500 per day per vessel for all of the above services, for as long as the relevant charter is in place. If the Charterer exercises its right under a charter to direct us to bareboat charter the related vessel to a third party, the related management agreement provides that our obligation to pay the $6,500 fixed fee to Frontline Management will be suspended for so long as the vessel is bareboat chartered. Both we and Frontline Management have the right to terminate any of the management agreements if the relevant charter has been terminated.

        Frontline has guaranteed to us Frontline Management's performance under these management agreements.

    Administrative Services Agreement

        We have entered into an administrative services agreement with Frontline Management and our vessel owning subsidiaries under which Frontline Management provides us and our vessel owning subsidiaries with administrative support services such as the maintenance of our corporate books and records, payroll services, the preparation of tax returns and financial statements, assistance with corporate and regulatory compliance matters not related to our vessels, legal and accounting services, assistance in complying with United States and other relevant securities laws, obtaining non-vessel related insurance, if any, cash management and bookkeeping services, development and monitoring of internal audit controls, disclosure controls and information technology, furnishing any reports or

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financial information that might be requested by us and other non-vessel related administrative services. Under this agreement Frontline Management also provides us and our vessel owning subsidiaries with office space in Bermuda. We and our vessel owning subsidiaries pay Frontline Management a fixed fee of $20,000 each per year for its services under the agreement, and reimburse Frontline Management for reasonable third party costs, including directors fees and expenses, shareholder communications and public relations, registrars, audit, legal fees and listing costs, if Frontline Management advances them on our behalf. Before any public equity offering by us, neither party may terminate this agreement for a period of two years without cause, but after two years or after public equity offering either party may terminate the agreement on 180 days' notice.

        Because Frontline Management has assumed full managerial responsibility for our fleet and our administrative services, we currently do not have separate management or employees. We do, however, have one director who is not affiliated with Frontline.

        Frontline guarantees to us Frontline Management's performance under this administrative services agreement.

Frontline Performance Guarantee

        Frontline has issued a performance guarantee with respect to the charters, the charter ancillary agreement, the management agreements and the administrative services agreement. Pursuant to the performance guarantee, Frontline has guaranteed the following obligations of the Charterer and Frontline Management:

    the performance of the obligations of the Charterer under the charters with the exception of payment of charter hire, which will not be guaranteed,

    the performance of the obligations of the Charterer under the charter ancillary agreement,

    the performance of the obligations of Frontline Management under the management agreements, provided, however, that Frontline's obligations with respect to indemnification for environmental matters shall not extend beyond the protection and indemnity insurance coverage with respect to any vessel required by us under the management agreements, and

    the performance of the obligations of Frontline Management under the administrative services agreement.

        Frontline's performance guarantee shall remain in effect until all obligations of the Charterer or Frontline Management, as the case may be, that have been guaranteed by Frontline under the performance guarantee have been performed and paid in full.

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Our Fleet

        The following chart summarizes certain information about the 47 vessels, including the vessel under option, we have acquired from Frontline:

Vessel

  Year
Built

  Dwt.
  Construction
  Flag
  Charter
Termination
Date
December 31,

 
VLCCs                      
Front Sabang   1990   286,000   Single hull   Singapore   2014 (1)
Front Vanadis   1990   286,000   Single hull   Singapore   2014 (1)
Front Highness   1991   284,000   Single hull   Singapore   2014 (1)
Front Lady   1991   284,000   Single hull   Singapore   2014 (1)
Front Lord   1991   284,000   Single hull   Singapore   2014 (1)
Front Duke   1992   284,000   Single hull   Singapore   2014 (1)
Front Duchess   1993   284,000   Single hull   Singapore   2014 (1)
Front Ace   1993   276,000   Single hull   Liberia   2014 (1)
Edinburgh   1993   302,000   Double side   Liberia   2016 (1)
Navix Astral   1996   276,000   Single hull   Panama   2014 (1)
New Vanguard   1998   300,000   Double hull   Hong Kong   2021  
New Vista   1998   300,000   Double hull   Hong Kong   2021  
New Circassia   1999   306,000   Double hull   Panama   2022  
Opalia   1999   302,000   Double hull   Isle of Man   2022  
Front Comanche   1999   300,000   Double hull   France   2022  
Front Commerce   1999   300,000   Double hull   Liberia   2022  
Oscilla   2000   302,000   Double hull   Isle of Man   2024  
Ariake   2001   298,000   Double hull   Bahamas   2024  
Front Serenade   2002   299,000   Double hull   Liberia   2025  
Front Stratus   2002   299,000   Double hull   Bahamas   2025  
Front Falcon   2002   308,000   Double hull   Bahamas   2025  
Front Page   2002   299,000   Double hull   Liberia   2025  
Hakata   2002   296,000   Double hull   Bahamas   2025  
Suezmax OBO Carriers                      
Front Breaker   1991   169,000   Double hull   Norway   2015  
Front Climber   1991   169,000   Double hull   Singapore   2015  
Front Driver   1991   169,000   Double hull   Norway   2015  
Front Guider   1991   169,000   Double hull   Singapore   2015  
Front Leader   1991   169,000   Double hull   Singapore   2015  
Front Rider   1992   169,000   Double hull   Singapore   2016  
Front Striver   1992   169,000   Double hull   Singapore   2016  
Front Viewer   1992   169,000   Double hull   Singapore   2016  

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Vessel

  Year
Built

  Dwt.
  Construction
  Flag
  Charter
Termination
Date
December 31,

 
Suezmax Tankers                      
Front Lillo   1991   147,000   Single hull   Marshall Islands   2014 (1)
Front Birch   1991   152,000   Double side   Marshall Islands   2015 (1)
Front Maple   1991   152,000   Double side   Marshall Islands   2015 (1)
Front Granite   1991   142,000   Single hull   Norway   2014 (1)
Front Emperor   1992   147,000   Single hull   Singapore   2014 (1)
Front Sunda   1992   142,000   Single hull   Norway   2014 (1)
Front Spirit   1993   147,000   Single hull   Marshall Islands   2014 (1)
Front Comor   1993   142,000   Single hull   Norway   2014 (1)
Front Pride   1993   150,000   Double hull   Norway   2017  
Front Glory   1995   150,000   Double hull   Norway   2018  
Front Splendour   1995   150,000   Double hull   Norway   2018  
Front Ardenne   1997   153,000   Double hull   Norway   2020  
Front Brabant   1998   153,000   Double hull   Norway   2021  
Mindanao   1998   158,000   Double hull   Singapore   2021  
Front Fighter   1998   153,000   Double hull   Norway   2021  
Front Hunter   1998   153,000   Double hull   Norway   2021  

(1)
Charter subject to termination at the Charterer's option after 2010.

        We are considering reflagging several of the Singapore and Norwegian flag vessels in the Republic of Marshall Islands, because we believe that a Marshall Islands registry will provide us with greater administrative convenience and operating efficiencies. These comparative advantages include an absence of the requirement that vessels be manned with crews of a specific nationality and the maintenance of correspondent offices in New York City and other major port cities around the world. Other than our interests in the vessels described above, we do not own any material physical properties.

Our Contractual Cash Flow

        The following table sets forth the aggregate contracted charter revenue that is payable to us under our charters with the Charterer, together with the management fees that are payable by us under the management agreements and the administrative services agreement, but does not include any debt service or other expenses. These figures do not include any profit sharing payments. These amounts are based on our current fleet of 46 vessels and include the additional VLCC under option from January 1, 2005. These amounts further assume that we do not make any other vessel acquisitions. This table assumes that all parties fully perform their obligations under the relevant agreements and that none of the charters are terminated due to loss of the vessel or otherwise, except for the charters for our

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non-double hull vessels, which are assumed to be terminated after 2010. We cannot assure you that these results will actually be achieved.

Year

  Charter
Payments

  Management and
Administrative
Fees

  Net
Contracted
Cash Payments

 
  (dollars in millions)

2004   $ 395.1   $ 113.3   $ 281.9
2005     394.1     112.9     281.2
2006     394.1     112.9     281.2
2007     387.3     112.9     274.3
2008     388.4     113.3     275.1
2009     383.0     112.9     270.1
2010     370.4     112.9     257.5
2011     226.6     69.9     156.7
2012     219.4     70.1     149.3
2013     214.1     69.9     144.2
2014 and beyond     1,517.7     496.8     1,020.3
   
 
 
Total   $ 4,880.4   $ 1,495.4   $ 3,385.0
   
 
 

Risk of Loss and Insurance

        Our operations may be affected by a number of risks, including mechanical failure of the vessels, collisions, property loss to the vessels, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, the operation of any ocean-going vessel is subject to the inherent possibility of catastrophic marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade.

        Frontline Management is responsible for arranging for the insurance of our vessels on terms specified in the management agreements, which we believe are in line with standard industry practice. In accordance with that practice, Frontline Management has procured marine hull and machinery and war risks insurance, which includes the risk of actual or constructive total loss, and protection and indemnity insurance with mutual assurance associations. Currently, the amount of coverage for liability for pollution, spillage and leakage available to us on commercially reasonable terms through protection and indemnity associations and providers of excess coverage is $1 billion per vessel per occurrence. Protection and indemnity associations are mutual marine indemnity associations formed by shipowners to provide protection from large financial loss to one member by contribution towards that loss by all members.

        We believe that our current insurance coverage is adequate to protect us against the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business and that we maintain appropriate levels of environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage, consistent with standard industry practice. However, there is no assurance that all risks are adequately insured against, that any particular claims will be paid or that we will be able to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future.

Inspection by a Classification Society

        All of our tankers have been certified as being "in-class" by the classification societies that inspect our vessels. Each of these classification societies is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies. Every commercial vessel's hull and machinery is evaluated by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that the vessel has been

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built and maintained in accordance with the rules of the classification society and complies with applicable rules and regulations of the vessel's country of registry and the international conventions of which that country is a member. Each vessel is inspected by a surveyor of the classification society in three surveys of varying frequency and thoroughness: every year for the annual survey, every two to three years for intermediate surveys and every four to five years for special surveys. Should any defects be found, the classification surveyor will issue a "recommendation" for appropriate repairs which have to be made by the shipowner within the time limit prescribed. Vessels may be required, as part of the annual and intermediate survey process, to be drydocked for inspection of the underwater portions of the vessel and for necessary repair stemming from the inspection. Special surveys always require drydocking.

Environmental Regulation

        Government regulation significantly affects the ownership and operation of our tankers. They are subject to international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our tankers may operate or are registered. Under our management agreements, Frontline Management has assumed full managerial responsibility for our fleet, including compliance with all government and other regulations. If our management agreements with Frontline Management terminate, we would assume responsibility for managing our vessels, including compliance with the regulations described herein and any costs associated with such compliance.

        A variety of governmental and private entities subject our tankers to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities (U.S. Coast Guard, harbor master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administration (country of registry) and charterers, particularly terminal operators and oil companies. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses and certificates for the operation of our tankers. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of our tankers.

        We believe that the heightened level of environmental and quality concerns among insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers is leading to greater inspection and safety requirements on all tankers and may accelerate the scrapping of older tankers throughout the industry. Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for tankers that conform to the stricter environmental standards. Frontline Management is required to maintain operating standards for all of our tankers that will emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers and crews and compliance with U.S. and international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessels are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations; however, because such laws and regulations are frequently changed and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our tankers.

International Maritime Organization

        In 1992, the International Maritime Organization, or IMO (the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention of marine pollution by ships) adopted regulations that set forth pollution prevention requirements applicable to tankers. These regulations, which have been adopted by over 150 nations, including many of the jurisdictions in which our tankers operate, provide, in part, that:

    tankers between 25 and 30 years old must be of double hull construction or of a mid-deck design with double sided construction, unless (1) they have wing tanks or double-bottom spaces not used for the carriage of oil, which cover at least 30% of the length of the cargo tank section of the hull or bottom; or (2) they are capable of hydrostatically balanced loading (loading less cargo into a tanker so that in the event of a breach of the hull, water flows into the tanker, displacing oil upwards instead of into the sea);

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    tankers 30 years old or older must be of double hull construction or mid-deck design with double sided construction; and

    all tankers are subject to enhanced inspections.

        Also, under IMO regulations, a tanker must be of double hull construction or a mid-deck design with double sided construction or be of another approved design ensuring the same level of protection against oil pollution if the tanker:

    is the subject of a contract for a major conversion or original construction on or after July 6, 1993;

    commences a major conversion or has its keel laid on or after January 6, 1994; or

    completes a major conversion or is a newbuilding delivered on or after July 6, 1996.

        Effective September 2002, the IMO accelerated its existing timetable for the phase-out of single hull oil tankers. These regulations require the phase-out of most single hull oil tankers by 2015 or earlier, depending on the age of the tanker and whether it has segregated ballast tanks. After 2007, the maximum permissible age for single hull tankers will be 26 years. Fifteen of our vessels are single hull tankers that were built in 1990 or later. Under the IMO's current regulations, these tankers and our three double sided tankers will be able to operate until 2015 before being required to be scrapped or retrofitted to conform to international environmental standards. Under current regulations, retrofitting will enable a vessel to operate until the earlier of 25 years of age and the anniversary date of its delivery in 2017. However, as a result of the oil spill in November 2002 relating to the loss of the m.t. Prestige , which was owned by a company not affiliated with us, in December 2003 the Marine Environmental Protection Committee of the IMO adopted a proposed amendment to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships to accelerate the phase out of single hull tankers from 2015 to 2010 unless the relevant flag states extend the date to 2015. This proposed amendment will come into effect in April 2005 unless objected to by a sufficient number of member states. We do not know whether any of our vessels will be subject to this accelerated phase-out, but this could result in a number of our vessels being unable to trade in many markets after 2010. Moreover, the IMO may still adopt regulations in the future that could adversely affect the remaining useful lives of our single hull tankers as well as our ability to generate income from them.

        The IMO has also negotiated international conventions that impose liability for oil pollution in international waters and a signatory's territorial waters. In September 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships to address air pollution from ships. Annex VI is expected to be ratified by the end of 2003, and will become effective 12 months after ratification. Annex VI, when it becomes effective, will set limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts and prohibit deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions. Frontline Management is formulating a plan to comply with the Annex VI regulations once they come into effect. Compliance with these regulations could require the installation of expensive emission control systems and could have an adverse financial impact on the operation of our vessels. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could adversely affect Frontline Management's ability to manage our ships.

        Under the International Safety Management Code, or ISM Code, promulgated by the IMO the party with operational control of a vessel is required to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. Frontline Management will rely upon the safety management system that Frontline and its third party technical managers have developed.

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        The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel's management with code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We have the requisite documents of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for all of our tankers for which the certificates are required by the IMO. Frontline Management is required to renew these documents of compliance and safety management certificates annually.

        Noncompliance with the ISM Code and other IMO regulations may subject the shipowner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports.

        Although the United States is not a party to these conventions, many countries have ratified and follow the liability plan adopted by the IMO and set out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969. Under this convention and depending on whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, a vessel's registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain complete defenses. Under an amendment to the Protocol that became effective on November 1, 2003, for vessels of 5,000 to 140,000 gross tons (a unit of measurement for the total enclosed spaces within a vessel), liability will be limited to approximately $6.5 million plus $907 for each additional gross ton over 5,000. For vessels of over 140,000 gross tons, liability will be limited to approximately $122.5 million. The current maximum amount under the 1992 protocol is approximately $86.98 million. As the convention calculates liability in terms of a basket of currencies, these figures are based on currency exchange rates on April 14, 2004. The right to limit liability is forfeited under the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage where the spill is caused by the owner's actual fault and under the 1992 Protocol where the spill is caused by the owner's intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading to states that are parties to these conventions must provide evidence of insurance covering the liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to that convention. We believe that our P&I insurance will cover the liability under the plan adopted by the IMO.

U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

        The United States regulates the tanker industry with an extensive regulatory and liability regime for environmental protection and cleanup of oil spills, consisting primarily of the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA. OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade with the United States or its territories or possessions, or whose vessels operate in the waters of the United States, which include the U.S. territorial sea and the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. CERCLA applies to the discharge of hazardous substances (other than oil) whether on land or at sea. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.

        Under OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are "responsible parties" who are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third

73



party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from oil spills from their vessels. These other damages are defined broadly to include:

    natural resource damages and related assessment costs;

    real and personal property damages;

    net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, profits or earnings capacity;

    net cost of public services necessitated by a spill response, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards; and

    loss of subsistence use of natural resources.

        OPA limits the liability of responsible parties to the greater of $1,200 per gross ton or $10 million per tanker that is over 3,000 gross tons (subject to possible adjustment for inflation). The act specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their waters. In some cases, states that have enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining tanker owners' responsibilities under these laws. CERCLA, which applies to owners and operators of vessels, contains a similar liability regime and provides for cleanup, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5 million.

        These limits of liability do not apply, however, where the incident is caused by violation of applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulations, or by the responsible party's gross negligence or willful misconduct. These limits do not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with the substance removal activities. OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort law.

        OPA also requires owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the limit of their potential strict liability under the act. The U.S. Coast Guard has enacted regulations requiring evidence of financial responsibility in the amount of $1,500 per gross ton for tankers, coupling the OPA limitation on liability of $1,200 per gross ton with the CERCLA liability limit of $300 per gross ton. Under the regulations, evidence of financial responsibility may be demonstrated by insurance, surety bond, self-insurance or guaranty. Under OPA regulations, an owner or operator of more than one tanker is required to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility for the entire fleet in an amount equal only to the financial responsibility requirement of the tanker having the greatest maximum strict liability under OPA and CERCLA. Frontline Management has provided requisite guarantees and received certificates of financial responsibility from the U.S. Coast Guard for each of our tankers required to have one.

        Frontline Management has insured each of our tankers with pollution liability insurance in the maximum commercially available amount of $1.0 billion. However, a catastrophic spill could exceed the insurance coverage available, in which event there could be a material adverse effect on our business, on the Charterer's business, which could impair the Charterer's ability to make payments to us under our charters, and on Frontline Management's business, which could impair Frontline Management's ability to manage our vessels.

        Under OPA, oil tankers without double hulls will not be permitted to come to U.S. ports or trade in U.S. waters by 2015. Based on the current phase-out requirement, our 15 single hull tankers will not be eligible to carry oil as cargo within the 200-mile United States exclusive economic zone starting in 2010, except that these tankers and our three double sided tankers may trade in U.S. waters until 2015 if their operations are limited to discharging their cargoes at the LOOP or off-loading by lightering within authorized lightering zones more than 60 miles off-shore.

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        OPA also amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require owners or operators of tankers operating in the waters of the United States must file vessel response plans with the U.S. Coast Guard, and their tankers are required to operate in compliance with their U.S. Coast Guard approved plans. These response plans must, among other things:

    address a "worst case" scenario and identify and ensure, through contract or other approved means, the availability of necessary private response resources to respond to a "worst case discharge";

    describe crew training and drills; and

    identify a qualified individual with full authority to implement removal actions.

        Vessel response plans for our tankers operating in the waters of the United States have been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard has announced it intends to propose similar regulations requiring certain vessels to prepare response plans for the release of hazardous substances. Frontline Management is responsible for ensuring our vessels comply with any additional regulations.

        OPA does not prevent individual states from imposing their own liability regimes with respect to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries. In fact, most U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for removal costs and damages resulting from a discharge of oil or a release of a hazardous substance. These laws may be more stringent than U.S. federal law.

European Union Tanker Restrictions

        In July 2003, in response to the m.t. Prestige oil spill in November 2002, the European Union adopted legislation that prohibits all single hull tankers from entering into its ports or offshore terminals by 2010. The European Union has also banned all single hull tankers carrying heavy grades of oil from entering or leaving its ports or offshore terminals or anchoring in areas under its jurisdiction. Commencing in 2005, certain single hull tankers above 15 years of age will also be restricted from entering or leaving European Union ports or offshore terminals and anchoring in areas under European Union jurisdiction. The European Union is also considering legislation that would: (1) ban manifestly sub-standard vessels (defined as those over 15 years old that have been detained by port authorities at least twice in a six month period) from European waters and create an obligation of port states to inspect vessels posing a high risk to maritime safety or the marine environment; and (2) provide the European Union with greater authority and control over classification societies, including the ability to seek to suspend or revoke the authority of negligent societies. The sinking of the m.t. Prestige and resulting oil spill in November 2002 has lead to the adoption of other environmental regulations by certain European Union nations, which could adversely affect the remaining useful lives of all of our tankers and our ability to generate income from them. For example, Italy announced a ban of single hull crude oil tankers over 5,000 dwt. from most Italian ports, effective April 2001. Spain has announced a similar prohibition. It is impossible to predict what legislation or additional regulations, if any, may be promulgated by the European Union or any other country or authority.

        There are 18 tankers in our total fleet that are not double hull and that will begin to be phased out beginning in 2010 under regulations imposed under OPA, the IMO and the European Union.

Vessel Security Regulations

        Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the U.S. Coast

75



Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter is scheduled to go into effect in July 2004 and will impose various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created International Ship and Port Facilities Security (ISPS) Code. Among the various requirements are:

    on-board installation of automatic information systems, or AIS, to enhance vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications;

    on-board installation of ship security alert systems;

    the development of vessel security plans; and

    compliance with flag state security certification requirements.

        The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. tankers from MTSA vessel security measures provided such vessels have on board, by July 1, 2004, a valid International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) that attests to the vessel's compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. Frontline Management will implement the various security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code and ensure that our tankers attain compliance with all applicable security requirements within the prescribed time periods. We do not believe these additional requirements will have a material financial impact on our operations.

Legal Proceedings

        Our shipowning subsidiaries are routinely party, as plaintiff or defendant, to claims and lawsuits in various jurisdictions for demurrage, damages, off hire and other claims and commercial disputes arising from the operation of their vessels, in the ordinary course of business or in connection with its acquisition activities. We believe that resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial conditions.

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MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

        The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors and certain key officers of Frontline Management AS, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, who are responsible for overseeing the management of our vessels. With the exception of Paul Leand who is independent, all of our current executive officers and directors are officers and/or directors of Frontline, Frontline Management and the Charterer.

Name

  Age
  Position
Tor Olav Trøim   41   Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of the Company
Tom E. Jebsen   46   Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of the Company
Kate Blankenship   39   Chief Accounting Officer, Company Secretary and Director of the Company
Paul Leand   37   Director of the Company
Oscar Spieler   42   Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS

        Under our constituent documents, we are required to have at least one independent director on our board of directors whose consent will be required to file for bankruptcy, liquidate or dissolve, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. We are also required, among other things, to maintain our corporate separateness from our affiliates, to maintain books, records and accounts separate from any other entities, to observe all corporate formalities and not to co-mingle our assets with any other entity.

        Certain biographical information about each of the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth below.

         Tor Olav Trøim is the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director of the Company. He has been Vice-President and a director of Frontline since November 3, 1997. He previously served as Deputy Chairman of Frontline from July 4, 1997. Mr. Trøim also serves as a consultant to Seatankers Management Co. Ltd. and since May 2000, has been a director and Vice-Chairman of Knightsbridge Tankers Limited ("Knightsbridge"). He is a director of Aktiv Inkasso ASA and Northern Oil ASA, both Norwegian Oslo Stock Exchange listed companies and Northern Offshore Ltd., a Bermuda company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Prior to his service with Frontline, from January 1992, Mr. Trøim served as Managing Director and a member of the Board of Directors of DNO AS, a Norwegian oil company. Mr. Trøim has served as a director of Golar LNG Limited since May 2001.

         Tom E. Jebsen is the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of the Company. Mr. Jebsen has served as Chief Financial Officer of Frontline since June 1997. From December 1995 until June 1997, Mr. Jebsen served as Chief Financial Officer of Tschudi & Eitzen Shipping ASA, a publicly traded Norwegian shipowning company. From 1991 to December 1995, Mr. Jebsen served as Vice President of Dyno Industrier ASA, a publicly traded Norwegian explosives producer. Mr. Jebsen is also a director of Assuranceforeningen Skuld and Hugin ASA, an internet company.

         Kate Blankenship is Chief Accounting Officer, Company Secretary and a Director of the Company. Mrs. Blankenship joined Frontline in 1994. She is Chief Accounting Officer and Company Secretary of Frontline and has been a director of Frontline since 2003. Prior to joining Frontline, she was a Manager with KPMG Peat Marwick in Bermuda. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Mrs. Blankenship has been Chief Financial Officer of Knightsbridge since April 2000 and Secretary of Knightsbridge since December 2000. Mrs. Blankenship has been a director of Golar LNG Limited since 2003.

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         Paul Leand Jr. , who is not affiliated with Frontline, Serves a Director of the Company. Mr. Leand is the Chief Executive Officer and Director of American Marine Advisors, Inc., or AMA, an investment bank specializing in the maritime industry. From 1989 to 1998 Mr. Leand served at the First National Bank of Maryland where he managed the Bank's Railroad Division and its International Maritime Division. He has worked extensively in the U.S. capital markets in connection with AMA's restructuring and mergers and acquisitions practices. Mr. Leand serves as a member of American Marine Credit LLC's Credit Committee and served as a member of the Investment Committee of AMA Shipping Fund I, a private equity fund formed and managed by AMA.

         Oscar Spieler has served as Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS since October 2003, and prior to that time as Technical Director of Frontline Management AS since November 1999. From 1995 until 1999, Mr. Spieler served as Fleet Manager for Bergesen, a major Norwegian gas tanker and VLCC owner. From 1986 to 1995, Mr. Spieler worked with the Norwegian classification society DNV, working both with shipping and offshore assets.


COMPENSATION INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED

        With the exception of Mr. Leand, the Company does not currently compensate its directors and officers for their services to the Company. Mr. Leand receives an annual fee of $40,000. We do reimburse directors for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with their service to the Company. The Company does not currently have any board committees.


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT

        As of January 1, 2004, a total of 12,000 shares of our common stock was outstanding. All of our shares are owned by our parent, Frontline.

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        We were formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline in October 2003 and commenced operations in January 2004. We acquired the majority of our assets, which consist primarily of our fleet of 46 vessels and an option to acquire one additional vessel, from Frontline. The majority of our operations are conducted through contractual relationships between us and other affiliates of Frontline. In addition, the majority of our directors are also directors of Frontline. We do not have a corporate policy regarding related party transactions, nor are there any provisions in our Memorandum of Association or bye-laws regarding related party transactions. Our Bye-laws, as permitted by the Bermuda Companies Act of 1981, provides that we, or one of our subsidiaries, may enter into a contract with on or our directors or officers, or an entity in which a director or an officer has a material interest, if the director or officer discloses its interest to our Board of Directors.

        Frontline Ltd.—Fleet Purchase Agreement.     We acquired our fleet of 46 vessel owning subsidiaries and one subsidiary with an option to acquire an additional vessel from Frontline pursuant to a fleet purchase agreement between us and Frontline that we entered into in December 2003 for an aggregate purchase price of $950 million. We also assumed senior secured indebtedness with respect to our fleet in the amount of approximately $1.158 billion, which we subsequently refinanced with the proceeds of our notes, our $1,058 billion credit facility and a deemed equity contribution from Frontline. The fleet purchase agreement provides that the charters and the management agreements were each given economic effect as of January 1, 2004.

        Frontline Shipping Limited—Charters.     We have chartered our fleet of vessels to the Charterer under long term time charters, which extend for periods ranging from approximately seven to 23 years. We expect that the Charterer will, in turn, charter our vessels to third parties. The daily base charter rates payable to us under the charters have been fixed in advance and will decrease as our vessels age, and the Charterer has the right to terminate a charter for a non double hull vessel after 2010. The daily charter rate that the Charterer will pay to us is not dependant on the revenue that the Charter receives from chartering our vessels to third parties. The Charterer is not obligated to pay us charterhire for off hire days in excess of five off hire days per year per vessel, calculated on a fleet-wide basis. However, under the vessel management agreements, Frontline Management will reimburse us for any loss of charter revenue in excess of five off hire days per vessel, calculated on a fleet-wide basis.

        Frontline Ltd. and Frontline Shipping Limited—Charter Ancillary Agreement.     We and our vessel owning subsidiaries have entered into a charter ancillary agreement with Frontline and Frontline Shipping Limited which provides, among other things, for:

    the maintenance of the charter service reserve by the Charterer,

    profit sharing payments by the Charterer to us when charter revenues for our fleet exceed a weighted average rate of $25,575 per day for each VLCC and $21,100 per day for each Suezmax tanker, and

    the deferral of charter payments to us by the Charterer during any period when cash and cash equivalents held by the Charterer fall below a predetermined amount. The charter ancillary agreement also imposes certain restrictive covenants on the Charter, including, among others, a covenant not to pay dividends or make other distributions to its shareholders, incur additional indebtedness, loan, repay or make any other payment in respect of its indebtedness, undertake some corporate transactions, or amend its charter, unless, in each case, certain conditions are met.

        The Charterer's obligations to us under the charters and the charter ancillary agreement are secured by a lien over its assets and a pledge of the equity interests in the Charterer. In addition, Frontline has guaranteed the Charterer's obligations under the charter ancillary agreement pursuant to

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the performance guarantee. Subject to a 30-day cure period, and in addition to any other available rights or remedies we may have, upon the occurrence of any event of default under the charter ancillary agreement we may terminate any or all of the charters and foreclose on any or all of our security interests provided by the agreement.

        Frontline Management—Vessel Management Agreements.     Each of our vessel owning subsidiaries has entered into fixed rate vessel management agreements with Frontline Management, pursuant to which Frontline Management is responsible for the technical management of their respective vessels. We expect that Frontline Management will outsource many of these services to third party providers. The management agreements also require Frontline Management to maintain insurance for each of the vessels. Under the management agreements, each of our vessel owning subsidiary pays Frontline Management a fixed fee of $6,500 per day per vessel for as long as the relevant charter is in place.

        Frontline Management—Administrative Services Agreement.     We and each of our vessel owning subsidiaries have entered into an administrative services agreement with Frontline Management. Under the terms of the agreement, Frontline Management provides us and our vessel owning subsidiaries with all of our non-vessel related administrative support services and with office space in Bermuda. We and our vessel owning subsidiaries each pay Frontline Management a fixed fee of $20,000 per year for its services under the agreement, and will reimburse Frontline Management for reasonable third party costs that it incurs on our behalf.

        Frontline Ltd.—Performance Guarantee.     Frontline has issued a performance guarantee with respect to the charters, the management agreements, the administrative services agreement, and the charter ancillary agreement. Under the terms of this guarantee, Frontline has guaranteed:

    the Charterer's performance of its obligations under the charters other than the payment of charter hire,

    the Charterer's performance of its obligations under the charter ancillary agreement,

    Frontline Management's performance of its obligations under the management agreements (however, Frontline "s indemnification obligation for environmental matters will not exceed the coverage of the applicable protection and indemnity insurance), and

    Frontline Management's obligations under the administrative services agreement.

        The performance guarantee will remain in effect until all of the obligations of the Charterer and Frontline Management that are guaranteed under the performance guarantee have been performed.

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

        We have entered into a $1.058 billion senior term loan secured facility with a syndicate of lenders led by Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Nordea Bank Norge ASA. The facility is for a term of term of six years. The proceeds from the facility were used in part to fund the acquisition of our fleet from Frontline and to refinance existing debt on all of our vessels. Our obligations under the loan facility are secured by all of our assets, including our vessels, the equity interests of our vessel owning subsidiaries and our interest in the Charterer's assets. In addition, each of our vessel owning subsidiaries has guaranteed our performance under the loans.

        The loan facility bears interest at the LIBOR rate plus 1.25% per year and may be prepaid on a pro-rata basis without penalty. As required under the terms of the facility, we have entered into an interest rate swap to fix the interest on at least $500.0 million of the borrowings under the facility for a period of at least five years.

        The principal amortization schedule in respect of the loan facility is follows:

Year

  Amount
 
  (dollars in millions)

2004   $ 93.7
2005     93.7
2006     93.7
2007     93.7
2008     93.7
2009     89.8
At maturity in 2010     499.7

        The loan facility subjects us to number of restrictions on our business and financial maintenance covenants, including restrictions on creating liens on the vessels, limitations on our ability to amend our charters, management and administrative agreements, minimum liquidity and working capital requirements, and collateral maintenance limitations. Under the loan facility, we may incur additional indebtedness to fund acquisitions of additional vessels, provided that the additional indebtedness incurred does not exceed 70% of value of the vessel. The loan facility also restricts us from issuing any guarantees other than guarantees issued in connection with our ordinary course of commercial activities, or as contemplated in the loan facility or the note indenture. Further, the loan facility restricts our ability to make distributions unless (i) the charter service reserve and our available working capital exceed, in the aggregate, $100 million and (ii) we satisfy financial covenants contained in the loan facility relating to minimum liquidity, working capital and equity to debt ratios as of the date of the distribution.

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

        In connection with the sale of the outstanding notes, on behalf of the Company and our subsidiary guarantors we have entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In the registration rights agreement, we agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange the outstanding notes for an issue of SEC registered notes with terms identical to the notes (except that the exchange notes are not subject to restrictions on transfer and, following the exchange offer, neither the exchange notes nor the outstanding notes are subject to any increase in annual interest rate). We are offering the exchange notes under this prospectus in exchange for the outstanding notes to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement. We refer to our offer to exchange the exchange notes for the outstanding notes as the "exchange offer". The exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are being sold by the Company in the exchange offer in reliance on the SEC staff's position as enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available April 13, 1988) and subsequent no-action letters including Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5, 1991), K-III Communications Corporation (available May 14, 1993) and Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993).

Resale of Exchange Notes

        Based on interpretations of the SEC staff in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that the exchange notes issued in the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 if, among other things:

    you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business;

    you are not participating, do not intend to participate, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution of the exchange notes; and

    you are not an affiliate of Ship Finance International Limited (within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933).

        We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, a no-action letter from the SEC with respect to the effects of the exchange offer, and there can be no assurance that the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the exchange notes as it has in such no-action letters cited above.

        If you tender your outstanding notes in the exchange offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the exchange notes or you are an affiliate of Ship Finance International Limited, you:

    cannot rely on such interpretations by the SEC staff; and

    must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with a secondary resale transaction of the exchange notes and such secondary resale transaction must be covered by an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 containing the selling security holder's information required by Item 507 or Item 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933.

        This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell or otherwise transfer exchange notes only as specifically described in this prospectus. Only those broker-dealers that acquired outstanding notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding notes,

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where that broker-dealer acquired such outstanding notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of those exchange notes.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

        Upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange any outstanding notes properly tendered and not withdrawn before the expiration date of the exchange offer. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of exchange notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding notes surrendered under the exchange offer. Outstanding notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000.

        The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes being tendered for exchange.

        As of the date of this prospectus, there are $580 million principal amount of outstanding notes, all of which are subject to exchange pursuant to the exchange offer. This prospectus and the letter of transmittal are being sent to all registered holders of outstanding notes. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of outstanding notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.

        We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreement, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Outstanding notes that are not tendered for exchange in the exchange offer:

    will remain outstanding;

    will continue to accrue interest; and

    will be subject to all terms and conditions specified in the indenture relating to the outstanding notes and will not have any rights under the registration rights agreement.

        We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered outstanding notes when we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent and complied with the applicable provisions of the exchange and registration rights agreement. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the exchange notes from us.

        If you tender outstanding notes in the exchange offer, you will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of outstanding notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It is important that you read the section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Fees and Expenses" for more details about fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.

        We will return any outstanding notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to the tendering holder promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer in accordance with Rule 14(e)-1(c) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Expiration Date

        This exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 21, 2004, unless we extend the expiration date.

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Extensions, Delay In Acceptance, Termination Or Amendment

        We expressly reserve the right, at any time or at various times, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. We may delay acceptance for exchange of any outstanding notes if we extend the exchange offer by giving written notice of the extension to their holders. During any such extensions, all outstanding notes you have previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange, and we may accept them for exchange. To extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent orally or in writing of any extension. We also will make a public announcement of the extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

        If any of the conditions described below under "The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have not been satisfied with respect to the exchange offer, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion:

    to delay accepting for exchange any outstanding notes;

    to extend the exchange offer; or

    to terminate the exchange offer.

        We will give oral or written notice of any delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement, we also reserve the right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.

        Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed promptly by written notice of the delay to the registered holders of outstanding notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine to constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose that amendment by means of a prospectus supplement. We will distribute the supplement to the registered holders of the outstanding notes. Depending upon the significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, we will extend the exchange offer if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during that period.

        Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make public announcements of any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment of the exchange offer, we have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement, other than by making a timely release to an appropriate news agency.

Conditions To The Exchange Offer

        We will not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange any exchange notes for any outstanding notes, and we may terminate the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting any outstanding notes for exchange, if in our reasonable judgment:

    the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of outstanding notes, would violate applicable law or any publicly available, written interpretations of the staff of the SEC; or

    any action or proceeding has been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange offer that, in our judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer.

        In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the outstanding notes of any holder that has not made to us the representations described below under "The Exchange Offer—Your Representations to Us".

        We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and to reject for exchange any outstanding notes not previously accepted for exchange in the exchange offer, upon the

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occurrence of any of the conditions to the exchange offer specified above. We will promptly give written notice of any extension, amendment, nonacceptance or termination to the holders of the outstanding notes.

        These conditions are for our sole benefit, and we may assert them or waive them in whole or in part at any time or at various times in our sole discretion. Our failure at any time to exercise any of these rights will not mean that we have waived our rights. Each right to assert a condition, other than a condition involving a governmental approval, will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

        In addition, we will not accept for exchange any outstanding notes tendered, and will not issue exchange notes in exchange for any such outstanding notes, if at such time any stop order has been threatened or is in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the indenture relating to the notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

Exchange Agent

        We have appointed Wilmington Trust Company as exchange agent for the exchange offer. Please direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for the notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent. If you are not tendering under the Depository Trust Company's, or DTC's, automated tender offer program, you should send the letter of transmittal and any other required documents to the exchange agent as follows:

      Wilmington Trust Company
      Rodney Square North
      1100 North Market Street
      Wilmington, Delaware 19890
      Attention: Mary St. Amand
      Assistant Vice President
      Telephone: 302 636 6436

Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes

        Only a holder of outstanding notes may tender those outstanding notes in the exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must either (1) comply with the procedures for physical tender, described below, or (2) comply with the automated tender offer program procedures of the DTC, described below.

        The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn before the expiration date and our acceptance of that tender will constitute an agreement between the holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OUTSTANDING NOTES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT YOUR ELECTION AND RISK. RATHER THAN MAIL THESE ITEMS, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, YOU SHOULD ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. YOU SHOULD NOT SEND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OUTSTANDING NOTES TO US. YOU MAY REQUEST YOUR BROKER, DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR OTHER NOMINEE TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR YOU.

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How To Tender If You Are A Beneficial Owner

        If you beneficially own outstanding notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender those notes, you should contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct the registered holder to tender on your behalf. If you are a beneficial owner and wish to tender on your own behalf, you must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your outstanding notes, either:

    make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the outstanding notes in your name; or

    obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder of your outstanding notes.

        The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time and may not be completed prior to the expiration date.

Procedures For Physical Tender

        To complete a physical tender, a holder must:

    complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal;

    have the signature on the letter of transmittal guaranteed if the letter of transmittal so requires;

    mail or deliver or send by facsimile the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date; and

    deliver the outstanding notes to the exchange agent before the expiration date or comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

        To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive any physical delivery of the letter of transmittal and other required documents at its address provided above in the section "The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent" before the expiration date.

Signatures And Signature Guarantees

        You must have signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal described below under "The Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders" guaranteed by an eligible institution unless the outstanding notes are tendered:

    by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal; or

    for the account of an eligible institution.

        An eligible institution is a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, or an eligible guarantor institution within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that is a member of one of the recognized signature guarantee programs identified in the letter of transmittal.

When Endorsements And Bond Powers Are Needed

        If a person other than the registered holder of any outstanding notes signs the letter of transmittal, the outstanding notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power. The registered holder must sign the bond power as the registered holder's name appears on the outstanding notes. An eligible institution must guarantee that signature.

        If the letter of transmittal or any outstanding notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, or officers of corporations or others acting in a

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fiduciary or representative capacity, those persons should so indicate when signing. Unless we waive this requirement, they also must submit evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to deliver the letter of transmittal.

Tendering Through DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program

        The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's system may use DTC's automated tender offer program to tender. Accordingly, participants in the program may, instead of physically completing and signing the letter of transmittal and delivering it to the exchange agent, transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer electronically. They may do so by causing DTC to transfer the outstanding notes to the exchange agent in accordance with its procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an agent's message to the exchange agent.

        An agent's message is a message transmitted by DTC to and received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, stating that:

    DTC has received an express acknowledgment from a participant in DTC's automated tender offer program that is tendering outstanding notes that are the subject of the book-entry confirmation;

    the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal or, in the case of an agent's message relating to guaranteed delivery, the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery; and

    we may enforce the agreement against that participant.

        To complete a tender through DTC's automated tender offer program, the exchange agent must receive, before the expiration date, a timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of the outstanding notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC according to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below or a properly transmitted agent's message.

Determinations Under The Exchange Offer

        We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt, acceptance of tendered outstanding notes and withdrawal of tendered outstanding notes. Our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any outstanding notes not properly tendered or any outstanding notes our acceptance of which, in the opinion of our counsel, might be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of the exchange offer as to particular outstanding notes. Any waiver of a defect or irregularity of a note or of a term of the exchange offer will be applicable to all outstanding notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties.

        Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of outstanding notes must be cured within such time as we determine. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of outstanding notes, nor will we or those persons incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of outstanding notes will not be deemed made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any outstanding notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, promptly after the expiration date.

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When We Will Issue Exchange Notes

        In all cases, we will issue exchange notes for outstanding notes that we have accepted for exchange in the exchange offer promptly after the completion of exchange offer provided that the exchange agent has timely received:

    outstanding notes or a timely book-entry confirmation of transfer of those outstanding notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC; and

    a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and all other required documents or a properly transmitted agent's message.

Return of Outstanding Notes Not Accepted or Exchanged

        If we do not accept any tendered outstanding notes for exchange for any reason described in the terms and conditions of the exchange offer or if outstanding notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, we will return the unaccepted or non-exchanged outstanding notes without expense to their tendering holder. In the case of outstanding notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC according to the procedures described below, those non-exchanged outstanding notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC. These actions will occur promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Your Representations To Us

        By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

    any exchange notes you receive will be acquired in the ordinary course of your business;

    you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933) of the outstanding notes or the exchange notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933;

    you are not an affiliate (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933) of ours or of any of our subsidiary guarantors;

    if you are a broker-dealer that will receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding notes that you acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of those exchange notes.

Book-Entry Transfer

        The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to the outstanding notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus. Any financial institution participating in DTC's system may make book-entry delivery of outstanding notes by causing DTC to transfer such outstanding notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's procedures for transfer. If you are unable to deliver confirmation of the book-entry tender of your outstanding notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC or all other documents required by the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration date, you must tender your outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

        If you wish to tender your outstanding notes but they are not immediately available or if you cannot deliver your outstanding notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the

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exchange agent or comply with the applicable procedures under DTC's automated tender offer program before the expiration date, you may tender if:

    the tender is made through a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, or an eligible guarantor institution; or,

    before the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from the member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, or eligible guarantor institution either a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery or a properly transmitted agent's message and notice of guaranteed delivery:

    stating your name and address, the registered number(s) of your outstanding notes and the principal amount of outstanding notes tendered;

    stating that the tender is being made thereby;

    guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date, the letter of transmittal or facsimile thereof or agent's message in lieu thereof, together with the outstanding notes or a book-entry confirmation, and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the eligible guarantor institution with the exchange agent; and

    the exchange agent receives such properly completed and executed letter of transmittal or facsimile or agent's message, as well as all tendered outstanding notes in proper form for transfer or a book-entry confirmation, and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date.

Upon request to the exchange agent, the exchange agent will send a notice of guaranteed delivery to you if you wish to tender your outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above.

Withdrawal Of Tenders

        Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

        For a withdrawal to be effective:

    the exchange agent must receive a written notice of withdrawal at one of the addresses listed above under "The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent"; or

    the withdrawing holder must comply with the appropriate procedures of DTC's automated tender offer program.

        Any notice of withdrawal must:

    specify the name of the person who tendered the outstanding notes to be withdrawn;

    identify the outstanding notes to be withdrawn, including the registration number and the principal amount of the outstanding notes to be withdrawn;

    be signed by the person who tendered the outstanding notes in the same manner as the original signature on the letter of transmittal used to deposit those outstanding notes or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to permit the trustee to register the transfer in the name of the person withdrawing the tender; and

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    specify the name in which the outstanding notes to be withdrawn are to be registered, if different from that of the person who tendered the outstanding notes.

        If outstanding notes have been tendered under the procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn outstanding notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC.

        We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility and time of receipt of notice of withdrawal, and our determination will be final and binding on all parties. We will deem any outstanding notes so withdrawn not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer.

        Any outstanding notes that have been tendered for exchange but that are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to their holder without cost to the holder or, in the case of outstanding notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC according to the procedures described above, those outstanding notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the outstanding notes. This return or crediting will take place promptly after the withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may retender properly withdrawn outstanding notes by following one of the procedures described under the section "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering" above at any time on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

Fees And Expenses

        We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, we may make additional solicitation by facsimile, email, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.

        We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We may also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this prospectus, letters of transmittal and related documents to the beneficial owners of the outstanding notes and in handling or forwarding tenders for exchange.

        We will pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer. These expenses include:

    SEC registration fees for the exchange notes;

    fees and expenses of the exchange agent and trustee;

    accounting and legal fees;

    printing costs; and

    related fees and expenses.

Transfer Taxes

        No service charge will be imposed by the Company, the exchange agent or the Registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but the Company may require you to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required by law or permitted by the indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any outstanding note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any outstanding note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem that outstanding note.

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Consequences of Failure to Exchange

        If you do not exchange your outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer, you will remain subject to the existing restrictions on transfer of the outstanding notes. In general, you may not offer or sell the outstanding notes unless either they are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the offer or sale is exempt from or not subject to registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the outstanding notes under the Securities Act of 1933.

        The tender of outstanding notes in the exchange offer will reduce the outstanding principal amount of the outstanding notes. Due to the corresponding reduction in liquidity, this may have an adverse effect on, and increase the volatility of, the market price of any outstanding notes that you continue to hold.

Other

        Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your decision on what action, if any, to take. In the future, we may seek to acquire untendered outstanding notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plan to acquire any outstanding notes that are not tendered in this exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered outstanding notes, except as required by the registration rights agreement.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES

        The outstanding notes were issued, and the exchange notes will be issued, under an Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003 (the "Indenture") among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The terms of the exchange notes include those expressly set forth in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Indenture is unlimited in aggregate principal amount. $580 million will be issued in this offering.

        The notes will constitute a single series of debt securities under the Indenture. Any holders of outstanding notes who do not exchange their outstanding notes for exchange notes will vote together with all holders of the notes for all relevant purposes under the Indenture. Accordingly, in determining whether the required holders have given any notice, consent or waiver or taken any other action permitted under the Indenture, any outstanding notes that remain outstanding after the exchange offer will be aggregated with the other notes, and the holders of the outstanding notes and the other notes will vote together as a single series. All references in this prospectus to specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the "notes" mean, at any time after the exchange offer is consummated, the percentages in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes and the exchange notes.

        This description of notes is intended to be a useful overview of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture. Since this description is only a summary, you should refer to the indenture for a complete description of the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and your rights.

        Whenever the covenants or default provisions or definitions in the indenture refer to an amount in U.S. dollars, that amount will be deemed to refer to the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the amount of any obligation denominated in any other currency or currencies, including composite currencies.

        The determination of U.S. Dollar Equivalent for any purpose under the Indenture will be determined as of a date of determination as described in the definition of "U.S. Dollar Equivalent" under "Certain Definitions" and, in any case, no subsequent change in the U.S. Dollar Equivalent after the applicable date of determination will cause such determination to be modified.

        You will find the definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this description under the heading "Certain Definitions." Other capitalized terms have the meanings assigned to them elsewhere in this description or in the indenture. For purposes of this description, references to "the Company," "we," "our" and "us" refer only to Ship Finance International Limited and not to its subsidiaries.

General

The Notes

        The exchange notes:

    will be general unsecured, senior obligations of the Company;

    will be limited initially to an aggregate principal amount of $580 million;

    will mature on December 15, 2013;

    will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

    will be represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but in certain circumstances may be represented by notes in definitive form;

    will rank equally in right of payment to any future senior Indebtedness of the Company but will be effectively subordinated to all present and future secured Indebtedness of the Company, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such Indebtedness;

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    will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, but the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to all present and future secured Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such Indebtedness; and

    are expected to be eligible for trading in the PORTAL market.

Interest

        Interest on the exchange notes will:

    accrue at the rate of 8.50% per annum;

    accrue from the date of issuance or the most recent interest payment date;

    be payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, commencing on June 15, 2004;

    be payable to the holders of record on June 1 and December 1 immediately preceding the related interest payment dates; and

    be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Payments on the Notes; Paying Agent and Registrar

        We will pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes at the office or agency designated by the Company in the continental United States, except that we may, at our option, pay interest on any notes in definitive form by check mailed to holders of the notes at their registered address as it appears in the registrar's books. We have initially designated the corporate trust office of the trustee in Wilmington, Delaware to act as our paying agent and registrar. We may, however, change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the notes, and the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.

        We will pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, notes in global form registered in the name of or held by The Depository Trust Company or its nominee in immediately available funds to The Depository Trust Company or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global note.

Transfer and Exchange

        A holder of notes may transfer or exchange notes at the office of the registrar in accordance with the indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents. No service charge will be imposed by the Company, the trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but the Company may require a holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required by law or permitted by the indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.

        The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes, and all references in this description to "holders" mean holders of record, unless otherwise indicated.

Additional Issuances

        We may from time to time, without notice or the consent of the holders of the notes, but subject to compliance with the covenant described below under "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness," create and issue additional notes ranking equally and ratably with the original notes in

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all respects (except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such additional notes), so that such additional notes form a single series with the original notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the original notes.

Subsidiary Guarantees

        The Subsidiary Guarantors will, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantee on a senior basis the Company's obligations under the notes and all obligations under the Indenture. The obligations of Subsidiary Guarantors under the Subsidiary Guarantees rank equally in right of payment with other Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantors, except to the extent such other Indebtedness is expressly subordinate to the obligations arising under the Subsidiary Guarantees. However, the notes are structurally subordinated to the secured Indebtedness of our Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such Indebtedness.

        Although the indenture limits the amount of indebtedness that the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur, such indebtedness may be substantial and all of it may be Indebtedness of Subsidiary Guarantors.

        The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Subsidiary Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.

        In the event a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation or the sale of its Capital Stock and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the survivor in such transaction) to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee if:

    (1)
    the sale or other disposition is in compliance with the indenture, including the covenants under "Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" and "Limitation on Sales of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries;" and

    (2)
    all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Credit Facilities and related documentation and any other agreements relating to any other indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries terminate upon consummation of such transaction.

        In addition, a Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under the indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantee and the registration rights agreement:

    if the Company designates such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation complies with the other applicable provisions of the indenture;

    upon the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary; or

    upon the occurrence of either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as described below under "Defeasance."

Optional Redemption

        Except as described below, the notes are not redeemable until December 15, 2008. On and after December 15, 2008, the Company may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes, if any, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive

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interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on December 15 of the years indicated below:

Year

  Percentage
2008   104.250
2009   102.833
2010   101.417
2011 and thereafter   100.000

        Prior to December 15, 2006, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the notes with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings at a redemption price of 108.50% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that

    (1)
    at least 65% of the original principal amount of the notes remains outstanding after each such redemption; and

    (2)
    the redemption occurs within 60 days after the closing of such Public Equity Offering.

        If a Redemption Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, then accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name the note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to holders whose notes will be subject to redemption by the Company.

        In the case of any partial redemption of notes in definitive form, the trustee will select the notes for redemption in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the notes are listed or, if the notes are not listed, then on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the trustee in its sole discretion will deem to be fair and appropriate, although no note of $1,000 in original principal amount or less will be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to that note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original note.

        At any time prior to December 15, 2008, the notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at the option of the Company upon (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (b) if no more than 5.0% of the principal amount of the notes (including any additional notes issued in the future) shall remain outstanding at any time, in each case upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice (but in no event more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control event) mailed by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of redemption (the "Redemption Date") (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

        "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a note at any Redemption Date, the greater of (x) 1.0% of the principal amount of such note and (y) the excess of (A) the present value at such time of (1) the redemption price of such note at December 15, 2008 (such redemption price being described under "Optional Redemption" without regard to accrued and unpaid interest) plus (2) all required interest payments due on such note through December 15, 2008, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount of such note.

        "Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or

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similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2008; provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2008 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2008 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

Optional Tax Redemption

        The Payor (as defined below) will be entitled to redeem all, but not less than all, of the notes if, as a result of any change in or amendment to the laws, regulations or rulings of any Relevant Tax Jurisdiction (as defined below) or any change in the official application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings, or any change in the official application or interpretation of, or any execution of or amendment to, any treaty or treaties affecting taxation to which such Relevant Tax Jurisdiction is a party (a "Change in Tax Law"), the Payor is or would be required on the next succeeding interest payment date to pay Additional Amounts (as defined below) with respect to the notes as described under "Payment of Additional Amounts," and the payment of such Additional Amounts cannot be avoided by the use of any reasonable measures available to the Payor; provided that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that the aggregate amount of such Additional Amounts would create additional annual costs in excess of 0.50% of the aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding. In the case of the Company, the Change in Tax Law must become effective on or after the date of this prospectus. In the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, or a successor of either the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Change in Tax Law must become effective after the date that such entity first makes payment on the notes. Further, the Payor must deliver to the trustee at least 30 days before the redemption date an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Payor has or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts as a result of such Change in Tax Law. The Payor must also provide the holders with notice of the intended redemption at least 30 days and no more than 60 days before the redemption date. The redemption price will equal the principal amount of the note plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any to the redemption date and Additional Amounts, if any, then due and which otherwise would be payable.

Payment of Additional Amounts

        If any taxes, assessments or other governmental charges are imposed by any jurisdiction where the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a successor of either (a "Payor") is organized or otherwise considered by a taxing authority to be a resident for tax purposes, any jurisdiction from or through which the Payor makes a payment on the notes, or, in each case, any political organization or governmental authority thereof or therein having the power to tax (the "Relevant Tax Jurisdiction") in respect of any payments under the notes, the Payor will pay to each holder of a note, to the extent it may lawfully do so, such additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such holder will be not less than the amount specified in such note to which such holder is entitled; provided, however, the Payor will not be required to make any payment of Additional Amounts for or on account of:

    (a)
    any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have been imposed but for (1) the existence of any present or former connection between such holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such holder, if such holder is an estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company or corporation) and the Relevant Tax Jurisdiction including, without limitation, such holder (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder or possessor) being or having been a citizen or

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      resident thereof or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had a permanent establishment therein or (2) the presentation of a note (where presentation is required) for payment on a date more than 30 days after (x) the date on which such payment became due and payable or (y) the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later (in either case (x) or (y), except to the extent that the holder would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the note been presented for such 30-day period);

    (b)
    any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

    (c)
    any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the holder or the beneficial owner of the note to comply with a reasonable and timely request of the Payor addressed to the holder to provide information, documents or other evidence concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the holder or such beneficial owner which is required by a statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the taxing jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

    (d)
    any combination of the above;

nor will Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any note to any holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or limited liability company or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the Relevant Tax Jurisdiction to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership, limited liability company or beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the holder of such note.

        The Payor will provide the trustee with the official acknowledgment of the Relevant Tax Authority (or, if such acknowledgment is not available, a certified copy thereof) evidencing the payment of the withholding taxes by the Payor. Copies of such documentation will be made available to the holders of the notes or the paying agents, as applicable, upon request therefor.

        The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise in any jurisdiction from the execution, delivery or registration of the notes or any other document or instrument referred to in the indenture (other than a transfer of the notes), or the receipt of any payments with respect to the notes, excluding any such taxes, charges or similar levies imposed by any jurisdiction outside Bermuda or any jurisdiction in which a paying agent is located, other than those resulting from, or required to be paid in connection with, the enforcement of the indenture or any other such document or instrument following the occurrence of any Event of Default.

        All references in this prospectus to principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes will include any Additional Amounts payable by the Payor in respect of such principal, such premium, if any, and such interest.

No Mandatory Redemption

        The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption payments or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.

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Suspended Covenants

        During any period of time that the notes have an Investment Grade Rating from both the Rating Agencies and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the provisions of the indenture described below under the following captions:

    "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness,"

    "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments,"

    "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries,"

    "—Certain Covenants—Limitation of Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock,"

    "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Affiliate Transactions,"

    "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries," and

    "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Lines of Business;"

provided, however, that if the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the preceding sentence and, subsequently, either of the Rating Agencies withdraws its ratings or downgrades the ratings assigned to the notes below the Investment Grade Ratings so that the notes do not have an Investment Grade Rating from both Rating Agencies, or a Default or Event of Default (other than with respect to the Suspended Covenants) occurs and is continuing, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants, subject to the terms, conditions and obligations set forth in the indenture. As a result, during any period in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants, the notes will be entitled to substantially reduced covenant protection.

Ranking

        The notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The notes will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future liabilities of the Company that are not so subordinated. However, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be effectively subordinated to all present and future secured Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, respectively. In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries or upon a default in payment with respect to, or the acceleration of, any secured Indebtedness, the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure secured Indebtedness will be available to pay obligations on the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees only after all such secured Indebtedness has been repaid in full from such assets. We advise you that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees then outstanding.

Change of Control

        If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the notes as described under "Optional Redemption," each holder of notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such holder's notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

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        Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the notes as described under "Optional Redemption," the Company will mail a notice (the "Change of Control Offer") to each holder with a copy to the trustee stating:

    (1)
    that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such holder's notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date) (the "Change of Control Payment");

    (2)
    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the "Change of Control Payment Date"); and

    (3)
    the procedures determined by the Company, consistent with the indenture, that a holder must follow in order to have its notes repurchased.

        On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

    (1)
    accept for payment all notes or portions of notes (in integral multiples of $1,000) properly tendered under the Change of Control Offer;

    (2)
    deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes so tendered; and

    (3)
    deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being purchased by the Company.

        The paying agent will promptly deliver to each holder of notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.

        If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

        The Change of Control provisions described above will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

        The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

        The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of the indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in the indenture by virtue of the conflict.

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        The Company's ability to repurchase notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer may be limited by a number of factors. The occurrence of certain of the events that constitute a Change of Control may constitute a default under the Credit Facilities. In addition, certain events that may constitute a change of control under the Credit Facilities and cause a default thereunder may not constitute a Change of Control under the indenture. Future Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries may also contain prohibitions of certain events that would constitute a Change of Control or require such Indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require the Company to repurchase the notes could cause a default under such Indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the Company or covenants prohibiting the payment by the Company of such amounts. Finally, the Company's ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by the Company's then existing financial resources.

        We cannot assure you that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases, or that the requisite holders of each issue of Indebtedness issued under an indenture or other agreement that may be violated by such payment shall have consented to such Change of Control Offer being made and waived the event of default, if any, caused by the Change of Control. If such holders fail to waive the event of default caused by the Change of Control, the Company will repay all outstanding Indebtedness issued under an indenture or other agreement that may be violated by a payment to the holders of notes under a Change of Control Offer or the Company must offer to repay all such Indebtedness, and make payment to the holders of such Indebtedness that accept such offer and obtain waivers of any event of default from the remaining holders of such Indebtedness. The Company covenants to effect such repayment or obtain such waiver within 30 days following any Change of Control, it being a default of the Change of Control provision of the indenture if the Company fails to comply with such covenant.

        The Change of Control provisions described above may deter certain mergers, tender offers and other takeover attempts involving the Company by increasing the capital required to effectuate such transactions. The definition of "Change of Control" includes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any person or group (other than a Permitted Holder). Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of "all or substantially all" of the assets of a Person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether a holder of notes may require the Company to make an offer to repurchase the notes as described above.

Certain Covenants

        For purposes of the following covenants, all of our Subsidiaries will initially be Restricted Subsidiaries, subject to their later being designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the manner contemplated by the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary below.

    Limitation on Indebtedness

        The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may Incur Indebtedness if, on the date thereof:

    (1)
    the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is at least 2.00 to 1.00; and

    (2)
    no Default or Event of Default will have occurred or be continuing or would occur as a consequence of Incurring the Indebtedness.

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        The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the Incurrence of the following Indebtedness:

    (1)
    Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred pursuant to the Credit Facilities in an amount up to $1,160,000,000 at any time outstanding;

    (2)
    Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance the replacement (through construction or acquisition) of one or more Vessels, and any assets that shall become Related Assets (and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to such Vessels or assets), upon a Total Loss, in an aggregate amount no greater than the Ready for Sea Cost for such replacement Vessel, in each case less all compensation, damages and other payments (including insurance proceeds other than in respect of business interruption insurance) actually received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Person in connection with the Total Loss in excess of amounts actually used to repay Indebtedness secured by the Vessel subject to the Total Loss;

    (3)
    the Subsidiary Guarantees and other Guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness Incurred in accordance with the provisions of the indenture; provided that in the event such Indebtedness that is being Guaranteed is a Subordinated Obligation or a Guarantor Subordinated Obligation, then the related Guarantee shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee;

    (4)
    Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, provided, however;

    (a)
    if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is unsecured and expressly subordinated to all its obligations with respect to the notes; and

    (b)
    (x)    any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Stock or any other event that results in any such Indebtedness being beneficially held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and


    (y)    any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

      shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be;

    (5)
    (a) Indebtedness represented by the notes (excluding any additional notes issued after the Issue Date) and (b) any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of (w) the notes, (x) any Indebtedness described in clause (2), (y) any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant or (z) any Indebtedness described in this clause (5);

    (6)
    Indebtedness under Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements; provided that in the case of Currency Agreements and Fuel Hedging Agreements, such Currency Agreements and Fuel Hedging Agreements are related to business transactions of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business or in the case of Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements, such Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company) and substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration, currencies and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of the indenture;

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    (7)
    Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in relation to: (a) regular maintenance required to maintain the classification of any of the Vessels owned, time chartered or bareboat chartered to or by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (b) scheduled dry-docking of any of the Vessels owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for normal maintenance purposes; and (c) any expenditures which will or may reasonably expected to be recoverable from insurance on such Vessels;

    (8)
    Indebtedness incurred in respect of workers' compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

    (9)
    Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

    (10)
    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five business days of Incurrence; and

    (11)
    in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (10) above, Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (11) and then outstanding, will not exceed $75.0 million.

        The Company will not Incur any Indebtedness under the preceding paragraph if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to refinance any Subordinated Obligations of the Company unless such Indebtedness will be subordinated to the notes to at least the same extent as such Subordinated Obligations. No Subsidiary Guarantor will incur any Indebtedness if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to refinance any Guarantor Subordinated Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness will be subordinated to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee to at least the same extent as such Guarantor Subordinated Obligations.

        For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this covenant:

    (1)
    in the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in the first and second paragraphs of this covenant, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of Incurrence (or later classify or reclassify such Indebtedness) and only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of such clauses; and

    (2)
    the amount of Indebtedness issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof will be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

        Accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (a) the accreted value of the Indebtedness in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount and (b) the principal amount or liquidation preference thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

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        In addition, the Company will not permit any of its Unrestricted Subsidiaries to Incur any Indebtedness or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock, other than Non-Recourse Debt. If at any time an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under this "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant, the Company shall be in Default of this covenant).

    Limitation on Restricted Payments

        The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to:

    (1)
    declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) except:

    (a)
    dividends or distributions payable in Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock; and

    (b)
    dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (and if such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, to its other holders of Common Stock on a pro rata basis);

    (2)
    purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than in exchange for Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock));

    (3)
    purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations (other than the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition); or

    (4)
    make any Restricted Investment in any Person;

    (any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Restricted Investment referred to in clauses (1) through (4) shall be referred to herein as a "Restricted Payment"), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and either:

      (I)
      Prior to completion of a Successful Public Listing only, the Company is able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to the first paragraph under the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant after giving effect, on a pro forma basis, to such Restricted Payment, and the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date would not exceed the sum of:

      (i)
      15% of Consolidated Cash Flow for the period (treated as one accounting period) from the first day of the fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurs to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which financial statements are in existence; plus

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        (ii)
        the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or other capital contributions subsequent to the Issue Date (other than Net Cash Proceeds received from an issuance or sale of such Capital Stock to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination); plus

        (iii)
        $5 million; or

      (II)
      From and after completion of a Successful Public Listing only,

      (a)
      if the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is at least 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to the fiscal quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made, is less than Available Surplus Cash with respect to the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, provided that the Company will not pay or declare any extraordinary or one-time dividends on its Capital Stock ("extraordinary or one time dividends" meaning for such purpose dividends in excess of amounts stated in the Company's regular Capital Stock dividend policy as determined from time to time by the Company's Board of Directors); or

      (b)
      if the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is less than 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made (such Restricted Payments for purposes of this clause (b) meaning only distributions on Common Stock of the Company), is less than $25 million less the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (b) during the period ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Company immediately preceding the date of such Restricted Payment and beginning on the Issue Date.

        Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this covenant, neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall make any Restricted Payment to the extent that, after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the sum of (a) cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Charterer to support its obligations under its Vessel charters with the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the charter ancillary agreement, is less than $100 million.

        The foregoing provisions of this covenant will not prohibit:

    (1)
    any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock, Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination); provided, however, that (a) such purchase or redemption will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments and (b) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale will be excluded from clause I(ii) of the preceding paragraph;

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    (2)
    any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations, respectively, that qualifies as Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that such purchase or redemption will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

    (3)
    dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration if at such date of declaration such dividend would have complied with this provision; provided, however, that such dividends will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

    (4)
    so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the purchase, redemption or other acquisition, cancellation or retirement for value of Capital Stock, or options, warrants, equity appreciation rights or other rights to purchase or acquire Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any parent of the Company held by any existing or former employees or management of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or their assigns, estates or heirs, in each case in connection with the repurchase provisions under employee or director stock option or stock purchase agreements or other agreements to compensate management employees or directors; provided that such redemptions or repurchases pursuant to this clause will not exceed $2.5 million in the aggregate during any calendar year and $10.0 million in the aggregate for all such redemptions and repurchases; provided, however, that the amount of any such repurchase or redemption will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

    (5)
    so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company issued in accordance with the terms of the indenture to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of "Consolidated Interest Expense;" provided that the payment of such dividends will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments; and

    (6)
    repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof; provided, however, that such repurchases will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments.

        The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount and any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined conclusively by the Board of Directors of the Company acting in good faith by resolution, such determination to be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an investment banking firm of national standing if such fair market value is estimated to exceed $25 million, or, in the case of a Vessel, to be based upon a written appraisal of three Independent Appraisers. Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company shall deliver to the trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by the covenant "Limitation on Restricted Payments" were computed, together with a copy of any fairness opinion or appraisal required by the indenture.

    Limitation on Liens

        The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock), whether owned on the date of the indenture or acquired

105


after that date, securing any Indebtedness, unless contemporaneously with the Incurrence of the Liens effective provision is made to secure the Indebtedness due under the indenture and the notes or, in respect of Liens on any Restricted Subsidiary's property or assets, any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, equally and ratably with (or prior to in the case of Liens with respect to Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations, as the case may be) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien for so long as such Indebtedness is so secured.

    Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

        The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction unless:

    (1)
    the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction at least equal to the fair market value (as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company) of the property subject to such transaction;

    (2)
    the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction pursuant to the covenant described under "—Limitation on Indebtedness;"

    (3)
    the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be permitted to create a Lien on the property subject to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction without securing the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary by the covenant described under "—Limitation on Liens;" and

    (4)
    the Sale/Leaseback Transaction is treated as an Asset Disposition and all of the conditions of the indenture described under "—Limitation on Sale of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" (including the provisions concerning the application of Net Available Cash) are satisfied with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, treating all of the consideration received in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction as Net Available Cash for purposes of such covenant.

    Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries

        The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

    (1)
    pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

    (2)
    make any loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

    (3)
    transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

        The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

      (a)
      any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary on or before the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company or in contemplation of the transaction) and outstanding on such date;

106


      (b)
      any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement effecting a refunding, replacement or refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (a) of this paragraph or this clause (b) or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (a) of this paragraph or this clause (b); provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such agreement are no less favorable in any material respect to the holders of the notes than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in such agreements referred to in clause (a) of this paragraph on the Issue Date or the date such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary, whichever is applicable;

      (c)
      in the case of clause (3) of the first paragraph of this covenant, any encumbrance or restriction:

      (x)
      that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a charter, lease, license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such charter, lease, license or other contract;

      (y)
      contained in mortgages, pledges or other security agreements permitted under the indenture securing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrances or restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such mortgages, pledges or other security agreements; or

      (z)
      pursuant to customary provisions restricting dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

      (d)
      purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose encumbrances or restrictions of the nature described in clause (3) of the first paragraph of this covenant on the property so acquired;

      (e)
      any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary (or any of its property or assets) imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the direct or indirect sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary (or the property or assets that are subject to such restriction) pending the closing of such sale or disposition; and

      (f)
      encumbrances or restrictions arising or existing by reason of applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order.

    Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock

        The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any Asset Disposition (excluding for purposes of the following clauses (1) and (2) an Asset Disposition connected with a Total Loss) unless:

    (1)
    the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (including as to the value of all non-cash consideration), of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition;

    (2)
    at least 80% of the consideration from such Asset Disposition received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; and

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    (3)
    subject to the requirement to make an Asset Disposition Offer as described below, an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition (including from an Asset Disposition connected with a Total Loss) is applied by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, to any one of the following:

    (a)
    to prepay, repay or purchase Indebtedness (other than Disqualified Stock or Subordinated Obligations) of the Company or Indebtedness (other than any Preferred Stock or Guarantor Subordinated Obligation) of a Restricted Subsidiary (in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within 360 days from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; provided, however, that, in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (a), the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary will retire such Indebtedness and will cause the related commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased; and

    (b)
    to acquire or invest in Additional Assets or make installment or progress payments in respect of such Additional Assets within 360 days from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash.

        Any Net Available Cash from Asset Dispositions that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute "Excess Proceeds." On the 361st day after an Asset Disposition, if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million, the Company will be required to make an offer ("Asset Disposition Offer") to all holders of notes and to the extent required by the terms of other Pari Passu Indebtedness, to all holders of other Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding with similar provisions requiring the Company to make an offer to purchase such Pari Passu Indebtedness with the proceeds from any Asset Disposition ("Pari Passu Notes"), to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes and any such Pari Passu Notes to which the Asset Disposition Offer applies that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes and Pari Passu Notes (or, in respect of the Pari Passu Notes, such lesser offer price as may be applicable) plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture or the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes, as applicable, in each case in integral multiples of $1,000. To the extent that the aggregate amount of notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to an Asset Disposition Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to the other covenants contained in the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes surrendered by holders thereof and other Pari Passu Notes surrendered by holders or lenders, collectively, exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the trustee shall select the notes and Pari Passu Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of tendered notes and Pari Passu Notes. Upon completion of such Asset Disposition Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

        The Asset Disposition Offer will remain open for a period of 20 business days following its commencement, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the "Asset Disposition Offer Period"). No later than five business days after the termination of the Asset Disposition Offer Period (the "Asset Disposition Purchase Date"), the Company will purchase the principal amount of notes and Pari Passu Notes required to be purchased pursuant to this covenant (the "Asset Disposition Offer Amount") or, if less than the Asset Disposition Offer Amount has been so validly tendered, all notes and Pari Passu Notes validly tendered in response to the Asset Disposition Offer.

        If the Asset Disposition Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Person in whose

108



name a note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to holders of the notes who tender notes pursuant to the Asset Disposition Offer.

        On or before the Asset Disposition Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Asset Disposition Offer Amount of notes and Pari Passu Notes or portions of notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Asset Disposition Offer, or if less than the Asset Disposition Offer Amount has been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, all notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, in each case in integral multiples of $1,000. The Company will deliver to the trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this covenant and, in addition, the Company will deliver all certificates and Pari Passu Notes required, if any, by the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes. The Company or the paying agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five business days after termination of the Asset Disposition Offer Period) mail or deliver to each tendering holder of notes or holder or lender of Pari Passu Notes, as the case may be, an amount equal to the purchase price of the notes or Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn by such holder or lender, as the case may be, and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new note, and the trustee, upon delivery of an Officers' Certificate from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver such new note to such holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the note surrendered; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. In addition, the Company will take any and all other actions required by the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes. Any note not so accepted will be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Disposition Offer on the Asset Disposition Purchase Date.

        For the purposes of this covenant, the following will be deemed to be cash:

    (1)
    the assumption by the transferee of Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Obligations or Disqualified Stock) of the Company or Indebtedness (other than Guarantor Subordinated Obligations or Preferred Stock) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and the release of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition (in which case the Company will, without further action, be deemed to have applied such deemed cash to Indebtedness in accordance with clause (a) above); and

    (2)
    securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from the transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 90 days from the receipt of such obligations.

        The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any Asset Swaps, unless:

    (1)
    at the time of entering into such Asset Swap and immediately after giving effect to such Asset Swap, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

    (2)
    in the event such Asset Swap involves the transfer by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets having an aggregate fair market value, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith, in excess of $5.0 million, the terms of such Asset Swap have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

    (3)
    in the event such Asset Swap involves the transfer by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets having an aggregate fair market value, as determined by the Board of

109


      Directors of the Company in good faith, in excess of $30.0 million, the Company has received a written opinion from an independent investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing (or, in the case of Vessels, three Independent Appraisers), that such Asset Swap is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view.

        The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to the indenture. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the indenture by virtue of any conflict.

    Limitation on Affiliate Transactions

        The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an "Affiliate Transaction") unless:

    (1)
    the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained in a comparable transaction at the time of such transaction in arm's-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate;

    (2)
    in the event such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate amount in excess of $5 million, the terms of such transaction have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company and by a majority of the members of such Board having no direct or indirect interest (other than with respect to the Company) in such transaction, if any, (and such majority or majorities, as the case may be, determines that such Affiliate Transaction satisfies the criteria in clause (1) above); and

    (3)
    in the event such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate amount in excess of $10 million, the Company has received a written opinion from an independent investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing (or, in the case of Vessels, three Independent Appraisers) that such Affiliate Transaction is not materially less favorable than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arms-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate.

        The preceding paragraph will not apply to:

    (1)
    any Restricted Payment (other than a Restricted Investment) permitted to be made pursuant to the covenant described under "Limitation on Restricted Payments;"

    (2)
    any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans and other reasonable fees, compensation, benefits and indemnities paid or entered into by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to or with officers, directors or employees of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

    (3)
    any transaction between the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries;

    (4)
    the issuance or sale of any Common Stock of the Company or any contribution to the capital of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

110


    (5)
    the performance of obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the terms of any agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party on the Issue Date and disclosed in this prospectus or identified in a schedule to the indenture, as these agreements may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; provided, however, that any future amendment, modification or supplement entered into after the Issue Date will be permitted to the extent that its terms are not more disadvantageous to the holders of the notes than the terms of the agreements in effect on the Issue Date.

    Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries

        The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to, transfer, convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any Voting Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary or to issue any of the Voting Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than, if necessary, shares of its Voting Stock constituting directors' qualifying shares) to any Person except:

    (1)
    to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; or

    (2)
    in compliance with the covenant described under "—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" and immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would continue to be a Restricted Subsidiary.

        Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the Company may sell all the Voting Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary as long as the Company complies with the terms of the covenant described under "—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock."

SEC Reports

        The Company shall, for so long as any of the notes remain outstanding, file with the SEC and the trustee (a) all such reports and other information which the Company would have been required to file with (and in such form as is required by) the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision thereto applicable to a "foreign private issuer," as that term is defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act, such documents to be filed with the SEC on or prior to the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by which the Company would be required so to file such documents and (b) whether or not required pursuant to the immediately preceding clause, (i) within 120 days following the end of each fiscal year of the Company, annual reports on Form 20-F (or any successor form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor form); and (ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, reports on Form 6-K (or any successor form), containing unaudited financial statements (including a balance sheet and statement of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows) and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for and as of the end of each such quarter (with comparable financial statements for such quarter in the immediately preceding fiscal year). The Company shall also in any event (a) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date, as applicable, request that the trustee transmit such documents by mail to all holders, as their names and addresses appear in the note register, without cost to such holders, and (b) if filing such documents by the Company with the SEC is not permitted under the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request supply copies of such documents to any prospective holder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of such Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied this covenant by supplying all of the foregoing information to the trustee and making all such information publicly available on the Company's website.

        If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes to

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the financial statements, and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

Merger and Consolidation

        The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

    (1)
    the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the "Successor Company") will be a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda, the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia, or any other country recognized by the United State of America and the Successor Company (if not the Company) will expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the trustee, in form satisfactory to the trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the notes and the indenture;

    (2)
    immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of the Successor Company as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

    (3)
    except in the case of a merger of the Company with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur at least an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to the first paragraph of the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant;

    (4)
    unless the Company is the Successor Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor (unless it is the other party to the transactions above, in which case clause (1) shall apply) shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person's obligations in respect of the indenture and the notes and its obligations under the registration rights agreement shall continue to be in effect;

    (5)
    if the Successor Company is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than Bermuda or the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, it delivers to the trustee an Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters that, taken together, state that the holders of the notes will not suffer any economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage as a result of such transaction; and

    (6)
    the Company shall have delivered to the trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the indenture.

        For purposes of this covenant, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

        The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the indenture, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the Company will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the notes.

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        Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve "all or substantially all" of the assets of a Person.

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

        After the Issue Date, the Company will cause each Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired by the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries to execute and deliver to the trustee a supplement to the indenture providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee.

Limitation on Lines of Business

        The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Related Business.

Amendments of Material Agreements

        Prior to the completion of a Successful Public Listing, the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend or modify any of the Material Agreements in a manner that would materially adversely affect the rights of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder, taken as a whole.

Payments for Consent

        Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fees or otherwise, to any holder of any notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the indenture or the notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or is paid to all holders of the notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment.

Insurance

        The Company will maintain, and cause its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance coverage by financially sound and reputable insurers in such forms and amounts and against such risks as are at that time customary for corporations of established reputation engaged in the same or a similar business and owning and operating similar properties including general liability insurance and (but without duplication) protection and indemnity insurance, hull and machinery insurance and oil pollution insurance.

Events of Default

        Each of the following is an Event of Default:

    (1)
    default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;

    (2)
    failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to comply with its obligations under "Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation;"

    (3)
    failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations under the covenants described under "Change of Control" above or under the covenants described under "Certain Covenants" above (in each case, other than a failure to purchase notes which

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      will constitute an Event of Default under clause (1) above and other than failure to comply with the covenant covered by clause (2) above);

    (4)
    failure by the Company to comply with its other agreements contained in the indenture for 60 days after notice;

    (5)
    default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, which default:

    (a)
    is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the stated maturity of such Indebtedness ("payment default"); or

    (b)
    results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its maturity (the "cross acceleration provision");

      and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more;

    (6)
    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary (the "bankruptcy provisions");

    (7)
    failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million (net of any amounts that a reputable and creditworthy insurance company has acknowledged liability for in writing), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days (the "judgment default provision");

    (8)
    any Subsidiary Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms of the indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the indenture or its Subsidiary Guarantee; or

    (9)
    Prior to the completion of a Successful Public Listing, the failure by Charterer, Frontline or Frontline Management to comply for 30 days after notice with any of their obligations under the Material Agreements.

        If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (6) above) occurs and is continuing, the trustee by notice to the Company, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes by notice to the Company and the trustee, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the notes because an Event of Default described in clause (5) under "Events of Default" has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the notes shall be automatically annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (5) shall be remedied or cured by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 20 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if (1) the annulment of the acceleration of the notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the notes that became due solely because of the

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acceleration of the notes, have been cured or waived. If an Event of Default described in clause (6) above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes may waive all past defaults (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium or interest) and rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

        Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:

    (1)
    such holder has previously given the trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

    (2)
    holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have requested the trustee to pursue the remedy;

    (3)
    such holders have offered the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;

    (4)
    the trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

    (5)
    the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes have not given the trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

        Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. In the event an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of his own affairs. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

        The indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must mail to each holder notice of the Default within 30 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any note, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of trust officers of the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, the Company is required to deliver to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company also is required to deliver to the trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any events which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

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        In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of the indenture or was required to repurchase the notes, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the notes.

Amendments and Waivers

        Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes). However, without the consent of each holder of a note then outstanding affected, no amendment may, among other things:

    (1)
    reduce the principal amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;

    (2)
    reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any note;

    (3)
    reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any note;

    (4)
    reduce the premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase of any Note or change the time at which any note may be redeemed or repurchased as described above under "Optional Redemption," "Change of Control," "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" or any similar provision, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;

    (5)
    make any note payable in money other than that stated in the note;

    (6)
    impair the right of any holder to receive payment of, premium, if any, principal of and interest on such holder's notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder's notes;

    (7)
    modify the Subsidiary Guarantees in any manner adverse to the holders of the notes; or

    (8)
    make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder's consent or in the waiver provisions.

        Without the consent of any holder, the Company and the trustee may amend the indenture to:

    (1)
    cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

    (2)
    provide for the assumption by a Successor Company of the obligations of the Company under the indenture in accordance with the indenture;

    (3)
    provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes (provided that the uncertificated notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f) (2) (B) of the Code);

    (4)
    add additional Subsidiary Guarantors or confirm and evidence the release of a Subsidiary Guarantee in accord with the applicable provisions of the indenture;

    (5)
    secure the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees;

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    (6)
    add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

    (7)
    make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder;

    (8)
    comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

    (9)
    provide for a successor trustee under the indenture.

        The consent of the holders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, the Company is required to mail to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

Defeasance

        The Company at any time may terminate all its obligations under the notes and the indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes.

        The Company at any time may terminate its obligations under covenants described under "Certain Covenants" (other than "Merger and Consolidation"), the operation of the cross-default upon a payment default, cross acceleration provisions, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, and the judgment default provision and the Subsidiary Guarantee provision described under "Events of Default" above and the limitations contained in clause (3) under "Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation" above ("covenant defeasance").

        The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (4), (5), (6), (7) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), (8) or (9) under "Events of Default" above or because of the failure of the Company to comply with clause (3) under "Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation" above.

        In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Company must irrevocably deposit in trust (the "defeasance trust") with the trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the trustee of an Opinion of Counsel (subject to customary exceptions and exclusions) to the effect that holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law. If the Company exercises either its legal defeasance or its covenant defeasance option, the Subsidiary Guarantees in effect at such time will terminate.

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Satisfaction and Discharge

        The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued thereunder, when:

    (1)
    either

    (a)
    all notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or

    (b)
    all Notes that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and liquidated damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

    (2)
    no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound;

    (3)
    the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it under the Indenture; and

    (4)
    the Company has delivered an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

        No director, officer, employee, limited partner, member, manager, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the notes, the indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Concerning the Trustee

        Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, is the trustee under the indenture and has been appointed by the Company as registrar and paying agent with regard to the notes.

Governing Law

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

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Certain Definitions

        "Additional Assets" means:

    (1)
    any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) used or useful by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a Related Business, including, without limitation, a hull under construction or rights under a Vessel Construction Contract, any installment payment under a Vessel Construction Contract, and any repairs, improvements, additions, enhancements, drydocking or capital improvement of any vessel;

    (2)
    the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

    (3)
    Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (2) and (3), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

        "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For purposes of the foregoing, Knightsbridge Tankers Limited shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Frontline.

        "Asset Disposition" means any direct or indirect sale, lease (other than a charter or operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of business), transfer, issuance or other disposition (including by way of a Total Loss), or a series of related sales, leases, transfers, issuances or dispositions that are part of a common plan, of shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary (other than directors' qualifying shares), property or other assets (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a "disposition") by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

        Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Dispositions:

    (1)
    a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

    (2)
    the sale of Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

    (3)
    a disposition of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

    (4)
    a disposition of obsolete, scrap or worn out assets that are no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and that is disposed of in each case in the ordinary course of business;

    (5)
    transactions permitted under "Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation;"

    (6)
    an issuance of Capital Stock by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

    (7)
    for purposes of "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" only, the making of a Permitted Investment or a disposition subject to "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments;"

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    (8)
    dispositions of assets in a single transaction or series of related transactions with an aggregate fair market value in any calendar year of less than $5.0 million;

    (9)
    dispositions in connection with Liens permitted to be incurred under the indenture;

    (10)
    the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles and licenses, leases or subleases of other property in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

    (11)
    foreclosure on assets; and

    (12)
    Asset Swaps.

        "Asset Swap" means concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any cash received must be applied in accordance with "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock."

        "Attributable Indebtedness" in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in such transaction determined in accordance with GAAP) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

        "Available Surplus Cash" means, for any quarter, all cash and Cash Equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter, less the amount of any cash reserves necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the Board of Directors to (a) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including reserves for anticipated future credit needs and future capital expenditures, after that quarter, or (b) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which the company is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or to which its assets are subject.

        "Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the sum of all such payments.

        "Board of Directors" means, as to any Person, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.

        "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participation or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

        "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty.

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        "Cash Equivalents" means:

    (1)
    securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof), having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

    (2)
    marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, having a credit rating of "A" or better from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.;

    (3)
    certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers' acceptances having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank or financial institution the long term debt of which is rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least "A" or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, or "A" or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million;

    (4)
    repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

    (5)
    commercial paper rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least "A-2" or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or "P-2" or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of investments, and in any case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition thereof; and

    (6)
    interests in any investment company or money market fund which invests primarily in instruments of the type specified in clauses (1) through (5) above.

        "Change of Control" means:

    (1)
    any "person" or "group" of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that such person or group shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all shares that any such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) (for the purposes of this clause, such person or group shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of the Company held by a parent entity, if such person or group "beneficially owns" (as defined above), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity); or

    (2)
    the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors (but not committees thereof) of the Company are not Continuing Directors; or

    (3)
    the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act); or

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    (4)
    the adoption by the stockholders of the Company of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

        "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

        "Common Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or nonvoting) of such Person's common stock whether or not outstanding on the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock.

        "Consolidated Cash Flow" for any period means, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period, plus the portion of lease payments allocated as a reduction in the net investment in capital leases in accordance with GAAP to the extent not included in Consolidated Net Income, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

    (1)
    Consolidated Interest Expense;

    (2)
    Consolidated Income Taxes;

    (3)
    consolidated depreciation expense;

    (4)
    consolidated amortization of intangibles; and

    (5)
    other non-cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period not included in the calculation).

        Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, clauses (2) through (5) relating to amounts of a Restricted Subsidiary will be added to Consolidated Net Income of the Company to compute its Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income (loss) of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of the Company and, to the extent the amounts set forth in clause (1) and clauses (3) through (5) are in excess of those necessary to offset a net loss of such Restricted Subsidiary or if such Restricted Subsidiary has net income for such period included in Consolidated Net Income, only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

        "Consolidated Coverage Ratio" means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which financial statements are in existence to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company for such four fiscal quarters, provided, however, that:

    (1)
    if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary:

    (a)
    has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such period (except that in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility outstanding on the date of such calculation will be computed based on (x) the average

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        daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four fiscal quarters or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding or (y) if such facility was created after the end of such four fiscal quarters, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such calculation) and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period; or

      (b)
      has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of the period that is no longer outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio involves a discharge of Indebtedness (in each case other than Indebtedness incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and the related commitment terminated), Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such discharge of such Indebtedness, including with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness or otherwise, as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period;

    (2)
    if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary will have made any Asset Disposition or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Asset Disposition:

    (a)
    the Consolidated Cash Flow for such period will be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Cash Flow (if positive) attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated Cash Flow (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period; and

    (b)
    Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale);

    (3)
    if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) will have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged with or into the Company) or an acquisition of assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit, division or line of business (or for purposes of this subsection, any Vessel), Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period; and

    (4)
    if since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period will have made any Asset Disposition or any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (2) or (3) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving

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      pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition or Investment or acquisition of assets occurred on the first day of such period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company (including pro forma expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act). For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition or construction of a Vessel or the Capital Stock of a Vessel owning company or the financing thereof, the Company may (a) if the relevant Vessel is to be subject to a time charter with a remaining term longer than six months, apply pro forma earnings (losses) for such period for such Vessel based upon such charter, or (b) if such Vessel is not to be subject to a time charter, is under time charter that is due to expire within six months or less, or is to be subject to charter on a voyage charter basis (whether or not any such charter is in place for such Vessel), then in each case apply earnings (losses) for such period for such Vessel based upon the average of the historical earnings of comparable Vessels in the Company's fleet (as determined in good faith by its Board of Directors) during such period or if there is no such comparable Vessel, then based upon industry average earnings for comparable Vessels (as determined in good faith by its Board of Directors). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness.

        "Consolidated Income Taxes" means, with respect to any period, taxes imposed upon the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries or other payments required to be made by any such Person by any governmental authority which taxes or other payments are calculated by reference to the income or profits of any of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent such income or profits were included in computing Consolidated Net Income for such period), regardless of whether such taxes or payments are required to be remitted to any governmental authority.

        "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued, plus, to the extent not included in such interest expense:

    (1)
    interest expense attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations and the interest portion of rent expense associated with Attributable Indebtedness in respect of the relevant lease giving rise thereto, determined as if such lease were a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP and the interest component of any deferred payment obligations;

    (2)
    amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost;

    (3)
    non-cash interest expense;

    (4)
    commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing;

    (5)
    the interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

    (6)
    net costs associated with Hedging Obligations (other than under Fuel Hedging Agreements) (including amortization of fees);

    (7)
    the consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period;

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    (8)
    the product of (a) all dividends paid or payable in cash, Cash Equivalents or Indebtedness or accrued during such period on any series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or on Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries payable to a party other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state, provincial and local statutory tax rate of the Company, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP; and

    (9)
    the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust; provided, however, that there will be excluded therefrom any such interest expense of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the related Indebtedness is not Guaranteed or paid by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

For purposes of this definition, total interest expense will be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Interest Rate Agreements.

        "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there will not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

    (1)
    any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

    (a)
    subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3), (4) and (5) below, the Company's equity in the net income of any such Person for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) below); and

    (b)
    the Company's equity in a net loss of any such Person (other than an unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income to the extent such loss has been funded with cash from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

    (2)
    any net income (but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:

    (a)
    subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3), (4) and (5) below, the Company's equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend (subject, in the case of a dividend to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

    (b)
    the Company's equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

    (3)
    any gain (loss) realized upon the sale, writedown or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person in each case, not in the ordinary course of business;

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    (4)
    any extraordinary gain or loss; and

    (5)
    the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.

        "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" of any Person means, as of any date of determination, the sum of the assets of such Person after eliminating intercompany items, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including appropriate deductions for any minority interest in tangible assets of such Person's Subsidiaries, less (without duplication) (a) the net book value of all of its licenses, patents, patent applications, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, goodwill, non-compete agreements or organizational expenses and other like intangibles, (b) unamortised Indebtedness discount and expenses, (c) all reserves for depreciation, obsolescence, depletion and amortization of its properties and (d) all other proper reserves which in accordance with GAAP should be provided in connection with the business conducted by such Person.

        "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who: (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of the indenture; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election.

        "Credit Facilities" means one or more debt facilities with commercial banks providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing or trade letters of credit, in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced by commercial banks in whole or in part from time to time.

        "Currency Agreement" means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

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

        "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event:

    (1)
    matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

    (2)
    is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (excluding Capital Stock which is convertible or exchangeable solely at the option of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); or

    (3)
    is redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock thereof, in whole or in part,

in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date (a) on which the notes mature or (b) on which there are no notes outstanding, provided that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset disposition (each defined in a substantially identical manner to the corresponding definitions in the indenture) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) pursuant to such provision prior to compliance by the Company with the provisions of the indenture described

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under the captions "Change of Control" and "Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" and such repurchase or redemption complies with "Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments."

        "Frontline" means Frontline Ltd., an exempted Bermuda company.

        "Fuel Hedging Agreements" means any spot, forward or option fuel price protection agreements and other types of fuel hedging agreements designed to protect against or manage exposure to fluctuations in fuel prices.

        "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the date of the indenture, including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in the indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP.

        "Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

    (1)
    to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

    (2)
    entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term "Guarantee" will not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has the corresponding meaning.

        "Guarantor Subordinated Obligation" means, with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement.

        "Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Fuel Hedging Agreement.

        "Incur" means issue, create, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and the terms "Incurring," "Incurred" and "Incurrence" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

        "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

    (1)
    the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

    (2)
    the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

    (3)
    the principal component of all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with

127


      respect thereto except to the extent such reimbursement obligation relates to a trade payable and such obligation is satisfied within 30 days of Incurrence);

    (4)
    the principal component of all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property (except trade payables), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto;

    (5)
    Capitalized Lease Obligations and all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person;

    (6)
    the principal component or liquidation preference of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

    (7)
    the principal component of all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

    (8)
    the principal component of Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by such Person; and

    (9)
    to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, net obligations of such Person under Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements (the amount of any such obligations to be equal at any time to the termination value of such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligation that would be payable by such Person at such time).

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date will be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date.

        In addition, "Indebtedness" of any Person shall include Indebtedness described in the preceding paragraph that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person if:

    (1)
    such Indebtedness is the obligation of a partnership or joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (a "Joint Venture");

    (2)
    such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of the Joint Venture (a "General Partner"); and

    (3)
    there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, with respect to the payment of such Indebtedness to property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; and then such Indebtedness shall be included in an amount not to exceed:

    (a)
    the lesser of (x) the net assets of the General Partner and (y) the amount of such obligations to the extent that there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, to the property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; or

    (b)
    if less than the amount determined pursuant to clause (a) immediately above, the actual amount of such Indebtedness that is recourse to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, if the Indebtedness is evidenced by a writing and is for a determinable amount and the related interest expense shall be included in Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent actually paid by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

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        "Independent Appraiser" means a Person:

    (1)
    engaged in the business of appraising vessels who is generally acceptable to institutional lenders to the shipping industry; and

    (2)
    who (a) is independent of the parties to the transaction in question and their Affiliates and (b) is not connected with the Company, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any of such Affiliates as an officer, director, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner or person performing similar functions.

        "Interest Rate Agreement" means, with respect to any Person, any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

        "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any direct or indirect advance, loan (other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business) or other extension of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement, but excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such Person and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that none of the following will be deemed to be an Investment:

    (1)
    Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business and in compliance with the indenture;

    (2)
    endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business; and

    (3)
    an acquisition of assets, Capital Stock or other securities by the Company or a Subsidiary for consideration to the extent such consideration consists of Common Stock of the Company.

        For purposes of "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments:"

    (1)
    "Investment" will include the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent "Investment" in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company's "Investment" in such

      Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (b) the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets (as conclusively determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary; and

    (2)
    any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

        "Investment Grade Rating" means a rating equal to or higher than "Baa3" (or the equivalent) by Moody's or "BBB" (or the equivalent) by S&P.

        "Issue Date" means the first date on which the notes are originally issued.

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        "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

        "Material Agreements" means the charters of our vessels with the Charterer, the Charter Ancillary Agreement, the Frontline performance guarantee or the management agreements with Frontline Management, each as described in this prospectus.

        "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments actually received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition or received in any other noncash form) therefrom, in each case net of:

    (1)
    all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under GAAP (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing agreements), as a consequence of such Asset Disposition;

    (2)
    all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition;

    (3)
    all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition;

    (4)
    the deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition; and

    (5)
    all expenditures incurred to inspect, repair or modify a Vessel and bring such Vessel to the condition and place of delivery in connection with the sale of such Vessel as may be specified in the related purchase and sale agreement or otherwise as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine as advisable in connection with such sale.

        "Net Cash Proceeds," with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale actually received net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result of such issuance or sale (after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements).

        "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness as to which:

    (1)
    neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides any Guarantee or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise);

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    (2)
    no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default under such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and

    (3)
    there is no recourse against any of the assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

        "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.

        "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.

        "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the trustee.

        "Pari Passu Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that ranks equally in right of payment to the notes.

        "Permitted Holders" means Frontline and its Affiliates.

        "Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

    (1)
    a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business;

    (2)
    another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person's primary business is a Related Business;

    (3)
    Investments in Joint Ventures in connection with a Related Business in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, as of the most recent balance sheet date, the lesser of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company at any one time outstanding;

    (4)
    cash and Cash Equivalents;

    (5)
    receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

    (6)
    payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

    (7)
    stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor;

    (8)
    Investments made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Disposition that was made pursuant to and in compliance with "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock;"

    (9)
    Investments in existence on the Issue Date;

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    (10)
    Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements and related Hedging Obligations, which transactions or obligations are Incurred in compliance with "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness;"

    (11)
    Guarantees issued in accordance with "Certain Covenants—Limitations on Indebtedness;" and

    (12)
    in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (11) above, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, when taken together with other Investments made pursuant to this clause (12), in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20 million outstanding at any one time.

        "Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person:

    (1)
    Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount at any one time not to exceed $1,160,000,000;

    (2)
    Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property of such Person, including a Vessel (which term, for purposes of this clause (2), shall include the Capital Stock of a Person substantially all of the assets of which is a Vessel and any Related Assets, as the context may require); provided, however, (A) subject to clause (B) below, in the case of a Vessel, (i) except as provided in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) below, the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien does not exceed (x) with respect to Indebtedness Incurred to finance the construction of such Vessel, 80% of the sum of (1) the contract price pursuant to the Vessel Construction Contract for such Vessel and (2) any other Ready for Sea Cost for such Vessel, and (y) with respect to Indebtedness Incurred to finance the acquisition of such Vessel, 80% of the sum of (1) the contract price for the acquisition of such Vessel and (2) any other Ready for Sea Cost of such Vessel, (ii) in the case of Indebtedness that matures within nine months after the Incurrence of such Indebtedness (other than any Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness or Indebtedness that matures within one year prior to the Stated Maturity of the notes), the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien shall not exceed the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, of such Vessel at the time such Lien is incurred, (iii) in the case of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction, the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien shall not exceed the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, of such Vessel at the time such Lien is incurred and (iv) in the case of Indebtedness representing Capitalized Lease Obligations relating to a Vessel, the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien shall not exceed 100% of the sum of (1) the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, of such Vessel at the time such Lien is incurred and (2) any Ready for Sea Cost for such Vessel and (B) in the case of Additional Assets acquired directly or indirectly from Net Available Cash pursuant to the covenant described under "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock," the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien does not exceed the lesser of (i) 80% of the contract price for the acquisition of such Additional Asset and (ii) the contract price for the acquisition of such Additional Asset less the Net Available Cash used to acquire such Additional Asset; provided further, however, that such Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred and the Indebtedness (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be incurred more than 180 days after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;

    (3)
    pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen's compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders,

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      contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits or cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

    (4)
    Liens imposed by law, including carriers', warehousemen's and mechanics' Liens;

    (5)
    Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings provided appropriate reserves required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

    (6)
    Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of credit or bankers' acceptances issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business; provided, however, that such letters of credit do not constitute Indebtedness;

    (7)
    encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

    (8)
    Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under the indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligation;

    (9)
    leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

    (10)
    judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

    (11)
    Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capitalized Lease Obligations with respect to, assets or property (other than Vessels) acquired or constructed in the ordinary course of business, provided that:

    (a)
    the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be Incurred under the indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or constructed; and

    (b)
    such Liens are created within 180 days of construction or acquisition of such assets or property and do not encumber any other assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto;

    (12)
    Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker's Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution; provided that:

    (a)
    such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; and

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      (b)
      such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

    (13)
    Liens arising from "precautionary" Uniform Commercial Code financing statements;

    (14)
    Liens existing on the Issue Date;

    (15)
    Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; provided further, however, that any such Lien may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

    (16)
    Liens on property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

    (17)
    Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

    (18)
    Liens securing the notes and Subsidiary Guarantees;

    (19)
    Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured, provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder;

    (20)
    Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising from Vessel chartering, drydocking, maintenance, the furnishing of supplies and bunkers to Vessels, repairs and improvements to Vessels, crews' wages and maritime Liens;

    (21)
    any Lien or pledge created or subsisting in the ordinary course of business over documents of title, insurance policies or sale contracts in relation to commercial goods to secure the purchase price thereof;

    (22)
    Liens for salvage and general average; and

    (23)
    in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (22) above, Liens securing Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Obligations and Guarantor Subordinated Obligations) in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed $20.0 million.

        "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision hereof or any other entity.

        "Preferred Stock," as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.

        "Public Equity Offering" means an offering for cash by the Company of its common stock, or options, warrants or rights with respect to its common stock made pursuant to a registration statement

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that has been declared effective by the SEC (other than on Form S-4 or S-8 or their foreign private issuer equivalent, if any).

        "Rating Agency" means each of S&P and Moody's, or if S&P or Moody's or both shall not make a rating on the notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of its Board of Directors) which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody's or both, as the case may be.

        "Ready for Sea Cost" means with respect to a Vessel or Vessels to be acquired or leased (pursuant to a Capitalized Lease Obligation) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the aggregate amount of all expenditures incurred to acquire or construct and bring such Vessel or Vessels to the condition and location necessary for its intended use, including any and all inspections, appraisals, repairs, modifications, construction related insurance, additions, permits and licenses in connection with such acquisition or lease.

        "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, exchange, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) (collectively, "refinance" and "refinances" and "refinanced" shall have correlative meanings) any Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with the indenture (including Indebtedness of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of another Restricted Subsidiary) including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, provided, however, that:

    (1)
    (a) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is earlier than the Stated Maturity of the notes, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced or (b) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is later than the Stated Maturity of the notes, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity at least 91 days later than the Stated Maturity of the notes;

    (2)
    the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced;

    (3)
    such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the sum of the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of Indebtedness being refinanced (plus, without duplication, any additional Indebtedness Incurred to pay interest or premiums required by the instruments governing such existing Indebtedness and fees incurred in connection therewith); and

    (4)
    if the Indebtedness being refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee on terms at least as favorable to the holders of notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

        "Related Asset" means, with respect to a Vessel, (a) any insurance policies and contracts from time to time in force with respect to such Vessel, (b) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Company owning such Vessel and related assets, (c) any requisition compensation payable in respect of any compulsory acquisition thereof, (d) any earnings derived from the use or operation thereof and/or any earnings account with respect to such earnings, (e) any charters, operating leases and related agreements entered into in respect of such Vessel and any security or guarantee in respect of the charterer's or lessee's obligations under such charter, lease or agreement, (f) any cash collateral account established with respect to such Vessel pursuant to the financing arrangement with respect

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thereto, (g) any building, conversion or repair contracts relating to such Vessel and any security or guarantee in respect of the builder's obligations under such contracts and (h) any security interest in, or agreement or assignment relating to, any of the foregoing or any mortgage in respect of such Vessel.

        "Related Business" means any business which is the same as or related, ancillary or complementary to any of the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of the indenture or any other business that the Board of Directors determines in good faith is an appropriate business for the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

        "Related Business Assets" means assets used or useful in a Related Business.

        "Restricted Investment" means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

        "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

        "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

        "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a "Significant Subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

        "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

        "Subordinated Obligation" means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the notes pursuant to a written agreement.

        "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership and joint venture interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary will refer to a Subsidiary of the Company.

        "Subsidiary Guarantee" means, individually, any Guarantee of payment of the notes by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto, and, collectively, all such Guarantees. Each such supplemental indenture will be in the form prescribed by the indenture.

        "Subsidiary Guarantor" means (1) each Subsidiary of the Company in existence on the date of the Escrow Release and (2) each other Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the covenant described under "Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantors," in each case until such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be such in accordance with the indenture.

        "Successful Public Listing" means the completion of one or more transactions that result in at least 20% of the then outstanding Common Stock of the Company being listed or quoted for public trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, Nasdaq National Market System or other United States national securities exchange, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the trustee to such effect. We believe that the distribution by Frontline to its shareholders of 40% of our shares and their listing on the New York Stock Exchange as currently contemplated could constitute a "Successful Public Listing".

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        "Total Loss" means, with respect to a Vessel, a total loss, destruction, condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure, forfeiture, blocking and trapping or other taking of title to or use of such Vessel (provided that such loss, destruction, condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure, forfeiture, blocking and trapping or other taking of title to or use of such Vessel was covered by insurance or resulted in the actual payment of compensation, indemnification or similar payments to such Person).

        "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means:

    (1)
    any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Company in the manner provided below; and

    (2)
    any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

        The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

    (1)
    such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of or have any Investment in, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

    (2)
    all the Indebtedness of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries shall consist of Non-Recourse Debt;

    (3)
    such designation and the Investment of the Company in such Subsidiary complies with "Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments;"

    (4)
    such Subsidiary, either alone or in the aggregate with all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, does not operate, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

    (5)
    such Subsidiary is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation:

    (a)
    to subscribe for additional Capital Stock of such Person; or

    (b)
    to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

    (6)
    on the date such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with terms substantially less favorable to the Company than those that might have been obtained from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company.

        Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred as of such date.

        The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and the Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the first paragraph of the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

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        "U.S. Dollar Equivalent" means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, at or as of any time for the determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters (or, if Reuters ceases to provide such spot quotations, by any other reputable service as is providing such spot quotations, as selected by the Company) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date not more than two business days prior to such determination.

        "Vessel" means one or more shipping vessels whose primary purpose is the maritime transportation of cargo and/or passengers or which are otherwise engaged, used or useful in any business activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and which are owned by and registered (or to be owned by and registered) in the name of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or operated or to be operated by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to a lease or other operating agreement constituting a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case together with all related spares, equipment and any additions or improvements.

        "Vessel Construction Contract" means any contract for the construction (or construction and acquisition) of a Vessel entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto or change orders in respect thereof.

        "Voting Stock" of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of such Person.

        "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

The Global Notes

        The notes will be issued in the form of several registered notes in global form, without interest coupons (the "Global Notes"), as follows:

    notes sold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A will be represented by a separate Rule 144A Global Note;

    notes sold in offshore transactions to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S will be represented by a separate Regulation S Global Note; and

    any notes sold to institutional accredited investors will be represented by a separate Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note.

        Upon issuance, each of the Global Notes will be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

        Ownership of beneficial interests in each Global Note will be limited to persons who have accounts with DTC ("DTC participants") or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

    upon deposit of each Global Note with DTC's custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the Global Note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the initial purchasers; and

    ownership of beneficial interests in each Global Note will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Note).

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        Beneficial interests in the temporary Regulation S Global Note will initially be credited within DTC to Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, on behalf of the owners of such interests. During the Distribution Compliance Period described below, beneficial interests in the temporary Regulation S Global Note may be:

    held only through Euroclear or Clearstream; and

    transferred only to non-U.S. persons under Regulation S, qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A or institutional accredited investors.

        Investors may hold their interests in the permanent Regulation S Global Note directly through Euroclear or Clearstream, if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in those systems. After the Distribution Compliance Period ends, investors may also hold their interests in the permanent Regulation S Global Note through organizations other than Euroclear or Clearstream that are DTC participants. Each of Euroclear and Clearstream will appoint a DTC participant to act as its depositary for the interests in each Regulation S Global Note that are held within DTC for the account of each settlement system on behalf of its participants.

        Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below.

Exchanges Among the Global Notes

        The Distribution Compliance Period will begin on the closing date and end 40 days after the closing date.

        Beneficial interests in one Global Note may generally be exchanged for interests in another Global Note. Depending on whether the transfer is being made during or after the Distribution Compliance Period, and to which Global Note the transfer is being made, the Trustee may require the seller to provide certain written certifications in the form provided in the indenture. In addition, in the case of a transfer of interests to the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note, the Trustee may require the buyer to deliver a representation letter in the form provided in the indenture that states, among other things, that the buyer is not acquiring notes with a view to distributing them in violation of the Securities Act.

        A beneficial interest in a Global Note that is transferred to a person who takes delivery through another Global Note will, upon transfer, become subject to any transfer restrictions and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in the other Global Note.

Book-Entry Procedures for the Global Notes

        All interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream. We provide the following summaries of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of each settlement system are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. Neither we nor the initial purchasers are responsible for those operations or procedures.

        DTC has advised us that it is:

    a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;

    a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law;

    a member of the Federal Reserve System;

    a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and

    a "clearing agency" registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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        DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC's participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the initial purchasers, banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC's system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.

        So long as DTC's nominee is the registered owner of a Global Note, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that Global Note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note:

    will not be entitled to have Notes represented by the Global Note registered in their names;

    will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated Notes; and

    will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the Trustee under the indenture.

        As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights of a holder of Notes under the indenture (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the investor owns its interest).

        Payments of principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the notes represented by a Global Note will be made by the Trustee to DTC's nominee as the registered holder of the Global Note. Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests.

        Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.

        Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC's procedures and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream will be effected in the ordinary way under the rules and operating procedures of those systems.

        Cross-market transfers between DTC participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected within DTC through the DTC participants that are acting as depositaries for Euroclear and Clearstream. To deliver or receive an interest in a Global Note held in a Euroclear or Clearstream account, an investor must send transfer instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, under the rules and procedures of that system and within the established deadlines of that system. If the transaction meets its settlement requirements, Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will send instructions to its DTC depositary to take action to effect final settlement by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment under normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the DTC depositaries that are acting for Euroclear or Clearstream.

        Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant that purchases an interest in a Global Note from a DTC participant will be credited on the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream immediately following the DTC settlement date. Cash received in

140



Euroclear or Clearstream from the sale of an interest in a Global Note to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following the DTC settlement date.

        DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the above procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in those settlement systems. However, the settlement systems are not obligated to perform these procedures and may discontinue or change these procedures at any time. Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their participants or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Certificated Notes

        Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related notes only if:

    DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

    DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

    we, at our option, notify the Trustee that we elect to cause the issuance of certificated Notes; or

    certain other events provided in the indenture should occur.

Registration Rights

        We entered into an exchange and registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers or our outstanding notes, Jeffries & Company, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., pursuant to which we agreed, for the benefit of the holders of the outstanding notes, at our cost:

    (1)
    to use our best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement on this appropriate form relating to a registered exchange offer for the outstanding notes under the Securities Act of 1933; and

    (2)
    to commence the exchange offer promptly after the exchange offer registration statement has been declared effective and to use our reasonable best efforts to complete the exchange offer not more than 60 days after the effective date of the exchange offer registration statement.

        Upon the exchange offer registration statement being declared effective, we will offer the exchange notes in exchange for the surrender of the outstanding notes. We will keep the exchange open for not less than 30 calendar days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the exchange offer is mailed to the holders of the outstanding notes. For each outstanding note surrendered to us pursuant to the exchange offer, the holder of such outstanding note will receive an exchange note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered note. The exchange notes will have terms identical in all material aspects to the outstanding notes (except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or to additional interest payments).

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

General

        The following is a discussion of the principal United States federal income tax consequences of the exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes and of the beneficial ownership and disposition of the exchange notes. For purposes of this discussion, (1) the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, is referred to as "the Code," and (2) the Internal Revenue Service is referred to as "the IRS." The Company believes this section contains a discussion of the material tax consideration applicable to most investors deciding to exchange outstanding notes for exchange notes or that may arise from the ownership of exchange notes. However, this section does not purport to address every tax consideration that may be relevant to every investor. Investors should consult with their own tax advisor.

        This discussion:

    is based on the tax laws of the United States, including the Code, Treasury regulations (final, temporary and proposed), administrative rulings and practice, and judicial decisions in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect;

    deals only with holders who hold the notes as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code;

    discusses only the tax considerations applicable to holders who purchased the outstanding notes at initial issuance for an amount equal to their "issue price" within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code; and

    does not address tax considerations applicable to investors that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, grantor trusts, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities that elect the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons that will hold the notes as part of a hedging transaction, "straddle" or "conversion transaction" for tax purposes, persons deemed to sell notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, persons liable for alternative minimum tax or U.S. Holders of the notes whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar.

        Except as indicated under "Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders" below, this discussion applies only to beneficial owners of notes that for U.S. federal income tax purposes are (1) individual citizens or residents of the United States, (2) corporations, partnerships or other entities that are taxable as corporations or partnerships, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia), (3) estates, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, and (4) trusts, if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States persons has the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust (each, a "U.S. Holder"). A "Non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of Notes that is not a U.S. Holder.

        The Company has not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made or the conclusions reached in the following discussion, and the IRS may not agree with such statements and conclusions. In addition, the IRS is not precluded from adopting a contrary position. This section does not consider the effect of any applicable foreign, state, local or other tax laws.

         PROSPECTIVE EXCHANGERS OF THE OUTSTANDING NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE EXCHANGE OF THE OUTSTANDING NOTES FOR THE EXCHANGE NOTES, AND THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES.

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Tax Treatment of U.S. Holders

    Exchange Offer

        The exchange of the notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer will not be a taxable exchange for United States federal income tax purposes. Consequently, a U.S. Holder will not recognize taxable income or loss as a result of exchanging the notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer. For federal income tax purposes, the exchange notes will be treated as a continuation of the notes in the hands of the U.S. Holder. Accordingly, a U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Exchange Notes immediately after the exchange will be the same as such holder's tax basis in the notes immediately before the exchange, and the U.S. Holder's holding period for the exchange notes will include its holding period for the notes.

        Although we will be required to pay additional interest to holders of the exchange notes if certain circumstances relating to the exchange offer are not satisfied (we refer you to "Registration Rights Agreement"), Treasury regulations relating to the determination of whether "original issue discount" exists with respect to a particular debt instrument provide that the possibility that amounts such as additional interest may be paid on a debt instrument will not affect the instrument's yield to maturity if the likelihood of such payment is remote. We intend to treat the possibility of our payment of additional interest as remote and as not affecting the yield to maturity of the exchange notes. Thus, although the matter is not free from doubt, we intend to take the position that a U.S. Holder should be required to report any such additional interest as ordinary income for United States federal income tax purposes at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with such holder's regular method of accounting. It is possible, however, that the IRS may take a different position if it were to audit the federal income tax return of a U.S. Holder, in which case the timing and amount of interest income recognized by the U.S. Holder may differ from that reported by the U.S. Holder.

    Stated Interest

        Interest on a note generally will be includable in the income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time such interest is received or accrued in accordance with such holder's regular method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes.

    Additional Amounts

        Additional amounts received by a U.S. Holder of a note will be subject to tax in the same manner as stated interest.

    Sale, Exchange and Retirement of the Notes

        In general, a U.S. Holder of the exchange notes will have a tax basis in such notes equal to his tax basis of the outstanding notes reduced by payments of principal on such notes. Upon a sale, exchange, or retirement of the notes, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement (less any accrued and unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income) and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in such notes. Such gain or loss will be long term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder is treated as having held the exchange notes for more than one year at the time of disposition. In certain circumstances, the net long term capital gains derived by U.S. Holders that are individuals may be entitled to a preferential tax rate; however, the ability of U.S. Holders to offset capital losses against ordinary income is limited.

        Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or retirement of the exchange notes generally will be treated as U.S.-source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes.

143



Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders

        A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal income taxation upon the exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer. In general, payments on the exchange notes to a Non-U.S. Holder and gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or retirement of the exchange notes will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax, unless:

    (1)
    such income is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by such Non-U.S. Holder in the United States (or, in the case of an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to the Non-U.S. Holder's permanent establishment in the United States),

    (2)
    in the case of gain, such Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for more than 182 days in the taxable year of the sale of the exchange notes and certain other requirements are met, or

    (3)
    the certification described below (see—"Information Reporting and Backup Withholding") has not been fulfilled with respect to such Non-U.S. Holder.

        Except as may otherwise be provided in an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and a foreign country, a Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to tax in the same manner as a U.S. Holder with respect to payments of interest if such payments are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. Such a Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide the withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order to claim an exemption from withholding tax. In addition, if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, such holder may be subject to a branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate provided by an applicable tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. A Non-U.S. Holder will not be considered to be engaged in a trade or business within the United States for federal income tax purposes solely by reason of holding the exchange notes or solely by reason of exchanging outstanding notes to exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

        Under certain circumstances, the Code requires "information reporting" annually to the IRS and to each U.S. Holder and Non-U.S. Holder (collectively, a "Holder"), and "backup withholding" with respect to certain payments made on or with respect to the exchange notes. Certain Holders are exempt from backup withholding, including corporations, tax-exempt organizations, qualified pension and profit sharing trusts, and individual retirement accounts that provide a properly completed IRS Form W-9. Backup withholding will apply to a non-exempt U.S. Holder if such U.S. Holder (1) fails to furnish its Taxpayer Identification Number, or TIN, which, for an individual would be his or her Social Security Number, (2) furnishes an incorrect TIN, (3) is notified by the IRS that it has failed to properly report payments of interest and dividends, or (4) under certain circumstances, fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that it has furnished a correct TIN and has not been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding for failure to report interest and dividend payments.

        If a Non-U.S. Holder receives payments made on or with respect to the exchange notes through the United States office of a broker, such Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide to the withholding agent either IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8IMY, as applicable, together with all appropriate attachments, signed under penalties of perjury, identifying the Non-U.S. Holder and stating that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person will not be subject to either IRS reporting requirements or backup withholding.

        The payment of the proceeds on the disposition of the exchange notes to or through the United States office of a broker generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding

144



unless the Holder provides the certification described above or otherwise establishes an exemption from such reporting and withholding requirements.

        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be offset by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of United States federal income tax, a refund or credit may be obtained from the IRS, provided that certain required information is furnished. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest and withholding may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder is a resident under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or agreement.

        PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS PRIOR TO INVESTING TO DETERMINE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH EXCHANGE AND INVESTMENT IN LIGHT OF EACH SUCH INVESTOR'S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

145



CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of the notes by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of ERISA, plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code or provisions under any Similar Laws, and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include "plan assets" of such plans, accounts and arrangements (each, a "Plan").

General Fiduciary Matters

        ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an "ERISA Plan") and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.

        In considering an investment in the notes using a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary's duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

        Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are "parties in interest," within the meaning of ERISA, or "disqualified persons," within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a nonexempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engages in such a nonexempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code.

        The acquisition and/or holding of the notes (and the exchange of notes for Exchange Notes) by an ERISA Plan with respect to which we or the initial purchasers are considered a party in interest or disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor (the "DOL") has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions ("PTCEs") that may apply to the acquisition and holding of the notes or Exchange Notes. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1, respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38, respecting bank collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60, respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23, respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers, although there can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

        Because of the foregoing, the notes should not be purchased or held by any person investing "plan assets" of any Plan, unless such purchase and holding (and any exchange of notes for Exchange Notes) will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.

146



Representation

        Accordingly, by acceptance of a note, each purchaser and subsequent transferee will be deemed to have represented and warranted that either (1) no portion of the assets used by such purchaser or transferee to acquire and hold notes constitutes assets of any Plan or (2) the purchase and holding of Notes (and any exchange of notes for Exchange Notes) by such purchaser or transferee will not constitute a nonexempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.

        The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the notes on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the purchase and holding of the notes (and any exchange of notes for Exchange Notes).

147



PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of those new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for outstanding notes where those exchange notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the expiration date, it will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.

        We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of the exchange notes by broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such exchange notes. Any broker-dealer that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such exchange notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and any profit on any such resale of exchange notes and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act of 1933. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

        For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date the Company will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify certain holders of the notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

        Based on interpretations by the Staff of the SEC as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties (including Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5, 1991), K-III Communications Corporation (available May 14, 1993) and Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993)), we believe that the exchange notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred any holder of such exchange notes, other than a holder that is a broker-dealer or an "affiliate" of us within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that:

    The exchange notes are acquired in the ordinary course of business;

    At the time of the commencement of the exchange offer the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes, and

    The holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the exchange notes.

        We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, a no-action letter from the SEC with respect to the effects of the exchange offer, and there can be no assurance that the Staff would make a similar determination with respect to the exchange notes as it has in such no-action letters.

148




LEGAL MATTERS

        Certain legal matters in connection with the sale of the notes offered hereby are being passed upon for the Company by Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, New York, as to matters of United States and New York law and by Mello, Jones & Martin as to matters of Bermuda law.


EXPERTS

        The financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and for the year then ended, and the financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and for the year then ended included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers DA Oslo, Norway, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

        The financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers Hamilton, Bermuda, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

        The section in this prospectus entitled "Industry" has been reviewed by P.F. Bassøe AS & Co., which has confirmed to us that it accurately describes the international tanker market, subject to the availability and reliability of the data supporting the statistical and graphical information presented in this prospectus, as indicated in the consent of P.F. Bassøe AS & Co. filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form F-4 under the Securities Act of which this prospectus is a part.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We have filed with the SEC a registration statement including exhibits and schedules thereto on Form F-4 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the exchange notes offered hereby. This prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement, as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. For further information with respect to the Company and the exchange notes offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement. In addition, following the effectiveness of the registration statement, we will become subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will file such reports and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a Web site that contains information we file electronically, which you can access over the internet at http://www.sec.gov.

        You may request a copy of our filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Ship Finance International Limited
Par-la-Ville Place,
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda.
(441) 295-9500

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with any other information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus.

149




SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
INDEX TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED CARVE-OUT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Auditor   F-2

Report of Independent Auditor

 

F-3

Report of Independent Auditor

 

F-4

Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

F-5

Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

F-6

Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

F-7

Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

F-8

Notes to Predecessor Combined Carve-out Financial Statements

 

F-9

F-1



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

        To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Ship Finance International Limited.

        In our opinion, the accompanying predecessor combined carve-out balance sheet and the related predecessor combined carve-out statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholder's equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the predecessor to Ship Finance International Limited and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2003 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, on January 1, 2002 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers DA

PricewaterhouseCoopers DA
Oslo, Norway
22 March 2004

F-2



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

        To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Ship Finance International Limited.

        In our opinion, the accompanying predecessor combined carve-out balance sheet and the related predecessor combined carve-out statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholder's equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the predecessor to Ship Finance International Limited and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2002 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, on January 1, 2002 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Hamilton, Bermuda
28 November 2003

F-3



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

        To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Ship Finance International Limited.

        In our opinion, the accompanying predecessor combined carve-out balance sheet and the related predecessor combined carve-out statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholder's equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the predecessor to Ship Finance International Limited and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2001 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, on January 1, 2001 the Company changed its method of accounting for drydocking costs and adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers DA

PricewaterhouseCoopers DA
Oslo, Norway
28 November 2003

F-4




SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(in thousands of $)

 
  Year ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
Operating revenues              
  Time charter revenues   40,759   10,873   5,804  
  Bareboat charter revenues   25,986   30,121   27,067  
  Voyage charter revenues   628,323   324,180   453,784  
   
 
 
 
Total operating revenues   695,068   365,174   486,655  
Operating expenses              
  Voyage expenses and commission   148,533   93,996   75,199  
  Ship operating expenses   81,989   81,369   85,105  
  Depreciation and amortization   106,015   96,773   88,603  
  Administrative expenses   9,715   6,945   7,030  
   
 
 
 
Total operating expenses   346,252   279,083   255,937  
   
 
 
 
Net operating income   348,816   86,091   230,718  
Other income (expenses)              
  Interest income   5,866   8,511   4,346  
  Interest expense   (35,117 ) (42,126 ) (58,892 )
  Share of results of associated companies   22,098   (10,125 ) 14,259  
  Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)   (10,442 ) (5,644 ) 6,246  
  Other financial items, net   3,591   (4,541 ) (9,139 )
   
 
 
 
Net other income (expenses)   (14,004 ) (53,925 ) (43,180 )
   
 
 
 
Net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle   334,812   32,166   187,538  
   
 
 
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle     (14,142 ) 24,472  
   
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   334,812   18,024   212,010  
   
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these
Predecessor Combined Carve-out Financial Statements

F-5



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Balance Sheets as of
December 31, 2003 and 2002

(in thousands of $)

 
  December 31,
2003

  December 31,
2002

ASSETS        
Current Assets        
  Cash and cash equivalents   26,519   20,634
  Trade accounts receivable   23,896   22,993
  Other receivables   7,251   6,967
  Inventories   16,248   19,949
  Voyages in progress   34,916   30,648
  Prepaid expenses and accrued income   2,234   1,699
   
 
  Total current assets   111,064   102,890
   
 
Newbuildings and vessel purchase options   8,370   8,370
Vessels and equipment, net   1,863,504   1,904,146
Investment in associated companies   160,082   93,673
Deferred charges   4,304   4,338
Other long term assets   9,024   10,190
  Total assets   2,156,348   2,123,607
   
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 
Current liabilities        
  Short term debt and current portion of long-term debt   141,522   131,293
  Trade accounts payable   4,664   5,215
  Accrued expenses   18,729   26,621
  Mark to market valuation of derivatives   9,217   16,066
  Other current liabilities   10,936   7,237
  Amount due to parent company   299,166   476,016
   
 
  Total current liabilities   484,234   662,448
Long-term liabilities        
  Long term debt   850,088   975,554
   
 
  Total liabilities   1,334,322   1,638,002
Commitments and contingencies        
Stockholders' equity        
  Invested equity   822,026   485,605
   
 
  Total stockholders' equity   822,026   485,605
   
 
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   2,156,348   2,123,607
   
 

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these
Predecessor Combined Carve-out Financial Statements

F-6



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(in thousands of $)

 
  Year ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
Operating activities              
Net income (loss)   334,812   18,024   212,010  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:              
  Depreciation and amortization   106,015   96,773   88,603  
  Amortization of deferred charges   1,019   814   775  
  Share of results of associated companies   (22,098 ) 10,125   (14,259 )
  Interest income, capitalized   (4,489 ) (7,077 ) (638 )
  Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss   10,716   5,334   (6,706 )
  Change in accounting principle     14,142   (24,472 )
  Adjustment of derivatives to market value   (6,850 ) 2,511   10,996  
  Release of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income   1,609   839    
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:              
  Trade accounts receivable   (343 ) 6,517   23,292  
  Other receivables   (129 ) (3,537 ) 4,817  
  Inventories   4,540   (10,718 ) (158 )
  Voyages in progress   (3,061 ) (23,990 ) 14,410  
  Prepaid expenses and accrued income   (285 ) (72 ) 244  
  Trade accounts payable   (539 ) 1,115   1,351  
  Accrued expenses   (9,092 ) 3,899   (2,226 )
  Other current liabilities   3,698   959   (872 )
   
 
 
 
  Net cash provided by operating activities   415,523   115,658   307,167  
   
 
 
 
Investing activities              
  Additions to newbuildings, vessels and equipment     (249,291 ) (210,036 )
  Investments in associated companies   (70,045 ) (7,490 ) (65,100 )
  Proceeds from sales of investments in associated companies   17,245      
  Net maturity (placement) of loans receivable   1,168   (1,085 ) 3,286  
  Repayment of other long term liabilities     (3,913 )  
   
 
 
 
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (51,632 ) (261,779 ) (271,850 )
   
 
 
 
Financing activities              
  Amount due to parent company   (178,785 ) 41,424   (59,454 )
  Proceeds from long term debt     228,686   164,600  
  Repayments of long term debt   (178,236 ) (126,713 ) (129,208 )
  Debt fees paid   (985 ) (2,683 ) (487 )
   
 
 
 
  Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (358,006 ) 140,714   (24,549 )
   
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   5,885   (5,407 ) 10,768  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   20,634   26,041   15,273  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   26,519   20,634   26,041  
   
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:              
  Interest paid, net of capitalized interest   31,543   43,036   54,963  
   
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these
Predecessor Combined Carve-out Financial Statements

F-7



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(in thousands of $)

 
  Invested
equity

 
Balance at December 31, 2000   259,632  
   
 
Net income   212,010  
Transition adjustment on adoption of SFAS 133   (2,844 )
Change in fair values of derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges   (2,056 )
   
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)   (4,900 )
   
 
Comprehensive income   207,110  
   
 
Balance at December 31, 2001   466,742  
   
 
Net income   18,024  
Release of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income   839  
   
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)   839  
   
 
Comprehensive income   18,863  
   
 
Balance at December 31, 2002   485,605  
   
 
Net income   334,812  
Release of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income   1,609  
   
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)   1,609  
   
 
Comprehensive income   336,421  
   
 
Balance at December 31, 2003   822,026  
   
 

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these
Predecessor Combined Carve-out Financial Statements

F-8



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Notes to the Predecessor Combined Carve-out Financial Statements

1.    GENERAL

        Ship Finance International Limited (the "Company" or "Ship Finance") was incorporated in Bermuda on October 10, 2003 for the purpose of acquiring certain of the shipping assets of its parent company, Frontline Ltd. ("Frontline"). Frontline is a publicly listed Bermuda based shipping company engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of oil tankers, including oil/bulk/ore ("OBO") carriers. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline. Frontline operates tankers of two sizes: very large crude carriers ("VLCCs") which are between 200,000 and 320,000 deadweight tons ("dwt"), and Suezmaxes, which are vessels between 120,000 and 170,000 dwt. Frontline is a holding company which operates through subsidiaries and joint ventures located in Bermuda, Isle of Man, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Singapore, the Bahamas and Sweden.

        These predecessor combined carve-out financial statements have been prepared to reflect the combination of certain of Frontline's wholly owned VLCC and Suezmax owning subsidiaries, interests in joint ventures plus a purchase option to acquire a further VLCC.

        These predecessor combined carve-out financial statements have been prepared in contemplation of a proposed transaction to be entered into between the Company and Frontline. Pursuant to a fleet purchase agreement executed in December 2003, effective January 1, 2004, the Company acquired from Frontline certain of Frontline's wholly owned VLCC and Suezmax owning subsidiaries, including certain subsidiaries acquired or expected to be acquired through a reorganization of interests in certain joint ventures plus a purchase option to acquire a further VLCC (together the "Vessel Interests").

2.    ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

        For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the predecessor combined carve-out financial statements presented herein have been carved out of the consolidated financial statements of Frontline. These predecessor combined carve-out financial statements include the combined assets, liabilities and results of operations and cash flows of the corporations listed in Note 4 and the combined interests in joint ventures listed in Note 11. These predecessor combined carve-out financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 therefore reflect the following:

    the historical book values of the corporations listed in Note 4 and the interests in associated companies listed in Note 11, held by Frontline on January 1, 2001; and

    the acquisitions undertaken by Frontline in the three year period ended December 31, 2003 as described in Note 21. These acquired corporations have been accounted for at fair value at the date of acquisition.

        The predecessor combined carve-out financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The predecessor combined carve-out financial statements include the assets and liabilities of the Company's planned subsidiaries. Investments in companies in which the Company directly or indirectly holds more than 50 per cent of the voting control are combined, unless the Company is unable to control the investee. Subsidiaries acquired have been combined with effect from the acquisition date.

        Investments in companies in which the Company holds between 20 per cent and 50 per cent of an ownership interest, and over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method. The Company records its investments in equity-method investees on the predecessor combined carve-out balance sheets as "Investment in associated companies" and its share of the

F-9



investees' earning or losses in the predecessor combined carve-out statements of operations as "Share in results from associated companies". Six companies in which the Company owns 50.1 per cent have been accounted for using the equity method as the Company is not able to exercise control.

        Frontline is a shipping company with activities that include the ownership and operation of oil tankers and dry bulk carriers as well as leasing of vessels and participation in tanker owning joint venture arrangements. Frontline is also involved in the purchase and sale of vessels. Where Frontline's assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses relate to the specific Vessel Interests, these have been identified and carved out for inclusion in these financial statements. Frontline's shipping interests and other assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that do not relate to the Vessel Interests have been identified and not included in these financial statements. The preparation of the carved out financial statements requires allocation of certain assets and liabilities and expenses where these items are not identifiable as related to one specific activity. Administrative overheads of Frontline that cannot be related to a specific vessel type of operations have been allocated pro-rata based on the number of vessels in the Company compared with the number in Frontline's total fleet. Management has deemed that the related allocations are reasonable to present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company. Management believes the various allocated amounts would not materially differ from those that would have been achieved had Ship Finance operated on a stand-alone basis for all periods presented. However, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company are not necessarily indicative of those that would have been achieved had the Company operated autonomously for all periods presented as the Company may have made different operational and investment decisions as a Company independent of Frontline.

        The majority of the Company's assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are vessel specific and are included in the vessel owning subsidiaries financial statements. However, in addition, the following significant allocations have been made:

        Goodwill:     Goodwill has arisen on certain of the acquisitions undertaken in the three year period ended December 31, 2003 as described in Note 21. Goodwill has been allocated to Ship Finance on the basis that the vessels obtained in these acquisitions, and which the goodwill is considered to relate to, are included in these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements. The associated amortization of goodwill has also been allocated to Ship Finance and recognized in these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements.

        Long term debt:     An allocation of corporate debt of Frontline has been made which totals $8,608,000, $9,308,000 and $nil, as of December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. This debt has been allocated as it relates specifically to an entity of which the Company has a purchase option. The associated interest expense has also been allocated to these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements.

        Interest rate swaps:     For the purposes of the predecessor combined carve-out financial statements, interest rate swaps specific to carved out debt have been included. In addition, non-debt specific interest rate swaps with notional principal amounts of $50,000,000 have been included on the basis that such swaps were intended to cover the floating rate debt that has been included in these predecessor combined carve-out statements. The associated mark to market adjustments arising on the swaps has also been allocated to these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements and is included in other financial items, net.

F-10



        Administrative expenses:     Frontline's overheads relate primarily to management organizations in Bermuda and Oslo that manage the business. These overhead costs include salaries and other employee related costs, office rents, legal and professional fees and other general administrative expenses. Other employee related costs include costs recognized in relation to Frontline's employee share option plan. The amount of such costs, presented as part of administrative expenses, which was allocated from these organizations was $8,995,000, $5,364,000 and $4,532,000 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 respectively.

        No allocation of interest income has been made and interest income reported in the predecessor combined carve-out financial statements represents interest income earned by the vessel owning subsidiaries and interest earned on loans to joint ventures.

        The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires that management make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The predecessor combined carve-out financial statements do not purport to be indicative of either the future financial position, results of operations or cash flows had Ship Finance been a stand-alone entity for the periods presented.

Cash and cash equivalents

        For the purposes of the predecessor combined carve-out financial statements of cash flows, all demand and time deposits and highly liquid, low risk investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered equivalent to cash.

Inventories

        Inventories, which comprise principally fuel and lubricating oils, are stated at the lower of cost and market value. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis.

Vessels and equipment

        The cost of the vessels less estimated residual value is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the vessels' estimated remaining economic useful lives. The estimated economic useful life of the Company's double hull vessels is 25 years and for single hull vessels is either 25 years or the vessel's anniversary date in 2015, whichever comes first.

        With effect from April 2001, the International Maritime Organization implemented new regulations that resulted in the accelerated phase-out of single hull vessels. As a result of this, the Company re-evaluated the estimated useful life of its single hull vessels and determined this to be either 25 years or the vessel's anniversary date in 2017 whichever came first. As a result, the estimated useful life of five of the Company's vessels was reduced in the fourth quarter of 2001. A change in accounting estimate was recognized to reflect this decision, resulting in an increase in depreciation expense and consequently decreasing net income by $0.3 million for 2001.

        In December 2003, the International Maritime Organization adopted new regulations that will result in a more accelerated phase-out of single hull vessels. As a result of this, the Company re-evaluated the estimated useful life of its single hull vessels and determined this to be either 25 years

F-11



or the vessel's anniversary date in 2015 whichever came first. As a result, the estimated useful life of thirteen of the Company's vessels was reduced in the fourth quarter of 2003. A change in accounting estimate was recognized to reflect this decision, resulting in an increase in depreciation expense and consequently decreasing net income by $1.1 million in 2003.

Newbuildings and vessel purchase options

        The carrying value of the vessels under construction ("Newbuildings") represents the accumulated costs to the balance sheet date that the Company has had to pay by way of purchase installments and other capital expenditures together with capitalized loan interest and associated finance costs. No charge for depreciation is made until the vessel is put into operation.

        Vessel purchase options are capitalized at the time option contracts are acquired or entered into. The Company reviews expected future cash flows, which would result from exercise of each option contract on a contract by contract basis to determine whether the carrying value of the option is recoverable. If the expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the option plus further costs to delivery, provision is made to write down the carrying value of the option to the recoverable amount. The carrying value of each option payment is written off as and when the Company adopts a formal plan not to exercise the option. Purchase price payments are capitalized and the total of the option payment, if any, and purchase price payment is transferred to cost of vessels, upon exercise of the option and delivery of the vessel to the Company.

Impairment of long-lived assets

        The carrying value of long-lived assets that are held and used by the Company are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be appropriate. We assess recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by estimating the future net cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition. If the future net cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset's carrying value and fair value. In addition, long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Deferred charges

        Loan costs, including debt arrangement fees, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant loan. The straight-line basis of amortization approximates the effective interest method in the Company's predecessor combined carve-out statement of operations. Amortization of loan costs is included in interest expense.

Revenue and expense recognition

        Revenues and expenses are recognized on the accrual basis. Revenues are generated from freight billings, contracts of affreightment, time charter and bareboat charter hires. The operating results of voyages in progress are estimated and recorded pro-rata on a per day basis in the predecessor combined carve-out statements of operations. Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated. Time charter and bareboat charter revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided. Amounts receivable or payable arising from profit sharing

F-12



arrangements are accrued based on the estimated results of the voyage recorded as at the reporting date.

        In December 1999, Frontline entered into an agreement with five other shipowners to operate a pool (the "Tankers Pool") of their respective VLCC fleets. The Tankers Pool commenced operations on February 1, 2000 with an initial fleet of 39 modern VLCCs. In July 2002, Frontline withdrew from the Tankers Pool. These predecessor combined carve-out financial statements reflect the operation of the Tankers Pool for those vessels included in the carve out. The operating revenues and voyage expenses of the vessels operating in the Tankers Pool, and certain other pool arrangements, are pooled and net operating revenues, calculated on a time charter equivalent basis, are allocated to the pool participants according to an agreed formula. The same revenue and expenses principles stated above are applied in determining the pool net operating revenues.

Drydocking provisions

        Normal vessel repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred.

        In 2001, the Company changed its accounting policy for drydockings. Prior to 2001, provisions for future drydockings were accrued and charged to expense on a pro-rata basis over the period to the next scheduled drydockings. Effective January 1, 2001 the Company recognizes the cost of a drydocking at the time the drydocking takes place, that is, it applies the "expense as incurred" method. The expense as incurred method is considered by management to be a more reliable method of recognizing drydocking costs as it eliminates the uncertainty associated with estimating the cost and timing of future drydockings. The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle is shown separately in the predecessor combined carve-out statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2001 and resulted in a credit to income of $24.5 million in 2001. The cumulative effect of this change as of January 1, 2001 on the Company's combined balance sheet was to reduce total liabilities by $24.5 million.

Goodwill

        Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired in business acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method. Goodwill is presented net of accumulated amortization and until December 31, 2001 was being amortized over a period of approximately 17 years. As of January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142") and recorded an impairment charge of $14.1 million for the unamortised goodwill on that date that is shown separately in the predecessor combined carve-out statement of operations as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. The valuation of the fair value of the reporting unit used to assess the recoverability of goodwill was a combination of

F-13



independent third party valuations and the quoted market price of the Company's shares. Supplemental comparative disclosure as if this accounting change had been retroactively applied is as follows:

 
  2001
 
  (in thousands of $)

Net income    
As reported   212,010
Goodwill amortization   700
Adjusted net income   212,710

Derivatives

        The Company enters into interest rate swap transactions from time to time to hedge a portion of its exposure to floating interest rates. These transactions involve the conversion of floating rates into fixed rates over the life of the transactions without an exchange of underlying principal. Hedge accounting is used to account for these swaps provided certain hedging criteria are met. As of January 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). Certain hedge relationships met the hedge criteria prior to SFAS 133, but do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting under SFAS 133. The Company adopted SFAS 133 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2001 and upon initial adoption recorded certain transition adjustments resulting in recognizing the fair value of its derivatives as assets of $0.4 million and liabilities of $0.7 million. A gain of $0.2 million was recognized in income and a charge of $0.5 million made to other comprehensive income. On January 1, 2002, the Company discontinued hedge accounting for two interest rate swaps previously accounted for as cash flow hedges. This resulted in a balance of $4.9 million being frozen in accumulated other comprehensive income as at that date and this will be reclassified to the statement of operations over the life of the underlying hedged instrument.

Pre-SFAS 133 Adoption

        Hedge accounting is applied where the derivative reduces the risk of the underlying hedged item and is designated at inception as a hedge with respect to the hedged item. Additionally, the derivative must result in payoffs that are expected to be inversely correlated to those of the hedged item. Derivatives are measured for effectiveness both at inception and on an ongoing basis. When hedge accounting is applied, the differential between the derivative and the underlying hedged item is accrued as interest rates change and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. The related amount receivable from or payable to counterparties is included in accrued interest income or expense, respectively. Prior to January 1, 2001, the fair values of the interest rate swaps are not recognized in the financial statements.

        If a derivative ceases to meet the criteria for hedge accounting, any subsequent gains and losses are currently recognized in income. If a hedging instrument is sold or terminated prior to maturity, gains and losses continue to be deferred until the hedged instrument is recognized in income. Accordingly, should a swap be terminated while the underlying debt remains outstanding, the gain or loss is adjusted to the basis of the underlying debt and amortized over its remaining useful life.

F-14



Post-SFAS 133 Adoption

        SFAS 133, as amended by SFAS 137 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133" and SFAS 138 "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133", requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure these instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of hedge transaction. In order to qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133, certain criteria and detailed documentation requirements must be met.

Financial Instruments

        In determining fair value of its financial instruments, the Company uses a variety of methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and risks existing at each balance sheet date. For the majority of financial instruments including most derivatives and long term debt, standard market conventions and techniques such as options pricing models are used to determine fair value. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of value, and such value may never actually be realized.

Foreign currencies

        The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar as the majority of revenues are received in U.S. dollars and a majority of the Company's expenditures are made in U.S. dollars. The Company's reporting currency is U.S. dollars. All of the Company's combined entities report in U.S. dollars.

        Transactions in foreign currencies during the year are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated using rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using historical rates of exchange. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in the predecessor combined carve-out statements of operations.

3.    RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

        In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46 Revised, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In general, a variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust, or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. Interpretation 46 requires a variable interest entity to be combined by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or both. The consolidation requirements of Interpretation 46 apply in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after December 15, 2003 to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after December 15, 2003 for "Special Purpose Entities" created before January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after March 15, 2004 for other entities created before January 31, 2003. Certain of the disclosure

F-15



requirements apply in all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003, regardless of when the variable interest entity was established.

        The Company has an option to purchase the VLCC Oscilla on or before the expiry of a five-year time charter, which commenced in March 2000. Oscilla is owned and operated by an unrelated entity, Seacrest Shipping Ltd. ("Seacrest"). If the Company had exercised its option at December 31, 2003, the cost to the Company of the Oscilla would have been approximately $42.3 million and the maximum exposure to loss is $17.4 million, representing amounts outstanding from Seacrest of $9.0 million and the carrying value of the option of $8.4 million. At December 31, 2003, Seacrest had total indebtedness of $36.0 million (including $9.0 million due to the Company) and JPY674.6 million (equivalent to $6.3 million) and the fair value of the vessel Oscilla was $78.5 million.

4.    COMBINED ENTITIES

        The Vessel Interests are all owned by separate legal entities. The following table sets out the details of the significant subsidiaries of Frontline included in the carved out combined financial statements:

Name
  Vessel
  Country of
Incorporation

  Ownership
Percentage

 
Granite Shipping Co. Ltd.   Front Granite   Bahamas   100 %
Golden Current Limited   Opalia   Isle of Man   100 %
Bonfield Shipping Ltd.   Front Driver   Liberia   100 %
Fourways Marine Limited   Front Spirit   Liberia   100 %
Front Ardenne Inc.   Front Ardenne   Liberia   100 %
Front Brabant Inc.   Front Brabant   Liberia   100 %
Front Falcon Corp.   Front Falcon   Liberia   100 %
Front Glory Shipping Inc.   Front Glory   Liberia   100 %
Front Pride Shipping Inc.   Front Pride   Liberia   100 %
Front Saga Inc.   Front Page   Liberia   100 %
Front Serenade Inc.   Front Serenade   Liberia   100 %
Front Splendour Shipping Inc.   Front Splendour   Liberia   100 %
Front Stratus Inc.   Front Stratus   Liberia   100 %
Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation   Navix Astral   Liberia   100 %
Golden Estuary Corporation   Front Comanche   Liberia   100 %
Golden Fjord Corporation   Front Commerce   Liberia   100 %
Golden Seaway Corporation   New Vanguard   Liberia   100 %
Golden Sound Corporation   New Vista   Liberia   100 %
Golden Tide Corporation   New Circassia   Liberia   100 %
Katong Investments Ltd.   Front Breaker   Liberia   100 %
Langkawi Shipping Ltd.   Front Birch   Liberia   100 %
Patrio Shipping Ltd.   Front Hunter   Liberia   100 %
Rakis Maritime S.A.   Front Fighter   Liberia   100 %
Sea Ace Corporation   Front Ace   Liberia   100 %
Sibu Shipping Ltd.   Front Maple   Liberia   100 %
Southwest Tankers Inc.   Front Sunda   Liberia   100 %
               

F-16


West Tankers Inc.   Front Comor   Liberia   100 %
Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.   Front Lillo   Panama   100 %
Aspinall Pte Ltd.   Front Viewer   Singapore   100 %
Blizana Pte Ltd.   Front Rider   Singapore   100 %
Bolzano Pte Ltd.   Mindanao   Singapore   100 %
Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd.   Front Vanadis   Singapore   100 %
Fox Maritime Pte Ltd.   Front Sabang   Singapore   100 %
Front Dua Pte Ltd.   Front Duchess   Singapore   100 %
Front Empat Pte Ltd.   Front Highness   Singapore   100 %
Front Enam Pte Ltd.   Front Lord   Singapore   100 %
Front Lapan Pte Ltd.   Front Climber   Singapore   100 %
Front Lima Pte Ltd.   Front Lady   Singapore   100 %
Front Tiga Pte Ltd.   Front Duke   Singapore   100 %
Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.   Front Emperor   Singapore   100 %
Front Sembilan Pte Ltd.   Front Leader   Singapore   100 %
Rettie Pte Ltd.   Front Striver   Singapore   100 %
Transcorp Pte Ltd.   Front Guider   Singapore   100 %

5.    TAXATION

    Bermuda

        Under current Bermuda law, the Company is not required to pay taxes in Bermuda on either income or capital gains. The Company has received written assurance from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that, in the event of any such taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempted from taxation until the year 2016.

    United States

        The Company does not accrue U.S. income taxes as, in the opinion of U.S. counsel, the Company is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business and is exempted from a gross basis tax under Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

        A reconciliation between the income tax expense resulting from applying the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate and the reported income tax expense has not been presented herein as it would not provide additional useful information to users of the financial statements as the Company's net income is subject to neither Bermuda nor U.S. tax.

    Other Jurisdictions

        Certain of the Company's subsidiaries in Singapore are subject to taxation. The tax paid by subsidiaries of the Company that are subject to taxation is not material.

F-17


6.    LEASES

        The minimum future revenues to be received on time charters, bareboat charters and other contractually committed income as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 
  Yen revenues
   
   
Year ending December 31,

  (in ¥)
  ($ equivalent)
  Dollar revenues
  Total
 
  (in thousands of ¥ and $)

2004   768,600   7,176   30,722   37,898
2005   766,500   7,157   30,821   37,977
2006   766,500   7,157   31,003   38,160
2007   766,500   7,157   19,790   26,947
2008   768,600   7,176   8,300   15,476
2009 and later   1,694,700   15,824     15,824
   
 
 
 
Total minimum lease revenues   5,531,400   51,647   120,636   172,283
   
 
 
 

        The cost and accumulated depreciation of the vessels leased to third parties at December 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows:

 
  December 2003
  December 2002
 
  (in thousands of $)

Cost   513,470   354,199
Accumulated depreciation   45,044   29,719
   
 

7.    TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

        Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts amounting to $724,000 and $540,000 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 respectively.

8.    OTHER RECEIVABLES

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
  (in thousands of $)

Agent receivables   2,385   2,781
Other receivables   4,866   4,186
   
 
    7,251   6,967
   
 

        Other receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts amounting to $nil as of each of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

F-18



9.    NEWBUILDINGS AND VESSEL PURCHASE OPTIONS

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
  (in thousands of $)

Newbuildings    
Vessel purchase options   8,370   8,370
   
 
    8,370   8,370
   
 

        The carrying value of newbuildings represents the accumulated costs to the balance sheet date, which the Company has paid by way of purchase installments, and other capital expenditures together with capitalized loan interest. Interest capitalized in the cost of newbuildings amounted to $nil, and $936,000 in 2003 and 2002 respectively. The Company took delivery of four newbuildings during 2002.

        The Company has an option from a third party to purchase the VLCC Oscilla on expiry of a five-year time charter, which commenced in March 2000. The purchase price is equal to the outstanding mortgage debt under four loan agreements between lenders and the vessel's owning company. As at December 31, 2003 the outstanding mortgage debt of the Oscilla 's owning company amounted to $35,990,067 plus ¥674,645,262 (equivalent to $6,299,209). (2002—$43,013,215 plus ¥759,454,316 (equivalent to $6,406,735)). Included in this amount at December 31, 2003 is debt of $9,023,090 due to the Company (2002—$10,190,000). The fair value assigned to this option in the purchase accounting for Golden Ocean was $8,370,000. The fair value was calculated at the time of purchase as the difference between the fair value of the vessel and the mortgage debt outstanding.

10.    VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
 
  (in thousands of $)

 
Cost   2,607,693   2,542,320  
Accumulated depreciation   (744,189 ) (638,174 )
   
 
 
Net book value at end of year   1,863,504   1,904,146  
   
 
 

        Depreciation expense was $106.1 million, $96.8 million and $87.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

F-19



11.    INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

        At December 31, 2003, the Company has the following participation in investments that are recorded using the equity method:

Name

  Vessel/Activity
  Country of
Incorporation

  Ownership
Percentage

 
Ariake Transport Corporation   Ariake   Liberia   50.1 %
Dundee Navigation SA   Dundee   Liberia   50.1 %
Edinburgh Navigation SA   Edinburgh   Liberia   50.1 %
Hitachi Hull #4983 Corporation   Hakata   Liberia   50.1 %
Sakura Transport Corporation   Sakura I   Liberia   50.1 %
Tokyo Transport Corporation   Tanabe   Liberia   50.1 %

        The equity method investees are engaged in the ownership and operation of oil tankers.

        Summarized balance sheet information of the Company's equity method investees is as follows:

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
 
  (in thousands of $)

 
Current assets   29,617   44,545  
Non current assets   387,322   623,538  
Current liabilities   (106,984 ) (191,652 )
Non current liabilities   (201,347 ) (470,486 )

        Summarized statement of operations information of the Company's equity method investees is as follows:

 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
  (in thousands of $)

Net operating revenues   93,872   61,159   49,207
Net operating income   79,434   17,879   24,612
Net income (loss)   45,039   (19,208 ) 25,804

        In the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $5.2 million related to the other-than-temporary decline in value of its investments in Golden Lagoon Corporation and Ichiban Transport Corporation. This impairment charge was triggered by signing agreements on June 25, 2003 for the sale of our investments for proceeds which were less than book value of those investments. We disposed of those investments in July 2003 and increased our investments in Ariake Transport Corporation, Sakura Transport Corporation, Tokyo Transport Corporation and Hitachi Hull No 4983 Ltd. from 33.33% to 50.10%.

        We held 50% of the shares of Golden Tide Corporation during the year ended December 31, 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2003. The statement of operations includes our 50% share of the earnings of Golden Tide Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2003. On June 30, 2003 we acquired the remaining 50% of the shares of this company for $9.5 million and we combined the assets, principally the vessel, amounting to approximately $65.5 million and liabilities, principally the long-term debt, amounting to approximately $52.3 million, from that date.

F-20



12.    DEFERRED CHARGES

        Deferred charges represent debt arrangement fees that are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis to interest expense over the life of the debt instrument. The deferred charges are comprised of the following amounts:

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
 
  (in thousands of $)

 
Debt arrangement fees   8,142   7,173  
Accumulated amortization   (3,838 ) (2,835 )
   
 
 
    4,304   4,338  
   
 
 

13.    OTHER LONG TERM ASSETS

        Other long-term assets represent amounts due to the Company from third party entities that own the vessel, Oscilla , over which the Company has a purchase option. (see Note 9).

14.    GOODWILL

        Goodwill is stated net of related accumulated amortization as follows:

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
 
  (in thousands of $)

 
Goodwill     14,142  
Accumulated amortization     (14,142 )
   
 
 
       
   
 
 

        The Company adopted SFAS 142 effective January 1, 2002 and recorded an impairment charge of $14.1 million for the unamortised goodwill on that date (see Note 2). See Note 21 for a description of the business acquisitions that have resulted in the recording of goodwill in these carved out financial statements.

15.    ACCRUED EXPENSES

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
  (in thousands of $)

Ship operating and voyage expenses   15,923   22,259
Administrative expenses   152   159
Interest expense   2,654   4,203
   
 
    18,729   26,621
   
 

16.    AMOUNT DUE TO PARENT COMPANY

        The amount due to parent company represents principally intercompany balances between each of the subsidiaries and Frontline and the effect of the carve out of the Vessel Interests from Frontline.

F-21



Frontline operates a centralized treasury function and the majority of cash earned in subsidiaries is swept up into Frontline Ltd. and is accounted for through intercompany balances.

        For the purposes of these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements no interest expense has been imputed on the amount due to parent company.

17.    DEBT

        For the purposes of the predecessor combined carve-out financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, two types of debt have been included:

    1.
    Vessel specific debt included in the subsidiary financial statements. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002 this was a total of $982,808,000 and $1,094,727,000 respectively.

    2.
    An allocation of corporate debt of Frontline. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002 this was a total of $8,608,000 and $9,308,000 respectively.

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
 
  (in thousands of $)

 
US Dollar denominated floating rate debt (LIBOR + 0.485% to 2.75%) due through 2011   901,585   1,061,030  
Yen denominated floating rate debt (LIBOR + 1.125% to 1.3135%) due through 2011   89,830   43,006  
Credit facilities   195   2,811  
   
 
 
Total debt   991,610   1,106,847  
Less: short term and current portion of long term debt   (141,522 ) (131,293 )
   
 
 
    850,088   975,554  
   
 
 

        The outstanding debt as of December 31, 2003 is repayable as follows:

 
  December
2003

 
  (in thousands of $)

2004   141,522
2005   230,993
2006   205,044
2007   111,543
2008 and later   302,508
   
Total debt   991,610
   

        The weighted average interest rate for the floating rate debt denominated in US dollars was 3.07 per cent and 3.83 per cent as of December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. The weighted average interest rate for the floating rate debt denominated in Yen was 1.32 per cent and 1.37 per cent as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. These rates take into consideration related interest rate swaps.

F-22



        Substantially all of the debt is collateralised by ship mortgages and, in the case of some debt, pledges of shares by each guarantor subsidiary. Existing financing agreements impose operation and financing restrictions which may significantly limit or prohibit, among other things, the ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, sell capital shares of subsidiaries, make certain investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions, purchase and sell vessels, enter into time or consecutive voyage charters or pay dividends without the consent of our lenders. In addition, the lenders may accelerate the maturity of indebtedness under our financing agreements and foreclose upon the collateral securing the indebtedness upon the occurrence of certain events of default, including failure to comply with any of the covenants contained in our financing agreements. Various debt agreements contain certain covenants which require compliance with certain financial ratios. Such ratios include equity ratio covenants, minimum value clauses, and minimum free cash restrictions. These covenants are assessed at the parent company. i.e. at Frontline consolidated level. As of December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, Frontline complied with all the debt covenants of its various debt agreements.

18.    SHARE CAPITAL

        The Company was incorporated on October 10, 2003 with authorized share capital of 12,000 ordinary shares of $1.00 par value each. On that date, 12,000 ordinary shares of $1.00 par value each were issued to the initial shareholder, Frontline Ltd. For the purposes of these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements, the Company is assumed to have no issued share capital prior to October 10, 2003.

19.    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

        Interest rate risk management: In certain situations, the Company may enter into financial instruments to reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates. The Company has a portfolio of swaps that swap floating rate interest to fixed rate, which from a financial perspective hedge interest rate exposure. The Company does not hold or issue instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The counterparties to such contracts are J.P. Morgan Chase, Nordea Bank Norge, Credit Agricole Indosuez, Deutsche Schiffsbank, Midland Bank (HSBC), Den norske Bank and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken. Credit risk exists to the extent that the counterparties are unable to perform under the contracts.

        The Company manages its debt portfolio with interest rate swap agreements in U.S. dollars to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating interest rates. For the purposes of the carved out combined financial statements, interest rate swaps specific to carved out debt have been included. In addition, non debt specific interest rate swaps with notional principal amounts of $50,000,000 have been included. The Company has entered into the following interest rate swap transactions involving the payment of fixed rates in exchange for LIBOR:

Principal at December 31, 2003

  Inception
Date

  Maturity
Date

  Fixed Interest
Rate

 
 
  (in thousands of $)

 
$50,000   January 2001   January 2006   5.635 %
$49,338 reducing monthly to $29,793   March 1998   March 2006   7.288 %
$53,352 reducing monthly to $17,527   September 1998   August 2008   7.490 %

F-23


        Foreign currency risk: The majority of the Company's transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars, the functional currency of the Company. One of the Company's subsidiaries has Yen denominated long-term debt which as of December 31, 2003 stood at Yen 9,620,805,000 and a charter contract denominated in Yen with contracted payments as set forth in Note 6. There is a risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on the value of the Company's cashflows. The Company has not entered into derivative contracts for either transaction or translation risk. Accordingly, such risk may have an adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. Fair Values The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

 
  December
2003
Carrying
Value

  December
2003
Fair
Value

  December
2002
Carrying
Value

  December
2002
Fair
Value

 
  (in thousands of $)

Non-Derivatives:                
  Cash and cash equivalents   26,519   26,519   20,634   20,634
  Short term debt and current portion of long term debt   141,522   141,522   131,293   131,293
  Long term debt   850,088   850,088   975,554   975,554
Derivatives:                
  Interest rate swap transactions   5,258   5,258   16,066   16,066

        The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, which are highly liquid, is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

        The estimated fair value for floating rate long-term debt is considered to be equal to the carrying value since it bears variable interest rates, which are reset on a quarterly basis.

        The fair value of interest rate swaps is estimated by taking into account the cost of entering into interest rate swaps to offset the Company's outstanding swaps. Concentrations of risk There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents to the extent that substantially all of the amounts are carried with the Bank of America N.A., Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, BNP Paribas, Den norske Bank and Nordea Bank Norge. However, the Company believes this risk is remote as these banks are high credit quality financial institutions.

        The majority of the vessels' gross earnings are receivable in U.S. dollars. In 2003 and 2002, no customer accounted for 10 per cent or more of freight revenues.

20.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        During 1996, 1997 and January 1998, Frontline received options to assume newbuilding contracts for the construction and purchase of five Suezmax tankers at the Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. shipyard in South Korea for delivery in 1998 and 2000 from single-ship owning companies affiliated with Hemen Holding Ltd. ("Hemen"). Hemen is Frontline's largest shareholder and is indirectly controlled by Mr. John Fredriksen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Frontline and of the Company. Two of the single-ship owning companies, owning vessels delivered in 1998, have been included in these carved out financial statements.

F-24



        In September 2000 Frontline acquired a 1993-built VLCC, which was named Front Ace from a company affiliated with Hemen. This vessel was acquired for a price of $53 million which was based on three independent valuations less a $1 million discount compared to appraised market value. The single ship owning company that owns Front Ace has been included in these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements.

        In February 2001, the Company acquired newbuilding contracts for the construction and purchase of three VLCC tankers at the Hitachi shipyard in Japan for delivery in 2002 from Seatankers Management Co. Ltd., a company affiliated with Hemen. These contracts were acquired for the original contract price of $72 million each plus $0.5 million per contract. These three newbuildings were delivered in 2002 and are included in these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements.

21.    ACQUISITIONS

    ICB Shipping AB (publ)

        In September 1997, Frontline made a public offer to acquire all of the shares of ICB Shipping AB (publ) ("ICB"). Through the tender offer, by October 1997 Frontline acquired 51.7 per cent of the outstanding shares of ICB, representing 31.4 per cent of the voting rights, at a purchase price of approximately $215 million. During 1998, Frontline made further purchases of ICB Shares in the market and at December 31, 1998 had 34.2 per cent of the voting power. In the latter half of 1999 Frontline increased its shareholding in ICB to approximately 90 per cent of the capital and 93 per cent of the voting rights. In October 1999, a new Board of Directors was appointed in ICB and ICB consequently was controlled by Frontline. In December 1999, Frontline commenced a compulsory acquisition for the remaining shares in ICB and ICB was delisted from the Stockholm Stock Exchange. The carved out financial statements of the Company include all of the VLCC and Suezmax owning subsidiaries acquired by Frontline and the goodwill arising on the acquisition of ICB.

    Golden Ocean Group Limited

        On October 10, 2000, Frontline acquired the entire share capital of Golden Ocean Group Limited ("Golden Ocean"), a shipping group which held interests in 14 VLCCs and 10 bulk carriers. The total acquisition price paid, including amounts paid to settle allowed claims, was approximately $63.0 million. The difference between the purchase price and the net assets acquired, has been recorded as goodwill. The predecessor combined carve-out financial statements of the Company include seven VLCC owning subsidiaries acquired by Frontline, one option to acquire a VLCC and one interest in an associated company which owns a VLCC, and the goodwill arising on this acquisition.

    Mosvold Shipping Limited

        In April 2001, the Company announced an offer for all of the shares of Mosvold Shipping Limited ("Mosvold"), a Bermuda company whose shares were listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Through a combination of shares acquired and acceptances of the offer, Frontline acquired 97 per cent of the shares of Mosvold. The remaining 3 per cent of the shares of Mosvold were acquired during 2001 through a compulsory acquisition. Through the purchase of Mosvold Frontline acquired two mid-70s built VLCCs and three newbuilding contracts for VLCCs. The two mid-70s built VLCCs have subsequently been sold by Frontline. The first two of the newbuildings were delivered in 2002 and the third in July 2003. The total acquisition price paid for Mosvold was approximately $70.0 million and the

F-25


acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method. The difference between the purchase price and the net assets acquired, has been assigned to the identifiable long term assets of Mosvold. Thirty employees of Mosvold were made redundant as the result of the acquisition by Frontline and severance costs of approximately $0.3 million were incurred by Mosvold in the year ended December 31, 2001. The predecessor combined carve-out financial statements of the Company include one newbuilding VLCC owning subsidiary acquired by Frontline.

22.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    Assets Pledged

 
  December
2003

  December
2002

 
  (in thousands of $)

Ship mortgages   1,863,504   1,904,146

        Other Contractual Commitments

        Frontline insures the legal liability risks for its shipping activities with Assuranceforeningen SKULD, Assuranceforeningen Gard Gjensidig, Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited, and the United Kingdom Mutual Steamship Assurance Association (Bermuda), all mutual protection and indemnity associations. As a member of these mutual associations, Frontline is subject to calls payable to the associations based on the Frontline's claims record in addition to the claims records of all other members of the associations. A contingent liability exists to the extent that the claims records of the members of the associations in the aggregate show significant deterioration, which result in additional calls on the members.

        Certain of Frontline's subsidiaries included in these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements have contractual rights to participate in the profits of the vessels New Vanguard and New Vista. Revenues arising from these arrangements have been accrued to the balance sheet date.

        The charterers of two of the vessels included in these carved out combined financial statements have contractual rights to participate in the profits on sale of those vessels. If the New Vanguard or New Vista are sold, the charterer is entitled to claim up to $1 million to cover losses incurred on subcharters of the vessel. Any remaining profit is to be split 60:40 in favor of the owner.

        The charterer of the vessel, Navix Astral, holds a purchase option denominated in yen to purchase the vessel. The purchase option reduces on a sliding scale over the term of the related charter and is at a strike price that is in excess of the related debt on the vessel. The option is exercisable at any time after the end of the seventh year of the charter.

23.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

        In December 2003, Frontline agreed with its partner, Overseas Shipholding, Group, Inc. ("OSG"), to reorganize their mutual interests in six associated companies, which each own a VLCC. These agreements resulted in Frontline exchanging its interests in the vessels Dundee, Sakura I and Tanabe for OSG's interests in the vessels Edinburgh, Ariake and Hakata, thereby increasing its interest in these vessels to 100.0% each. These exchanges were concluded in February 2004. These interests have been allocated to Ship Finance in these predecessor combined carve-out financial statements on the basis of Frontline's historical interest in these associated companies.

F-26



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
INDEX TO STAND ALONE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Auditor   F-28

Audited Statement of Operations for the period from October 10, 2003 (Inception) to December 31, 2003

 

F-29

Audited Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003

 

F-30

Audited Statement of Cash Flows for the period from October 10, 2003 (Inception) to December 31, 2003

 

F-31

Notes to Financial Statements

 

F-32

F-27



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

        To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Ship Finance International Limited.

        In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheet and the related statement of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholder's equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ship Finance International Limited (the Company) at December 31, 2003 and the results of their operations for the period from October 10, 2003 (Inception) to December 31, 2003, and its cash flows for the period from October 10, 2003 to December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which required that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers DA
Oslo, Norway
6 February 2004

F-28




SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Audited Statement of Operations for the period from
October 10, 2003 (Inception) to December 31, 2003

(in thousands of $)

Operating expenses      
  Administrative expenses   14  
   
 
Total operating expenses   14  
   
 
Other income (expenses)      
  Interest income   199  
  Interest expense   (2,122 )
  Net other income (expenses)   (1,923 )
   
 
Net income (loss)   (1,937 )
   
 

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Financial Statements

F-29



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Audited Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003

(in thousands of $)

ASSETS      
Current Assets      
  Restricted cash   565,500  
  Other receivables   211  
   
 
  Total current assets   565,711  
   
 
Deferred charges   16,481  
   
 
  Total assets   582,192  
   
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 
Current liabilities      
  Trade accounts payable    
  Accrued expenses   4,015  
  Amount due to parent company   102  
   
 
  Total current liabilities   4,117  
Long-term liabilities      
  Long term debt   580,000  
   
 
  Total liabilities   584,117  
Commitments and contingencies    
Stockholders' equity      
  Share capital (12,000 shares of $1 authorized and issued)   12  
  Retained deficit   (1,937 )
   
 
  Total stockholders' equity   (1,925 )
   
 
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   582,192  
   
 

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Financial Statements

F-30



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Audited Statement of Cash Flows for the period from
October 10, 2003 (Inception) to December 31, 2003

(in thousands of $)

Operating activities      
Net loss   (1,937 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:      
  Amortization of deferred charges   69  
  Other receivables   (199 )
  Accrued expenses   2,063  
  Amount due to parent company   4  
   
 
  Net cash provided by operating activities   nil  
   
 
Investing activities      
  Net placement of restricted cash   (565,500 )
   
 
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (565,500 )
   
 
Financing activities      
  Proceeds from long term debt   580,000  
  Debt fees paid   (14,500 )
   
 
  Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   565,500  
   
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   nil  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   nil  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   nil  
   
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:      
  Interest paid, net of capitalized interest   nil  
   
 

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Financial Statements

F-31



SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. GENERAL

        Ship Finance International Limited (the "Company" or "Ship Finance") was incorporated in Bermuda on October 10, 2003 for the purpose of acquiring certain of the shipping assets of its parent company, Frontline Ltd. ("Frontline"). Frontline is a publicly listed Bermuda based shipping company engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of oil tankers, including oil/bulk/ore ("OBO") carriers. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline. Frontline operates tankers of two sizes: very large crude carriers ("VLCCs") which are between 200,000 and 320,000 deadweight tons ("dwt"), and Suezmaxes, which are vessels between 120,000 and 170,000 dwt. Frontline is a holding company which operates through subsidiaries and joint ventures located in Bermuda, Isle of Man, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Singapore, the Bahamas and Sweden.

        On December 11, 2003 the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Frontline to purchase certain of Frontline's wholly owned VLCC and Suezmax owning subsidiaries, including certain subsidiaries acquired or expected to be acquired through a reorganization of interests in certain joint ventures plus a purchase option to acquire a further VLCC (together the "Vessel Interests").

        On December 18, 2003 the Company issued $580 million of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 in a private offering to Qualified Institutional Buyers. The proceeds from this offering, together with a deemed equity contribution of approximately $525 million from Frontline, will be used to complete the acquisition of the Vessel Interests.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

        These financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

        The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires that management make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

        For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, all demand and time deposits and highly liquid, low risk investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered equivalent to cash.

Deferred charges

        Loan costs, including debt arrangement fees, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant loan. The straight line basis of amortization approximates the effective interest method in the Company's statement of operations. Amortization of loan costs is included in interest expense.

Financial Instruments

        In determining fair value of its financial instruments, the Company uses a variety of methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and risks existing at each balance sheet date. For the

F-32



majority of financial instruments including most derivatives and long term debt, standard market conventions and techniques such as options pricing models are used to determine fair value. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of value, and such value may never actually be realized.

        The Company has no independent assets or operations from those if its subsidiaries who have provided guarantees to its indebtedness. These guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. All of the Company's subsidiaries are guarantors.

3. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

        In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation 45, Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. The Interpretation elaborates on the existing disclosure requirements for most guarantees, including loan guarantees such as standby letters of credit. It also clarifies that at the time a company issues a guarantee, the company must recognize an initial liability for the fair value, or market value of the obligations it assumes under the guarantee and must disclose that information in its interim and annual financial statements. The provisions related to recognizing a liability at inception of the guarantee for the fair value of the guarantor's obligations does not apply to product warranties or to guarantees accounted for as derivatives. The initial recognition and initial measurement provisions apply on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The adoption of Interpretation 45 has not had a material effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.

        In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. A variable interest entity is a legal entity that lacks either (a) equity interest holders as a group that lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, including: decision making ability and an interest in the entity's residual risks and rewards or (b) the equity holders have not provided sufficient equity investment to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. Interpretation 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated if any of its interest holders are entitled to a majority of the entity's residual return or are exposed to a majority of its expected losses. This party is referred to as the primary beneficiary.

        In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN 46(R) replaces FIN 46 and clarifies the accounting for interests in variable interest entities. The company will begin to apply FIN 46(R) to entities considered to be variable interest entities for periods after December 31, 2003.

        Management is currently considering the impact of FIN 46(R).

4. TAXATION

    Bermuda

        Under current Bermuda law, the Company is not required to pay taxes in Bermuda on either income or capital gains. The Company has received written assurance from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that, in the event of any such taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempted from taxation until the year 2016. United States The Company does not accrue U.S. income taxes as, in the

F-33


opinion of U.S. counsel, the Company is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business and is exempted from a gross basis tax under Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

        A reconciliation between the income tax expense resulting from applying the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate and the reported income tax expense has not been presented herein as it would not provide additional useful information to users of the financial statements as the Company's net income is subject to neither Bermuda nor U.S. tax.

5. DEFERRED CHARGES

        Deferred charges represent debt arrangement fees that are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis to interest expense over the life of the debt instrument. The deferred charges are comprised of the following amounts:

 
  December 31, 2003
 
 
  (in thousands of $)

 
Debt arrangement fees   16,550  
Accumulated amortization   (69 )
   
 
    16,481  
   
 

6. ACCRUED EXPENSES

 
  December 31, 2003
 
  (in thousands of $)

Debt fees   1,961
Interest expense   2,054
   
    4,015
   

7. AMOUNT DUE TO PARENT COMPANY

        The amount due to parent company represents advances to the Company by Frontline to fund payment of our start up costs and expenses incurred prior to our issuance of Senior Notes. For the purposes of these financial statements, no interest expense has been imputed on the balance due to Frontline.

8. DEBT

        On December 15, 2003 the Company issued $580 million of senior notes. The notes are governed by an Indenture dated December 15, 2003 among the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. The Indenture contains covenants that restrict the ability of the Company, among other things, to incur additional indebtedness, to pay dividends or make distributions of capital, to enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions, to sell assets or capital stock of its subsidiaries or to enter into transactions with affiliates. These covenants are fully explained in the Offering Circular to the notes issue and in the Registration Statement that will be filed in connection with an Exchange Offer for the notes.

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        The notes:

    are general unsecured, senior obligations of the Company;

    are limited initially to an aggregate principal amount of $580 million;

    will mature on December 15, 2013;

    were issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

    are represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but in certain circumstances may be represented by notes in definitive form;

    rank equally in right of payment to any future senior indebtedness of the Company but are effectively subordinated to all future secured indebtedness of the Company, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such Indebtedness;

    the notes will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each subsidiary of the Company, but the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to all present and future secured indebtedness of the subsidiaries, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such Indebtedness;

    The notes are not redeemable prior to December 15, 2008 except as described below. After that date the Company may redeem notes at redemption prices which reduce from 104.25% in 2008 to 100% in 2011 and thereafter. Prior to December 15, 2006 the Company may redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount using the cash proceeds of an initial public equity offering at a redemption price of 108.5%; and

    are expected to be eligible for trading in the PORTAL market.

        Interest on the notes:

    accrues at the rate of 8.50% per annum;

    accrues from the date of issuance or the most recent interest payment date;

    is payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, commencing on June 15, 2004;

    is payable to the holders of record on June 1 and December 1 immediately preceding the related interest payment dates; and

    is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

9. SHARE CAPITAL

        The Company was incorporated on October 10, 2003 with authorized share capital of 12,000 ordinary shares of $1.00 par value each. On that date, 12,000 ordinary shares of $1.00 par value each were issued to the initial shareholder, Frontline Ltd.

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10. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

        The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 
  December 31, 2003
Carrying
Value

  December 31, 2003
Fair
Value

 
  (in thousands of $)

Non-Derivatives:        
  Restricted cash   565,500   565,500
  Long term debt   580,000   580,000

        The carrying value of restricted cash is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

        The estimated fair value for our long-term debt is considered to be equal to the carrying value since the Company estimate that the market interest rate for debt with similar terms to our debt is the same as the interest rate on our debt.

11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    Other Contractual Commitments

        On December 11, 2003 the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Frontline to purchase certain of Frontline's wholly owned VLCC and Suezmax owning subsidiaries, including certain subsidiaries acquired or expected to be acquired through a reorganization of interests in certain joint ventures plus a purchase option to acquire a further VLCC (together the "Vessel Interests"). The purchase price for the Vessel Interests is $950 million and is to be settled in cash, net of a deemed equity contribution of $525 million by Frontline.

12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

        On January 1, 2004 the Company completed the purchase of the Vessel Interests it agreed to purchase from Frontline on December 11, 2003.

        As a result of these transactions the Company has acquired a fleet of 24 Suezmax tankers and 23 VLCCs with a combined deadweight tonnage of 10,498,000,000 tones and a combined book value of approximately $2,107 million.

        On January 1, 2004 the Company entered into time charter agreements with Frontline Shipping Ltd., a subsidiary of Frontline, to charter the 46 vessels for substantially the remainder of their useful lives at fixed rates.

        On January 1, 2004 the Company entered into management agreements with Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd., a subsidiary of Frontline, to manage the 46 vessels for substantially the remainder of their useful lives at fixed rates.

12A. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Unaudited)

        On February 17, 2004 the Company entered into a senior secured credit facility agreement with a syndicate of banks with principal amount $1,058.0 million. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.25% payable quarterly in arrears and may be prepaid without penalty. The principal amortization

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schedule in respect of our senior secured credit facility, assuming that it is fully drawn upon, will be as follows:

Year

  Amount
 
  (dollars in millions)

2004   $ 93.7
2005     93.7
2006     93.7
2007     93.7
2008     93.7
2009     89.8
At maturity in 2010     499.7

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PART II: INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        Bermuda law permits the Bye-Laws of a Bermuda company to contain a provision eliminating personal liability of a director or officer to the company for any loss arising or liability attaching to him by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which the officer or person may be guilty. Bermuda law also grants companies the power generally to indemnify directors and officers of the company if any such person was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director and officer of the company or was serving in a similar capacity for another entity at the company's request.

        The Company's bye-laws provide that no director, alternate director, officer, person or member of a committee, if any, resident representative of the Company or his heirs, executors or administrators (collectively an "indemnitee") is liable for the acts, receipts, neglects, or defaults of any other such person or any person involved in the formation of the Company, or for any loss or expense incurred by the Company through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by the Company, or for the insufficiency of deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the monies of the Company shall be invested, or for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency, or tortuous act of any person with whom any monies, securities, or effects shall be deposited, or for any loss occasioned by any error of judgment, omission, default, or oversight on his part, or for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which shall happen in relation to the execution of his duties, or supposed duties, to the Company or otherwise in relation thereto. Each indemnitee will be indemnified and held harmless out of the funds of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Bermuda law against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses properly payable) incurred or suffered by him as such director, alternate director, officer, person or committee member or resident representative (or in his reasonable belief that he is acting as any of the above). In addition, each indemnitee shall be indemnified against all liabilities incurred in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in such indemnitee's favor, or in which he is acquitted. The Company is permitted to purchase insurance to cover any liability it may incur under the indemnification provisions of its bye-laws.


Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Exhibit
Number

  Description
2.1   Note Purchase Agreement dated December 11, 2003.

3.1

 

Memorandum of Association of Ship Finance International Limited.

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bye-laws of Ship Finance International Limited.

4.1

 

Form of Common Stock Certificate of Ship Finance International Limited.

4.2

 

Form of Global Exchange Notes (attached as Exhibit B to the Indenture dated December 18, 2003 filed as Exhibit 4.4).

4.3

 

Registration Rights Agreement for registration of Ship Finance International Limited.

4.4

 

Indenture dated December 18, 2003.

4.5

 

Form of Subsidiary Guarantee (attached as Exhibit C to the Indenture dated December 18, 2003 filed as Exhibit 4.4).

5.1

 

Opinion of Seward & Kissel regarding United States law.
     

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5.2

 

Opinion of Mello, Jones & Martin regarding Bermuda law.

5.3

 

Opinion of Seward & Kissel regarding Liberian law.

5.4

 

Opinion of Graham, Thompson & Co. regarding Bahamian law.

5.5

 

Opinion of Cains regarding Isle of Man law.

5.6

 

Opinion of Galindo, Arias & Lopez regarding Panamanian law.

5.7

 

Opinion of Tan Rajan & Cheah regarding Singaporean law.

8.1

 

Opinion of Seward & Kissel regarding U.S. tax matters.

8.2

 

Opinion of Mello, Jones & Martin regarding Bermuda tax matters (including in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2).

10.1

 

Form of $1.058 billion Credit Facility.

10.2

 

Fleet Purchase Agreement dated December 11, 2003.

10.3

 

Form of Performance Guarantee issued by Frontline Ltd.

10.4

 

Form of Time Charters.

10.5

 

Form of Vessel Management Agreements.

10.6

 

Form of Charter Ancillary Agreement.

10.7

 

Form of Administrative Services Agreement.

10.11

 

Escrow Agreement dated December 18, 2003 among Jefferies & Company, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Wilmington Trust Company, Ship Finance International Limited and Frontline Ltd.

12.1

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries.

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Hamilton, Bermuda.

23.2

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoppers Oslo, Norway.

23.3

 

Consent of Seward & Kissel LLP with regard to United States and New York law (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).

23.4

 

Consent of Mello, Jones & Martin (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2).

23.4

 

Consent of Seward & Kissel LLP with regard to Liberian law (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.3).

23.5

 

Consent of Graham, Thompson & Co. (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.4).

23.6

 

Consent of Cains (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.5).

23.7

 

Consent of Galindo, Arias & Lopez (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.6).

23.8

 

Consent of Tan Rajah & Cheah (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.7).

25.1

 

Statement of Eligibility of Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee under the Indenture.

99.1

 

Form of Letter of Transmittal.
     

II-2



99.2

 

Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

99.3

 

Form of Letter to Securities Brokers and Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.

99.4

 

Form of Letter to Clients.


Item 22. Undertakings

            1.     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;

               (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 and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.

              (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.

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

            3.     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

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

            5.     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant under 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 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that 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

II-3



    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 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

            6.     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Bermuda, on the day of May 19th, 2004.

    SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-5


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Nassau, Bahamas, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    GRANITE SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
        Name:   Tom E. Jebsen
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
NICHOLAS SHERRIFF       
Nicholas Sherriff

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BALANKENSHIP       
Kate Balankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-6


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Nassau, Bahamas, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    GOLDEN CURRENT LIMITED

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
        Name:   Kate Blankenship
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
ROGER L. CUBBAGE       
Roger L. Cubbage

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-7


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    BONFIELD SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-8


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FOURWAYS MARINE LIMITED

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-9


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT ARDENNE INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-10


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT BRABANT INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-11


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT FALCON CORP.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-12


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT GLORY SHIPPING INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-13


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT PRIDE SHIPPING INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-14


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT SAGA INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-15


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT SERENADE INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file thesame, with all exhib its thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-16


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT SPLENDOUR SHIPPING INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-17


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT STRATUS INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-18


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    GOLDEN BAYSHORE SHIPPING CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-19


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    GOLDEN ESTUARY CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-20


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    GOLDEN FJORD CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-21


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    GOLDEN SEAWAY CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-22


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    GOLDEN SOUND CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-23


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    GOLDEN TIDE CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-24


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    KATONG INVESTMENTS LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-25


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    LANGKAWI SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-26


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    PATRIO SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-27


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    RAKIS MARITIME S.A.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-28


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    SEA ACE CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-29


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    SIBU SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-30


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    SOUTHWEST TANKERS INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-31


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    WEST TANKERS INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-32


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oslo, Norway, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    PUERTO REINOSA SHIPPING CO. S.A.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
        Name:   Tom E. Jebsen
        Title:   Director and President

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOME E. JEBSEN       
Tome E. Jebsen
  Director and President   May 19, 2004

/s/  
NICHOLAS SHERRIFF       
Nicholas Sherriff

 

Director and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-33


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    ASPINALL PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-34


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    BLIZANA PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-35


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    BOLZANO PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
        Name:   Tom E. Jebsen
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
CONSTANTINOS PALLARIS       
Constantinos Pallaris

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-36


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    CIREBON SHIPPING PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
        Name:   Tom E. Jebsen
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
CONSTANTINOS PALLARIS       
Constantinos Pallaris

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-37


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FOX MARITIME PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
        Name:   Tom E. Jebsen
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
CONSTANTINOS PALLARIS       
Constantinos Pallaris

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-38


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT DUA PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-39


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT EMPAT PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-40


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT ENAM PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-41


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT LAPAN PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-42


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT LIMA PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-43


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT TIGA PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-44


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT TUJUH PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-45


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    FRONT SEMBILAN PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-46


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    RETTIE PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-47


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    TRANSCORP PTE LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
DAVID JOHN BEAVES       
David John Beaves

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
WILLIAM DOUGLAS ROBINSON       
William Douglas Robinson

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-48


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Nassau, Bahamas, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    OSCILLA SHIPPING LIMITED

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
        Name:   Kate Blankenship
        Title:   Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen
  Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
ROGER L. CUBBAGE       
Roger L. Cubbage

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-49


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    ARIAKE TRANSPORT CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-50


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    EDINBURGH NAVIGATION SA

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-51


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Singapore, on the 19 th day of May, 2004.

    HITACHI HULL #4983 LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
TOR OLAV TRøIM       
        Name:   Tor Olav Trøim
        Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin, or either of them, with full power to act alone, his or her true lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 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 attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on May 19, 2004 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   TOR OLAV TRøIM       
Tor Olav Trøim
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   May 19, 2004

/s/  
TOM E. JEBSEN       
Tom E. Jebsen

 

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
KATE BLANKENSHIP       
Kate Blankenship

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

 

May 19, 2004

/s/  
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES       
Puglisi & Associates

 

Authorized Representative in the United States

 

May 19, 2004

II-52




QuickLinks

TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENFORCEABILITY OF JUDGMENTS AND THE EFFECT OF FOREIGN LAW
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA
GLOSSARY OF SHIPPING TERMS
SUMMARY
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES
RISK FACTORS
SUMMARY COMBINED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Audited Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003 on a Stand Alone Basis (in thousands of $)
RISK FACTORS
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December, 2003
Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003
USE OF PROCEEDS OF OUR OUTSTANDING NOTES
CAPITALIZATION
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
SELECTED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND OTHER DATA
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
INDUSTRY
BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT
COMPENSATION INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED INDEX TO PREDECESSOR COMBINED CARVE-OUT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 (in thousands of $)
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands of $)
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 (in thousands of $)
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Audited Predecessor Combined Carve-out Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 (in thousands of $)
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Notes to the Predecessor Combined Carve-out Financial Statements
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED INDEX TO STAND ALONE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Audited Statement of Operations for the period from October 10, 2003 (Inception) to December 31, 2003 (in thousands of $)
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Audited Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003 (in thousands of $)
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Audited Statement of Cash Flows for the period from October 10, 2003 (Inception) to December 31, 2003 (in thousands of $)
SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Notes to the Financial Statements
PART II: INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
SIGNATURES

Exhibit 2.1

 

Execution Copy

 

Ship Finance International Limited

 

$580,000,000 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2013

 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

December 11, 2003

 

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

c/o Jefferies & Company, Inc.

909 Fannin Street, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77010

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda exempted company (the “ Company ”) and Frontline Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company and parent company of the Company (“ Frontline ”) hereby confirm their agreement with you, as set forth below.

 

1.                                        Issuance of the Securities .  Subject to the terms and conditions herein contained, the Company shall issue and sell to Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (the “ Initial Purchasers ”) an aggregate of $ 580,000,000 principal amount of its 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “ Notes ”).  The Notes are to be issued under an indenture (the “ Indenture ”) to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3 below) by and among the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

The Notes will be offered and sold to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”). Upon original issuance thereof, and until such time as the same is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the Act, the Notes shall bear the legends set forth in the final offering circular, dated the date hereof (the “ Final Offering Circular ”).  The Company has prepared a preliminary offering circular, dated November 30, 2003, as supplemented on December 5, 2003 (as so supplemented, the “ Preliminary Offering Circular ”), and the Final Offering Circular relating to the offer and sale of the Notes (the “ Offering ”).  “ Offering Circular ” means, as of any date or time referred to in this Agreement, the most recent offering circular (whether the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular, and any amendment or supplement to either such document), including exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

2.                                        Terms of Offering .  The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company, and the Company understands, that the Initial Purchasers will make offers to sell (the “ Exempt Resales ”)

 



 

some or all of the Notes purchased by the Initial Purchasers hereunder on the terms set forth in the Offering Circular, as amended or supplemented, to persons (the “ Subsequent Purchasers ”) whom the Initial Purchasers (i) reasonably believe to be “qualified institutional buyers” (“ QIBs ”) as defined in Rule 144A under the Act, as such may be amended from time to time, (ii) reasonably believe (based upon written representations made by such persons to the Initial Purchasers) to be institutional “accredited investors” (“ Accredited Investors ”) as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Act or (iii) reasonably believe to be non-U.S. persons in reliance upon Regulation S under the Act.

 

Holders of the Notes (including Subsequent Purchasers) will have the registration rights set forth in the registration rights agreement applicable to the Notes (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), to be executed on and dated as of the Closing Date, as such term is defined below. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will agree, among other things, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) (a) a registration statement under the Act relating to Notes (the “ Exchange Notes ”), which shall be substantially identical to the Notes (except that the Exchange Notes shall have been registered pursuant to such registration statement, will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or contain additional interest provisions) to be offered in exchange for the Notes (such offer to exchange being referred to as the “ Exchange Offer ”), and/or (b) under certain circumstances, a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) relating to the resale by certain holders of the Notes. If the Company fails to satisfy its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, it will be required to pay additional interest to the holders of the Notes under certain circumstances.

 

This Agreement, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Notes, the Exchange Notes and the Escrow Agreement (as defined below) are referred to herein as the “ Offering Documents .”  At or prior to the Escrow Release Date (as defined below), the Company will acquire from Frontline all of the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of each of the Subsidiaries (as defined below), subject to and pursuant to a fleet purchase agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and Frontline (the “ Fleet Purchase Agreement ”).  Pursuant to the Fleet Purchase Agreement and in substantially the forms attached as exhibits thereto, the Charter Ancillary Agreement, Time Charters, Management Agreements, Administrative Services Agreement and Performance Guarantee will be executed by the parties thereto.  Such agreements, together with the Fleet Purchase Agreement, are collectively referred to herein as the “ Fleet Purchase Documents .”

 

3.                                        Purchase, Sale and Delivery .  On the basis of the representations, warranties, agreements and covenants herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers, and each of the Initial Purchasers agrees to purchase from the Company, severally and not jointly, the principal amount of the Notes set forth opposite the name of such Initial Purchaser on Schedule I hereto, at a purchase price of 97.5% of the aggregate principal amount thereof.  Delivery to the Initial Purchasers of and payment for the Notes shall be made at a closing (the “ Notes Closing ”) to be held at 9:00 a.m., New York time, on December 18, 2003 at the New York offices of Seward & Kissel LLP or at such other time, date or place as shall be agreed upon by the Initial Purchasers, the Company and Frontline (the “ Closing Date ”).

 

2



 

The Company shall deliver to the Initial Purchasers one or more certificates representing the Notes in definitive form, registered in such names and denominations as the Initial Purchasers may request, against payment by the Initial Purchasers of the purchase price therefor by immediately available Federal funds bank wire transfer to the escrow account maintained by Wilmington Trust Company, as escrow agent (“ Escrow Agent ”) under the Escrow Agreement among the Escrow Agent, the Initial Purchasers, Frontline and the other parties thereto (the “ Escrow Agreement ”), for distribution, as the case may be, to the Company on the Escrow Release Date (as defined below), or to the Trustee in connection with the Special Mandatory Redemption, as defined in the Offering Circular, all in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.  The certificates representing the Notes in definitive form shall be made available to the Initial Purchasers for inspection at the New York offices of Seward & Kissel LLP (or such other place as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers) not later than 5:00 p.m. New York time on the business day immediately preceding the Closing Date.  Notes to be represented by one or more definitive global securities in book-entry form will be deposited on the Closing Date, on behalf of Company, with The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) or its designated custodian, and registered in the name of its nominee, which is expected to be Cede & Co.

 

4.                                        Representations and Warranties .  The Company, and Frontline, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to and agree with the Initial Purchasers that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:

 

(a)                                   The Preliminary Offering Circular did not, and on the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, the Final Offering Circular does not and will not, and any amendment or supplement thereto will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact (except, in the case of the Preliminary Offering Circular, for pricing terms and other financial terms intentionally left blank) necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 4(a) do not apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Initial Purchasers furnished to the Company in writing by the Initial Purchasers expressly for use in the Final Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto.  No injunction or order has been issued that either (i) asserts that any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or each of the other Offering Documents is subject to the registration requirements of the Act, or (ii) would prevent or suspend the issuance or sale of any of the Notes or the use of the Preliminary Offering Circular, the Final Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto, in any jurisdiction.  Each of the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular, as of their respective dates contained, and the Final Offering Circular, as amended or supplemented, as of the Closing Date will contain, all the information specified in, and meet the requirements of Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act.

 

(b)                                  Frontline owns, directly or indirectly, all of any class of equity securities or interests in each corporation, partnership, or other entity listed on Schedule 3.5 to the Fleet Purchase Agreement (the “ Subsidiaries ,” together with Frontline, Frontline Shipping Limited, a Bermuda exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline (the “ Charterer ”) and Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline (“ Frontline Management ”), the “ Frontline Parties ”).  As of the date (the

 

3



 

Escrow Release Date ”) of the Escrow Release (as defined in the Escrow Agreement), each of the Subsidiaries will be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.

 

(c)                                   Each of the Company and the Frontline Parties (i) has been duly organized, is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business and to own, lease and operate its properties and assets, and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing as a foreign entity, authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of such business or the ownership or leasing of such property requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  For purposes herein, the term “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean (a) with respect to the Frontline Parties, a material adverse effect on (A) the business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition of Frontline and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) the ability of Frontline to perform its obligations in all material respects under any Offering Document or (C) the validity of any of the Offering Documents or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated therein and (b) with respect to the Company, a material adverse effect on (A) the business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations in all material respects under any Offering Document or (C) the validity of any of the Offering Documents or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated therein.

 

(d)                                  All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, and all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each of the Subsidiaries, Frontline Management and the Charterer, have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. As of the Escrow Release Date, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Subsidiary that has been conveyed to the Company pursuant to the Fleet Purchase Agreement will be owned by the Company, directly or indirectly through one or more other subsidiaries of the Company, free and clear of all liens, security interests, mortgages, pledges, charges, equities, claims or restrictions on transferability or encumbrances of any kind (collectively, “ Liens ”) other than Permitted Liens (as defined in the Indenture).  Except as set forth in the Final Offering Circular, there are no outstanding (i) options, warrants or other rights to purchase, (ii) agreements, contracts, arrangements or other obligations of the Company or the Subsidiaries to issue or (iii) other rights to convert any obligation into, or exchange any securities for, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii), shares of capital stock of or other equity interests in the Company or the Subsidiaries.  The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock or any other equity securities or has any equity interest in any firm, partnership, joint venture or other entity.

 

(e)                                   No holder of securities of the Company, Frontline or any of the Subsidiaries will be entitled to have such securities registered under the registration statements required to be filed by the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(f)                                     The Company and each of the Frontline Parties have all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the other Offering Documents and the Fleet Purchase Documents to which it is a party, and to consummate the

 

4



 

transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Notes and to issue and deliver, as applicable, the Guarantees as contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

(g)                                  This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Company and Frontline.

 

(h)                                  The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized by the Company.  The Indenture, when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.  The Indenture conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in the Offering Circular.

 

(i)                                      The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Company.  The Registration Rights Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that (A) the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought and (B) any rights to indemnity or contribution thereunder may be limited by federal and state securities laws and public policy considerations.  The Registration Rights Agreement conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in the Offering Circular.

 

(j)                                      The Notes, when issued, will be in the form contemplated by the Indenture.  The Indenture meets the requirements for qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ TIA ”).  The Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when authenticated, delivered to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Indenture, will have been duly executed, issued and delivered and will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and, (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.  The Notes conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the Offering Circular.

 

(k)                                   The Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when authenticated and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture, will have been duly executed, issued and delivered and will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and

 

5



 

the Registration Rights Agreement, and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and, (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.  The Exchange Notes, when executed, authenticated and delivered, will conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the Offering Circular.

 

(l)                                      The Guarantees and the related supplements to the Indenture will, as of the Escrow Release Date, have been duly and validly authorized by each of the Subsidiaries and, when executed by each Subsidiary, will have been duly executed, issued and delivered and will be legal, valid and binding obligations of such Subsidiary, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and the Registration Rights Agreement, and enforceable against such Subsidiary in accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.  The Guarantees conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the Offering Circular.

 

(m)                                The Escrow Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and Frontline.  The Escrow Agreement, when executed and delivered by each of the Company and Frontline, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Company and Frontline, enforceable against each of the Company and Frontline in accordance with its terms, except that (A) the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought and (B) any rights to indemnity or contribution thereunder may be limited by federal and state securities laws and public policy considerations.  The Escrow Agreement conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in the Offering Circular.

 

(n)                                  The Fleet Purchase Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by each of the Company and Frontline, has been executed and delivered by each of the Company and Frontline, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Company and Frontline, enforceable against each of the Company and Frontline in accordance with its terms, except that (A) the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought and (B) any rights to indemnity or contribution thereunder may be limited by federal and state securities laws and public policy considerations.  The Fleet Purchase Agreement conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in the Offering Circular.

 

(o)                                  Neither the Company nor any of the Frontline Parties is in violation of its charter or bye-laws or similar organizational document (the “ Charter Documents ”).  Neither the

 

6



 

Company nor any of the Frontline Parties is (i) in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law (including, without limitation, common law) or ordinance, or any judgment, decree, rule, regulation or order (collectively, “ Applicable Law ”) of any federal, state, local and other governmental authority, governmental or regulatory agency or body, court, arbitrator or self-regulatory organization, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Frontline Parties or any of their respective assets, properties or operations, except for such violations that could not result in a Material Adverse Effect (each, a “ Governmental Authority ”), or (ii) in breach of or default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease or any other agreement or instrument to which any of them is a party or by which any of them or their respective property is bound (collectively, “ Applicable Agreements ”), other than as disclosed in the Final Offering Circular and except for breaches and defaults that could not result in a Material Adverse Effect.  There exists no condition that, with the passage of time or otherwise, would constitute (a) a violation of such Charter Documents or Applicable Laws, (b) a breach of or default under any Applicable Agreement or (c) result in the imposition of any penalty or the acceleration of any indebtedness that in (a), (b) or (c) above could result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(p)                                  Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Company or any of the Frontline Parties of the Offering Documents, to which it is a party, nor the consummation of any transactions contemplated therein will conflict with, violate, constitute a breach of or a default (with the passage of time or otherwise) under, require the consent of any person (other than consents already obtained) under, result in the imposition of a Lien on any assets of the Company or any of the Frontline Parties, or result in an acceleration of indebtedness under or pursuant to (i) the Charter Documents, (ii) any Applicable Agreement, or (iii) any Applicable Law, except for conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, consent requirements, Lien impositions or the acceleration of indebtedness that could not result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Immediately after consummation of the Offering and the transactions contemplated in the Offering Documents, no Default or Event of Default (each, as defined in the Indenture) will exist.

 

(q)                                  Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Company or any of the Frontline Parties of the Fleet Purchase Documents, to which it is a party, nor the consummation of any transactions contemplated therein will conflict with, violate, constitute a breach of or a default (with the passage of time or otherwise) under, require the consent of any person (other than consents already obtained or that will be obtained prior to the Escrow Release Date as set forth in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) under, result in the imposition of a Lien on any assets of the Company or any of the Frontline Parties, or result in an acceleration of indebtedness under or pursuant to (i) the Charter Documents, (ii) any Applicable Agreement, or (iii) any Applicable Law, except for conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, consent requirements, Lien impositions or the acceleration of indebtedness that could not result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Immediately after consummation of the Offering and the transactions contemplated in the Fleet Purchase Documents, no Default or Event of Default (each, as defined in the Indenture) will exist.

 

(r)                                     No consent, approval, authorization or order of any Governmental Authority or third party is required for the issuance and sale by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Notes or the Guarantees, respectively, to the Initial Purchasers or the consummation by the

 

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Company and the Frontline Parties of the other transactions contemplated in the Offering Documents or the Fleet Purchase Documents, except such as have been obtained, such as have been listed on a schedule to the Fleet Purchase Agreement and  such as have been or will be obtained under the Act and Trust Indenture Act and such as may be required under foreign securities laws or state securities or “Blue Sky” laws in connection with the purchase and resale of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers.

 

(s)                                   Except as disclosed in the Final Offering Circular, there is no action, claim, suit, demand, hearing, notice of violation or deficiency, or proceeding, domestic or foreign (collectively, “ Proceedings ”), pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or Frontline, threatened, that either (i) seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of, or otherwise challenge any of the Offering Documents or Fleet Purchase Documents or any of the transactions contemplated therein, or (ii) would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is subject to any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(t)                                     Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries possess all licenses, permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations from, and have made all declarations and filings with, all Governmental Authorities, presently required or necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate their respective properties and to carry on their respective businesses as now or proposed to be conducted as set forth in the Final Offering Circular (“ Permits ”), except where the failure to obtain such Permits would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed all of all of its obligations with respect to such Permits and no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit except where such revocation, termination or material impairment would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.   Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has received any notice of any proceeding relating to revocation or modification of any such Permit, except where such revocation or modification would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(u)                                  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all vessels and other personal property owned by it and good and indefeasible title to all leasehold estates in real and personal property being leased by it and, as of the Closing Date, will be free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens (as defined in the Indenture).  All Applicable Agreements to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound are valid and enforceable against each of the Company or the Subsidiaries, as applicable, and are valid and enforceable against the other party or parties thereto and are in full force and effect with only such exceptions as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(v)                                  All Tax returns required to be filed (taking into account all applicable extensions) by the Company and each of the Subsidiaries have been filed and all such returns are true, complete and correct in all material respects.  All material Taxes that are due from the Company and the Subsidiaries have been paid other than those (i) currently payable without penalty or

 

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interest or (ii) being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States, consistently applied (“ GAAP ”).  To the knowledge of the Company and Frontline, after reasonable inquiry, there are no proposed Tax assessments against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  The accruals and reserves on the books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries in respect of any material Tax liability for any period not finally determined are adequate to meet any assessments of Tax for any such period.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Tax ” and “ Taxes ” shall mean all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, and other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through withholding), including any interest, additions to tax, or penalties applicable thereto.

 

(w)                                Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed under, and has the right to use, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks and trade names (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) necessary for the conduct of its businesses and, as of the Closing Date, will be free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens (as defined in the Indenture).  To the knowledge of the Company or Frontline, no claims or notices of any potential claim have been asserted by any person challenging the use of any such Intellectual Property by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or questioning the validity or effectiveness of the Intellectual Property or any license or agreement related thereto (other than any claims that, if successful, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect).  To the knowledge of the Company or Frontline, the use of such Intellectual Property by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries will not infringe on the Intellectual Property rights of any other person.

 

(x)                                    Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP, and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

(y)                                  The accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers DA (Norway) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (Bermuda), who have audited the financial statements included or incorporated in the Offering Circular are independent auditors.  The predecessor combined carve-out financial statements of the Company present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes in shareholders’ investment and cash flows of the Company, at the respective dates or for the periods indicated.  Such predecessor combined carve-out financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and on the basis of preparation in note 1.  The other financial and statistical information and data included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Circular, historical and pro forma , fairly present in all material respects the information they purport to present, have been prepared in all material respects in accordance

 

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with the SEC’s rules and guidelines, have been properly compiled on a basis consistent with the predecessor combined carve-out financial statements included in the Offering Circular and the books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate in all material respects to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein.  No projection or forward looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Offering Circular has been made without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.  All other financial, statistical, and market and industry-related data included in the Final Offering Circular are fairly and accurately presented in all material respects and are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate in all material respects.

 

(z)                                    Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Final Offering Circular, except as disclosed in the Final Offering Circular, (i) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has (x) incurred any liabilities, direct or contingent, that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company or Frontline, as the case may be, or (y) has entered into any transactions not in the ordinary course of business which are material with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise or Frontline and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, (ii) there has not been any material decrease in the capital stock or any material increase in long-term indebtedness or any material increase in short-term indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiaries, or any payment of or declaration to pay any dividends or any other distribution with respect to the Company or the Subsidiaries, and (iii) there has not been any Material Adverse Change.  As used herein, the term “Material Adverse Change” shall mean, (a) with respect to the Company, a material adverse change in the business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries in the aggregate and (b) with respect to Frontline, a material adverse change in the business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition of Frontline and its subsidiaries in the aggregate.

 

(aa)                             All indebtedness represented by the Notes is being incurred for the purposes set forth in the Final Offering Circular under the heading “ Use of Proceeds .”  On the Escrow Release Date, the Company will be solvent.  As used in this paragraph, “solvent” means, with respect to a particular date, that on such date the present fair market value (present fair saleable value) of the assets of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries is not less than the total amount required to pay the probable liabilities of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries are able to realize upon their assets and pay their debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the normal course of business, assuming the sale of the Notes as contemplated by this Agreement and the Final Offering Circular, each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is not incurring debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is not engaged in any business or transaction, and is not about to engage in any business or transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is engaged.  In computing the amount of such contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

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(bb)                           Neither the Company nor Frontline has and, to their knowledge, no one acting on their behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in, or that has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Notes, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Notes, or (iii) except as disclosed in the Final Offering Circular, paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

(cc)                             Without limiting any provision herein, no registration under the Act and no qualification of the Indenture under the TIA is required for the sale of the Notes to the Initial Purchasers as contemplated hereby or for the Exempt Resales, assuming (i) that the purchasers in the Exempt Resales are QIBs or Accredited Investors or non-U.S. persons and (ii) the accuracy of the Initial Purchasers’ representations contained herein regarding the absence of general solicitation in connection with the sale of the Notes to the Initial Purchasers and in the Exempt Resales.

 

(dd)                           The Notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Act and no other securities of the Company are of the same class (within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Act) as the Notes and listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), or quoted in a U.S. automated inter-dealer quotation system.  No securities of the Company of the same class as the Notes have been offered, issued or sold by the Company or any of its Affiliates within the six-month period immediately prior to the date hereof.

 

(ee)                             Neither the Company, Frontline nor any of their respective affiliates or other person acting on their behalf has offered or sold the Notes by means of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Act or, with respect to Notes sold outside the United States to non-U.S. persons (as defined in Rule 902 under the Act), by means of any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 under the Act, and the Company, Frontline, any of their respective affiliates and any person acting on their behalf have complied with and will implement the “offering restrictions” within the meaning of such Rule 902; provided, that no representation is made in this subsection with respect to the actions of the Initial Purchasers.

 

(ff)                                 None of the transactions contemplated in the Offering Documents will violate or result in a violation of Section 7 of the Exchange Act, (including, without limitation, Regulation T (12 C.F.R. Part 220), Regulation U (12 C.F.R. Part 221) or Regulation X (12 C.F.R. Part 224) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).

 

(gg)                           Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Final Offering Circular, none of them will be an (i) “investment company” or (ii) a company “controlled” by an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(hh)                           Neither the Company nor Frontline has engaged any broker, finder, commission agent or other person (other than the Initial Purchasers) in connection with the Offering or any of

 

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the transactions contemplated in the Documents, and the Company and Frontline are not under any obligation to pay any broker’s fee or commission in connection with such transactions (other than commissions or fees to the Initial Purchasers).

 

(ii)                                   Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries (i) is in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment or hazardous or toxic substances of wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“ Environmental Laws ”), (ii) has received and is in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its respective businesses and (iii) has not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except where such non-compliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals, or liability would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business.  Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has been named as a “potentially responsible party” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended

 

(jj)                                   Except as described in the Final Offering Circular or as permitted by the Indenture, there will be no encumbrances or restrictions on the ability of any Subsidiary (x) to pay dividends or make other distributions on such Subsidiary’s capital stock or to pay any indebtedness to the Company or any other Subsidiary, (y) to make loans or advances or pay any indebtedness to, or investments in, the Company or any other Subsidiary or (z) to transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary.

 

(kk)                             Each certificate signed by any officer of the Company, or any Frontline Party, delivered to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the offering of the Notes shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or any such Frontline Party (and not individually by such officer) to the Initial Purchasers with respect to the matters covered thereby.

 

(ll)                                   The Company and each of the Subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including protection and indemnity insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are adequate to protect the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective businesses as consistent with industry practice.  All policies of insurance insuring the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect.  The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects, and there are no claims by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause.  Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(mm)                       Except as contemplated by the Fleet Purchase Agreement, each of the vessels owned by the Company or one of the Subsidiaries (the “ Vessels ”) has been duly registered in the name of the entity that owns it under the laws and regulations and the flag of the nation of its registration and no other action is necessary to establish and perfect such entity’s title to and interest in the Vessels as against any charterer or third party.

 

(nn)                           Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries, nor, to the Company’s or Frontline’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, shareholder, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, has (a) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds of the Company or any Subsidiary; or (c) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(oo)                           To ensure the legality, validity or enforceability of each of the Offering Documents in Bermuda, it is not necessary that any such Offering Document be submitted to, filed or recorded with any court or other authority in any such jurisdiction, or that any stamp or similar tax, imposition or charge be paid in any such jurisdiction on or in respect of any such document.

 

(pp)                           At or prior to the Escrow Release Date, the transactions contemplated by the Fleet Purchase Agreement will be consummated, with the result that each Subsidiary will become a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company subject to the terms of the Fleet Purchase Agreement.

 

5.                                        Covenants of the Company .  Each of the Company and Frontline hereby agree, as applicable:

 

(a)                                   To (i) advise the Initial Purchasers promptly after obtaining knowledge (and, if requested by the Initial Purchasers, confirm such advice in writing) of (A) the issuance by any state or foreign securities commission of any stop order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Notes for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose by any state or foreign securities commission or other regulatory authority, or (B) the happening of any event during the period referred to in Section 5(d) that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Final Offering Circular untrue or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Final Offering Circular in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) use their reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Notes under any state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws, and (iii) if at any time any state or foreign securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Notes under any such laws, use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time.

 

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(b)                                  To (i) furnish the Initial Purchasers, without charge, as many copies of the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular, and any amendments or supplements thereto, as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request, and (ii) promptly prepare, upon the Initial Purchasers’ reasonable request, any amendment or supplement to the Final Offering Circular that the Initial Purchasers, upon advice of legal counsel, determine may be necessary in connection with Exempt Resales (and the Company hereby consent to the use of the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular, and any amendments and supplements thereto, by the Initial Purchasers in connection with Exempt Resales).

 

(c)                                   Not to amend or supplement the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular prior to the Closing Date unless the Initial Purchasers shall previously have been advised thereof and shall have provided their consent thereto (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(d)                                  So long as the Initial Purchasers shall hold any of the Notes (as determined by the Initial Purchasers), (i) if any event shall occur as a result of which, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, it becomes necessary or advisable to amend or supplement the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary to amend or supplement the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular to comply with Applicable Law, to notify the Initial Purchasers of any such event and to prepare, at the expense of the Company, an appropriate amendment or supplement to the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers) so that (A) as so amended or supplemented, the Final Offering Circular will not include an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (B) the Final Offering Circular will comply with Applicable Law and (ii) if in the reasonable judgment of the Company it becomes necessary or advisable to amend or supplement the Final Offering Circular so that the Final Offering Circular will contain all of the information specified in, and meet the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) of the Act, to prepare an appropriate amendment or supplement to the Final Offering Circular (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers) so that the Final Offering Circular, as so amended or supplemented, will contain the information specified in, and meet the requirements of, such Rule.

 

(e)                                   To cooperate with the Initial Purchasers and the Initial Purchasers’ counsel in connection with the qualification of the Notes under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Initial Purchasers may request and continue such qualification in effect so long as reasonably required for Exempt Resales; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as foreign corporations or as dealers in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

 

(f)                                     Whether or not any of the Offering or the transactions contemplated under the Offering Documents are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay (i) all reasonable costs, expenses, fees and taxes (other than federal, state, or local taxes of the Initial Purchasers) incident to and in connection with: (A) the preparation, printing and distribution of the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular and all amendments and

 

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supplements thereto (including, without limitation, financial statements and exhibits), and all other agreements, memoranda, correspondence and other documents prepared and delivered in connection herewith, (B) the printing, processing and distribution (including, without limitation, word processing and duplication costs) and delivery of, each of the Offering Documents, (C) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Notes, (D) the qualification of the Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the several states (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Initial Purchasers’ counsel relating to such registration or qualification), (E) furnishing such copies of the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular, and all amendments and supplements thereto, as may reasonably be requested for use by the Initial Purchasers, (ii) all fees and expenses of the counsel, accountants and any other experts or advisors retained by the Company and Frontline, (iii) all expenses and listing fees in connection with the application for quotation of the Notes on the Private Offerings, Resales and Trading Automated Linkages (“ PORTAL ”) market, (iv) all fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel) of the Company and Frontline in connection with approval of the Notes by DTC for “book-entry” transfer, (v) all fees charged by rating agencies in connection with the rating of the Notes, and (vi) all fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Trustee and all collateral agents.  If the sale of the Notes provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 7 hereof is not satisfied, because this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof or because of any failure, refusal or inability on the part of the Company to perform all obligations and satisfy all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder (other than in each such case solely by reason of a default by the Initial Purchasers on their obligations hereunder after all conditions hereunder have been satisfied in accordance herewith), the Company agrees to promptly reimburse the Initial Purchasers in cash upon demand for all reasonable fees, disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses.  Except as set forth in the previous sentence or in paragraph (D) above, the Company shall not be responsible for any fees, disbursements or charges of counsel for the Initial Purchasers in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Notes.

 

(g)                                  To use the proceeds of the Offering in all material respects as described in the Final Offering Circular under the caption “ Use of Proceeds .”

 

(h)                                  To do and perform all things required to be done and performed by the Company and Frontline Parties under the Offering Documents prior to and after the Closing Date.

 

(i)                                      Not to, and to ensure that no affiliate (as defined in Rule 501(b) of the Act) of the Company or Frontline will, sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any “security” (as defined in the Act) that would be integrated with the sale of the Notes in a manner that would require the registration under the Act of the sale to the Initial Purchasers or to the Subsequent Purchasers of the Notes.

 

(j)                                      For so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, during any period in which the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make available, upon request, to any owner of the Notes in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective Subsequent Purchasers of such Notes from such owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act.

 

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(k)                                   To comply with the representation letter of the Company to DTC relating to the approval of the Notes by DTC for “book entry” transfer.

 

(l)                                      To use its reasonable best efforts to assist the Initial Purchasers in effecting the inclusion of the Notes in PORTAL.

 

(m)                                For so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Company will furnish to each Initial Purchaser copies of all reports and other communications (financial or otherwise) furnished by the Company to the Trustee or to the holders of the Notes and, as soon as available, copies of any reports or financial statements furnished to or filed by the Company with the SEC or any national securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company may be listed.

 

(n)                                  Except in connection with the Exchange Offer or the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement, not to, and not to authorize or permit any person acting on their behalf to, (i) distribute any offering material in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes other than the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular and any amendments and supplements to the Final Offering Circular prepared in compliance with this Agreement, or (ii) solicit any offer to buy or offer to sell the Notes by means of any (A) form of general solicitation or general advertising (including, without limitation, as such terms are used in Regulation D under the Act) or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Act with respect to any offer or sale of the Notes in the United States or (B) directed selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 under the Act with respect to any offer or sale of Notes outside the United States to non-U.S. persons (as defined in Rule 902 under the Act).

 

(o)                                  During the two year period after the Closing Date (or such shorter period as may be provided for in Rule 144(k) under the Act, as the same may be in effect from time to time), to not, and to not permit any current or future Subsidiaries of either of the Company or any other affiliates (as defined in Rule 144A under the Act) controlled by the Company to, resell any of the Notes which constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 144 that have been reacquired by the Company, any current or future Subsidiaries of the Company or any other affiliates (as defined in Rule 144A under the Act) controlled by the Company, except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act.

 

(p)                                  The Company shall pay all stamp, documentary and transfer taxes (other than federal, state or local income taxes of the Initial Purchasers) and other duties, if any, which may be imposed by the United States or any political subdivision thereof or taxing authority thereof or therein with respect to the issuance of the Notes or the sale thereof to the Initial Purchasers.

 

(q)                                  To cause the Company and each of the Frontline Parties to use its reasonable best commercial efforts to cause the closing conditions under the Fleet Purchase Documents to occur.

 

6.                                        Representations and Warranties of the Initial Purchasers . Each of the Initial Purchasers represent and warrant that:

 

(a)                                   It is a QIB as defined in Rule 144A under the Act and it will offer the Notes for resale only upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Final Offering Circular.

 

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(b)                                  It is not acquiring the Notes with a view to any distribution thereof that would violate the Act or the securities laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction.  In connection with the Exempt Resales, it will solicit offers to buy the Notes only from, and will offer and sell the Notes only to, (A) persons reasonably believed by the Initial Purchasers to be QIBs or (B) persons reasonably believed by the Initial Purchasers to be Accredited Investors or (C) non-U.S. persons reasonably believed by the Initial Purchasers to be a purchaser referred to in Regulation S under the Act; provided, however, that in purchasing such Notes, such persons are deemed to have represented and agreed as provided under the caption “ Notice to Investors ” contained in the Final Offering Circular.

 

(c)                                   No form of general solicitation or general advertising in violation of the Act has been or will be used nor will any offers in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Act or, with respect to Notes to be sold in reliance on Regulation S, by means of any directed selling efforts be made by such Initial Purchaser or any of its representatives in connection with the offer and sale of any of the Notes.

 

(d)                                  The Initial Purchasers will deliver to each Subsequent Purchaser of the Notes, in connection with their original distribution of the Notes, a copy of the Final Offering Circular, as amended and supplemented at the date of such delivery.

 

(e)                                   Each Initial Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Company and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers hereunder, counsel for the Company and counsel for the Initial Purchasers, respectively, may rely upon the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial Purchasers, and compliance by the Initial Purchasers with their agreements, contained herein, and each Initial Purchaser hereby consents to such reliance.

 

7.                                        Conditions .  The obligations of the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Notes under this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                   All the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and in each of the Documents shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and at the Closing Date.  On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company and each other party to the Offering Documents (other than the Initial Purchasers) shall have performed or complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all conditions on their respective parts to be performed, complied with or satisfied pursuant to the Offering Documents.

 

(b)                                  No injunction, restraining order or order of any nature by a Governmental Authority shall have been issued as of the Closing Date that would prevent or materially interfere with the consummation of the Offering or any of the transactions contemplated under the Offering Documents; and no stop order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Notes in any jurisdiction shall have been issued and no Proceeding for that purpose shall have been commenced or, to the knowledge of the Company or Frontline after reasonable inquiry, be pending or contemplated as of the Closing Date.

 

(c)                                   No action shall have been taken and no Applicable Law shall have been enacted, adopted or issued that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the consummation of the Offering

 

17



 

or any of the transactions contemplated under the Documents.  No Proceeding shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or Frontline after reasonable inquiry, threatened other than Proceedings that (A) if adversely determined would not, individually or in the aggregate, adversely affect the issuance or marketability of the Notes, and (B) would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)                                  Subsequent to the respective dates as of which data and information is given in the Final Offering Circular, there shall not have been any Material Adverse Change.

 

(e)                                   The Notes shall have been designated PORTAL securities in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. relating to trading in the PORTAL market.

 

(f)                                     On or after the date hereof, (i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, suspension or withdrawal of, nor shall any notice have been given of any potential or intended downgrading, suspension or withdrawal of, or of any review (or of any potential or intended review) for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change in, any rating of the Company or any securities of the Company (including, without limitation, the placing of any of the foregoing ratings on credit watch with negative or developing implications or under review with an uncertain direction) by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act and (ii) there shall not have occurred any adverse change, nor shall any notice have been given of any potential or intended adverse change, in the outlook for any rating of the Company or any securities of the Company by any such rating organization.  No such rating organization shall have given notice that it has assigned (or is considering assigning) a lower rating to the Notes than that on which the Notes were marketed.

 

(g)                                  The Initial Purchasers shall have received on the Closing Date:

 

(i)                                      certificates dated the Closing Date, signed by (1) a Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, or where appropriate, a Director and (2) the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company and Frontline, or where appropriate, a Director on behalf of the Company and Frontline, to the effect that (a) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 hereof are true and correct in all material respects with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Date, (b) the Company and Frontline have complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions in all material respects on their part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date, (c) at the Closing Date, since the date hereof or since the date of the most recent financial statements in the Final Offering Circular (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date hereof) no event or events have occurred, no information has become known to the Company nor does any condition exist that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect, (d) since the date of the most recent financial statements in the Final Offering Circular (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date hereof), other than as described in the Final Offering Circular or contemplated hereby, neither the Company nor Frontline has incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business, entered into any transactions not in the ordinary course of business that would have a Material Adverse Effect, and there has not been any change in the capital stock or long-term indebtedness of the

 

18



 

Company or any of the Subsidiaries that is material to the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (e) the sale of the Notes has not been enjoined (temporarily or permanently) by a Government Authority with applicable jurisdiction;

 

(ii)                                   a certificate, dated the Closing Date, executed by the Secretary or where appropriate, a Director of the Company and Frontline, certifying such matters as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request;

 

(iii)                                the opinions, dated the Closing Date, of Seward & Kissel LLP, counsel to the Company with respect to New York law and Liberian law matters, Mello, Jones & Martin, special counsel to the Company with respect to Bermuda law matters, and each of the following local counsels: Graham Thompson & Co. regarding Bahamian law matters, Galindo, Arias & Lopez regarding Panamanian law matters, Cains, for Isle of Man law matters’ Mishcon de Reya, regarding English law matters, and Tan Rajah & Cheah, regarding Singaporean law matters, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and covering such matters as are addressed on Exhibit A ;

 

(iv)                               an opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the Initial Purchasers, in form satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers covering such matters as are customarily covered in such opinions.

 

(h)                                  The Initial Purchasers shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers DA, independent auditors, with respect to the Company, (A) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of the Final Offering Circular, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, with respect to the predecessor combined carve-out financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Final Offering Circular, and (B) a customary comfort letter, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, to the effect that PricewaterhouseCoopers DA reaffirms the statements made in its letter furnished pursuant to clause (A).

 

(i)                                      Each of the Offering Documents and Fleet Purchase Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by all parties thereto, as applicable, and the Initial Purchasers shall have received a fully executed original of each such Offering Document and a copy of the fully executed Fleet Purchase Agreement.

 

(j)                                      The Initial Purchasers shall have received copies in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it of all opinions, certificates, letters and other documents delivered or required to be delivered under or in connection with the Offering or any transaction contemplated in the Documents.

 

(k)                                   The terms of each Offering Document and each Fleet Purchase Document shall conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the Offering Circular.

 

8.                                        Indemnification and Contribution .

 

(a)                                   The Company and Frontline, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchasers, and each person, if any, who controls either of the Initial

 

19



 

Purchasers within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities of any kind to which the Initial Purchasers or such controlling person may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:

 

(i)                                      any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto; or

 

(ii)                                   the omission or alleged omission to state, in any Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

and, subject to the provisions hereof, will reimburse promptly upon demand, the Initial Purchasers and each such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Initial Purchasers or such controlling person in connection with investigating, defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof; provided, however, the Company and Frontline will not be liable in any such case to the extent (but only to the extent) that any such loss, claim, damage or liability is finally judicially determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, unappealable judgment, to have resulted solely from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning the Initial Purchasers furnished to the Company by the Initial Purchasers specifically for use therein.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have to the indemnified parties.

 

(b)                                  Each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and Frontline, its directors, officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company or Frontline within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company, Frontline, or any of their respective directors, officers or controlling persons may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) are finally judicially determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, unappealable judgment, to have resulted solely from (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto or (ii) the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated in any Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent (but only to the extent) that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Initial Purchaser, furnished to the Company, Frontline, or their respective agents by or on behalf of that Initial Purchaser for use therein; and, subject to the limitation set forth immediately preceding this clause, will reimburse, promptly upon demand, any legal or other expenses incurred by the Company, Frontline, or any of their respective directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof.

 

20



 

This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Initial Purchasers may otherwise have to the indemnified parties.

 

(c)                                   As promptly as reasonably practical after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action for which such indemnified party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 8, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof in writing; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and only to the extent it is materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) above.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may determine, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest under applicable standards of professional responsibility, (ii) the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by counsel in writing that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after receipt by the indemnifying party of notice of the institution of such action, then, in each such case, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties and such indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties at the expense of the indemnifying party.  After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such indemnified party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that in connection with such action the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) in any one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, designated by the Initial Purchasers in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section 8 or the Company in the case of paragraph (b) of this Section 8, representing the indemnified parties under such paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), as the case may be, who are parties to such action or actions) or (ii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party.  After such notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party, the indemnifying party will not be liable for the costs and expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), unless such indemnified party waived

 

21



 

in writing its rights under this Section 8, in which case the indemnified party may effect such a settlement without such consent.

 

(d)                                  No indemnifying party shall be liable under this Section 8 for any settlement of any claim or action (or threatened claim or action) effected without its written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if a claim or action settled with its written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff with respect to any such claim or action, each indemnifying party jointly and severally agrees, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth above, to indemnify and hold harmless each indemnified party from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities (and legal and other expenses as set forth above) incurred by reason of such settlement or judgment.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement or compromise of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified party, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional written release of the indemnified party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the indemnified party.

 

(e)                                   In circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 8 is unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), each indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and equitable contributions, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other, from the Offering or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof).  The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the Offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers.  The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Initial Purchasers, on the other, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or alleged statement or omissions, and any other equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances.

 

(f)                                     The Company and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be equitable if the amount of such contribution determined pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph (e) were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of the

 

22



 

immediately preceding paragraph (e).  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8, the Initial Purchasers shall not be obligated to make contributions hereunder that in the aggregate exceed the total discounts, commissions and other compensation received by such Initial Purchaser under this Agreement, less the aggregate amount of any damages that such Initial Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the untrue or alleged untrue statements or the omissions or alleged omissions to state a material fact.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes of the immediately preceding paragraph (e), each person, if any, who controls the Initial Purchasers within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Initial Purchasers, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

 

9.                                        Termination .  The Initial Purchasers may terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the Closing Date by written notice to the Company if any of the following has occurred:

 

(a)                                   since the date hereof, any Material Adverse Effect or development involving or reasonably expected to result in a prospective Material Adverse Effect that could, in the Initial Purchasers’ reasonable judgment, be expected to (i) make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Final Offering Circular, or (ii) materially impair the investment quality of any of the Notes;

 

(b)                                  the failure of the Company or Frontline, as applicable, to satisfy the conditions contained in Section 7(a) hereof on or prior to the Closing Date;

 

(c)                                   any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity or crisis, including acts of terrorism, or material adverse change or disruption in economic conditions in, or in the financial markets of, the United States (it being understood that any such change or disruption shall be relative to such conditions and markets as in effect on the date hereof), if the effect of such outbreak, escalation, calamity, crisis, act or material adverse change in the economic conditions in, or in the financial markets of, the United States could be reasonably expected to make it, in the Initial Purchasers’ judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to market or proceed with the offering or delivery of the Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Final Offering Circular or to enforce contracts for the sale of any of the Notes;

 

(d)                                  the suspension or limitation of trading generally in securities on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market or any setting of limitations on prices for securities on any such exchange or Nasdaq National Market;

 

(e)                                   the enactment, publication, decree or other promulgation after the date hereof of any Applicable Law that in the Initial Purchasers’ counsel’s reasonable opinion materially and adversely affects, or could be reasonably expected to materially and adversely affect, the

 

23



 

business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(f)                                     any securities of the Company shall have been downgraded or placed on any “watch list” for possible downgrading by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act; or

 

(g)                                  the declaration of a banking moratorium by any Governmental Authority; or the taking of any action by United States Federal or New York State authorities after the date hereof in respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs that in the Initial Purchasers’ opinion could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the financial markets in the United States.

 

10.                                  Survival of Representations and Indemnities .  The representations and warranties, covenants, indemnities and contribution and expense reimbursement provisions and other agreements, representations and warranties of the Company and Frontline set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Notes, regardless of (i) any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers, (ii) acceptance of the Notes, and payment for them hereunder, and (iii) any termination of this Agreement.

 

11.                                  Default by the Initial Purchasers .  If an Initial Purchaser shall breach its obligations to purchase the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder on the Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Notes are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to such Initial Purchaser without liability on the part of the Company.  Nothing herein shall relieve such Initial Purchaser from liability for its default.

 

12.                                  Information Supplied by the Initial Purchasers .  The statements set forth on the cover page with respect to price and in the first and second sentences of the third paragraph, the fourth paragraph, the first and second sentences of the sixth paragraph and the seventh paragraph under the heading “ Plan of Distribution ” in the Offering Circular (to the extent such statements relate to the Initial Purchasers) constitute the only information furnished by the Initial Purchasers to the Company for the purposes of Sections 4(a) and 8 hereof.

 

13.                                  Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                   Notices given pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be addressed as follows: (i) if to the Company or Frontline, to: Ship Finance International Limited, Par La Ville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08, Attention: Tom Jebsen, with a copy to Seward & Kissel LLP, One Battery Park Plaza, New York, New York 10004, Attention:  Gary J. Wolfe, Esq.; and (ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, to: Jefferies & Company, Inc., 909 Fannin Street, Suite 3100, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: John Sinders, with a copy to: Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin, Suite 2300, Houston, Texas, 77002, Attention: T. Mark Kelly, Esq., (or in any case to such other address as the person to be notified may have requested in writing).

 

(b)                                  This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company, Frontline, the Initial Purchasers and, to the extent provided in Section 8 hereof, the controlling persons, officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives

 

24



 

and agents referred to in Section 8, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, all as and to the extent provided in this Agreement, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.  The term “successors and assigns” shall not include a purchaser of any of the Notes from the Initial Purchasers merely because of such purchase.

 

(c)                                   THE VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED WHOLLY THEREIN, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

The Company and Frontline hereby (a) submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) irrevocably waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.  The Company and Frontline have irrevocably appointed Seward & Kissell LLP as their Authorized Agent (the “ Authorized Agent ”) upon whom process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based on this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby that may be instituted in any state or federal court in the State of New York by the Initial Purchasers or by any person who controls either of the Initial Purchasers, and the Company and Frontline each expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding, and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law waive any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto.  The Company and Frontline each represent and warrant that the Authorized Agent has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company and Frontline each agree to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid.  Service of process upon the Authorized Agent and written notice of such service to the Company or Frontline shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company or Frontline for purposes of any such suit, action or proceeding instituted in any state or federal court in the State of New York.

 

(d)                                  This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts, which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(e)                                   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

(f)                                     If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction.  It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the

 

25



 

remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

(g)                                  This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may be given, provided that the same are in writing and signed by all of the signatories hereto.

 

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SCHEDULE I

 

Initial Purchaser

 

Principal Amount of Notes

 

 

 

 

 

Jefferies & Company, Inc.

 

$

435,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

$

145,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

580,000,000

 

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

COMPANY COUNSEL OPINION

 

Counsel for the Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers its written opinion addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers to the effect that:

 

1.                                        Each of the Company and the Frontline Parties has been duly organized, is validly existing and, except with respect to the Subsidiaries that are organized under the laws of Singapore, which jurisdiction does not have the legal concept of good standing, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.

 

2.                                        Each of the Company and the Frontline Parties has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business and to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and have all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the other Offering Documents and the Fleet Purchase Documents, to which it is a party, and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, including, without limitation, the power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Notes and to issue and deliver the Guarantees as contemplated thereby.

 

3.                                        Each of the Company and the Frontline Parties is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing as a foreign entity, authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of such business or the ownership or leasing of such property requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.                                        All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interest in, each of the Company, the Subsidiaries, Frontline Management and the Charterer have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, and were not issued in violation of any statutory preemptive or similar statutory rights.  All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interest in, each Subsidiary are owned of record, directly or indirectly, by Frontline and are free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens or those imposed by the Act and the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of certain domestic or foreign jurisdictions and directors’ qualifying shares.

 

5.                                        Except as set forth in the Final Offering Circular, no holder of securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is entitled to have such securities registered under a registration statement filed by the Company and the Subsidiaries pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

6.                                        The Purchase Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and Frontline.

 

7.                                        The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. The Registration Rights Agreement, when executed and delivered by each other party thereto, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that (A) the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of

 



 

the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought and (B) any rights to indemnity or contribution thereunder may be limited by federal and state securities laws and public policy considerations.

 

8.                                        The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, is the legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.  No qualification of the Indenture under the TIA is required in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Notes to the Initial Purchasers or in connection with the resale of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers, each as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

 

9.                                        The Notes are in the form contemplated by the Indenture. The Notes have been duly and validly authorized for issuance and sale to the Initial Purchasers by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and, when issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture (assuming the due authentication and delivery of the Notes by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture), will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

10.                                  The Guarantees and the related supplements to the Indenture have been duly and validly authorized by each of the Subsidiaries and, when executed by each Subsidiary, will have been duly executed, issued and delivered and will be legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the Subsidiaries, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and enforceable against each of the Subsidiaries in accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

11.                                  The Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and when executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture (assuming the due authentication and delivery of the Exchange Notes by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture), will be the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to

 

3



 

creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

12.                                  The Escrow Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and Frontline.  The Escrow Agreement, when executed and delivered by each of the Company and Frontline, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Company and Frontline, enforceable against each of the Company and Frontline in accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

13.                                  The Fleet Purchase Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and Frontline, has been executed and delivered by each of the Company and Frontline, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Company and Frontline, enforceable against each of the Company and Frontline in accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

14.                                  When executed and delivered, the Offering Documents and the Fleet Purchase Documents will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Final Offering Circular.

 

15.                                  To our knowledge, except as disclosed in the Final Offering Circular, there are no Proceedings pending or threatened, that either (i) seek to restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of, or otherwise challenge any of the Offering Documents or Fleet Purchase Documents or any of the transactions contemplated therein, or (ii) would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

16.                                  No consent, approval, authorization or order of any federal, state, local and other governmental authority, governmental or regulatory agency or court or arbitrator of the United States of America, the State of New York, Bermuda, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Panama or Singapore is required for the issuance and sale by the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively, to the Initial Purchasers or the execution, delivery or performance by the Company or any of the Frontline Parties of any Offering Document or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, except such as have been obtained and such as will be obtained under the Act and the TIA and such as may be required under state securities or “Blue Sky” laws in connection with the purchase and resale of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers.

 

17.                                  No consent, approval, authorization or order of federal, state, local and other governmental authority, governmental or regulatory agency or court or arbitrator of the United States of America, the State of New York, Bermuda, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Panama or Singapore is required for the execution, delivery or performance by any of the Company or any of the Frontline Parties of any Fleet Purchase

 

4



 

Document, except such as have been obtained and such as have been noted in a schedule to the Fleet Purchase Agreement.

 

18.                                  Assuming the (a) accuracy of the representations and warranties and the performance of the agreements of the Company and Frontline and of the Initial Purchasers contained in the Purchase Agreement, (b) compliance by the Initial Purchasers with the offering and transfer procedures and restrictions described in the Offering Documents, and (c) the accuracy of the representations and warranties made in accordance with the Offering Documents by Subsequent Purchasers to whom the Initial Purchasers initially resell the Notes, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Notes to the Initial Purchasers as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or for the resale of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement to register the Notes under the Act or to qualify the Indenture under the TIA.

 

19.                                  Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Company or any of the Frontline Parties of the Offering Documents to which it is a party or will become a party nor the consummation of any transactions contemplated therein will conflict with, violate, constitute a breach of or a default (with the passage of time or otherwise) under, require the consent of any person (other than consents already obtained) under, result in the imposition of a Lien on any assets of the Company or any of the Frontline Parties (except pursuant to the Offering Documents), or result in an acceleration of indebtedness under or pursuant to (i) the Charter Documents, (ii) any Applicable Agreement known to us, or (iii) any Applicable Law of the United States of America, the State of New York, Bermuda, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Panama or Singapore, except for conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults, consent requirements, Lien impositions or acceleration of indebtedness that could not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

20.                                  Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Company or any of the Frontline Parties of the Fleet Purchase Documents to which it is a party or will become a party nor the consummation of any transactions contemplated therein will conflict with, violate, constitute a breach of or a default (with the passage of time or otherwise) under, require the consent of any person (other than consents already obtained) under, result in the imposition of a Lien on any assets of the Company or any of the Frontline Parties (except pursuant to the Fleet Purchase Documents), or result in an acceleration of indebtedness under or pursuant to (i) the Charter Documents, (ii) any Applicable Agreement known to us, or (iii) any Applicable Law of the United States of America, the State of New York, Bermuda, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Panama or Singapore, except for conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults, consent requirements, Lien impositions or acceleration of indebtedness that could not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.                                  Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds therefrom as described in the Final Offering Circular, none of them will be (i) an “investment company,” (ii) a company “controlled” by an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

22.                                  The information contained in the Offering Circular under the sections entitled “Information About The Enforceability of Foreign Judgments and Effect of Foreign Law,” and “Business – Environmental Regulation” are true and correct in all material respects.

 

5



 

23.                                  The statements made in the Offering Circular under the caption “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of matters of United States federal tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute accurate summaries of the matters described therein.

 

24.                                  To ensure the legality, validity or enforceability of each of the Offering Documents in the Bermuda, it is not necessary that any such Offering Document be submitted to, filed or recorded with any court or other authority in any such jurisdiction, or that any stamp or similar tax, imposition or charge be paid in any such jurisdiction on or in respect of any such document.

 

25.                                  The choice of the law of the State of New York to govern the Offering Documents as to which any of the Company and the Frontline Parties are or will be parties is valid under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction, and under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction and under current practice of the courts of such jurisdiction, the Initial Purchasers or the Trustee would be permitted to commence proceedings against the Company and the Frontline Parties in courts of competent jurisdiction in such jurisdiction based upon the Offering Documents, and such courts would accept jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding and would given effect to the choice of New York law as the proper law of such agreements, subject to the limitation that the law of the State of New York would not be applied to the extent that it will be contrary to public policy in such jurisdiction.  The Company and the Frontline Parties are not entitled to immunity from suit, execution, attachment or other legal process in the applicable jurisdiction.

 

26.                                  The waiver of immunities, the submission to the jurisdiction of the New York State and Federal courts sitting in the County of New York, and the appointment of the process agent contained in the Offering Documents are irrevocably binding on the Company and the Frontline Parties and are effective.

 

In addition, such opinion shall also contain a statement that such counsel has participated in conferences with certain officers and representatives of the Company and the Frontline Parties, counsel to the Initial Purchasers, representatives of the independent public accountants of the Company and the Frontline Parties and representatives of the Initial Purchasers at which the contents of the Offering Circular and related matters were discussed and, although such counsel is not passing on and does not assume any  responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Offering Circular (except as stated above), on the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to the attention of such counsel that have caused it to believe that the Offering Circular, as of its date, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, it being understood that such counsel need make no comment as to the financial statements and the notes thereto and the auditors’ report thereon, or as to any other financial information (including any forward-looking financial information) or statistical information, included in the Offering Circular or omitted therefrom.

 

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (A) rely in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers and employees of the Company and the Frontline Parties and upon information obtained from public officials, (B) assume that all documents submitted to them as originals are authentic, that all copies submitted to them conform to the originals thereof, and that

 

6



 

all signatures on all documents examined by them are genuine, and (C) make such additional limitations, qualifications and exceptions as are commonly given in transactions of this nature.

 

7



 

Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement between the Company, Frontline and the Initial Purchasers.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

 

  Name:

 

  Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

 

  Name:

 

  Title:

 

 

 

 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

 

 

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

 

 

  Name:

 

  Title:

 

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

  Name:

 

  Title:

 

 



 

Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement between the Company, Frontline and the Initial Purchasers.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

  Name:

 

  Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

  Name:

 

  Title:

 

 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

 

 

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

  Name:

 

  Title:

 

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Rhodes

 

 

  Name:  Mark Rhodes

 

  Title:    Senior Vice President & Counsel

 

 




Exhibit 3.1

 

FORM NO. 7a

Registration No. 34296

 

 

BERMUDA

 

CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT OF

MEMORANDUM OF INCREASE OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that a Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital

of

 

Ship Finance International Limited

 

was delivered to the Registrar of Companies on the 10th of May, 2004 in accordance with section 45(3) of the Companies Act 1981 (“the Act”).

 

[Seal]

Given under my hand and Seal of the
REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES this
11th day of May, 2004

 

 

 

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

 

 

for Registrar of Companies

 

Capital prior to increase:

US$

12,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of increase:

US$

124,988,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

Present Capital:

US$

125,000,000.00

 

 

 



 

 

FORM No. 2

 

 

BERMUDA

 

THE COMPANIES ACT 1981

 

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

Section 7(1) and (2)

 

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

Ship Finance International Limited

(hereinafter referred to as “the Company”)

 

1.                The liability of the members of the Company is limited to the amount (if any) for the time being unpaid on the shares respectively held by them.

 

2.                We, the undersigned, namely,

 

Name and Address

 

Bermudian Status
(Yes or No)

 

Nationality

 

Number of shares
Subscribed

 

Andrew A. Martin

 

Yes

 

British

 

1

 

Reid House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Church Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hamilton HM12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda M. Lehmann

 

No

 

Canadian

 

1

 

Reid House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Church Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hamilton HM12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sasha Castle

 

Yes

 

British

 

1

 

Reid House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Church Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hamilton HM12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

do hereby respectively agree to take such number of shares of the Company as may be allotted to us respectively by the provisional directors of the Company, not exceeding the number of shares for which we have respectively subscribed, and to satisfy such calls as may be made by the directors, provisional directors or promoters of the Company in respect of the shares allotted to us respectively.

 



 

3.                The Company is to be an exempted company as defined by the Companies Act 1981.

 

4.                The Company, with the consent of the Minister of Finance, has power to hold land situate in Bermuda not exceeding NIL in all, including the following parcels:-

 

5.                The authorised share capital of the Company is US$12,000 divided into shares of $1.00 each. The minimum subscribed share capital of the Company is US$12,000.

 

6.                The objects for which the Company is formed and incorporated are:-

 

(1)                                   As set forth is paragraphs (b) to (n) and (p) to (u) inclusive of the Second Schedule of the Companies Act 1981.

 

7.                                        The Company shall have the additional powers set out below:

 

(a)                                   To borrow and raise money in any currency or currencies and to secure or discharge any debt or obligation in any manner and in particular (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) by mortgages of or charges upon all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company or by the creation and issue of securities.

 

(b)                                  To enter into any guarantee, contract of indemnity or suretyship and in particular (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) to guarantee, support or secure, with or without consideration, whether by personal obligation or by mortgaging or charging all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company or both such methods or in any other manner, the performance of any obligations or commitments, of, and the repayment or payment of the principal amounts of and any premiums, interest, dividends and other moneys payable on or in respect of any securities or liabilities of, any person including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) any company which is for the time being a subsidiary or a holding company of the Company or another subsidiary of a holding company of the Company or otherwise associated with the Company.

 

(c)                                   To accept, draw, make, create, issue, execute, discount, endorse, negotiate bills of exchange, promissory notes, and other instruments and securities, whether negotiable or otherwise.

 

(d)                                  To sell, exchange, mortgage, charge, let or rent, share of profit, royalty or otherwise, grant licences, easements, options, servitudes and other rights over, and in any other manner deal with or dispose of, all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) of  the Company for any consideration and in particular (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) for any securities.

 

(e)                                   To issue and allot securities of the Company for cash or in payment or part payment for any real or personal property purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or any services rendered to the Company or as security for any obligation or amount (even if less than the nominal amount of such securities) or for any other purpose.

 

(f)                                     To grant pensions, annuities, or other allowances, including allowances on death, to any directors, officers or employees or former directors, officers or employees of the Company or any company which at any time is or was a subsidiary or a holding company or another subsidiary of a holding company of the Company or otherwise associated with the Company or of any predecessor in business of any of them, and to the relations, connections or dependants of any such persons, and to other persons whose service or services have directly or indirectly been of benefit to the Company or whom the Company considers have any moral claim on the Company or to their relations, connections or dependants, and to establish or support any associations, institutions, clubs, schools, building and housing schemes, funds and trusts, and to make payments toward insurance or other arrangements likely to benefit any such persons or otherwise advance the interests of the Company or of its Members, and to subscribe, guarantee or pay money for any purpose likely, directly or indirectly to further the interests of the Company or of its Members or for any national, charitable, benevolent, educational, social, public, general or useful object.

 



 

(g)                                  The Company shall have, pursuant to Section 42 of the Companies Act 1981, the power to issue preference shares which are liable to be redeemed at the option of the holder.

 

(h)                                  The Company shall have, pursuant to Section 42A of the Companies Act 1981, the power to purchase its own shares.

 

8.                                        Interpretation

 

In this Memorandum unless there be something in the context inconsistent therewith

 

(i)                                      the word “company” shall (except where referring to the Company) include any person or partnership or other body of persons, whether incorporated or not incorporated, and whether formed, incorporated, resident or domiciled in Bermuda or elsewhere;

 

(ii)                                   “securities” shall include any fully, partly or nil paid or no par value share, stock, debenture or loan stock, deposit receipt, bill, note, warrant, coupon, right to subscribe or convert, or similar right or obligation;

 

(iii)                                “and” and “or” shall mean “and/or”;

 

(iv)                               the words “other” and “otherwise” shall not be construed ejusdem generis with any foregoing words where a wide construction is possible; and

 

(v)                                  the words “including” and “in particular” shall be construed as being by way of illustration or emphasis only and shall not limit or prejudice the generality of any foregoing words.

 

 

Signed by each subscriber in the presence of at least one witness attesting the signature thereof:-

 

 

/s/ Andrew A. Martin

 

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

Andrew A. Martin

 

 

 

/s/ Brenda M. Lehmann

 

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

Brenda M. Lehmann

 

 

 

/s/ Sasha Castle

 

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

Sasha Castle

 

(Subscribers)

(Witnesses)

 

Subscribed this 8 th day of October 2003.

 




Exhibit 3.2

 

B Y E - L A W S

 

of

 

Ship Finance International Limited

 

 

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the within-written Bye-laws are a true copy of the Bye-laws of Ship Finance International Limited, as amended by the Directors and adopted by the Shareholder of the above Company on the  18 th day of May, 2004.

 

 

Secretary

 



 

 

I N D E X

 

Bye-law

Subject

 

 

 

 

1

Interpretation

 

 

 

 

2

Registered Office

 

 

 

 

3,4

Share Rights

 

 

 

 

5,6

Modification of Rights

 

 

 

 

7-9

Shares

 

 

 

 

10-12

Certificates

 

 

 

 

13-15

Lien

 

 

 

 

16-21

Calls on Shares

 

 

 

 

22-28

Forfeiture of Shares

 

 

 

 

29

Register of Shareholders

 

 

 

 

30

Register of Directors and Officers

 

 

 

 

31-34

Transfer of Shares

 

 

 

 

35-38

Transmission of Shares

 

 

 

 

39-41

Increase of Capital

 

 

 

 

42,43

Alteration of Capital

 

 

 

 

44,45

Reduction of Capital

 

 

 

 

46

General Meetings and Written Resolutions

 

 

 

 

47,48

Notice of General Meetings

 

 

 

 

49-55

Proceedings at General Meetings

 

 

 

 

56-67

Voting

 

 

 

 

 

 

i



 

 

Bye-law

Subject

 

 

 

 

68-73

Proxies and Corporate Representatives

 

 

 

 

74-76

Appointment and Removal of Directors

 

 

 

 

77

Resignation and Disqualification of Directors

 

 

 

 

78-80

Alternate Directors

 

 

 

 

81

Directors’ Fees and Additional

 

 

Remuneration and Expenses

 

 

 

 

82

Directors’ Interests

 

 

 

 

83-87

Powers and Duties of the Board

 

 

 

 

88-90

Delegation of the Board’s Powers

 

 

 

 

91-99

Proceedings of the Board

 

 

 

 

100

Officers

 

 

 

 

101

Minutes

 

 

 

 

102,103

Secretary and Resident Representative

 

 

 

 

104

The Seal

 

 

 

 

105-111

Dividends and Other Payments

 

 

 

 

112

Reserves

 

 

 

 

113,114

Capitalisation of Profits

 

 

 

 

115

Record Dates

 

 

 

 

116-118

Accounting Records

 

 

 

 

119

Audit

 

 

 

 

120-122

Service of Notices and Other Documents

 

 

 

 

123

Winding Up

 

 

 

 

ii



 

 

 

Bye-law

Subject

 

 

 

 

124-131

I ndemnity

 

 

 

 

132

Alteration of Bye-laws

 

 

iii



 

B Y E — L A W S

of

 

Ship Finance International Limited

 

INTERPRETATION

 

1.                In these Bye-laws and any Schedule below unless the context otherwise requires:

 

“Alternate Director” means such person or persons as shall be appointed from time to time pursuant to Bye-law 78;

 

“Bermuda” means the Islands of Bermuda;

 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company or the Directors present at a meeting of Directors at which there is a quorum;

 

“the Companies Acts” means every Bermuda statute from time to time in force concerning companies insofar as the same applies to the Company;

 

“Company” means the company incorporated in Bermuda under the name of Ship Finance International Limited on the 10 th day of October , 2003;

 

“Director” means such person or persons as shall be elected or appointed to the Board from time to time pursuant to Bye-law 74, Bye-law 75 or the Companies Acts;

 

“Independent Director” means a duly appointed member of the Board of the Company who is not at the time of and during such appointment, and has not been during the immediately preceding 24 months, (a) an Officer, Director (other than of the Company) or employee, affiliate, associate, material supplier or material customer of the Company or any of its affiliates, or (b) a direct, indirect or shareholder or beneficial owner of the Company or any of its affiliates;

 

“Memorandum of Association” means the Memorandum of Association of the Company as amended from time to time;

 

“Officer” means such person or persons as shall be appointed from time to time by the Board pursuant to Bye-law 100;

 

“paid up” means paid up or credited as paid up;

 

“Register” means the Register of Shareholders of the Company;

 

“Registered Office” means the registered office for the time being of the Company;

 

 

1



 

 

“Resolution” means a resolution of the Shareholders or, where required, of a separate class or separate classes of Shareholders, adopted either in general meeting or by written resolution, in accordance with the provisions of these Bye-laws;

 

“Seal” means the common seal of the Company and includes any duplicate thereof;

 

“Secretary” includes a temporary or assistant Secretary and any person appointed by the Board to perform any of the duties of the Secretary;

 

“Shareholder” means a shareholder or member of the Company;

 

“these Bye-laws” means these Bye-laws in their present form or as from time to time amended;

 

for the purposes of these Bye-laws a corporation shall be deemed to be present in person if its representative duly authorised pursuant to the Companies Acts is present;

 

words importing only the singular number include the plural number and vice versa;

 

words importing only the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter genders respectively;

 

words importing persons include companies or associations or bodies of persons, whether corporate or un-incorporate wherever established;

 

reference to writing shall include typewriting, printing, lithography, photography and other modes of representing or reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form;

 

unless otherwise defined herein, any words or expressions defined in the Companies Acts in force on the date when these Bye-laws, or any part thereof, are adopted shall bear the same meaning in these Bye-laws or such part (as the case may be); and

 

These Bye-laws shall be read subject to the provisions of the Memorandum of Association and in the event of any ambiguity or inconsistency, between the Memorandum of Association and these Bye-laws, the provisions of the Memorandum of Association shall prevail.

 

REGISTERED OFFICE

 

2.                The Registered Office shall be at such place in Bermuda as the Board shall from time to time appoint.

 

 

 

SHARE RIGHTS

 

3.                                        Subject to any special rights conferred on the holders of any share or class of shares, any share in the Company may be issued with or have attached thereto such preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights or such restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise, as the Company may by Resolution determine or, if there has not been

 

 

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any such determination or so far as the same shall not make specific provision, as the Board may determine.

 

4.                                        Subject to the Companies Acts, any preference shares may, with the sanction of a Resolution, be issued on terms:

 

(a)                                   that they are to be redeemed on the happening of a specified event or on a given date; and/or,

 

(b)                                  that they are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company; and/or,

 

(c)                                   if authorised by the Memorandum of the Company, that they are liable to be redeemed at the option of the holder.

 

The terms and manner of redemption shall be provided for by way of amendment of these Bye-laws.

 

MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS

 

5.                                        Subject to the Companies Acts, all or any of the special rights for the time being attached to any class of shares for the time being issued may from time to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be altered or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than seventy five percent of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of such shares voting in person or by proxy.  To any such separate general meeting, all the provisions of these Bye-laws as to general meetings of the Company shall mutatis mutandis apply, but so that the necessary quorum shall be two or more persons holding or representing by proxy any of the shares of the relevant class, that every holder of shares of the relevant class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for every such share held by him and that any holder of shares of the relevant class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll; provided, however, that if the Company or a class of Shareholders shall have only one Shareholder, one Shareholder present in person or by proxy shall constitute the necessary quorum.

 

6.                                        The special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms of issue of such shares, be deemed to be altered by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.

 

SHARES

 

7.                                        Subject to the provisions of these Bye-laws and to any rights attaching to issued and outstanding shares, the unissued shares of the Company shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may issue, offer, allot, exchange or otherwise dispose of shares of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for  shares (including any employee benefit plan providing for the issuance of shares or options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), at such times, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine (including, without limitation, such preferred or other special rights or restrictions with respect to dividend, voting, liquidation or other rights of the shares).

 

8.                                        The Board may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers of paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by law.

 

 

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9.                                        Except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by law, no person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon trust and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any interest in any fractional part of a share or (except only as otherwise provided in these Bye-laws or by law) any other right in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.

 

CERTIFICATES

 

10.                                  The preparation, issue and delivery of share certificates shall be governed by the Companies Acts.  In the case of a share held jointly by several persons, delivery of a certificate to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all.

 

11.                                  If a share certificate is defaced, lost or destroyed it may be replaced without fee but on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and to payment of the costs and out of pocket expenses of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as the Board may think fit and, in case of defacement, on delivery of the old certificate to the Company.

 

12.                                  All certificates for share or loan capital or other securities of the Company (other than letters of allotment, scrip certificates and other like documents) shall, except to the extent that the terms and conditions for the time being relating thereto otherwise provide, be issued under the Seal. The Board may by resolution determine, either generally or in any particular case, that any signatures on any such certificates need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates by some mechanical means or may be printed thereon or that such certificates need not be signed by any persons.

 

LIEN

 

13.                                  The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share (not being a fully paid share) for all moneys, whether presently payable or not, called or payable, at a date fixed by or in accordance with the terms of issue of such share in respect of such share, and the Company shall also have a first and paramount lien on every share (other than a fully paid share) standing registered in the name of a Shareholder, whether singly or jointly with any other person, for all the debts and liabilities of such Shareholder or his estate to the Company, whether the same shall have been incurred before or after notice to the Company of any interest of any person other than such Shareholder, and whether the time for the payment or discharge of the same shall have actually arrived or not, and notwithstanding that the same are joint debts or liabilities of such Shareholder or his estate and any other person, whether a Shareholder or not.  The Company’s lien on a share shall extend to all dividends payable thereon.  The Board may at any time, either generally or in any particular case, waive any lien that has arisen or declare any share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Bye-law.

 

14.                                  The Company may sell, in such manner as the Board may think fit, any share on which the Company has a lien but no sale shall be made unless some sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of fourteen days after a notice in writing, stating and demanding payment of the sum presently payable and giving notice of the intention

 

 

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to sell in default of such payment, has been served on the holder for the time being of the share.

 

15.                                  The net proceeds of sale by the Company of any shares on which it has a lien shall be applied in or towards payment or discharge of the debt or liability in respect of which the lien exists so far as the same is presently payable, and any residue shall (subject to a like lien for debts or liabilities not presently payable as existed upon the share prior to the sale) be paid to the holder of the share immediately before such sale.  For giving effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the share sold to the purchaser thereof.  The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the share and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.

 

CALLS ON SHARES

 

16.                                  The Board may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares (whether on account of the par value of the shares or by way of premium) and not by the terms of issue thereof made payable at a date fixed by or in accordance with such terms of issue, and each Shareholder shall (subject to the Company serving upon him at least fourteen days notice specifying the time or times and place of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times and place so specified the amount called on his shares.  A call may be revoked or postponed as the Board may determine.

 

17.                                  A call may be made payable by installments and shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Board authorizing the call was passed.

 

18.                                  The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof.

 

19.                                  If a sum called in respect of the share shall not be paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest on the sum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of actual payment at such rate as the Board may determine, but the Board shall be at liberty to waive payment of such interest wholly or in part.

 

20.                                  Any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, becomes payable on allotment or at any date fixed by or in accordance with such terms of issue, whether on account of the nominal amount of the share or by way of premium, shall for all the purposes of these Bye-laws be deemed to be a call duly made, notified and payable on the date on which, by the terms of issue, the same becomes payable and, in case of non-payment, all the relevant provisions of these Bye-laws as to payment of interest, forfeiture or otherwise shall apply as if such sum had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

 

21.                                  The Board may on the issue of shares differentiate between the allottees or holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment.

 

FORFEITURE OF SHARES

 

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22.                                  If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or installment of a call on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Board may at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or installment remains unpaid serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or installment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued.

 

23.                                  The notice shall name a further day (not being less than 14 days from the date of the notice) on or before which, and the place where, the payment required by the notice is to be made and shall state that, in the event of non-payment on or before the day and at the place appointed, the shares in respect of which such call is made or installment is payable will be liable to be forfeited.  The Board may accept the surrender of any share liable to be forfeited hereunder and, in such case, references in these Bye-laws to forfeiture shall include surrender.

 

24.                                  If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any share in respect of which such notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before payment of all calls or installments and interest due in respect thereof has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Board to that effect.  Such forfeiture shall include all dividends declared in respect of the forfeited shares and not actually paid before the forfeiture.

 

25.                                  When any share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be served upon the person who was before forfeiture the holder of the share; but no forfeiture shall be in any manner invalidated by any omission or neglect to give such notice as aforesaid.

 

26.                                  A forfeited share shall be deemed to be the property of the Company and may be sold, re-offered or otherwise disposed of either to the person who was, before forfeiture, the holder thereof or entitled thereto or to any other person upon such terms and in such manner as the Board shall think fit, and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Board may think fit.

 

27.                                  A person whose shares have been forfeited shall thereupon cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited shares but shall, notwithstanding the forfeiture, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were presently payable by him to the Company in respect of the shares with interest thereon at such rate as the Board may determine from the date of forfeiture until payment, and the Company may enforce payment without being under any obligation to make any allowance for the value of the shares forfeited.

 

28.                                  An affidavit in writing that the deponent is a Director or the Secretary and that a share has been duly forfeited on the date stated in the affidavit shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share.  The Company may receive the consideration (if any) given for the share on the sale, re-allotment or disposition thereof and the Board may authorise some person to transfer the share to the person to whom the same is sold, re-allotted or disposed of, and he shall thereupon be registered as the holder of the share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money (if any) nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the forfeiture, sale, re-allotment or disposal of the share.

 

REGISTER OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

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29.                                  The Secretary shall establish and maintain the Register of Shareholders in the manner prescribed by the Companies Acts.  Unless the Board otherwise determines, the Register of Shareholders shall be open to inspection in the manner prescribed by the Companies Acts between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon on every working day. Unless the Board otherwise determines, no Shareholder or intending Shareholder shall be entitled to have entered in the Register any indication of any trust or any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any interest in any fractional part of a share and if any such entry exists or is permitted by the Board it shall not be deemed to abrogate any of the provisions of Bye-law 9.

 

REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

30.                                  The Secretary shall establish and maintain a register of the Directors and Officers of the Company as required by the Companies Acts.  The register of Directors and Officers shall be open to inspection in the manner prescribed by the Companies Acts between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on every working day.

 

TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

31.                                  Subject to the Companies Acts and to such of the restrictions contained in these Bye-laws as may be applicable, any Shareholder may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual common form or in any other form which the Board may approve.

 

32.                                  The instrument of transfer of a share shall be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and where any share is not fully-paid the transferee, and the transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect thereof. All instruments of transfer when registered may be retained by the Company. The Board may, in its absolute discretion and without assigning any reason therefor, decline to register any transfer of any share which is not a fully-paid share.

 

The Board may also decline to register any transfer unless:-

 

(a)                                   the instrument of transfer is duly stamped and lodged with the Company, accompanied by the certificate for the shares to which it relates, and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer,

 

(b)                                  the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share,

 

(c)                                   where applicable, the permission of the Bermuda Monetary Authority with respect thereto has been obtained.

 

Subject to any directions of the Board from time to time in force, the Secretary may exercise the powers and discretions of the Board under this Bye-law and Bye-law 31.

 

33.                                  If the Board declines to register a transfer it shall, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to the transferee notice of such refusal.

 

34.                                  No fee shall be charged by the Company for registering any transfer, probate, letters of administration, certificate of death or marriage, power of attorney, distringas or stop notice,

 

 

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order of court or other instrument relating to or affecting the title to any share, or otherwise making an entry in the Register relating to any share.

 

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

35.                                  In the case of the death of a Shareholder, the survivor or survivors, where the deceased was a joint holder, and the estate representative, where he was sole holder, shall be the only person recognised by the Company as having any title to his shares; but nothing herein contained shall release the estate of a deceased holder (whether the sole or joint) from any liability in respect of any share held by him solely or jointly with other persons.  For the purpose of this Bye-law, estate representative means the person to whom probate or letters of administration has or have been granted in Bermuda or, failing any such person, such other person as the Board may in its absolute discretion determine to be the person recognised by the Company for the purpose of this Bye-law.

 

36.                                  Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death of a Shareholder or otherwise by operation of applicable law may, subject as hereafter provided and upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Board as to his entitlement, either be registered himself as the holder of the share or elect to have some person nominated by him registered as the transferee thereof.  If the person so becoming entitled elects to be registered himself, he shall deliver or send to the Company a notice in writing signed by him stating that he so elects.  If he shall elect to have his nominee registered, he shall signify his election by signing an instrument of transfer of such share in favour of his nominee.  All the limitations, restrictions and provisions of these Bye-laws relating to the right to transfer and the registration of transfer of shares shall be applicable to any such notice or instrument of transfer as aforesaid as if the death of the Shareholder or other event giving rise to the transmission had not occurred and the notice or instrument of transfer was an instrument of transfer signed by such Shareholder.

 

37.                                  A person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death of a Shareholder or otherwise by operation of applicable law shall (upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Board as to his entitlement) be entitled to receive and may give a discharge for any dividends or other moneys payable in respect of the share, but he shall not be entitled in respect of the share to receive notices of or to attend or vote at general meetings of the Company or, save as aforesaid, to exercise in respect of the share any of the rights or privileges of a Shareholder until he shall have become registered as the holder thereof. The Board may at any time give notice requiring such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the share and if the notice is not complied with within sixty days the Board may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends and other moneys payable in respect of the shares until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.

 

38.                                  Subject to any directions of the Board from time to time in force, the Secretary may exercise the powers and discretions of the Board under Bye-laws 35, 36 and 37.

 

INCREASE OF CAPITAL

 

39.                                  The Company may from time to time increase its capital by such sum to be divided into shares of such par value as the Company by Resolution shall prescribe.

 

 

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40.                                  The Company may, by the Resolution increasing the capital, direct that the new shares or any of them shall be offered in the first instance either at par or at a premium or (subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts) at a discount to all the holders for the time being of shares of any class or classes in proportion to the number of such shares held by them respectively or make any other provision as to the issue of the new shares.

 

41.                                  The new shares shall be subject to all the provisions of these Bye-laws with reference to lien, the payment of calls, forfeiture, transfer, transmission and otherwise.

 

ALTERATION OF CAPITAL

 

42.                                  The Company may from time to time by Resolution:-

 

(a)                                   divide its shares into several classes and attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges or conditions;

 

(b)                                  consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger par value than its existing shares;

 

(c)                                   sub-divide its shares or any of them into shares of smaller par value than is fixed by its memorandum, so, however, that in the sub-division the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in the case of the share from which the reduced share is derived;

 

(d)                                  make provision for the issue and allotment of shares which do not carry any voting rights;

 

(e)                                   cancel shares which, at the date of the passing of the Resolution in that behalf, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person, and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled; and

(f)                                     change the currency denomination of its share  capital.

 

Where any difficulty arises in regard to any division, consolidation, or sub-division under this Bye-law, the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient and, in particular, may arrange for the sale of the shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale in due proportion amongst the Shareholders who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose the Board may authorise some person to transfer the shares representing fractions to the purchaser thereof, who shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.

 

43.                                  Subject to the Companies Acts and to any confirmation or consent required by law or these Bye-laws, the Company may by Resolution from time to time convert any preference shares into redeemable preference shares.

 

REDUCTION OF CAPITAL

 

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44.                                  Subject to the Companies Acts, its memorandum and any confirmation or consent required by law or these Bye-laws, the Company may from time to time by Resolution authorise the reduction of its issued share capital or any capital redemption reserve fund or any share premium or contributed surplus account in any manner.

 

45.                                  In relation to any such reduction, the Company may by Resolution determine the terms upon which such reduction is to be effected including in the case of a reduction of part only of a class of shares, those shares to be affected.

 

GENERAL MEETINGS AND WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS

 

46.                                  (a)           The Board shall convene and the Company shall hold general meetings as Annual General Meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acts at such times and places as the Board shall appoint.  The Board may, whenever it thinks fit, and shall, when required by the Companies Acts, convene general meetings other than Annual General Meetings which shall be called Special General Meetings.

 

(b)                                  Except in the case of the removal of auditors and Directors, anything which may be done by resolution of the Company in general meeting or by resolution of a meeting of any class of the Shareholders of the Company may, without a meeting and without any previous notice being required, be done by resolution in writing, signed by all of the Shareholders or their proxies, or in the case of a Shareholder that is a corporation (whether or not a company within the meaning of the Companies Acts) on behalf of such Shareholder, being all of the Shareholders of the Company who at the date of the resolution in writing would be entitled to attend a meeting and vote on the resolution.  Such resolution in writing may be signed by, or in the case of a Shareholder that is a corporation (whether or not a company within the meaning of the Companies Acts), on behalf of, all the Shareholders of the Company, or any class thereof, in as many counterparts as may be necessary.

 

(c)                                   For the purposes of this Bye-law, the date of the resolution in writing is the date when the resolution is signed by, or in the case of a Shareholder that is a corporation (whether or not a company within the meaning of the Companies Acts), on behalf of, the last Shareholder to sign and any reference in any enactment to the date of passing of a resolution is, in relation to a resolution in writing made in accordance with this Bye-law, a reference to such date.

 

(d)                                  A resolution in writing made in accordance with this Bye-law is as valid as if it had been passed by the Company in general meeting or, if applicable, by a meeting of the relevant class of Shareholders of the Company, as the case may be.  A resolution in writing made in accordance with this Bye-law shall constitute minutes for the purposes of the Companies Acts and these Bye-laws.

 

 

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NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

 

47.                                  An Annual General Meeting shall be called by not less than 5 days notice in writing and a Special General Meeting shall be called by not less than 5 days notice in writing.  The notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is served or deemed to be served and of the day for which it is given, and shall specify the place, day and time of the meeting, and, in the case of a Special General Meeting, the general nature of the business to be considered. Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner permitted by Bye-laws 120 and 121 to all Shareholders other than such as, under the provisions of these Bye-laws or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive such notice from the Company.

 

Notwithstanding that a meeting of the Company is called by shorter notice than that specified in this Bye-law, it shall be deemed to have been duly called if it is so agreed:-

 

(a)                                   in the case of a meeting called as an Annual General Meeting, by all the Shareholders entitled to attend and vote thereat;

 

(b)                                  in the case of any other meeting, by a majority in number of the Shareholders having the right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than 95 percent in nominal value of the shares giving that right;

 

                                                provided that notwithstanding any provision of these Bye-Laws, no Shareholder shall be entitled to attend any general meeting unless notice in writing of the intention to attend and vote in person or by proxy signed by or on behalf of the Shareholder (together with power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed or a notarially certified copy thereof) addressed to the Secretary is deposited (by post, courier, facsimile transmission or other electronic means) at the Registered Office at least 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the general meeting or adjournment thereof.

 

48.                                  The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments of proxy are sent out with the notice) the accidental omission to send such instrument of proxy to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting or such instrument of proxy by, any person entitled to receive such notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.

 

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

49.                                  No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the appointment, choice or election of a chairman, which shall not be treated as part of the business of the meeting.  Save as otherwise provided by these Bye-laws, the quorum at any general meeting shall be constituted by one or more shareholders, either present in person or by proxy, holding in aggregate shares carrying 33 1/3% of the voting rights entitled to be exercised at such meeting.

 

50.                                  If within five minutes (or such longer time as the chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened on the requisition of Shareholders, shall be dissolved.  In any other case, it shall stand adjourned to such other day and such other time and place as the chairman of the meeting may determine and at such adjourned meeting two Shareholders present in person or by proxy (whatever the number of shares held by them) shall be a quorum provided that if the Company shall have only one Shareholder, one Shareholder present in person or by proxy shall constitute the necessary quorum.  The Company shall give not less than 5 days notice of any meeting adjourned through want of a quorum and such notice shall state that the sole

 

 

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Shareholder or, if more than one, two Shareholders present in person or by proxy (whatever the number of shares held by them) shall be a quorum.

 

51.                                  A meeting of the Shareholders or any class thereof may be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communication facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

52.                                  Each Director shall be entitled to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company.

 

53.                                  The Chairman (if any) of the Board or, in his absence, the President shall preside as chairman at every general meeting.  If there is no such Chairman or President, or if at any meeting neither the Chairman nor the President is present within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or if neither of them is willing to act as chairman, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act or if one Director only is present he shall preside as chairman if willing to act.  If no Director is present, or if each of the Directors present declines to take the chair, the persons present and entitled to vote on a poll shall elect one of their number to be chairman.

 

54.                                  The chairman of the meeting may, with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.  When a meeting is adjourned for three months or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting.

 

55.                                  Save as expressly provided by these Bye-laws, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.

 

VOTING

 

56.                                  Save where a greater majority is required by the Companies Acts or these Bye-laws, any question proposed for consideration at any general meeting shall be decided on by a simple majority of votes cast.

 

 

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57.                                  At any general meeting, a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands or on the withdrawal of any other demand for a poll) a poll is demanded by:-

 

(a)                                   the chairman of the meeting; or

 

(b)                                  at least three Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy; or

 

(c)                                   any Shareholder or Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and holding between them not less than one tenth of the total voting rights of all the Shareholders having the right to vote at such meeting; or

 

(d)                                  a Shareholder or Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy holding shares conferring the right to vote at such meeting, being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one tenth of the total sum paid up on all such shares conferring such right.

 

Unless a poll is so demanded and the demand is not withdrawn, a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried or carried unanimously or by a particular majority or not carried by a particular majority or lost shall be final and conclusive, and an entry to that effect in the minute book of the Company shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number of votes recorded for or against such resolution.

 

58.                                  If a poll is duly demanded, the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll is demanded.

 

59.                                  A poll demanded on the election of a chairman, or on a question of adjournment, shall be taken forthwith.  A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken in such manner and either forthwith or at such time (being not later than three months after the date of the demand) and place as the chairman shall direct.  It shall not be necessary (unless the chairman otherwise directs) for notice to be given of a poll.

 

60.                                  The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of a meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which the poll has been demanded and it may be withdrawn at any time before the close of the meeting or the taking of the poll, whichever is the earlier.

 

61.                                  On a poll, votes may be cast either personally or by proxy.

 

62.                                  A person entitled to more than one vote on a poll need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.

 

63.                                  In the case of an equality of votes at a general meeting, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of such meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

64.                                  In the case of joint holders of a share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders,

 

 

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and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding.

 

65.                                  A Shareholder who is a patient for any purpose of any statute or applicable law relating to mental health or in respect of whom an order has been made by any Court having jurisdiction for the protection or management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their own affairs may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator bonis appointed by such Court and such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote on a poll by proxy, and may otherwise act and be treated as such Shareholder for the purpose of general meetings.

 

66.                                  No Shareholder shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to vote at any general meeting unless all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of shares in the Company have been paid.

 

67.                                  If (i) any objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter or (ii) any votes have been counted which ought not to have been counted or which might have been rejected or (iii) any votes are not counted which ought to have been counted, the objection or error shall not vitiate the decision of the meeting or adjourned meeting on any resolution unless the same is raised or pointed out at the meeting or, as the case may be, the adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs.  Any objection or error shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the same may have affected the decision of the meeting.  The decision of the chairman on such matters shall be final and conclusive.

 

PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES

 

68.                                  The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney authorised by him in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, attorney or other person authorised to sign the same.

 

69.                                  Any Shareholder may appoint a standing proxy or (if a corporation) representative by depositing at the Registered Office a proxy or (if a corporation) an authorisation and such proxy or authorisation shall be valid for all general meetings and adjournments thereof or, resolutions in writing, as the case may be, until notice of revocation is received at the Registered Office.  Where a standing proxy or authorisation exists, its operation shall be deemed to have been suspended at any general meeting or adjournment thereof at which the Shareholder is present or in respect to which the Shareholder has specially appointed a proxy or representative. The Board may from time to time require such evidence as it shall deem necessary as to the due execution and continuing validity of any such standing proxy or authorisation and the operation of any such standing proxy or authorisation shall be deemed to be suspended until such time as the Board determines that it has received the requested evidence or other evidence satisfactory to it.

 

70.                                  Subject to Bye-law 69, the instrument appointing a proxy together with such other evidence as to its due execution as the Board may from time to time require, shall be delivered at the Registered Office (or at such place as may be specified in the notice convening the meeting or

 

 

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in any notice of any adjournment or, in either case or the case of a written resolution, in any document sent therewith) prior to the holding of the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a meeting or adjourned meeting, before the time appointed for the taking of the poll, or, in the case of a written resolution, prior to the effective date of the written resolution and in default the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid.

 

71.                                  Instruments of proxy shall be in any common form or in such other form as the Board may approve and the Board may, if it thinks fit, send out with the notice of any meeting or any written resolution forms of instruments of proxy for use at that meeting or in connection with that written resolution.  The instrument of proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll and to vote on any amendment of a written resolution or amendment of a resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as the proxy thinks fit.  The instrument of proxy shall unless the contrary is stated therein be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates.

 

72.                                  A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal, or revocation of the instrument of proxy or of the authority under which it was executed, provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity or revocation shall have been received by the Company at the Registered Office (or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments of proxy in the notice convening the meeting or other documents sent therewith) one hour at least before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting, or the taking of the poll, or the day before the effective date of any written resolution at which the instrument of proxy is used.

 

73.                                  Subject to the Companies Acts, the Board may at its discretion waive any of the provisions of these Bye-laws related to proxies or authorisations and, in particular, may accept such verbal or other assurances as it thinks fit as to the right of any person to attend and vote on behalf of any Shareholder at general meetings or to sign written resolutions.

 

APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

74.                                  The number of Directors shall be such number not less than two as the Company by Resolution may from time to time determine and, subject to the Companies Acts and these Bye-laws, shall serve until re-elected or their successors are appointed at the next Annual General Meeting.  The Board of Directors shall include at least one Independent Director.  If an Independent Director resigns, dies, or becomes incapacitated, or such position is otherwise vacant, and there are no other Independent Directors, no action requiring affirmative vote of the Independent Directors shall be taken until a successor Independent Director is elected and qualified and approves such action.  A successor Independent Director shall be appointed by the remaining directors on the Board.  No Independent Director may be removed unless and until his or her successor is appointed and has accepted such position.

 

75.                                  The Company shall at the Annual General Meeting and may by Resolution determine the minimum and the maximum number of Directors and may by Resolution determine that one or more vacancies in the Board shall be deemed casual vacancies for the purposes of these Bye-laws.  Without prejudice to the power of the Company by Resolution in pursuance of any

 

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of the provisions of these Bye-laws to appoint any person to be a Director, the Board, so long as a quorum of Directors remains in office, shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any individual to be a Director so as to fill a casual vacancy.

 

76.                                  The Company may in a Special General Meeting called for that purpose remove a Director provided notice of any such meeting shall be served upon the Director concerned not less than 14 days before the meeting and he shall be entitled to be heard at that meeting.  Any vacancy created by the removal of a Director at a Special General Meeting may be filled at the Meeting by the election of another Director in his place or, in the absence of any such election, by the Board.

 

RESIGNATION AND DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

 

77.                                  The office of a Director shall be vacated upon the happening of any of the following events:

 

(a)                                   if he resigns his office by notice in writing delivered to the Registered Office or tendered at a meeting of the Board;

 

(b)                                  if he becomes of unsound mind or a patient for any purpose of any statute or applicable law relating to mental health and the Board resolves that his office is vacated;

 

(c)                                   if he becomes bankrupt or compounds with his creditors;

 

(d)                                  if he is prohibited by law from being a Director;

 

(e)                                   if he ceases to be a Director by virtue of the Companies Acts or is removed from office pursuant to these Bye-laws.

 

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

78.                                  The Company may by Resolution elect any person or persons to act as Directors in the alternative to any of the Directors or may authorise the Board to appoint such Alternate Directors and a Director may appoint and remove his own Alternate Director.  Any appointment or removal of an Alternate Director by a Director shall be effected by depositing a notice of appointment or removal with the Secretary at the Registered Office, signed by such Director, and such appointment or removal shall become effective on the date of receipt by the Secretary.  Any Alternate Director may be removed by Resolution of the Company and, if appointed by the Board, may be removed by the Board.  Subject as aforesaid, the office of Alternate Director shall continue until the next annual election of Directors or, if earlier, the date on which the relevant Director ceases to be a Director.  An Alternate Director may also be a Director in his own right and may act as alternate to more than one Director.

 

79.                                  An Alternate Director shall be entitled to receive notices of all meetings of Directors, to attend, be counted in the quorum and vote at any such meeting at which any Director to whom he is alternate is not personally present, and generally to perform all the functions of any Director to whom he is alternate in his absence.

 

 

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80.                                  Every person acting as an Alternate Director shall (except as regards powers to appoint an alternate and remuneration) be subject in all respects to the provisions of these Bye-laws relating to Directors and shall alone be responsible to the Company for his acts and defaults and shall not be deemed to be the agent of or for any Director for whom he is alternate.  An Alternate Director may be paid expenses and shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company to the same extent mutatis mutandis as if he were a Director.  Every person acting as an Alternate Director shall have one vote for each Director for whom he acts as alternate (in addition to his own vote if he is also a Director).  The signature of an Alternate Director to any resolution in writing of the Board or a committee of the Board shall, unless the terms of his appointment provides to the contrary, be as effective as the signature of the Director or Directors to whom he is alternate.

 

DIRECTORS’ FEES AND ADDITIONAL REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

 

81.                                  The amount, if any, of Directors’ fees shall from time to time be determined by the Company by Resolution and in the absence of a determination to the contrary in general meeting, such fees shall be deemed to accrue from day to day. Each Director may be paid his reasonable travelling, hotel and incidental expenses in attending and returning from meetings of the Board or committees constituted pursuant to these Bye-laws or general meetings and shall be paid all expenses properly and reasonably incurred by him in the conduct of the Company’s business or in the discharge of his duties as a Director.  Any Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purposes of the Company or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine, and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to any remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Bye-law.

 

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

 

82.        (a)                                            A Director may hold any other office or place of profit with the Company (except that of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine, and may be paid such extra remuneration therefor (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine, and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to any remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Bye-law.

 

(b)                                  A Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as auditor) and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director.

 

(c)                                   Subject to the Companies Acts, a Director may notwithstanding his office be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise interested; and be a Director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested in, any body corporate promoted by the Company or in which the Company is interested.  The Board may also cause the voting power conferred by the shares in any other company held or owned by the Company to be exercised in such manner in all respects as it thinks fit, including the exercise thereof in favour of any resolution

 

 

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appointing the Directors or any of them to be directors or officers of such other company, or voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the directors or officers of such other company.

 

(d)                                  So long as, where it is necessary, he declares the nature of his interest at the first opportunity at a meeting of the Board or by writing to the Directors as required by the Companies Acts, a Director shall not by reason of his office be accountable to the Company for any benefit which he derives from any office or employment to which these Bye-laws allow him to be appointed or from any transaction or arrangement in which these Bye-laws allow him to be interested, and no such transaction or arrangement shall be liable to be avoided on the ground of any interest or benefit.

 

 

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(e)                                   Subject to the Companies Acts and any further disclosure required thereby, a general notice to the Directors by a Director or officer declaring that he is a director or officer or has an interest in a person and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction or arrangement made with that person, shall be a sufficient declaration of interest in relation to any transaction or arrangement so made.

 

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD

 

83.                                  The Board shall manage the business of the Company in accordance with the requirements and limitations contained in Bye-laws 83(A) and 83(B) and in the event of any conflict between Bye-laws 83(A) and 83(B) and any other Bye-law, the provisions of Bye-laws 83(A) and 83(B) shall prevail.  Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts and to Bye-laws 83(A) and 83(B) and these Bye-laws and to any directions given by the Company by Resolution, responsibility for the management of the Company shall be vested in the Board of Directors.  The Board may pay all expenses incurred in promoting and incorporating the Company and may exercise all the powers of the Company.  No alteration of these Bye-laws and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given.  The powers given by this Bye-law shall not be limited by any special power given to the Board by these Bye-laws and a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable by the Board.

 

83(A)                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bye-laws, the business of the Company shall be restricted to the business purposes set forth in the Memorandum of Association of the Company.  The Board shall procure that the Company shall only transact the aforementioned business and any business necessary or incidental to the foregoing business purposes.

 

83(B)                     The Board shall procure that the Company shall at all times: (a) maintain books and records separate from any other person or entity; (b) conduct its own business in its own name; (c) maintain its accounts separate from any other person or entity; (d) maintain separate financial statements; (e) maintain its funds and assets separately from the assets of any other person or entity; (f) not commingle its money, cheques, cash proceeds or other assets with those of any other person or entity; (g) pay its own liabilities out of its own funds; (h) observe all corporate formalities; (i) use separate stationery, invoices, and cheques; (j) allocate fairly and reasonably any overhead for shared office space; (k) hold itself out as a separate entity; (l) correct any known misunderstanding regarding its separate identity; (m) maintain adequate capital in light of its contemplated business operations; and (n) hold appropriate and regular meetings of the Board of Directors to authorize all corporate actions.

 

 

84.                                  The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company.

 

 

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85.                                  All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments, whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for money paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time by resolution determine.

 

86.                                  The Board on behalf of the Company may provide benefits, whether by the payment of gratuities or pensions or otherwise, for any person including any Director or former Director who has held any executive office or employment with the Company or with any body corporate which is or has been a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or a predecessor in the business of the Company or of any such subsidiary or affiliate, and to any member of his family or any person who is or was dependent on him, and may contribute to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or other benefit, or for the insurance of any such person.

 

87.                                  The Board may from time to time appoint one or more of its body to hold any other employment or executive office with the Company for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine and may revoke or terminate any such appointments.  Any such revocation or termination as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the Company may have against such Director for any breach of any contract of service between him and the Company which may be involved in such revocation or termination.  Any person so appointed shall receive such remuneration (if any) (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine, and either in addition to or in lieu of his remuneration as a Director.

 

DELEGATION OF THE BOARD’S POWERS

 

88.                                  The Board may by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or any fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Board, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Board under these Bye-laws) and for such period and subject to such conditions as it may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney and of such attorney as the Board may think fit, and may also authorise any such attorney to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him.

 

89.                                  The Board may entrust to and confer upon any Director or officer any of the powers exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions with such restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion of, its own powers, and may from time to time revoke or vary all or any of such powers but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of such revocation or variation shall be affected thereby.

 

90.                                  The Board may delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions to any person or to committees, consisting of such person or persons (whether a member or members of its body or not) as it thinks fit.  Any committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the powers, authorities and discretions so delegated, conform to any regulations which may be imposed upon it by the Board.

 

 

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD

 

91.                                  The Board may meet for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as it thinks fit.  Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes.  In the case of an equality of votes the motion shall be deemed to have been lost.  A Director may, and the Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Board.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Bye-laws, the prior approval of a resolution passed by a majority of Directors (which majority shall include the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors) or a unanimous written resolution of the Directors (which shall include the approval of the Independent Directors) shall be required in the following circumstances (a) to file a bankruptcy or insolvency petition or otherwise institute insolvency proceedings on behalf of the Company, (b) to consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the Company, (c) to enter into any agreement or other arrangement conferring any authority or other entitlement on any person to appoint a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or a substantial part of the property of the Company, (d) to make any assignment for the benefit of the Company’s creditors, (e) to propose, or consent to, a scheme of arrangement with creditors or shareholders; (f) to cause the Company to admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, (g) to dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (h) to engage in any business activity other than the business purpose of the Company described in Bye-law 83, (i) to amend the Company’s Memorandum of Association or these Bye-laws, or (j) to take any action, or cause the Company to take any action, in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

 

92.                                  Notice of a meeting of the Board shall be deemed to be duly given to a Director if it is given to him personally or by word of mouth or sent to him by post, cable, telex, telecopier or other mode of representing or reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form at his last known address or any other address given by him to the Company for this purpose.  A Director may waive notice of any meeting either prospectively or retrospectively.

 

93.          (a)                                      The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Board and, unless so fixed at any other number, shall be two individuals. Any Director who ceases to be a Director at a meeting of the Board may continue to be present and to act as a Director and be counted in the quorum until the termination of the meeting if no other Director objects and if otherwise a quorum of Directors would not be present.

 

(b)                                  A Director who to his knowledge is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract, transaction or arrangement with the Company and has complied with the provisions of the Companies Acts and these Bye-laws with regard to disclosure of his interest shall be entitled to vote in respect of any contract, transaction or arrangement in which he is so interested and if he shall do so his vote shall be counted, and he shall be taken into account in ascertaining whether a quorum is present.

 

94.                                  So long as a quorum of Directors remains in office, the continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the Board but, if no such quorum remains, the continuing Directors or a sole continuing

 

 

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Director may act only for the purpose of calling a general meeting.

 

95.                                  The Chairman (if any) of the Board or, in his absence, the President shall preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board.  If there is no such Chairman or President, or if at any meeting the Chairman or the President is not present within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or is not willing to act as chairman, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

96.                                  The meetings and proceedings of any committee consisting of two or more members shall be governed by the provisions contained in these Bye-laws for regulating the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable and are not superseded by any regulations imposed by the Board.

 

97.                                  A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors for the time being entitled to receive notice of a meeting of the Board or by all the members of a committee for the time being shall be as valid and effectual as a resolution passed at a meeting of the Board or, as the case may be, of such committee duly called and constituted.  Such resolution may be contained in one document or in several documents in the like form each signed by one or more of the Directors (or their Alternate Directors) or members of the committee concerned.

 

98.                                  A meeting of the Board or a committee appointed by the Board may be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communication facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

99.                                  All acts done by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as a Director or member of a committee or any person duly authorised by the Board or any committee, shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any member of the Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they or any of them were disqualified or had vacated their office, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a Director, member of such committee or person so authorised.

 

OFFICERS

 

100.                            The officers of the Company shall include a President and a Vice-President or a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman who shall be Directors and shall be elected by the Board as soon as possible after the statutory meeting and each Annual General Meeting.  In addition, the Board may appoint any person whether or not he is a Director to hold such office as the Board may from time to time determine. Any person elected or appointed pursuant to this Bye-law shall hold office for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine and the Board may revoke or terminate any such election or appointment.  Any such revocation or termination shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such officer may have against the Company or the Company may have against such officer for any breach of any contract of service between him and the Company which may be involved in such revocation or termination.  Save as provided in the Companies Acts or these Bye-laws, the powers and

 

 

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duties of the officers of the Company shall be such (if any) as are determined from time to time by the Board.

 

MINUTES

 

101.                            The Directors shall cause minutes to be made and books kept for the purpose of recording -

 

(a)                                   all appointments of officers made by the Directors;

 

(b)                                  the names of the Directors and other persons (if any) present at each meeting of Directors and of any committee;

 

(c)                                   of all proceedings at meetings of the Company, of the holders of any class  of shares in the Company, and of committees;

 

(d)                                  of all proceedings of managers (if any).

 

SECRETARY AND RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE

 

102.                            The Secretary and Resident Representative, if necessary, shall be appointed by the Board at such remuneration (if any) and upon such terms as it may think fit and any Secretary so appointed may be removed by the Board.

 

The duties of the Secretary shall be those prescribed by the Companies Acts together with such other duties as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Board.

 

103.                            A provision of the Companies Acts or these Bye-laws requiring or authorising a thing to be done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as, or in the place of, the Secretary.

 

THE SEAL

 

104.        (a)             The Seal shall consist of a circular metal device with the name of the Company around the outer margin thereof and the country and year of incorporation across the centre thereof.  Should the Seal not have been received at the Registered Office in such form at the date of adoption of this Bye-law then, pending such receipt, any document requiring to be sealed with the Seal shall be sealed by affixing a red wafer seal to the document with the name of the Company, and the country and year of incorporation type written across the centre thereof.

 

(b)                                  The Board shall provide for the custody of every Seal.  A Seal shall only be used by authority of the Board or of a committee constituted by the Board.  Subject to these Bye-laws, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed shall be signed by two Directors or the Secretary and one Director, or by any person (whether or not a Director or the Secretary), who has been authorised either generally or specifically to attest to the use of a Seal; provided always that the Secretary or a Director may affix a Seal attested with his signature only to authenticate copies of these Bye-laws, the minutes of any meeting or any other documents requiring authentication.

 

 

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DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS

 

105.                                                                          The Board may from time to time declare cash dividends or distributions out of contributed surplus to be paid to the Shareholders according to their rights and interests including such interim dividends as appear to the Board to be justified by the position of the Company.  The Board may also pay any fixed cash dividend which is payable on any shares of the Company half yearly or on such other dates, whenever the position of the Company, in the opinion of the Board, justifies such payment.

 

 

 

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106.                            Except insofar as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share otherwise provide:-

 

(a)                                   all dividends or distributions out of contributed surplus may be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which the dividend or distribution is paid, and an amount paid up on a share in advance of calls may be treated for the purpose of this Bye-law as paid-up on the share;

 

(b)                                  dividends or distributions out of contributed surplus may be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid-up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend or distribution is paid.

 

107.                            The Board may deduct from any dividend, distribution or other moneys payable to a Shareholder by the Company on or in respect of any shares all sums of money (if any) presently payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise in respect of shares of the Company.

 

108.                            No dividend, distribution or other moneys payable by the Company on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against the Company.

 

109.                            Any dividend, distribution, interest or other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post addressed to the holder at his address in the Register or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the shares at his registered address as appearing in the Register or addressed to such person at such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct.  Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of such shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company.  Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends, distributions or other moneys payable or property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint holders.

 

110.                            Any dividend or distribution out of contributed surplus unclaimed for a period of six years from the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company and the payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend, distribution, interest or other sum payable on or in respect of the share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof.

 

 

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111.                            With the sanction of a Resolution the Board may direct payment or satisfaction of any dividend or distribution out of contributed surplus wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets, and in particular of paid-up shares or debentures of any other company, and where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution or dividend the Board may settle it as it thinks expedient, and in particular, may authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may ignore fractions altogether, and may fix the value for distribution or dividend purposes of any such specific assets and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Shareholders upon the footing of the values so fixed in order to secure equality of distribution and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Board.

 

RESERVES

 

112.                            The Board may, before recommending or declaring any dividend or distribution out of contributed surplus, set aside such sums as it thinks proper as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose of the Company and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Board may from time to time think fit.  The Board may also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any sums which it may think it prudent not to distribute.

 

CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS

 

113.                            The Company may, upon the recommendation of the Board, at any time and from time to time pass a Resolution to the effect that it is desirable to capitalise all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve or fund which is available for distribution or to the credit of any share premium account or any capital redemption reserve fund and accordingly that such amount be set free for distribution amongst the Shareholders or any class of Shareholders who would be entitled thereto if distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions, on the footing that the same be not paid in cash but be applied either in or towards paying up amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares in the Company held by such Shareholders respectively or in payment up in full of unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be allotted and distributed credited as fully paid amongst such Shareholders, or partly in one way and partly in the other, and the Board shall give effect to such Resolution, provided that for the purpose of this Bye-law, a share premium account and a capital redemption reserve fund may be applied only in paying up of unissued shares to be issued to such Shareholders credited as fully paid and provided further that any sum standing to the credit of a share premium account may only be applied in crediting as fully paid shares of the same class as that from which the relevant share premium was derived.

 

 

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114.                            Where any difficulty arises in regard to any distribution under the last preceding Bye-law, the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient and, in particular, may authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments should be made to any Shareholders in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem expedient to the Board.  The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf of the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective and binding upon the Shareholders.

 

RECORD DATES

 

115.                            Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bye-laws, the Company may by Resolution or the Board may fix any date as the record date for any dividend, distribution, allotment or issue and for the purpose of identifying the persons entitled to receive notices of general meetings.  Any such record date may be on or at any time before or after any date on which such dividend, distribution, allotment or issue is declared, paid or made or such notice is despatched.

 

ACCOUNTING RECORDS

 

116.                            The Board shall cause to be kept accounting records sufficient to give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs and to show and explain its transactions, in accordance with the Companies Acts.

 

117.                            The records of account shall be kept at the Registered Office or at such other place or places as the Board thinks fit, and shall at all times be open to inspection by the Directors: PROVIDED that if the records of account are kept at some place outside Bermuda, there shall be kept at an office of the Company in Bermuda such records as will enable the Directors to ascertain with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Company at the end of each three month period.  No Shareholder (other than an officer of the Company) shall have any right to inspect any accounting record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Board or by Resolution.

 

118.                            A copy of every balance sheet and statement of income and expenditure, including every document required by law to be annexed thereto, which is to be laid before the Company in general meeting, together with a copy of the auditors’ report, shall be sent to each person entitled thereto in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acts.

 

 

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AUDIT

 

119.                            Save and to the extent that an audit is waived in the manner permitted by the Companies Acts, auditors shall be appointed and their duties regulated in accordance with the Companies Acts, any other applicable law and such requirements not inconsistent with the Companies Acts as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

SERVICE OF NOTICES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

 

120.                            Any notice or other document (including a share certificate) may be served on or delivered to any Shareholder by the Company either personally or by sending it through the post (by airmail where applicable) in a pre-paid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his address as appearing in the Register or by delivering it to or leaving it at such registered address.  In the case of joint holders of a share, service or delivery of any notice or other document on or to one of the joint holders shall for all purposes be deemed as sufficient service on or delivery to all the joint holders. Any notice or other document if sent by post shall be deemed to have been served or delivered seven days after it was put in the post, and in proving such service or delivery, it shall be sufficient to prove that the notice or document was properly addressed, stamped and put in the post.

 

121.                            Any notice of a general meeting of the Company shall be deemed to be duly given to a Shareholder if it is sent to him by cable, telex, telecopier or other mode of representing or reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form at his address as appearing in the Register or any other address given by him to the Company for this purpose.  Any such notice shall be deemed to have been served twenty-four hours after its despatch.

 

122.                            Any notice or other document delivered, sent or given to a Shareholder in any manner permitted by these Bye-laws shall, notwithstanding that such Shareholder is then dead or bankrupt or that any other event has occurred, and whether or not the Company has notice of the death or bankruptcy or other event, be deemed to have been duly served or delivered in respect of any share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder unless his name shall, at the time of the service or delivery of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register as the holder of the share, and such service or delivery shall for all purposes be deemed as sufficient service or delivery of such notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the share.

 

 

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WINDING UP

 

123.                            If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Companies Acts, divide amongst the Shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for such purposes set such values as he deems fair upon any property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Shareholders or different classes of Shareholders.  The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trust for the benefit of the contributories as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Shareholder shall be compelled to accept any shares or other assets upon which there is any liability.

 

INDEMNITY

 

124.                            Subject to the provisions of Bye-law 130, no Director, Alternate Director, Officer, person or member of a committee authorised under Bye-law 90, Resident Representative of the Company or his heirs, executors or administrators shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects, or defaults of any other such person or any person involved in the formation of the Company, or for any loss or expense incurred by the Company through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by the Company, or for the insufficiency of deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the monies of the Company shall be invested, or for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency, or tortious act of any person with whom any monies, securities, or effects shall be deposited, or for any loss occasioned by any error of judgment, omission, default, or oversight on his part, or for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which shall happen in relation to the execution of his duties, or supposed duties, to the Company or otherwise in relation thereto.

 

125.                            Subject to the provisions of Bye-law 130, every Director, Alternate Director, Officer, person or member of a committee authorised under Bye-law 90, Resident Representative of the Company and their respective heirs, executors or administrators shall be indemnified and held harmless out of the funds of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Bermuda law against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses properly payable) incurred or suffered by him as such Director, Alternate Director, Officer, person or committee member or Resident Representative and the indemnity contained in this Bye-law shall extend to any person acting as such Director, Alternate Director, Officer, person or committee member or Resident Representative in the reasonable belief that he has been so appointed or elected notwithstanding any defect in such appointment or election.

 

126.                            Every Director, Alternate Director, Officer, person or member of a committee duly authorised under Bye-law 90, Resident Representative of the Company and their respective heirs, executors or administrators shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Company against all liabilities incurred by him as such Director, Alternate Director, Officer, person or committee member or Resident Representative in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his favour, or in which he is acquitted, or in connection with any

 

 

29



 

 

application under the Companies Acts in which relief from liability is granted to him by the court.

 

127.                      To the extent that any Director, Alternate Director, Officer, person or member of a committee duly authorised under Bye-law 90, Resident Representative of the Company or any of their respective heirs, executors or administrators is entitled to claim an indemnity pursuant to these Bye-laws in respect of amounts paid or discharged by him, the relative indemnity shall take effect as an obligation of the Company to reimburse the person making such payment or effecting such discharge.

 

128.                            The Board may arrange for the Company to be insured in respect of all or any part of its liability under the provision of these Bye-laws and may also purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any Directors, Alternate Directors, Officers, person or member of a committee authorised under Bye-law 90, employees or Resident Representatives of the Company in respect of any liability that may be incurred by them or any of them howsoever arising in connection with their respective duties or supposed duties to the Company. This Bye-law shall not be construed as limiting the powers of the Board to effect such other insurance on behalf of the Company as it may deem appropriate.

 

129.                            Each Member agrees to waive any claim or right of action he might have, whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Director , Alternate Director, Officer of the Company, person or member of a committee authorised under Bye-law 90, Resident Representative of the Company or any of their respective heirs, executors or administrators on account of any action taken by any such person, or the failure of any such person to take any action in the performance of his duties, or supposed duties, to the Company or otherwise in relation thereto.

 

130.                       The restrictions on liability, indemnities and waivers provided for in Bye-laws 124 to 129 inclusive shall not extend to any matter which would render the same void pursuant to the Companies Acts.

 

131.                            The restrictions on liability, indemnities and waivers contained in Bye-laws 124 to 129 inclusive shall be in addition to any rights which any person concerned may otherwise be entitled by contract or as a matter of applicable Bermuda law.

 

 

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ALTERATION OF BYE-LAWS

 

132.                            The Company’s Memorandum of Association and these Bye-laws may be amended from time to time in the manner provided for in the Companies Acts, but neither may be amended without consent of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders of the Company in a general meeting and the consent of a majority of the Board (which consent must include the consent of the majority of the Independent Directors).

 

 

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Exhibit 4.1

 

NUMBER

 

 

SHARES

0

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF BERMUDA

 

 

 

 

 

Ship Finance International Limited

 

TOTAL AUTHORIZED ISSUE

125,000,000 SHARES PAR VALUE $1.00 EACH

COMMON STOCK

 

 

 

This is to Certify that _____________________________________________________________ is the owner of  

 

_______________________________________________________________________________ fully paid and non-asseble shares of the above corporation transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized Attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed.

 

Witness, the seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

Secretary:

/s/ Illegible

[SEAL]

Director:

/s/ Illegible

 



Exhibit 4.3

 

Execution Copy

 

Ship Finance International Limited

 

$580,000,000 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2013

 

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

December 18, 2003

 

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

c/o Jefferies & Company, Inc.

909 Fannin Street, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77010

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda exempted company (the “ Company ”) is issuing and selling to Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (the “ Initial Purchasers ”), upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement dated December 11, 2003, by and among the Company, Frontline and the Initial Purchasers (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) a $580,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2013 (each, a “ Note ” and collectively, the “ Notes ”). As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company on behalf of itself and the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) agree with the Initial Purchasers, for the benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Notes (including, without limitation, the Initial Purchasers), as follows:

 

1.                                       Definitions .   Capitalized terms that are used herein without definition and are defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Additional Interest :  See Section 4.1.

 

Advice :  See Section 5.22.

 

Agreement :  This Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers.

 

Applicable Period :  See Section 2.5.

 

Business Day :  A day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.

 

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Closing Date :  The date the Notes were sold to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

Company :  See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Day :  Unless otherwise expressly provided, a calendar day.

 

Effectiveness Date :  The 210th day after the Closing Date.

 

Effectiveness Period :  See Section 3.1.

 

Exchange Act :  The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Notes :  The Senior Notes due 2013 of the Company, identical in all material respects to the Notes, including the guarantees endorsed thereon, except for restrictive legends and additional interest provisions.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement :  See Section 2.1.

 

Filing Date :  The 120th day after the Closing Date.

 

Holder :  Any registered holder of Registrable Notes.

 

Indemnified Party :  See Section 7.3.

 

Indemnifying Party :  See Section 7.3.

 

Indenture :  The Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Initial Purchasers :  See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Initial Shelf Registration :  See Section 3.1.

 

Inspectors :  See Section 5.15.

 

Losses :  See Section 7.1.

 

NASD :  National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

 

Notes :  See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Participating Broker-Dealer :  See Section 2.5.

 

Person :  An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business association, firm, government or agency or political subdivision thereof, or other legal entity.

 

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Prospectus :  The prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

 

Purchase Agreement :  See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Records :  See Section 5.15.

 

Registrable Notes :  Each Note until the first to occur of (i) the date on which such Note has been exchanged by a person other than a Broker-Dealer for an Exchange Note in the Exchange Offer, (ii) following the exchange by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer of a Note for an Exchange Note, the date on which such Exchange Note is sold to a purchaser who receives from such Broker-Dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (iii) the date on which such Note has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration or (iv) the date on which such Note is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or may be distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

 

Registration Statement :  Any registration statement of the Company filed with the SEC under the Securities Act (including, but not limited to, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration) that covers any of the Registrable Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Rule 144 :  Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer or such securities being free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A :  Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

Rule 415 :  Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

Rule 430A :  Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

3



 

SEC :  The Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities :  The Notes and the Exchange Notes.

 

Securities Act :  The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Shelf Notice :  See Section 2.9.

 

Shelf Registration :  See Section 3.2.

 

Subsequent Shelf Registration :  See Section 3.2.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor :  Each subsidiary of the Company that guarantees the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture.

 

TIA :  The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Trustee :  The trustee under the Indenture and, if existent, the trustee under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and the Notes.

 

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering :  A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

2.                                       Exchange Offer.

 

2.1                                  Unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable federal law or a policy of the SEC, the Company shall (and shall cause each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its guarantee to) (i) prepare and file with the SEC promptly after the date hereof, but in no event later than the Filing Date, a registration statement (the “ Exchange Offer Registration Statement ”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to an offer (the “ Exchange Offer ”) to the Holders of Registrable Notes to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes, (ii) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof, but in no event later than the Effectiveness Date, (iii) keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective until the consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with its terms, and (iv) commence the Exchange Offer and issue on or prior to 30 days after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective, Exchange Notes in exchange for all Notes tendered prior thereto in the Exchange Offer.  The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC.

 

2.2                                  The Exchange Notes shall be issued under, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture or a trust indenture that is identical to the Indenture (other than such changes as are necessary to comply with any requirements of the SEC to effect or maintain the qualifications thereof under the TIA).

 

4



 

2.3                                  Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from the date of original issue of the Notes. Each Exchange Note shall bear interest at the rate set forth thereon; provided, that interest with respect to the period prior to the issuance thereof shall accrue at the rate or rates borne by the Notes from time to time during such period.

 

2.4                                  The Company may require each Holder as a condition to participation in the Exchange Offer to represent in writing, that at the time of consummation of the Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Notes received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the commencement and consummation of the Exchange Offer such Holder has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) such Holder is not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company, or if such Holder is an affiliate of the Company it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable to it, (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Notes and (v) if such Holder is a Participating Broker-Dealer, it will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes.

 

2.5                                  The Company shall include within the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution” which shall contain all information that the SEC may require with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer for its own account in exchange for Notes that were acquired by it as a result of market-making or other trading activity (a “ Participating Broker-Dealer ”). Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also allow, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent so permitted, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the manner in which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein, in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for 180 days after consummation of the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that (i) in the case where such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto must be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer or the Initial Purchasers, such period shall be the lesser of 180 days and the date on which all Participating Broker-Dealers and the Initial Purchasers have sold all Exchange Notes held by them (unless such period is extended pursuant to Section 5.11 below) and (ii) the Company shall make such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto available to any Participating Broker-Dealer for use in connection with any resale of any Exchange Notes for a period not less than 90 days after the consummation of the Exchange Offer (the “ Applicable Period ”).

 

2.6                                  In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

 

5



 

2.6.1                         mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

 

2.6.2                         utilize the services of a depository for the Exchange Offer, which may be the Trustee or an affiliate thereof;

 

2.6.3                         permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Notes at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and

 

2.6.4                         otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable laws.

 

2.7                                  As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer the Company shall:

 

2.7.1                         accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and not validly withdrawn;

 

2.7.2                         deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Notes so accepted for exchange; and

 

2.7.3                         cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder tendering such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, equal in principal amount at maturity to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

 

2.8                                  The Exchange Notes shall be issued under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the Indenture, which in either event will provide that the Exchange Notes will not be subject to the transfer restrictions or additional interest provisions set forth in the Indenture and that the Exchange Notes and Notes, if any, will be deemed one class of security (subject to the provisions of the Indenture) and entitled to participate in all the security granted by the Company and in any Guarantee (as such terms are defined in the Indenture) on an equal and ratable basis.

 

2.9                                  If, (i) any change in law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC would not permit the consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated by this Section 2, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 30 days after the effective date of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (iii) in the case (A) of any Holder not permitted by applicable law or SEC policy to participate in the Exchange offer or (B) any Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer but does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act) and, in either case, so notifies the Company within 45 days of consummation of the Exchange Offer, or (iv) the Company so elects, then the Company (and any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor) shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the Trustee written notice thereof (the “ Shelf Notice ”) and shall file an Initial Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 below.

 

6



 

3.                                       Shelf Registration.   If a Shelf Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 2.9 hereof, then this Section 3 shall apply to all Registrable Notes.  Otherwise, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with Section 2 hereof, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply solely with respect to (i) Notes held by any Holder thereof not permitted by applicable law or SEC policy to participate in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Exchange Notes that are not freely tradeable as contemplated by Section 2.9(iii) hereof, provided in each case that the relevant Holder has duly notified the Company within 45 days of the Exchange Offer as required by Section 2.9(iii) hereof.

 

3.1                                  Initial Shelf Registration.  The Company shall as promptly as practicable after the date of the Shelf Notice file (and shall cause any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor to file) with the SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes (the “ Initial Shelf Registration ”).  If the Company (and any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor) have not yet filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement prior to receiving the Shelf Notice, the Company shall file (and shall cause any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor to file) with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the Filing Date and shall cause such Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date.  Otherwise, the Company shall file (and shall cause any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor to file) with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration as promptly as practicable but in no event later than 30 days of the delivery of the Shelf Notice and shall cause such Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable thereafter (but in no event more than 90 days after delivery of the Shelf Notice).  The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the manner or manners reasonably designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings).  The Company will not and will cause the Subsidiary Guarantors not to permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included in any Shelf Registration.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date which is two years from the Closing Date (the “ Effectiveness Period ”), or such shorter period ending when (i) all Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration has been declared effective under the Securities Act.

 

3.2                                  Subsequent Shelf Registrations.   If the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined below) ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such cessation of effectiveness amend such Shelf Registration in a manner designed to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file (and cause any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor to file) an additional “shelf” Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes (a “ Subsequent Shelf Registration ”).  If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in

 

7



 

the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously continuously effective.  As used herein the term “ Shelf Registration ” means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registrations.

 

3.3                                  Supplements and Amendments .  The Company shall promptly supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act.

 

4.                                       Additional Interest.

 

4.1                                  The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Holders of Registrable Notes will suffer damages if the Company fails to fulfill its obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Company agrees to pay additional cash interest on the Notes (“ Additional Interest ”) under the circumstances and to the extent set forth below (each of which shall be given independent effect):

 

4.1.1                         if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the Filing Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Company has consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the date required by this Agreement, Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes over and above any stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes for the first 90 days immediately following the Filing Date, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period, subject to the proviso in the last sentence of this paragraph;

 

4.1.2                         if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective on or prior to the Effectiveness Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Company has consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the date required by this Agreement, Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes over and above any stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes for the first 90 days immediately following the Effectiveness Date, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period, subject to the proviso in the last sentence of this paragraph;

 

4.1.3                         if (A) the Company has not exchanged Exchange Notes for all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to 30 days after the Effectiveness Date, (B) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement ceases to be effective at any time prior to the time that the Exchange Offer is consummated, (C) if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time prior to the second anniversary of its effective date (other than such time as all Notes have been disposed of thereunder) and is not declared effective again within 30 days, or (D) pending the announcement of a material corporate transaction, the Company issue a written notice pursuant to Section 5.5(v) or (vi) hereof that a Shelf Registration or Exchange Offer Registration

 

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Statement is unusable and the aggregate number of days in any 365-day period for which all such notices issued or required to be issued, have been, or were required to be, in effect exceeds 120 days in the aggregate or 30 days consecutively, in the case of a Shelf Registration, or 15 days in the aggregate in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes, over and above any stated interest, at a rate of 0.50% per annum in excess of the interest rate of the principal amount of such Notes commencing on (w) the 31st Business Day after the Effectiveness Date, in the case of (A) above, or (x) the date the Exchange Offer Registration Statement ceases to be effective without being declared effective again within 30 days, in the case of clause (B) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective in the case of (C) above, or (z) the day the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration ceases to be usable in case of clause (D) above, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each such subsequent 90-day period, subject to the proviso in the last sentence of this paragraph;

 

provided, however, that Additional Interest will not accrue under more than one of the foregoing clauses 4.1.1, 4.1.2 or 4.1.3 at any one time; provided, further, however, that the maximum Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not exceed in the aggregate 1.00% per annum; and provided further, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Initial Shelf Registration (in the case of 4.1.1 above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Initial Shelf Registration (in the case of 4.1.2 above), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Notes for all Notes tendered (in the case of 4.1.3(A) above), or upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that had ceased to remain effective (in the case of clause 4.1.3(B) above), or upon the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of 4.1.3(C) above), Additional Interest on the Notes as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof) or upon the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in the case of clause 4.1.3(D) above), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.

 

4.1.4                         The Company shall notify the Trustee within 2 Business Days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid.  Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clauses 4.1.1, 4.1.2 or 4.1.3 of this Section 4 will be payable in cash, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Indenture and whether or not any cash interest would then be payable on such date, commencing with the first such semi-annual date occurring after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue.  The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of the Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.

 

5.                                       Registration Procedures. In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof, the Company shall effect such registrations to permit the exchange or sale of such securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Company hereunder, the Company shall:

 

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5.1                                  Prepare and file with the SEC as soon as practicable but in any event on or prior to the applicable Filing Date, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed because of the circumstances contemplated by Section 2.9 hereof, a Shelf Registration as prescribed by Section 3 hereof, and cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that, if (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto relating thereto, the Company shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes to be registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration, or each Participating Broker-Dealer and to their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case at least 5 Business Days prior to such filing).  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to reflect in each such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto when filed with the SEC, such comments as the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes may reasonably prepare, if the Holders must provide information for the inclusion in such Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

5.2                                  Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture (or other indenture relating to the Registrable Notes) to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement; and in connection therewith, to effect such changes to such indenture as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.

 

5.3                                  Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to each of them with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus.  The Company shall not, during the Applicable Period, voluntarily take any action that would result in selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being able to sell such Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes during that period, unless such action is required by applicable law, rule or regulation or permitted by this Agreement.

 

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5.4                                  Furnish to such selling Holders and Participating Broker-Dealers who so request (i) upon the Company’s receipt, a copy of the order of the SEC declaring such Registration Statement and any post effective amendment thereto effective, (ii) such reasonable number of copies of such Registration Statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including any documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits) and (iii) such reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) and each amendment and supplement thereto, and such reasonable number of copies of the final Prospectus as filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and each amendment and supplement thereto. The Company hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus and any amendment thereto.

 

5.5                                  If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto, the Company shall notify in writing the selling Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within 5 Business Days) (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective (including in such notice a written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a Prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Registrable Notes the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 5.14 hereof cease to be true and correct, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition of any information becoming known to the Company that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in, or amendments or supplements to, such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and

 

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(vi) of any reasonable determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.

 

5.6                                  Use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible date.

 

5.7                                  If (A) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (B) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period or (C) reasonably requested in writing by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in connection with an underwritten offering, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information or revisions to information therein relating to such underwriters or selling Holders as the managing underwriters, if any, or such Holders or their counsel reasonably request in writing to be included or made therein and (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplements or post-effective amendment.

 

5.8                                  Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer or any managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, reasonably request in writing and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

5.9                                  If (A) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (B) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is requested to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold, which

 

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certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company, and enable such Registrable Notes to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may reasonably request.

 

5.10                            Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by any Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Notes, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder’s business, in which case the Company will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filling of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals; provided that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

5.11                            If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraphs 5.5(v) of 5.5(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable, prepare and file with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Company, a supplement of post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes being sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

5.12                            Use its reasonable best efforts to, if the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement have been rated prior to the Closing Date, confirm that such ratings will apply to the Exchange Notes covered by such Registration Statement.

 

5.13                            Prior to the initial issuance of the Exchange Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with one or more certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Exchange Notes.

 

5.14                            If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances) and take all such other actions in connection therewith as may be reasonably requested in writing by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such Registrable Notes, and in such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an

 

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Underwritten Registration, (i) make such representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the Holders and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as then conducted, and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances, and confirm the same if and when reasonably required; (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold), addressed to each selling Holder and each of the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions of counsel to the Company requested in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances; (iii) use reasonable efforts to obtain “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof (which letters and updates (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters) from the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances, and such other matters as reasonably requested in writing by the underwriters; and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested in writing by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold and the managing underwriters, if any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Company and its subsidiaries made pursuant to clause (i) above and to evidence compliance with any conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other similar agreement entered into by the Company.

 

5.15                            If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any selling Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter (collectively, the “ Inspectors” ), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Records” ) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to supply all information reasonably requested in writing by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement. Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records confidential and not disclose any of the Records unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) the information in such Records is public or has been

 

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made generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Inspector or (iv) disclosure of such information is, in the reasonable written opinion of counsel for any Inspector, necessary or advisable in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, related to, or involving this Agreement, or any transaction contemplated hereby or arising hereunder. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company unless and until such is made generally available to the public. Each Inspector, each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and, to the extent practicable, use their reasonable best efforts to allow the Company to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential at its expense.

 

5.16                            Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to the securityholders of the Company with regard to any applicable Registration Statement earning statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods.

 

5.17                            Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders participating in the Exchange Offer, to the effect that (i) the Company and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Exchange Notes and the Indenture and (ii) the Exchange Notes and the Indenture constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to customary United States and foreign exceptions.

 

5.18                            If the Exchange Offer is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by the Holders to the Company (or to such other Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Notes the Company shall mark, or caused to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that the Exchange Notes are being issued as substitute evidence of the indebtedness originally evidenced by the Registrable Notes; provided that in no event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

 

5.19                            Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD.

 

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5.20                            Use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.

 

The Company may require each seller of Registrable Notes or Participating Broker-Dealer as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such information regarding such seller or Participating Broker-Dealer and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request in writing. The Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller who fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time (which time in no event shall exceed 45 days) after receiving such request. Each seller of Registrable Notes or Participating Broker-Dealer as to which any registration is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished by such seller not materially misleading.

 

Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5.5(ii), 5.5(iv), 5.5(v), or 5.5(vi), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement and such Participating Broker-Dealer will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Exchange Notes pursuant to any Prospectus and, in each case, forthwith discontinue dissemination of such Prospectus until such Holder’s or Participating Broker-Dealer’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5.11, or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s or Participating Broker-Dealer’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Notes current at the time of the receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each Participating Broker-Dealer shall have received (x) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5.11 or (y) the Advice.

 

6.                                       Registration Expenses.

 

6.1                                  All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company, whether or not the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective, including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees, including, without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with the NASD in connection with any underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws as provided in Section 5.8 hereof, (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of printing a reasonable number of Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration Statement or by any Participating Broker-Dealer

 

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during the Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses incurred in connection with the performance of the their obligations hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5 (including, without limitation, the expenses of any special audit and “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, (vii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company desires such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company, (ix) internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the Company performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense of any annual audit, (xi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the Exchange Agent and (xii) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements, indentures and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement (other than underwriting discounts and commissions).

 

6.2                                  The Company shall reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes to be included in any Registration Statement for fees and disbursements incurred in connection with such Registration Statement. The Company shall pay all documentary, stamp, transfer or other transactional taxes (other than federal, state or local taxes of the Initial Purchasers) attributable to the issuance or delivery of the Exchange Notes in exchange for the Notes; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay taxes payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of any Exchange Note in a name other than that of the Holder of the Note in respect of which such Exchange Note is being issued. The Company shall reimburse the Holders for reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes relating to any enforcement of any rights of the Holders under this Agreement.

 

7.                                       Indemnification.

 

7.1                                  Indemnification by the Company . The Company will, and will cause the Subsidiary Guarantors to, jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes, Exchange Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, each Person, if any, who controls each such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors and partners of each such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer and controlling person from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees as provided in this Section 7) and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending against any of the foregoing) (collectively, “ Losses ”), insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any preliminary prospectus, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such Losses result solely from information relating to such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer and furnished in writing to

 

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the Company (or reviewed and approved in writing) by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer or their counsel expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will not be liable to any Indemnified Party (as defined below) under this Section 7 to the extent Losses resulted solely from an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that was contained or made in any preliminary prospectus and corrected in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto if (i) any such Losses resulted from an action, claim or suit by any Person who purchased Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes which are the subject thereof from such Indemnified Party and (ii) it is established in the related proceeding that such Indemnified Party failed to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) to such Person with or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required by applicable law, unless such failure to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the Company with Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

7.2                                  I ndemnification by Holder.  Each Holder shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, their respective directors and each Person, if any, who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers and partners of such controlling persons, from and against all Losses insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading insofar as such Losses are finally judicially determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact, alleged omission of any material fact contained in or omitted from any information so furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company expressly for use in any such Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the liability of any selling Holder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of payment of all expenses) received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Notes giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

 

7.3                                  Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.  If any proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “ Indemnified Party” ), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the party or parties from which such indemnity is sought (the “ Indemnifying Party” or “Indemnifying Parties” , as applicable) in writing; provided, that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Parties shall not relieve the Indemnifying Parties from any obligation or liability except to the extent (but only to the extent) that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal) that the Indemnifying Parties have been prejudiced materially by such failure. In case any such action is brought against any Indemnified Party, and it notifies the Indemnifying Party of the commencement thereof, the Indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may determine, jointly with any other Indemnifying Party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party; provided, however, that if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party to represent

 

18



 

the Indemnified Party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest under applicable standards of professional responsibility, (ii) the defendants in any such action include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel in writing that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified Parties that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, or (iii) the Indemnifying Party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party within a reasonable time after receipt by the Indemnifying Party of notice of the institution of such action, then, in each such case, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party or Parties and such Indemnified Party or Parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party or Parties at the expense of the Indemnifying Party. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such Indemnified Party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the Indemnified Party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that in connection with such action the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) in any one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances) or (ii) the Indemnifying Party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the Indemnified Party at the expense of the Indemnifying Party.

 

No Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any settlement of any such proceeding effected without its written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with its written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such proceeding, each Indemnifying Party jointly and severally agrees, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth above, to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Losses by reason of such settlement or judgment. The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to each Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such proceeding for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Party is a party thereto).

 

7.4                                  Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or is insufficient to hold such Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses in respect of which this Section 7 would otherwise apply by its terms (other than by reason of exceptions provided in this Section 7), then each applicable Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall have a joint and several obligation to contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or

 

19



 

alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include any reasonable legal or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any proceeding, to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in Section 7.1 or 7.2 was available to such party. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7.4, a selling Holder shall not be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of such Holder’s Maximum Contribution Amount. A selling Holder’s “ Maximum Contribution Amount ” shall equal the excess of (i) the aggregate proceeds received by such Holder pursuant to the sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes over (ii) the aggregate amount of damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties.

 

8.                                       Rules 144 and 144A.   The Company covenants that it shall file the reports required to be filed by it (if so required) under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the written request of any Holder of Registrable Notes, make publicly available other information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and 144A. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such information and requirements.

 

9.                                       Underwritten Registrations of Registrable Notes.

 

If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration is to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable Notes included in such offering; provided, however, that such investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers must be reasonably acceptable to the Company and such Holders shall be responsible for all underwriting commissions in connection therewith.

 

No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in nay underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

20



 

10.                                Miscellaneous.

 

10.1                            No Inconsistent Agreements.   The Company has not entered, as of the date hereof, and the Company shall not enter, after the date of this Agreement, into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.  The Company has not entered and will not enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that will grant to any Person piggy-back rights with respect to a Registration Statement.

 

10.2                            Amendments and Waivers.   The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes in circumstances that would adversely affect any Holders of Registrable Notes; provided, however, that Section 7 and this Section 10.2 may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders or Registrable Notes whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer or sold pursuant to a Notes Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Notes may be given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being tendered of being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Notes Registration Statement.

 

10.3                            Notices.   All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered first-class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier:

 

(i)                                      if to a Holder of Securities or to any Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the registrar of the Notes, with a copy in like manner to the Initial Purchasers as follows:

 

Jefferies & Company, Inc.

909 Fannin Street, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77010

Facsimile No.: (713) 308-4569

Attention: General Counsel

 

With a copy to:

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2300

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile No.: (713) 615-5141

Attention: T. Mark Kelly, Esq.

 

21



 

(ii)                                   if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in Section 10.3(i);

 

(iii)                                if to the Company, as follows:

 

Ship Finance International Ltd.

Par-la-Ville Place,

14 Par-la-Ville Road

Hamilton, HM 08 Bermuda

Facsimile No.: 147-23-11-40-44

Attention: Tom Jebsen

 

With a copy to:

 

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, New York 10004

Facsimile No.: (212) 480-8421

Attention: Gary Wolfe, Esq.

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three Business Days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery; and when receipt is acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.

 

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee under the Indenture at the address specified in such Indenture.

 

10.4                            Successors and Assigns.   This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Securities.

 

10.5                            Counterparts.   This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts, which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

10.6                            Headings.   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

10.7                            Governing Law.   THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAW.

 

10.8                            Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.   The Company hereby (a) irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) irrevocably waives

 

22



 

any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.  The Company has irrevocably appointed Seward & Kissell LLP as its Authorized Agent (the “ Authorized Agent ”) upon whom process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based on this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby that may be instituted in any state or federal court in the State of New York by the Initial Purchasers or Holder or by any person who controls either of the Initial Purchasers or Holder, and the Company expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding, and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law waive any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto.  The Company represents and warrants that the Authorized Agent has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid.  Service of process upon the Authorized Agent and written notice of such service to the Company shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company for purposes of any such suit, action or proceeding instituted in any state or federal court in the State of New York.  Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Holder to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Company in any other jurisdiction.

 

10.9                            Severability.   If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction.  It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

10.10                      Securities Held by the Company or Its Affiliates.   Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Securities is required hereunder, Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

 

10.11                      Third Party Beneficiaries.   Holders and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

 

10.12                      Entire Agreement.   This Agreement, together with the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understanding, correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Initial Purchasers on the one hand and the Company on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein and replaced hereby.

 

23



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above,

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kate Blankenship

 

 

  Name: Kate Blankenship

 

 

  Title: Director, Secretary and Attorney-In-Fact

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

 

 

 

 

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John W. Sinders Jr.

 

 

 

  Name: John W. Sinders Jr.

 

 

  Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Rhodes

 

 

 

  Name: Mark Rhodes

 

 

  Title: Senior Vice President & Counsel

 

 

 




Exhibit 4.4

 

Execution Copy

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED,

 

as Issuer

 

AND

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,

 

as Trustee

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of December 18, 2003

 

 

Providing for Issuance of

 

8½% Senior Notes due 2013

 

 

 



 

Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I

 

 

Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

 

Section 1.1

Definitions

 

Section 1.2

Other Definitions

 

Section 1.3

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

 

Section 1.4

Rules of Construction

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

 

The Securities

 

 

Section 2.1

Form, Dating and Terms

 

Section 2.2

Execution and Authentication

 

Section 2.3

Registrar and Paying Agent

 

Section 2.4

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

 

Section 2.5

Securityholder Lists

 

Section 2.6

Transfer and Exchange

 

Section 2.7

Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to Institutional Accredited Investors

 

Section 2.8

Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S

 

Section 2.9

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities

 

Section 2.10

Outstanding Securities

 

Section 2.11

Temporary Securities

 

Section 2.12

Cancellation

 

Section 2.13

Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest

 

Section 2.14

Computation of Interest

 

Section 2.15

CUSIP AND ISIN Numbers

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

 

Covenants

 

 

Section 3.1

Payment of Securities; Payment of Additional Amounts

 

Section 3.2

SEC Reports

 

Section 3.3

Limitation on Indebtedness

 

Section 3.4

Limitation on Restricted Payments

 

Section 3.5

Limitation on Liens

 

Section 3.6

Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries

 

Section 3.7

Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock.

 

Section 3.8

Limitation on Affiliate Transactions

 

Section 3.9

Change of Control.

 

Section 3.10

Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries

 

Section 3.11

Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

 

 

i



 

Section 3.12

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

 

Section 3.13

Limitation on Lines of Business

 

Section 3.14

Maintenance of Office or Agency

 

Section 3.15

Corporate Existence

 

Section 3.16

Payment of Taxes and Other Claims

 

Section 3.17

Payments for Consent

 

Section 3.18

Compliance Certificate

 

Section 3.19

Further Instruments and Acts

 

Section 3.20

Statement by Officers as to Default

 

Section 3.21

Amendments of Material Agreements

 

Section 3.22

Insurance

 

Section 3.23

Suspended Covenants

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

 

Successor Company

 

Section 4.1

Merger and Consolidation

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

 

Redemption of Securities

 

Section 5.1

Optional Redemption; Optional Tax Redemption

 

Section 5.2

Applicability of Article

 

Section 5.3

Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

 

Section 5.4

Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed

 

Section 5.5

Notice of Redemption

 

Section 5.6

Deposit of Redemption Price

 

Section 5.7

Securities Payable on Redemption Date

 

Section 5.8

Securities Redeemed in Part

 

Section 5.9

Special Mandatory Redemption.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

 

Defaults and Remedies

 

Section 6.1

Events of Default

 

Section 6.2

Acceleration

 

Section 6.3

Other Remedies

 

Section 6.4

Waiver of Past Defaults

 

Section 6.5

Control by Majority

 

Section 6.6

Limitation on Suits

 

Section 6.7

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

 

Section 6.8

Collection Suit by Trustee

 

Section 6.9

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

 

Section 6.10

Priorities

 

Section 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

 

Section 6.12

Additional Payments

 

 

ii



 

ARTICLE VII

 

 

Trustee

 

 

Section 7.1

Duties of Trustee

 

Section 7.2

Rights of Trustee

 

Section 7.3

Individual Rights of Trustee

 

Section 7.4

Trustee’s Disclaimer

 

Section 7.5

Notice of Defaults

 

Section 7.6

Reports by Trustee to Holders

 

Section 7.7

Compensation and Indemnity

 

Section 7.8

Replacement of Trustee

 

Section 7.9

Successor Trustee by Merger

 

Section 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

 

Section 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

 

Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

 

Section 8.1

Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance

 

Section 8.2

Conditions to Defeasance

 

Section 8.3

Application of Trust Money

 

Section 8.4

Repayment to Company

 

Section 8.5

Indemnity for U.S. Government Securities

 

Section 8.6

Reinstatement

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

 

Amendments

 

 

Section 9.1

Without Consent of Holders

 

Section 9.2

With Consent of Holders

 

Section 9.3

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

 

Section 9.4

Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers

 

Section 9.5

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

 

Section 9.6

Trustee To Sign Amendments

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

 

Subsidiary Guarantees

 

Section 10.1

Subsidiary Guarantees

 

Section 10.2

Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge

 

Section 10.3

Right of Contribution

 

Section 10.4

No Subrogation

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

Section 11.1

Trust Indenture Act Controls

 

Section 11.2

Notices

 

Section 11.3

Communication by Holders with other Holders

 

Section 11.4

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

 

Section 11.5

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

 

 

iii



 

Section 11.6

When Securities Disregarded

 

Section 11.7

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Section 11.8

Legal Holidays

 

Section 11.9

GOVERNING LAW

 

Section 11.10

No Recourse Against Others

 

Section 11.11

Successors

 

Section 11.12

Multiple Originals

 

Section 11.13

Qualification of Indenture

 

Section 11.14

Table of Contents; Headings

 

Section 11.15

Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process

 

Section 11.16

Indemnification for Foreign Currency Judgments

 

Section 11.17

Severability

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE I

Agreements

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

Form of the Unregistered Note

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

Form of the Registered Note

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

Form of Supplemental Indenture

 

 

iv



 

INDENTURE dated as of December 18, 2003, between SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED , a Bermuda exempted company (the “ Company ”), and WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY , a Delaware banking corporation (the “ Trustee ”) as Trustee.

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of (i) the Company’s 8½% Senior Notes due 2013, issued on the date hereof (the “ Initial Securities ”), (ii) if and when issued, an unlimited principal amount of additional 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 in a non-registered offering or 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 in a registered offering of the Company that may be offered from time to time subsequent to the Issue Date (the “ Additional Securities ”) and (iii) if and when issued, the Company’s 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 that may be issued from time to time in exchange for Initial Securities or any Additional Securities in an offer registered under the Securities Act as provided in a Registration Rights Agreement (as hereinafter defined the “ Exchange Securities ,” and together with the Initial Securities and Additional Securities, the “ Securities ”).

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

 

Section 1.1                                       Definitions .

 

Additional Assets ” means:

 

(1)                                   any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) used or useful by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a Related Business, including, without limitation, a hull under construction or rights under a Vessel Construction Contract, any installment payment under a Vessel Construction Contract, and any repairs, improvements, additions, enhancements, drydocking or capital improvement of any vessel;

 

(2)                                   the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(3)                                   Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (2) and (3), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

 

Additional Securities ” has the meaning ascribed to it in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms

 



 

“controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.  For purposes of the foregoing, Knightsbridge Tankers Limited shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Frontline.

 

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to a Security at any Redemption Date, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Security and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such time of (1) the redemption price of such Security at December 15, 2008 (such redemption price as set forth in Section 5.1 ) plus (2) all required interest payments due on such Security through December 15, 2008, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount of such Security.

 

Asset Disposition ” means any direct or indirect sale, lease (other than a charter or an operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of business), transfer, issuance or other disposition (including by way of a Total Loss), or a series of related sales, leases, transfers, issuances or dispositions that are part of a common plan, of shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares), property or other assets (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”) by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Dispositions:

 

(1)                                   a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                   the sale of Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

 

(3)                                   a disposition of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(4)                                   a disposition of obsolete, scrap or worn out assets that are no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and that is disposed of in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(5)                                   transactions permitted under Section 4.1 ;

 

(6)                                   an issuance of Capital Stock by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

 

(7)                                   for purposes of Section 3.7 only, the making of a Permitted Investment or a disposition subject to Section 3.4 ;

 

(8)                                   dispositions of assets in a single transaction or series of related transactions with an aggregate fair market value in any calendar year of less than $5.0 million;

 

(9)                                   dispositions in connection with Liens permitted to be incurred under this Indenture;

 

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(10)                             the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles and licenses, leases or subleases of other property in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(11)                             foreclosure on assets; and

 

(12)                             Asset Swaps.

 

Asset Swap ” means concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any cash received must be applied in accordance with Section 3.7 .

 

Attributable Indebtedness ” in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in such transaction determined in accordance with GAAP) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

 

“Available Surplus Cash” means, for any quarter, all cash and Cash Equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter, less the amount of any cash reserves necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the Board of Directors to (a) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including reserves for anticipated future credit needs and future capital expenditures, after that quarter, or (b) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which the company is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or to which its assets are subject.

 

Average Life ” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the sum of all such payments.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Code or any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law of Bermuda or any other foreign jurisdiction or any similar Federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of a Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

 

Capital Stock ” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participation or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

 

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Capitalized Lease Obligations ” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

(1)                                   securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof), having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

 

(2)                                   marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, having a credit rating of “A” or better from either S&P or Moody’s;

 

(3)                                   certificates of deposit, time deposits, euro dollar time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank or financial institution the long-term debt of which is rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A” or the equivalent thereof by S&P, or “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s, and having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million;

 

(4)                                   repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

 

(5)                                   commercial paper rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by S&P or “P-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized Rating Agency, if both of the two named Rating Agencies cease publishing ratings of investments, and in any case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition thereof; and

 

(6)                                   interests in any investment company or money market fund which invests primarily in instruments of the type specified in clauses (1) through (5) above.

 

Change of Control ” means:

 

(1)                                   any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that such person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of

 

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the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) (for the purposes of this clause, such person or group shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of the Company held by a parent entity, if such person or group “beneficially owns” (as defined above), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity); or

 

(2)                                   the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors (but not committees thereof) of the Company are not Continuing Directors; or

 

(3)                                   the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act); or

 

(4)                                   the adoption by the stockholders of the Company of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Charter Ancillary Agreement ” means the Charter Ancillary Agreement to be entered into pursuant to the Fleet Purchase Agreement between the Company, the Charterer and others, as such agreement shall be amended from time to time.

 

Charterer ” means Frontline Shipping Limited, a Bermuda exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, and its successors.

 

Charters ” means the Charters contemplated by the Fleet Purchase Agreement.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Common Stock ” means with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interest or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or nonvoting) of such Person’s common stock whether or not outstanding on the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow ” for any period means, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period, plus the portion of lease payments allocated as a reduction in the net investment in capital leases in accordance with GAAP to the extent not included in Consolidated Net Income, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)                                   Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

(2)                                   Consolidated Income Taxes;

 

(3)                                   consolidated depreciation expense;

 

(4)                                   consolidated amortization of intangibles;

 

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(5)                                   other non-cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period not included in the calculation).

 

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, clauses (2) through (5) relating to amounts of a Restricted Subsidiary will be added to Consolidated Net Income of the Company to compute its Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income (loss) of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of the Company and, to the extent the amounts set forth in clause (1) and clauses (3) through (5) are in excess of those necessary to offset a net loss of such Restricted Subsidiary or if such Restricted Subsidiary has net income for such period included in Consolidated Net Income, only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

 

Consolidated Coverage Ratio ” means as of any date of determination, with respect to any Person, the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which financial statements are in existence to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters, provided , however , that:

 

(1)                                   if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary:

 

(a)                                   has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such period (except that in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility outstanding on the date of such calculation will be computed based on (i) the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four fiscal quarters or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding or (ii) if such facility was created after the end of such four fiscal quarters, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such calculation) and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period; or

 

(b)                                  has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of the period that is no longer outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio involves a discharge of Indebtedness (in each case other than Indebtedness incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has

 

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been permanently repaid and the related commitment terminated), Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such discharge of such Indebtedness, including with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness or otherwise, as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period;

 

(2)                                   if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary will have made any Asset Disposition or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Asset Disposition:

 

(a)                                   the Consolidated Cash Flow for such period will be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Cash Flow (if positive) attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated Cash Flow (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period; and

 

(b)                                  Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale);

 

(3)                                   if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) will have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged with or into the Company) or an acquisition of assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit, division or line of business (or for purposes of this subsection, any Vessel), Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period; and

 

(4)                                   if since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period will have made any Asset Disposition or any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (2) or (3) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition or Investment or acquisition of assets occurred on the first day of such period.

 

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company (including pro forma expense and cost reductions

 

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calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act). For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition or construction of a Vessel or the Capital Stock of a Vessel owning company or the financing thereof, the Company may (a) if the relevant Vessel is to be subject to a time charter with a remaining term longer than six months, apply pro forma earnings (losses) for such period for such Vessel based upon such charter, or (b) if such Vessel is not to be subject to a time charter, is under time charter that is due to expire within six months or less, or is to be subject to charter on a voyage charter basis (whether or not any such charter is in place for such Vessel), then in each case apply earnings (losses) for such period for such Vessel based upon the average of the historical earnings of comparable Vessels in the Company’s fleet (as determined in good faith by its Board of Directors) during such period or if there is no such comparable Vessel, then based upon industry average earnings for comparable Vessels (as determined in good faith by its Board of Directors). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness).

 

Consolidated Income Taxes ” means, with respect to for any period, taxes imposed upon the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries or other payments required to be made by any such Person by any governmental authority which taxes or other payments are calculated by reference to the income or profits any of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent such income or profits were included in computing Consolidated Net Income for such period), regardless of whether such taxes or payments are required to be remitted to any governmental authority.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued, plus, to the extent not included in such interest expense:

 

(1)                                   interest expense attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations and the interest portion of rent expense associated with Attributable Indebtedness in respect of the relevant lease giving rise thereto, determined as if such lease were a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP and the interest component of any deferred payment obligations;

 

(2)                                   amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost;

 

(3)                                   non-cash interest expense;

 

(4)                                   commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

 

(5)                                   the interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(6)                                   net costs associated with Hedging Obligations (other than under Fuel Hedging Agreements) (including amortization of fees);

 

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(7)                                   the consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period;

 

(8)                                   the product of (a) all dividends paid or payable in cash, Cash Equivalents or Indebtedness or accrued during such period on any series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or on Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries payable to a party other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state, provincial and local statutory tax rate of the Company, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP; and

 

(9)                                   the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust; provided , however , that there will be excluded therefrom any such interest expense of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the related Indebtedness is not Guaranteed or paid by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

For purposes of this definition, total interest expense will be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Interest Rate Agreements.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however , that there will not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)                                   any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

 

(a)                                   subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3), (4) and (5) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) below); and

 

(b)                                  the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income to the extent such loss has been funded with cash from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                   any net income (but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:

 

(a)                                   subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3), (4) and (5) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash

 

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that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend (subject, in the case of a dividend to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

 

(b)                                  the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

 

(3)                                   any gain (loss) realized upon the sale, writedown or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person in each case, not in the ordinary course of business.

 

(4)                                   any extraordinary gain or loss; and

 

(5)                                   the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” of any Person means, as of any date of determination, the sum of the assets of such Person after eliminating intercompany items, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including appropriate deductions for any minority interest in tangible assets of such Person’s Subsidiaries, less (without duplication) (a) the net book value of all of its licenses, patents, patent applications, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, goodwill, non-compete agreements or organizational expenses and other like intangibles, (b) unamortized Indebtedness discount and expenses, (c) all reserves for depreciation, obsolescence, depletion and amortization of its properties and (d) all other proper reserves which in accordance with GAAP should be provided in connection with the business conducted by such Person.

 

Continuing Directors ” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who: (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election.

 

Credit Facilities ” means one or more debt facilities with commercial banks providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing or trade letters of credit, in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced by commercial banks in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Currency Agreement ” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

 

Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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

 

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Definitive Securities ” means certificated Securities.

 

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event:

 

(1)                                   matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

(2)                                   is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (excluding Capital Stock which is convertible or exchangeable solely at the option of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); or

 

(3)                                   is redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock thereof, in whole or in part,

 

in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date (a) on which the Securities mature or (b) on which there are no Securities outstanding, provided that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further , that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset disposition (each defined in a substantially identical manner to the corresponding definitions in this Indenture) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) pursuant to such provision prior to compliance by the Company with the provisions of this Indenture described under Section 3.9 and Section 3.7 and such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 3.4 .

 

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors and assigns, or such other depository institution hereafter appointed by the Company.

 

Escrow Agent ” means the Wilmington Trust Company in its capacity as Escrow Agent under the Escrow Agreement.

 

Escrow Agreement ” means the Escrow Agreement dated as of the date of this Indenture among the Initial Purchasers, Frontline, the Company, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent.

 

Escrow Funds ” has the meaning set forth in the Escrow Agreement.

 

Escrow Release ” means the release of the Escrow Funds held under the Escrow Agreement to the Company pursuant to Section 5(a) thereof.

 

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

 

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Exchange Offer ” has the meaning set forth in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Exchange Securities ” has the meaning ascribed to it in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.

 

Fleet Purchase Agreement ” means the Fleet Purchase Agreement dated as of December 11, 2003 between Frontline and the Company.

 

Fleet Purchase Completion ” means the satisfaction of the conditions specified in clauses (1) through (7) of Annex A to the Escrow Agreement, which shall be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

 

Frontline ” means Frontline Ltd., an exempted Bermuda company, and its successors.

 

Frontline Management ” means Frontline Management (Bermuda) Limited, a Bermuda exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline.

 

Fuel Hedging Agreements ” means any spot, forward or option fuel price protection agreements and other types of fuel hedging agreements designed to protect against or manage exposure to fluctuations in fuel prices.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the date of this Indenture, including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP.

 

Guarantee ” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

 

(1)                                   to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

 

(2)                                   entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however , that the term “Guarantee” will not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has the corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantor Subordinated Obligation ” means, with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or

 

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thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement.

 

Hedging Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Fuel Hedging Agreement.

 

Incur ” means issue, create, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and the terms “Incurring,” “Incurred” and “Incurrence” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

 

(1)                                   the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

(2)                                   the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

(3)                                   the principal component of all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto except to the extent such reimbursement obligation relates to a trade payable and such obligation is satisfied within 30 days of Incurrence);

 

(4)                                   the principal component of all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property (except trade payables), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto;

 

(5)                                   Capitalized Lease Obligations and all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person;

 

(6)                                   the principal component or liquidation preference of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

 

(7)                                   the principal component of all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided , however , that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

 

(8)                                   the principal component of Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by such Person; and

 

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(9)                                   to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, net obligations of such Person under Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements (the amount of any such obligations to be equal at any time to the termination value of such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligation that would be payable by such Person at such time).

 

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date will be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date.

 

In addition, “Indebtedness” of any Person shall include Indebtedness described in the preceding paragraph that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person if:

 

(1)                                   such Indebtedness is the obligation of a Joint Venture;

 

(2)                                   such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of the Joint Venture (a “ General Partner ”); and

 

(3)                                   there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, with respect to the payment of such Indebtedness to property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; and then such Indebtedness shall be included in an amount not to exceed:

 

(a)                                   the lesser of (x) the net assets of the General Partner and (y) the amount of such obligations to the extent that there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, to the property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; or

 

(b)                                  if less than the amount determined pursuant to clause (a) immediately above, the actual amount of such Indebtedness that is recourse to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, if the Indebtedness is evidenced by a writing and is for a determinable amount and the related interest expense shall be included in Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent actually paid by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Independent Appraiser ” means a Person:

 

(1)                                   engaged in the business of appraising vessels who is generally acceptable to institutional lenders to the shipping industry; and

 

(2)                                   who (a) is independent of the parties to the transaction in question and their Affiliates and (b) is not connected with the Company, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any of such Affiliates as an officer, director, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner or person performing similar functions.

 

Initial Purchasers ” means Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

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Initial Securities ” has the meaning ascribed to it in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.

 

Interest Rate Agreement ” means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

 

Investment ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any direct or indirect advance, loan (other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business) or other extension of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement, but excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such Person and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that none of the following will be deemed to be an Investment:

 

(1)                                   Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business and in compliance with this Indenture;

 

(2)                                   endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(3)                                   an acquisition of assets, Capital Stock or other securities by the Company or a Subsidiary for consideration to the extent such consideration consists of Common Stock of the Company.

 

For purposes of Section 3.4 :

 

(1)                                   “Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets (as conclusively determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(2)                                   any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than “Baa3” (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or “BBB-” (or the equivalent) by S&P.

 

Issue Date ” means the first date on which the Initial Securities are originally issued.

 

Joint Venture ” means a partnership or joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

 

Material Agreements ” means the Charters, the Charter Ancillary Agreement, the Performance Guarantee and the Management Agreements, each entered into or to be entered into prior to the Escrow Release in accordance with the Fleet Purchase Agreement.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Net Available Cash ” from an Asset Disposition means cash payments actually received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition or received in any other noncash form) therefrom, in each case net of:

 

(1)                                   all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under GAAP (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing agreements), as a consequence of such Asset Disposition;

 

(2)                                   all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition;

 

(3)                                   all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition;

 

(4)                                   the deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition; and

 

(5)                                   all expenditures incurred to inspect, repair or modify a Vessel and bring such Vessel to the condition and place of delivery in connection with the sale of such Vessel as may be specified in the related purchase and sale agreement or otherwise as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine as advisable in connection with such sale.

 

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Net Cash Proceed s,” with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale actually received net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result of such issuance or sale (after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements).

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness as to which:

 

(1)                                   neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides any Guarantee or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise);

 

(2)                                   no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default under such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and

 

(3)                                   there is no recourse against any of the assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Non-U.S. Person ” means a person who is not a U.S. person, as defined in Regulation S.

 

Note Register ” has the meaning ascribed to it Section 2.3 .

 

Offering Circular ” means the Offering Circular dated December 11, 2003 pursuant to which the Initial Securities were offered for sale.

 

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.

 

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

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness that ranks equally in right of payment to the Securities.

 

Permitted Holders ” means Frontline and its Affiliates.

 

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Permitted Investment ” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

 

(1)                                   a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business;

 

(2)                                   another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Person’s primary business is a Related Business;

 

(3)                                   Investments in Joint Ventures in connection with a Related Business in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, as of the most recent balance sheet date, the lesser of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company at any one time outstanding;

 

(4)                                   cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(5)                                   receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided , however , that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(6)                                   payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)                                   stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor;

 

(8)                                   Investments made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Disposition that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 3.7 ;

 

(9)                                   Investments in existence on the Issue Date;

 

(10)                             Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements and related Hedging Obligations, which transactions or obligations are Incurred in compliance with Section 3.3 ;

 

(11)                             Guarantees issued in accordance with Section 3.3 ; and

 

(12)                             in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (11) above, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Investments by the Company or any of its

 

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Restricted Subsidiaries, when taken together with other Investments made pursuant to this clause (12), in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20.0 million outstanding at any one time.

 

Permitted Liens ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)                                   Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount at any one time not to exceed $1,160,000,000;

 

(2)                                   Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property of such Person, including a Vessel (which term, for purposes of this clause (2), shall include the Capital Stock of a Person substantially all of the assets of which is a Vessel and any Related Assets, as the context may require); provided, however , (A) subject to clause (B) below, in the case of a Vessel, (i) except as provided in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) below, the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien does not exceed (x) with respect to Indebtedness Incurred to finance the construction of such Vessel, 80% of the sum of (1) the contract price pursuant to the Vessel Construction Contract for such Vessel and (2) any other Ready for Sea Cost for such Vessel, and (y) with respect to Indebtedness Incurred to finance the acquisition of such Vessel, 80% of the sum of (1) the contract price for the acquisition of such Vessel and (2) any other Ready for Sea Cost of such Vessel, (ii) in the case of Indebtedness that matures within nine months after the Incurrence of such Indebtedness (other than any Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness or Indebtedness that matures within one year prior to the Stated Maturity of the Securities), the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien shall not exceed the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, of such Vessel at the time such Lien is incurred, (iii) in the case of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction, the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien shall not exceed the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, of such Vessel at the time such Lien is incurred and (iv) in the case of Indebtedness representing Capitalized Lease Obligations relating to a Vessel, the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien shall not exceed 100% of the sum of (1) the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, of such Vessel at the time such Lien is incurred and (2) any Ready for Sea Cost for such Vessel and (B) in the case of Additional Assets acquired directly or indirectly from Net Available Cash pursuant to Section 3.7 , the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such a Lien does not exceed the lesser of (i) 80% of the contract price for the acquisition of such Additional Asset and (ii) the contract price for the acquisition of such Additional Asset less the Net Available Cash used to acquire such Additional Asset; provided further , however , that such Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred and the Indebtedness (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be incurred more than 180 days after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;

 

(3)                                   pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits or cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such

 

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Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(4)                                   Liens imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens;

 

(5)                                   Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings provided appropriate reserves required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

 

(6)                                   Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business; provided , however , that such letters of credit do not constitute Indebtedness;

 

(7)                                   encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(8)                                   Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligation;

 

(9)                                   leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(10)                             judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

 

(11)                             Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capitalized Lease Obligations with respect to, assets or property (other than Vessels) acquired or constructed in the ordinary course of business, provided that:

 

(a)                                   the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or constructed; and

 

(b)                                  such Liens are created within 180 days of construction or acquisition of such assets or property and do not encumber any other assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto;

 

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(12)                             Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution; provided that:

 

(a)                                   such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; and

 

(b)                                  such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

 

(13)                             Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statements;

 

(14)                             Liens existing on the Issue Date;

 

(15)                             Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; provided further , however , that any such Lien may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(16)                             Liens on property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(17)                             Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

 

(18)                             Liens securing the Securities and Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(19)                             Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured, provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder;

 

(20)                             Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising from Vessel chartering, drydocking, maintenance, the furnishing of supplies and bunkers to Vessels, repairs and improvements to Vessels, crews’ wages and maritime Liens;

 

(21)                             any Lien or pledge created or subsisting in the ordinary course of business over documents of title, insurance policies or sale contracts in relation to commercial goods to secure the purchase price thereof;

 

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(22)                             Liens for salvage and general average; and

 

(23)                             in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (22) above, Liens securing Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Obligations and Guarantor Subordinated Obligations) in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed $20.0 million.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, clauses (2), (15) and (16) of this definition shall not apply with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Fleet Purchase Agreement.

 

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

 

Preferred Stock ,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.

 

Public Equity Offering ” means an offering for cash by the Company of its common stock, or options, warrants or rights with respect to its common stock made pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (other than on Form S-4 or S-8 or their foreign private issuer equivalent, if any).

 

Rating Agency ” means each of S&P and Moody’s, or if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating on the Securities publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of its Board of Directors) which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s or both, as the case may be.

 

Ready for Sea Cost ” means with respect to a Vessel or Vessels to be acquired or leased (pursuant to a Capitalized Lease Obligation) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the aggregate amount of all expenditures incurred to acquire or construct and bring such Vessel or Vessels to the condition and location necessary for its intended use, including any and all inspections, appraisals, repairs, modifications, construction related insurance, additions, permits and licenses in connection with such acquisition or lease.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, exchange, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) (collectively, “refinance” and “refinances” and “refinanced” shall have correlative meanings) any Indebtedness existing Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with this Indenture (including Indebtedness of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of another Restricted Subsidiary) including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, provided , however , that:

 

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(1)                                   (a) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Securities, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced or (b) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is later than the Stated Maturity of the Securities, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity at least 91 days later than the Stated Maturity of the Securities;

 

(2)                                   the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(3)                                   such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the sum of the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of Indebtedness being refinanced (plus, without duplication, any additional Indebtedness Incurred to pay interest or premiums required by the instruments governing such existing Indebtedness and fees incurred in connection therewith); and

 

(4)                                   if the Indebtedness being refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Securities or any Subsidiary Guarantee, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Securities or any Subsidiary Guarantee on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Securities as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

 

Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement dated as of the date of this Indenture by and between the Company and the Initial Purchasers set forth therein and future registration rights agreements with respect to Additional Securities.

 

Related Asset ” means, with respect to a Vessel, (a) any insurance policies and contracts from time to time in force with respect to such Vessel, (b) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Company owning such Vessel and related assets, (c) any requisition compensation payable in respect of any compulsory acquisition thereof, (d) any earnings derived from the use or operation thereof and/or any earnings account with respect to such earnings, (e) any charters, operating leases and related agreements entered into in respect of such Vessel and any security or guarantee in respect of the charterer’s or lessee’s obligations under such charter, lease or agreement, (f) any cash collateral account established with respect to such Vessel pursuant to the financing arrangement with respect thereto, (g) any building, conversion or repair contracts relating to such Vessel and any security or guarantee in respect of the builder’s obligations under such contracts and (h) any security interest in, or agreement or assignment relating to, any of the foregoing or any mortgage in respect of such Vessel.

 

Related Business ” means any business which is the same as or related, ancillary or complementary to any of the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of this Indenture or any other business that the Board of Directors determines in good faith is an appropriate business for the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Related Business Assets ” means assets used or useful in a Related Business.

 

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Representative ” means any trustee, agent or representative (if any) of an issue of Indebtedness; provided that when used in connection with the Credit Facilities, the term “Representative” shall refer to the administrative agent under the Credit Facilities.

 

Restricted Investment ” means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America.

 

Sale/Leaseback Transaction ” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

 

Secured Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness that is secured by a lien on the property or assets of the relevant obligor.

 

Securities ” has the meaning ascribed to it in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Securities Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to the Global Security (as appointed by DTC), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.

 

Securityholder ” or “ Holder ” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Note Register.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger ” shall be deemed to have occurred if either of the following conditions has not been satisfied as of 5:01 p.m. Eastern time on March 17, 2004: (a) a Release Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall have been delivered to the Trustee in accordance with Section 5(a) of the Escrow Agreement, and (b) the Fleet Purchase Completion shall have occurred.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

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Subordinated Obligation ” means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Securities pursuant to a written agreement.

 

Subsidiary ” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership and joint venture interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary will refer to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means, individually, any Guarantee of payment of the Securities by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and any supplemental indenture hereto, and, collectively, all such Guarantees.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means (1) each Subsidiary of the Company in existence on the date of the Escrow Release and (2) each other Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 3.12 , in each case until such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be such in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Successful Public Listing ” means the completion of one or more transactions that result in at least 20% of the then outstanding Common Stock of the Company being listed or quoted for public trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, Nasdaq National Market System or other United States national securities exchange, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee to such effect.

 

Total Loss ” means, with respect to a Vessel, a total loss, destruction, condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure, forfeiture, blocking and trapping or other taking of title to or use of such Vessel (provided that such loss, destruction, condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure, forfeiture, blocking and trapping or other taking of title to or use of such Vessel was covered by insurance or resulted in the actual payment of compensation, indemnification or similar payments to such Person).

 

Treasury Rate ” means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) which has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2008; provided, however , that if the period from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2008 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2008 is less than one year, the weekly

 

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average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

 

TIA ” or “ Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Trust Officer ” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

U.S. Dollar Equivalent ” means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, at or as of any time for the determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters (or, if Reuters ceases to provide such spot quotations, by any other reputable service as is providing such spot quotations, as selected by the Company) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date not more than two business days prior to such determination.

 

U.S. Government Securities ” means non-callable direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:

 

(1)                                   any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Company in the manner provided below; and

 

(2)                                   any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

 

(1)                                   such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of or have any Investment in, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(2)                                   all the Indebtedness of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries shall consist of Non-Recourse Debt;

 

(3)                                   such designation and the Investment of the Company in such Subsidiary complies with Section 3.4 ;

 

(4)                                   such Subsidiary, either alone or in the aggregate with all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, does not operate, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(5)                                   such Subsidiary is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation:

 

(a)                                   to subscribe for additional Capital Stock of such Person; or

 

(b)                                  to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

 

(6)                                   on the date such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with terms substantially less favorable to the Company than those that might have been obtained from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company.

 

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred as of such date.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and the Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the first paragraph of Section 3.3 on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

 

Vessel ” means one or more shipping vessels whose primary purpose is the maritime transportation of cargo and/or passengers or which are otherwise engaged, used or useful in any business activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and which are owned by and registered (or to be owned by and registered) in the name of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or operated or to be operated by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to a lease or other operating agreement constituting a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case together with all related spares, equipment and any additions or improvements.

 

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Vessel Construction Contract ” means any contract for the construction (or construction and acquisition) of a Vessel entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto or change orders in respect thereof.

 

Voting Stock ” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of such Person.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

 

Section 1.2                                       Other Definitions .

 

TERM

 

DEFINED IN
SECTION

“Additional Amounts”

3.1(b)

“Additional Restricted Securities”

2.1(b)

“Affiliate Transaction”

3.8

“Agent Member”

2.1(e)

“Agreement Currency”

11.16

“Asset Disposition Offer Amount”

3.7(c)(1)

“Asset Disposition Offer Period”

3.7(c)(1)

“Asset Disposition Offer”

3.7(b)

“Asset Disposition Purchase Date”

3.7(c)(1)

“Authenticating Agent”

2.2

“Certificate of Destruction”

2.12

“Change in Tax Law”

5.1(b)

“Change of Control Offer”

3.9(b)

“Change of Control Payment Date”

3.9(b)(2)

“Change of Control Payment”

3.9(b)(1)

“Company Order”

2.2

“Corporate Trust Office”

3.14

“covenant defeasance option”

8.1(b)

“Defaulted Interest”

2.13

“Distribution Compliance Period”

2.6(b)

“Event of Default”

6.1

“Excess Proceeds”

3.7(b)

“Exchange Global Note”

2.1(b)

“Global Securities”

2.1(b)

“IAI”

2.1(b)

“Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note”

2.1(b)

“Institutional Accredited Investor Note”

2.1(b)

“Judgment Currency”

11.16

“legal defeasance option”

8.1(b)

“Legal Holiday”

11.8

“Note Register”

2.3

 

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TERM

 

DEFINED IN
SECTION

“Obligations”

10.1

“Pari Passu Notes”

3.7(b)

“Paying Agent”

2.3

“payment default”

6.1(6)(a)

“Payor”

3.1(b)

“Private Placement Legend”

2.1(d)

“protected purchaser”

2.9

“QIB”

2.1(b)

“Redemption Date”

5.1

“Registrar”

2.3

“Regulation S Global Note”

2.1(b)

“Regulation S Note”

2.1(b)

“Regulation S”

2.1(b)

“Relevant Tax Jurisdiction”

3.1(b)

“Required Filing Dates”

3.2

“Resale Restriction Termination Date”

2.6(a)

“Restricted Payment”

3.4

“Rule 144A Global Note”

2.1(b)

“Rule 144A Note”

2.1(b)

“Rule 144A”

2.1(b)

“SK”

11.15

“Special Interest Payment Date”

2.13(a)

“Special Record Date”

2.13(a)

“Successor Company”

4.1

 

Section 1.3                                       Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .  This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

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

 

“obligor” on this Indenture securities means the Company and any other obligor on this Indenture securities.

 

All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

 

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Section 1.4                                       Rules of Construction .  Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

(2)                                   an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(3)                                   “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                                   “including” means including without limitation;

 

(5)                                   words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(6)                                   unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

 

(7)                                   the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(8)                                   the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater;

 

(9)                                   references to U.S. dollar amounts mean the U.S. Dollar Equivalent as of the date of any determination thereof; and

 

(10)                             the term “merger” includes an amalgamation, a compulsory share exchange, a conversion of a corporation into another business entity and any other transaction having effects substantially similar to a merger under the General Corporation Laws of the State of Delaware

 

ARTICLE II
The Securities

 

Section 2.1                                       Form, Dating and Terms .

 

(a)                                   The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date will be in an aggregate principal amount of $580,000,000.  In addition, the Company may issue, from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including, without limitation, Section 3.3 hereof, Additional Securities and Exchange Securities. Furthermore, Securities may be authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer, or in exchange for or in lieu of, other Securities pursuant to Section 2.2, 2.6, 2.9, 2.11, 5.8 or 9.5 or in connection with an Asset Disposition Offer pursuant to Section 3.7 or a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 3.9 .

 

The Initial Securities, Additional Securities and Exchange Securities shall be known and designated as “8½ % Senior Notes due 2013” of the Company.

 

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The Initial Securities, the Additional Securities and the Exchange Securities shall be considered collectively as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture. Holders of the Initial Securities, the Additional Securities and the Exchange Securities will vote and consent together on all matters to which such Holders are entitled to vote or consent as one class, and none of the Holders of the Initial Securities, the Additional Securities or the Exchange Securities shall have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter to which such Holders are entitled to vote or consent.

 

(b)                                  The Initial Securities are being offered and sold by the Company pursuant to a Purchase Agreement, dated December 11, 2003, among the Company, Frontline and the Initial Purchasers. The Initial Securities and any Additional Securities (if issued as Restricted Securities) (the “Additional Restricted Securities”) will be resold initially only to (A) qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”)) in reliance on Rule 144A (“QIBs”), (B) Persons other than U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”) and (C) institutional “accredited investors” (as defined in Rules 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) under the Securities Act) who are not QIBs (“IAIs”) in accordance with Rule 501 of the Securities Act. Such Initial Securities and Additional Restricted Securities may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and IAIs in accordance with the procedures described herein.

 

Initial Securities and Additional Restricted Securities offered and sold to QIBs in the United States of America in reliance on Rule 144A (the “Rule 144A Notes”) shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Security, without interest coupons, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, including appropriate legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d) (the “Rule 144A Global Note”), deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Rule 144A Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by DTC’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Rule 144A Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for DTC or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

 

Initial Securities and Additional Securities offered and sold outside the United States of America (the “Regulation S Notes”) in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Security, without interest coupons, substantially in the form of Exhibit A (the “Regulation S Global Note”) deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Regulation S Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by DTC’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for DTC or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

 

Initial Securities and Additional Securities offered and sold to IAIs (the “Institutional Accredited Investor Notes”) in the United States of America shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Security, without interest coupons, substantially in the form of Exhibit A (the “Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note”) deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for

 

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DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by DTC’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for DTC or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

 

Exchange Securities exchanged for interests in the Rule 144A Notes, the Regulation S Notes and the Institutional Accredited Investor Notes will be issued in the form of a permanent global Security, without interest coupons, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, deposited with the Trustee as hereinafter provided, including the appropriate legend set forth in Section 2.1(d) (the “Exchange Global Note”). The Exchange Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by DTC’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate.

 

The Rule 144A Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note, the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note and the Exchange Global Note are sometimes collectively herein referred to as the “Global Securities.”

 

The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities shall be payable at the office or agency designated by the Company maintained for such purpose in the City of New York, or at such other office or agency of the Company as may be maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3 ; provided, however , that, at the option of the Company, each installment of interest may be paid by (i) check mailed to addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear on the Note Register or (ii) wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee. Payments in respect of Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by DTC.

 

The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage, in addition to those set forth on Exhibit A and Exhibit B and in Section 2.1(d) . The terms of the Securities set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B are part of the terms of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to be bound by such terms.

 

(c)                                   Denominations .  The Securities shall be issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, and only in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

 

(d)                                  Restrictive Legends .  Unless and until (i) an Initial Security or Additional Security is sold under an effective registration statement or (ii) an Initial Security or Additional Security is exchanged for an Exchange Security in connection with an effective registration statement, in each case pursuant to the applicable Registration Rights Agreement or a similar agreement,

 

(A)                               the Rule 144A Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note and the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note shall bear the following legend (the “Private Placement Legend”) on the face thereof:

 

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“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS A NON-U.S. PURCHASER AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (C) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PURCHASERS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S, OR TRANSFER AGENT’S, AS APPLICABLE, RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR

 

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TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E), OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE OR REGISTRAR.

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (I) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE AND HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OF PLANS, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS OR OTHER ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAWS”), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF SUCH PLANS, ACCOUNTS OR ARRANGEMENTS, OR (II) THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.”

 

(B)                                 The Global Securities, whether or not an Initial Security, shall bear the following legend on the face thereof:

 

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR

 

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TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.”

 

(e)                                   Book-Entry Provisions

 

(i)                                      This Section 2.1(e) shall apply only to Global Securities deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for DTC.

 

(ii)                                   Each Global Security initially shall (x) be registered in the name of DTC, (y) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for DTC and (z) bear legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d) .

 

(iii)                                Members of, or participants in, DTC (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by DTC or by the Trustee as the custodian of DTC or under such Global Security, and DTC may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or impair, as between DTC and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of DTC governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Security.

 

(iv)                               In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interest in a Global Security pursuant to subsection (f) of this Section 2.1 to beneficial owners who are required to hold Definitive Securities, the custodian shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Definitive Securities of like tenor and amount.

 

(v)                                  In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to subsection (f) of this Section 2.1 , such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by DTC in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of authorized denominations.

 

(vi)                               The Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

 

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(f)                                     Definitive Securities .

 

(i) Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be entitled to receive Definitive Securities. If required to do so pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, beneficial owners may obtain Definitive Securities in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security upon written request in accordance with DTC’s and the Registrar’s procedures. In addition, Definitive Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if (a) DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such Global Security or DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, at a time when DTC is required to be so registered in order to act as depositary, and in each case a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or, (b) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee and Registrar an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (c) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from DTC.

 

(ii)                                   Any Definitive Security delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Security pursuant to Section 2.1(e)(iv) or (v) shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.6(c) , bear the applicable legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Definitive Security set forth in Section 2.1(d) .

 

(iii)                                In connection with the exchange of a portion of a Definitive Security for a beneficial interest in a Global Security, the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Security, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to the transferring Holder a new Definitive Security representing the principal amount not so transferred.

 

Section 2.2                                       Execution and Authentication .  One Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid nevertheless, after giving effect to any exchange of Initial Securities for Exchange Securities.

 

A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually authenticates the Security. The signature of the Trustee on a Security shall be conclusive evidence that such Security has been duly and validly authenticated and issued under this Indenture. A Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery: (1) Initial Securities for original issue on the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount of $580,000,000, (2) Additional Securities for original issue and (3) Exchange Securities for issue only in an Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, and only in exchange for Initial Securities or Additional Securities of an equal principal amount, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company (the “ Company Order ”).  Such Company Order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, whether the Securities are to be Initial Securities, Additional Securities or

 

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Exchange Securities and whether the Securities shall be issued in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit B hereto.

 

The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “ Authenticating Agent ”) reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent.

 

In case the Company, pursuant to Article IV, shall be consolidated or merged with or into any other Person or shall sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, and the successor Person resulting from such consolidation, or surviving such merger, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or the Person which shall have received a disposition as aforesaid, shall have executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article IV, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered prior to such consolidation, merger or other disposition may, from time to time, at the request of the successor Person, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the successor Person with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise in substance of like tenor as the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon Company Order of the successor Person, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a successor Person pursuant to this Section 2.2 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such successor Person, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities at the time outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.

 

Section 2.3                                       Registrar and Paying Agent .  The Company shall maintain in the City of New York or Wilmington, Delaware, an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”).  The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange (the “ Note Register ”).  The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent.  The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.7 .  The Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent for the Securities.

 

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Section 2.4                                       Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .  By no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date on which any principal of or premium or interest on any Security is due and payable, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient in immediately available funds to pay such principal, premium or interest when due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by such Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or premium or interest on the Securities and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee. Upon any bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Securities.

 

Section 2.5                                       Securityholder Lists .  The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, or to the extent otherwise required under the TIA, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders.

 

Section 2.6                                       Transfer and Exchange .

 

(a)                                   The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note prior to the date which is two years after the later of the date of its original issue and the last date on which the Company or any Affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Securities (or any predecessor thereto) (the “ Resale Restriction Termination Date ”):

 

(i)                                      a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee in the form as set forth on the reverse of the Security that it is purchasing for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;

 

(ii)                                   a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to an IAI shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.7 from the

 

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proposed transferee and, if requested by the Company or the Trustee, the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them; and

 

(iii)                                a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to a Non-U.S. Person shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.8 from the proposed transferee and, if requested by the Company or the Trustee, the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them.

 

(b)                                  The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of a Regulation S Note prior to the expiration of the applicable distribution compliance period specified in Rule 903(b) of Regulation S (the “ Distribution Compliance Period ”):

 

(i)                                      a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee, in the form of assignment on the reverse of the certificate, that it is purchasing the Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;

 

(ii)                                   a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to an IAI shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.7 from the proposed transferee and, if requested by the Company or the Trustee, the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them; and

 

(iii)                                a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to a Non-U.S. Person shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.8 hereof from the proposed transferee and, if requested by the Company or the Trustee, receipt by the Trustee or its agent of an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them.

 

After the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, interests in the Regulation S Note may be transferred without requiring the certification set forth in Section 2.7 , Section 2.8 or any additional certification.

 

(c)                                   Restricted Securities Legend .  Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Securities not bearing a Restricted Securities Legend, the Registrar shall deliver Securities that do not bear a Restricted Securities Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Securities bearing a Restricted Securities Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Securities that bear a Restricted Securities Legend unless there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of

 

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Counsel to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

(d)                                  The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.1 or this Section 2.6 .  The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable prior written notice to the Registrar.

 

(e)                                   Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Securities .

 

(i)                                      To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall, subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article II, execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Securities and Global Securities at the Registrar’s or co-registrar’s request.

 

(ii)                                   No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charges payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.7, 3.9 or 9.5 ).

 

(iii)                                The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Security selected for redemption or for a period beginning 15 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed.

 

(iv)                               Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(v)                                  Any Definitive Security delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Security pursuant to Section 2.1(e) shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.6(c) , bear the applicable legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Definitive Security set forth in Section 2.1(d) .

 

(vi)                               All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

(f)                                     No Obligation of the Trustee .

 

(i)                                      The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in, DTC or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to

 

40



 

the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than DTC) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Securities (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be DTC or its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Security shall be exercised only through DTC subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

(ii)                                   The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among DTC participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Section 2.7                                       Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to Institutional Accredited Investors .

 

[Date]

 

Ship Finance International Limited

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

 

Dear Sirs:

 

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $                            principal amount of the 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “ Securities ”) of Ship Finance International Limited (the “ Company ”).

 

Upon transfer, the Securities would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

 

 

 

 

We hereby confirm that:

 

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1.                                        We are an institutional “Accredited Investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);

 

2.                                        Any purchase of notes by us will be for our own account or the account of one or more other Accredited Investors as to which we exercise sole investment discretion;

 

3.                                        We are not acquiring the notes for or on behalf of, and will not transfer the notes to, any pension or welfare plan (as defined in Section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) except as permitted in the section entitled “Notice to Investors” of the Offering Circular;

 

4.                                        We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that we are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of purchasing the notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are able to bear the economic risks of an entire loss of our or their investment in the notes;

 

5.                                        We are not acquiring notes with a view to any distribution thereof in a transaction that would violate the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction; provided that the disposition of our property and the property of any accounts for which we are acting as fiduciary shall remain at all times within our and their control;

 

6.                                        We acknowledge that the notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and that the notes may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons except as set forth below.

 

We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of each account for which we acquire any notes, that, for a period of two years after the later of the date of (x) original issuance of the notes and (y) the last date on which the notes or any part thereof were owned by the Company or an affiliate of the Company, such notes may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (i) to the Company, (ii) inside the United States to a person that we reasonably believe to be a “Qualified Institutional Buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in compliance with Rule 144A, (iii) inside the United States to a person we reasonably believe to be an Accredited Investor that, prior to such transfer, furnishes to the trustee under the indenture governing the notes (the “Trustee”) a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements (a form of which can be obtained from the Trustee), (iv) outside the United States to persons other than U.S. persons in offshore transactions meeting the requirements of Rule 904 under Regulation S under the Securities Act, (v) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available), or (vi) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and in each case, in accordance with any applicable laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction.

 

We understand that the Trustee will not be required to accept for registration of transfer any notes acquired by us, except upon presentation of evidence satisfactory to the Company and

 

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the Trustee that the foregoing restrictions on transfer have been complied with. We further understand that the notes purchased by us will bear a legend reflecting the substance of this paragraph. We further agree to provide to any person acquiring any of the notes from us a notice advising such person that resales of the notes are restricted as stated herein and that certificates representing the notes will bear a legend to that effect.

 

We acknowledge that you, the Company, the Trustee and others will rely upon our acknowledgements, representations and agreements set forth herein, and we agree to notify you promptly in writing if any of our acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein cease to be accurate and complete.

 

As used herein, the terms “offshore transaction,” “United States” and “U.S. person” have the respective meanings given to them in Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

 

 

TRANSFEREE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY:

 

 

Section 2.8                                       Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S .

 

[Date]

 

Ship Finance International Limited

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

 

Re:  Ship Finance International Limited 8½ % Senior Notes due 2013 (the “ Securities ”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with our proposed sale of $                      aggregate principal amount of the Securities, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, we represent that:

 

(a)                                   the offer of the Securities was not made to a person in the United States;

 

(b)                                  either (i) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee

 

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was outside the United States or (ii) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

 

(c)                                   no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, as applicable; and

 

(d)                                  the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

In addition, if the sale is made during a distribution compliance period and the provisions of Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S are applicable thereto, we confirm that such sale has been made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 903 or Rule 904, as the case may be.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

[Name of Transferor]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Authorized Signature]

 

Section 2.9                                       Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities .  If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Securityholder (a) satisfies the Company or the Trustee within a reasonable time after such Securityholder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Company or Trustee prior to the Security being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “ protected purchaser ”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced, and, in the absence of notice to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for any such mutilated Security or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 2.10                                 Outstanding Securities .  Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. A Security shall be deemed to be outstanding in the event the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security, provided , however , that (i) for purposes of determining which are outstanding for consent or voting purposes hereunder, the provisions of Section 11.6 shall apply and (ii) in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making a determination whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes or have consented to or voted in favor of any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, amendment or modification hereunder, or relying upon any such quorum, consent or vote, only Securities which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be held by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company shall not be considered outstanding.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.9 , it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, by 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on a Redemption Date or other maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest payable on that date with respect to the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or otherwise maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Securities (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

Section 2.11                                 Temporary Securities .   In the event that Definitive Securities are to be issued under the terms of this Indenture, until such Definitive Securities are ready for delivery,

 

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the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Securities. After the preparation of Definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at any office or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose and such exchange shall be without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therfor, one or more Definitive Securities representing an equal principal amount of Securities. Until so exchanged, the Holder of temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as a Holder of Definitive Securities.

 

Section 2.12                                 Cancellation .   The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and destroy such Securities in accordance with its internal policies including delivery of a certificate (a “ Certificate of Destruction ”) describing such Securities disposed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for any reason other than in connection with a transfer or exchange.

 

Section 2.13                                 Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest .   Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3 .

 

Any interest on any Security which is payable, but is not paid when the same becomes due and payable and such nonpayment continues for a period of 30 days shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the regular record date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such defaulted interest and (to the extent lawful) interest on such defaulted interest at the rate borne by the Securities (such defaulted interest and interest thereon herein collectively called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:

 

(a)                                   The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities (or their respective predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date (as defined below) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security and the date (not less than 30 days after such notice) of the proposed payment (the “ Special Interest Payment Date ”), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons

 

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entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a record date (the “ Special Record Date ”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which date shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the Special Interest Payment Date and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date, and in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor to be given in the manner provided for in Section 11.2 , not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid on the Special Interest Payment Date to the Persons in whose names the Securities (or their respective predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).

 

(b)                                  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

Section 2.14                                 Computation of Interest .   Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

Section 2.15                                 CUSIP AND ISIN Numbers .   The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided , however , 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 CUSIP and ISIN numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.

 

ARTICLE III
Covenants

 

Section 3.1                                       Payment of Securities; Payment of Additional Amounts .

 

(a)                                   Payment of Securities .  The Company shall pay the principal of, premium on and interest on the Securities by 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. All references in this Indenture to interest on the Securities shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest that may be payable with respect to

 

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the Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.  Principal, premium and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture immediately available funds sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due.

 

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium at the rate specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company may, to the extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or other similar taxes imposed by the United States of America from payments hereunder.

 

(b)                                  Payment of Additional Amounts .  If any taxes, assessments or other governmental charges are imposed by any jurisdiction where the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a successor of either (a “ Payor ”) is organized or otherwise considered by a taxing authority to be a resident for tax purposes, any jurisdiction from or through which the Payor makes a payment on the Securities, or, in each case, any political organization or governmental authority thereof or therein having the power to tax (the “ Relevant Tax Jurisdiction ”) in respect of any payments under the Securities, the Payor will pay to each Holder of a Security, to the extent it may lawfully do so, such additional amounts (“ Additional Amounts ”) as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such Holder will be not less than the amount specified in such Security to which such Holder is entitled; provided , however , the Payor will not be required to make any payment of Additional Amounts for or on account of:

 

(1)                                   any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have been imposed but for (a) the existence of any present or former connection between such Holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such Holder, if such Holder is an estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company or corporation) and the Relevant Tax Jurisdiction including, without limitation, such Holder (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder or possessor) being or having been a citizen or resident thereof or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had a permanent establishment therein or (b) the presentation of a Security (where presentation is required) for payment on a date more than 30 days after (x) the date on which such payment became due and payable or (y) the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later (in either case (x) or (y), except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the Security been presented for such 30-day period);

 

(2)                                   any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

 

(3)                                   any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the Holder or the beneficial owner of the Security to comply with a reasonable and timely request of the Payor addressed to the Holder to provide information, documents or other evidence concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner which is required by a statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice

 

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of the taxing jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or

 

(4)                                   any combination of the above;

 

nor will Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Security to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or limited liability company or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the Relevant Tax Jurisdiction to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership, limited liability company or beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of such Security.

 

The Payor will provide the Trustee with the official acknowledgment of the Relevant Tax Authority (or, if such acknowledgment is not available, a certified copy thereof) evidencing the payment of the withholding taxes by the Payor. Copies of such documentation will be made available to the Holders of the Securities or the Paying Agents, as applicable, upon request therefor.

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise in any jurisdiction from the execution, delivery or registration of the Securities or any other document or instrument referred to in this Indenture (other than a transfer of the Securities), or the receipt of any payments with respect to the Securities, excluding any such taxes, charges or similar levies imposed by any jurisdiction outside Bermuda or any jurisdiction in which a Paying Agent is located, other than those resulting from, or required to be paid in connection with, the enforcement of this Indenture or any other such document or instrument following the occurrence of any Event of Default.

 

All references in this Indenture to principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities will include any Additional Amounts payable by the Payor in respect of such principal, such premium, if any, and such interest.

 

Section 3.2                                       SEC Reports .   (1) The Company shall, for so long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, file with the SEC and the Trustee all such reports and other information which the Company would have been required to file with (and in such form as is required by) the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision thereto applicable to a “foreign private issuer,” as that term is defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act, such documents to be filed with the SEC on or prior to the respective dates (the “ Required Filing Dates ”) by which the Company would be required so to file such documents and (b) whether or not required pursuant to the immediately preceding clause, (i) within 120 days following the end of each fiscal year of the Company, annual reports on Form 20-F (or any successor form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor form); and (ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, reports on Form 6-K (or any successor form), containing unaudited financial statements (including a balance sheet and statement of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows) and Management’s Discussion and

 

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Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for and as of the end of each such quarter (with comparable financial statements for such quarter in the immediately preceding fiscal year). The Company shall also in any event (a) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date, as applicable, request that the Trustee transmit such documents by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Securities register, without cost to such Holders, and (b) if filing such documents by the Company with the SEC is not permitted under the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request supply copies of such documents to any prospective Holder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of such Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied this Section 3.2 by supplying all of the foregoing information to the Trustee and making all such information publicly available on the Company’s website.

 

(2) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes to the financial statements, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

(3) In addition, for so long as any Securities remain outstanding, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will furnish to the Holders of the Securities and prospective purchasers of the Securities, upon their request, the information, if any, required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

(4)  The Company shall at all times comply with TIA §314(a).

 

Section 3.3                                       Limitation on Indebtedness .  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any Indebtedness; provided , however , that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may Incur Indebtedness if on the date thereof:

 

(1)                                   the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is at least 2.00 to 1.00; and

 

(2)                                   no Default or Event of Default will have occurred or be continuing or would occur as a consequence of Incurring the Indebtedness.

 

The first paragraph of this Section 3.3 will not prohibit the Incurrence of the following Indebtedness:

 

(1)                                   Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred pursuant to the Credit Facilities in an amount up to $1,160,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(2)                                   Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance the replacement (through construction or acquisition) of one or more Vessels, and any assets that shall become Related Assets (and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to such Vessels or assets), upon a Total Loss, in an aggregate amount no greater than the Ready for Sea Cost for such replacement Vessel, in each case less all compensation, damages and other payments

 

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(including insurance proceeds other than in respect of business interruption insurance) actually received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Person in connection with the Total Loss in excess of amounts actually used to repay Indebtedness secured by the Vessel subject to the Total Loss;

 

(3)                                   the Subsidiary Guarantees and other Guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness Incurred in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that in the event such Indebtedness that is being Guaranteed is a Subordinated Obligation or a Guarantor Subordinated Obligation, then the related Guarantee shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(4)                                   Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, provided , however ,

 

(a)                                   if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is unsecured and expressly subordinated to all its obligations with respect to the Securities; and

 

(b)                                  (x) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Stock or any other event that results in any such Indebtedness being beneficially held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (y)                              any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be;

 

(5)                                   (a) Indebtedness represented by the Securities (excluding any Additional Securities issued after the Issue Date) and (b) any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of (w) the Securities, (x) any Indebtedness described in clause (2), (y) and Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant or (z) any Indebtedness described in this clause (5);

 

(6)                                   Indebtedness under Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements; provided that in the case of Currency Agreements and Fuel Hedging Agreements, such Currency Agreements and Fuel Hedging Agreements are related to business transactions of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business or in the case of Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements, such Currency Agreements, Fuel Hedging Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company) and substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration, currencies and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of this Indenture;

 

(7)                                   Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in relation to: (a) regular maintenance required to maintain the classification of any of the Vessels owned, time chartered or bareboat chartered to or by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (b) scheduled

 

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dry-docking of any of the Vessels owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for normal maintenance purposes; and (c) any expenditures which will or may reasonably expected to be recoverable from insurance on such Vessels;

 

(8)                                   Indebtedness incurred in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)                                   Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

 

(10)                             Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided , however , that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five business days of Incurrence; and

 

(11)                             in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (10) above, Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (11) and then outstanding, will not exceed $75.0 million.

 

The Company will not Incur any Indebtedness under the preceding paragraph if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to refinance any Subordinated Obligations of the Company unless such Indebtedness will be subordinated to the Securities to at least the same extent as such Subordinated Obligations. No Subsidiary Guarantor will incur any Indebtedness if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to refinance any Guarantor Subordinated Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness will be subordinated to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee to at least the same extent as such Guarantor Subordinated Obligations.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this Section 3.3 :

 

(1)                                   in the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in the first and second paragraphs of this Section 3.3 , the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of Incurrence (or later classify or reclassify such Indebtedness) and only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of such clauses; and

 

(2)                                   the amount of Indebtedness issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof will be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 3.3 . The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (a) the accreted value of the Indebtedness in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount and (b) the principal amount or liquidation preference thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

 

In addition, the Company will not permit any of its Unrestricted Subsidiaries to Incur any Indebtedness or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock, other than Non-Recourse Debt. If at any time an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under this Section 3.3 , the Company shall be in Default of this Section 3.3 ).

 

Section 3.4                                       Limitation on Restricted Payments .  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to:

 

(1)                                   declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) except:

 

(a)                                   dividends or distributions payable in Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock; and

 

(b)                                  dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (and if such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, to its other holders of Common Stock on a pro rata basis);

 

(2)                                   purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than in exchange for Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock));

 

(3)                                   purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations (other than the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition); or

 

(4)                                   make any Restricted Investment in any Person;

 

(any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Restricted Investment referred to in clauses (1) through (4) shall be referred to herein as a “ Restricted Payment ”), unless at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted

 

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Payment no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and either:

 

(I)  Prior to completion of a Successful Public Listing only, the Company is able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 3.3 after giving effect, on a pro forma basis, to such Restricted Payment and the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date would not exceed the sum of:

 

(i)                                      15% of Consolidated Cash Flow for the period (treated as one accounting period) from the first day of the fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurs to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which financial statements are in existence; plus

 

(ii)                                   the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or other capital contributions subsequent to the Issue Date (other than Net Cash Proceeds received from an issuance or sale of such Capital Stock to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination); plus

 

(iii)                                $5.0 million; or

 

(II)  From and after completion of a Successful Public Listing only,

 

(a)                                   if the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is at least 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to the fiscal quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made, is less than Available Surplus Cash with respect to the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, provided that the Company will not pay or declare any extraordinary or one-time dividends on its Capital Stock (“extraordinary or one-time dividends” meaning for such purpose dividends in excess of amounts stated in the Company’s regular Capital Stock dividend policy as determined from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors); or

 

(b)                                  if the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is less than 1.75 to 1.00, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made (such Restricted Payments for purposes of this clause (b) meaning only distributions on Common Stock of the Company), is less than $25.0 million less the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (b) during the

 

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period ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Company immediately preceding the date of such Restricted Payment and beginning on the Issue Date.

 

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this covenant, neither the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall make any Restricted Payment to the extent that, after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the sum of (a) cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Charterer to support its obligations under its Vessel charters with the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the Charter Ancillary Agreement, is less than $100.0 million.  For the purposes of the foregoing, from and after completion of a Successful Public Listing, the Company may rely in good faith upon written confirmation from the Charterer, delivered no more than two Business Days prior to its determination, as to the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents then held by the Charterer.

 

The foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4 will not prohibit:

 

(1)                                   any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock, Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination); provided, however , that (a) such purchase or redemption will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments and (b) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale will be excluded from clause I(ii) of the preceding paragraph;

 

(2)                                   any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations, respectively, that qualifies as Refinancing Indebtedness; provided , however , that such purchase or redemption will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(3)                                   dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration if at such date of declaration such dividend would have complied with this provision; provided , however , that such dividends will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(4)                                   so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the purchase, redemption or other acquisition, cancellation or retirement for value of Capital Stock, or options, warrants, equity appreciation rights or other rights to purchase or acquire Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any parent of the Company held by any existing or former employees or management of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or their assigns, estates or heirs, in each case in connection with the repurchase provisions under employee or director stock option or stock purchase agreements or other agreements to compensate management employees or directors; provided that such redemptions or repurchases pursuant to this clause will not exceed $2.5 million in the aggregate during any calendar year and $10.0 million in the aggregate for all such redemptions and repurchases; provided , however , that

 

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the amount of any such repurchase or redemption will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(5)                                   so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense;” provided that the payment of such dividends will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments; and

 

(6)                                   repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof; provided , however , that such repurchases will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments.

 

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount and any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined conclusively by the Board of Directors of the Company acting in good faith by resolution, such determination to be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an investment banking firm of national standing if such fair market value is estimated to exceed $25.0 million, or, in the case of a Vessel, to be based upon a written appraisal of three Independent Appraisers.

 

Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment (excluding any Restricted Payment described in the preceding clause (6)), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this Section 3.4 were computed, together with a copy of any fairness opinion or appraisal required by this Indenture.

 

Section 3.5                                       Limitation on Liens .  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock), whether owned on the date of this Indenture or acquired after that date, securing any Indebtedness, unless contemporaneously with the Incurrence of the Liens effective provision is made to secure the Indebtedness due under this Indenture and the Securities or, in respect of Liens on any Restricted Subsidiary’s property or assets, any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, equally and ratably with (or prior to in the case of Liens with respect to Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations, as the case may be) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien for so long as such Indebtedness is so secured.

 

Section 3.6                                       Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries .  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

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(1)                                   pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                   make any loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(3)                                   transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

 

(a)  any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary on or before the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company or in contemplation of the transaction) and outstanding on such date;

 

(b)                                  any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement effecting a refunding, replacement or refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (a) of this paragraph or this clause (b) or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (a) of this paragraph or this clause (b); provided, however , that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such agreement are no less favorable in any material respect to the Holders of the Securities than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in such agreements referred to in clause (a) of this paragraph on the Issue Date or the date such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary, whichever is applicable;

 

(c)                                   in the case of clause (3) of the first paragraph of this Section 3.6 , any encumbrance or restriction:

 

(x)                                    that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a charter, lease, license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such charter, lease, license or other contract;

 

(y)                                  contained in mortgages, pledges or other security agreements permitted under this Indenture securing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrances or restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such mortgages, pledges or other security agreements; or

 

(z)                                    pursuant to customary provisions restricting dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(d)                                  purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose encumbrances or restrictions of the nature described in clause (3) of the first paragraph of this Section 3.6 on the property so acquired;

 

(e)                                   any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary (or any of its property or assets) imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the direct or indirect sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary (or the property or assets that are subject to such restriction) pending the closing of such sale or disposition; and

 

(f)                                     encumbrances or restrictions arising or existing by reason of applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order.

 

Section 3.7                                       Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock .

 

(a)                                   The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any Asset Disposition (excluding for purposes of the following clauses (1) and (2) an Asset Disposition connected with a Total Loss) unless:

 

(1)                                   the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (including as to the value of all non-cash consideration), of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition;

 

(2)                                   at least 80% of the consideration from such Asset Disposition received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; and

 

(3)                                   subject to the requirement to make an Asset Disposition Offer as described below, an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition (including from an Asset Disposition connected with a Total Loss) is applied by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, to any one of the following:

 

(a)                                   to prepay, repay or purchase Indebtedness (other than Disqualified Stock or Subordinated Obligations) of the Company or Indebtedness (other than any Preferred Stock or Guarantor Subordinated Obligation) of a Restricted Subsidiary (in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within 360 days from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; provided , however , that, in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (a), the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary will retire such Indebtedness and will cause the related commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased; and

 

(b)                                  to acquire or invest in Additional Assets or make installment or progress payments in respect of such Additional Assets within 360 days from the

 

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later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash.

 

(b)                                  Any Net Available Cash from Asset Dispositions that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” On the 361st day after an Asset Disposition, if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million, the Company shall make an offer (“ Asset Disposition Offer ”) to all Holders of Securities and to the extent required by the terms of other Pari Passu Indebtedness, to all holders of other Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding with similar provisions requiring the Company to make an offer to purchase such Pari Passu Indebtedness with the proceeds from any Asset Disposition (“ Pari Passu Notes ”), to purchase the maximum principal amount of Securities and any such Pari Passu Notes to which the Asset Disposition Offer applies that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities and Pari Passu Notes (or, in respect of the Pari Passu Notes, such lesser offer price as many be applicable) plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture or the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes, as applicable, in each case in integral multiples of $1,000. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Securities and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to an Asset Disposition Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to the other covenants contained in this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Securities surrendered by Holders thereof and other Pari Passu Notes surrendered by holders or lenders, collectively, exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Securities and Pari Passu Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of tendered Securities and Pari Passu Notes. Upon completion of such Asset Disposition Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

 

(c) (1) The Asset Disposition Offer will remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Asset Disposition Offer Period ”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Asset Disposition Offer Period (the “ Asset Disposition Purchase Date ”), the Company will purchase the principal amount of Securities and Pari Passu Notes required to be purchased pursuant to this Section 3.7 (the “ Asset Disposition Offer Amount ”) or, if less than the Asset Disposition Offer Amount has been so validly tendered, all Securities and Pari Passu Notes validly tendered in response to the Asset Disposition Offer.

 

(2)                                   If the Asset Disposition Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Person in whose name a Security is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders of the Securities who tender Securities pursuant to the Asset Disposition Offer.

 

(3)                                   On or before the Asset Disposition Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Asset Disposition Offer Amount of Securities and Pari Passu Notes or portions of Securities and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Asset Disposition Offer, or if less than the Asset Disposition Offer Amount has been validly tendered and not

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properly withdrawn, all Securities and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, in each case in integral multiples of $1,000. The Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Securities or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.7 and, in addition, the Company will deliver all certificates and Pari Passu Notes required, if any, by the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes. The Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five Business Days after termination of the Asset Disposition Offer Period) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder of Securities or holder or lender of Pari Passu Notes, as the case may be, an amount equal to the purchase price of the Securities or Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn by such holder or lender, as the case may be, and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Security, and the Trustee, upon delivery of an Officers’ Certificate from the Company will authenticate and mail or deliver such new Security to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Security surrendered; provided that each such new Security will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. In addition, the Company will take any and all other actions required by the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes. Any Security not so accepted will be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Disposition Offer on the Asset Disposition Purchase Date.

 

For the purposes of this Section 3.7 , the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

(1)                                   the assumption by the transferee of Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Obligations or Disqualified Stock) of the Company or Indebtedness (other than Guarantor Subordinated Obligations or Preferred Stock) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and the release of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition (in which case the Company will, without further action, be deemed to have applied such deemed cash to Indebtedness in accordance with clause (a)(3)(a) above); and

 

(2)                                   securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from the transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 90 days from the receipt of such obligations.

 

The Company will, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any Asset Swaps, unless:

 

(1)                                   at the time of entering into such Asset Swap and immediately after giving effect to such Asset Swap, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

(2)                                   in the event such Asset Swap involves the transfer by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets having an aggregate fair market value, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith, in excess of $5.0 million, the terms of such Asset Swap have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

 

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(3)                                   in the event such Asset Swap involves the transfer by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets having an aggregate fair market value, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith, in excess of $30.0 million, the Company has received a written opinion from an independent investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing (or, in the case of Vessels, three Independent Appraisers), that such Asset Swap is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view.

 

(d)                                  The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this Section 3.7 . To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 3.7 , the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Indenture by virtue of any conflict.

 

Section 3.8                                       Limitation on Affiliate Transactions .  (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) unless:

 

(1)                                   the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained in a comparable transaction at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate;

 

(2)                                   in the event such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate amount in excess of $5.0 million, the terms of such transaction have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company and by a majority of the members of such Board having no direct or indirect interest (other than with respect to the Company) in such transaction, if any, (and such majority or majorities, as the case may be, determines that such Affiliate Transaction satisfies the criteria in clause (1) above); and

 

(3)                                   in the event such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate amount in excess of $10.0 million, the Company has received a written opinion from an independent investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing (or, in the case of Vessels, three Independent Appraisers) that such Affiliate Transaction is not materially less favorable than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate.

 

(b)    The preceding paragraph will not apply to:

 

(1)                                   any Restricted Payment (other than a Restricted Investment) permitted to be made pursuant to Section 3.4 ;

 

(2)                                   any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans and other reasonable fees, compensation, benefits and indemnities paid or

 

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entered into by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to or with officers, directors or employees of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(3)                                   any transaction between the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries;

 

(4)                                   the issuance or sale of any Company Stock of the Company or any contribution to the capital of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

 

(5)                                   the performance of obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the terms of any agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party on the Issue Date and disclosed in the Offering Circular or identified on Schedule I to this Indenture, as these agreements may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; provided , however , that any future amendment, modification or supplement entered into after the Issue Date will be permitted to the extent that its terms are not more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Securities than the terms of the agreements in effect on the Issue Date.

 

Section 3.9                                       Change of Control.

 

(a)                                   If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of Securities will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided, however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to repurchase the Securities pursuant to this Section 3.9 if the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Securities pursuant to the terms of Section 5.1 .

 

(b)                                  Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each registered Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

 

(1)                                    that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Securities plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date) (the “ Change of Control Payment ”);

 

(2)                                    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”); and

 

(3)                                    the procedures determined by the Company, consistent with this Indenture, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Securities repurchased.

 

(c)                                   On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

 

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(1)                                    accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities (in integral multiples of $1,000) properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(2)                                    deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities so tendered; and

 

(3)                                    deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions of Securities being purchased by the Company.

 

(d)                                  The Paying Agent will promptly deliver to each Holder of Securities so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Securities, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Security will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.

 

(e)                                   If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Security is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

 

(f)                                     In the event that any issue of Indebtedness issued under an indenture or other agreement may be violated by the payment of the Change of Control Offer, the Company covenants to effect repayment of such Indebtedness or obtain from the holders of such Indebtedness consent and waivers of any event of default within 30 days following any Change of Control, it being a Default of this Section 3.9 if the Company fails to comply with such covenant.

 

(g)                                  The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 

(h)                                  The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this Section 3.9 . To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue of the conflict.

 

(i)                                      The provisions of this Section 3.9 will apply whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable.

 

Section 3.10                                 Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries .  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to, transfer, convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any Voting Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary or to

 

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issue any of the Voting Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than, if necessary, shares of its Voting Stock constituting directors’ qualifying shares) to any Person except:

 

(1)                                   to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; or

 

(2)                                   in compliance with Section 3.7 and immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would continue to be a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the Company may sell all the Voting Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary as long as the Company complies with the terms of Section 3.7 .

 

Section 3.11                                 Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions .  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction unless:

 

(1)                                   the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction at least equal to the fair market value (as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company) of the property subject to such transaction;

 

(2)                                   the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 3.3 ;

 

(3)                                   the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be permitted to create a Lien on the property subject to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction without securing the Securities or any Subsidiary Guarantor of such Restricted Subsidiary as set forth in Section 3.5 ; and

 

(4)                                   the Sale/Leaseback Transaction is treated as an Asset Disposition and all of the conditions of this Indenture described under Section 3.7 (including the provisions concerning the application of Net Available Cash) are satisfied with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, treating all of the consideration received in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction as Net Available Cash for purposes of such covenant.

 

Section 3.12                                 Future Subsidiary Guarantors .  After the Issue Date, the Company will cause each Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired by the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplement to this Indenture, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date but prior to the Escrow Release, the foregoing requirements shall be deemed satisfied so long as they are complied with at or prior to such Escrow Release.

 

Section 3.13                                 Limitation on Lines of Business .  The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Related Business.

 

Section 3.14                                 Maintenance of Office or Agency .  The Company will maintain in The City of New York or Wilmington, Delaware, an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The

 

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Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such notices and demands may be made or served at the Trustee’s principal corporate trust office (the “ Corporate Trust Office ”), and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such notices and demands.

 

Section 3.15                                 Corporate Existence .  Subject to Article IV and Section 10.2 , the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and that of each Subsidiary Guarantor and the corporate rights (charter and statutory) licenses and franchises of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such existence (except the Company), right, license or franchise if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Securities or this Indenture.

 

Section 3.16                                 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims .  The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a material liability or lien upon the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, except for any Lien permitted to be incurred pursuant to subsections (4) and (5) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves, if necessary (in the good faith judgment of management of the Company), are being maintained in accordance with GAAP or where the failure to pay or discharge the same would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Securities or this Indenture.

 

Section 3.17                                 Payments for Consent .  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fees or otherwise, to any Holder of any Securities for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is offered to be paid or is paid to all Holders of the Securities that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment.

 

Section 3.18                                 Compliance Certificate .  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Company an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Company

 

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is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with TIA § 314(a)(4).

 

Section 3.19                                 Further Instruments and Acts .  Upon the reasonable request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

Section 3.20                                 Statement by Officers as to Default .  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within thirty days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 3.21                                 Amendments of Material Agreements .  Prior to the completion of a Successful Public Listing, the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend or modify (or agree to amend or modify) any of the Material Agreements in a manner that would materially adversely affect the rights of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder, taken as a whole.  For purposes of the foregoing, a waiver of compliance shall be deemed a modification.

 

Section 3.22                                 Insurance .  The Company will maintain, and will cause its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance coverage by financially sound and reputable insurers in such forms and amounts and against such risks as are at that time customary for corporations of established reputation engaged in the same or a similar business and owning and operating similar properties including general liability insurance and (but without duplication) protection and indemnity insurance, hull and machinery insurance and oil pollution insurance.

 

Section 3.23                                 Suspended Covenants .  During any period of time that the Securities have an Investment Grade Rating from both the Rating Agencies and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the provisions of this Indenture corresponding with Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.10, and 3.13 ; provided, however, that if the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of this Section 3.23 and, subsequently, either of the Rating Agencies withdraws its ratings or downgrades the ratings assigned to the Securities below the Investment Grade Ratings so that the Securities do not have an Investment Grade Rating from both Rating Agencies, or a Default or Event of Default (other than with respect to the Suspended Covenants) occurs and is continuing, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants, subject to the terms, conditions and obligations set forth in this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE IV
Successor Company

 

Section 4.1                                       Merger and Consolidation .  The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

 

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(1)                                   the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “ Successor Company ”) will be a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda, the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia or any other country recognized by the United State of America and the Successor Company (if not the Company) will expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(2)                                   immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of the Successor Company as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(3)                                   except in the case of a merger of the Company with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur at least an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 3.3 ;

 

(4)                                   unless the Company is the Successor Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor (unless it is the other party to the transactions above, in which case clause (1) shall apply) shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations in respect of this Indenture and the Securities and its obligations under the applicable Registration Rights Agreement shall continue to be in effect;

 

(5)                                   if the Successor Company is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than Bermuda or the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, it delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters that, taken together, state that the Holders of the Securities will not suffer any economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage as a result of such transaction; and

 

(6)                                   the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

For purposes of this Section 4.1 , the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the Company will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE V
Redemption of Securities

 

Section 5.1                                       Optional Redemption; Optional Tax Redemption .

 

(1)                                   Except as set forth in this Section 5.1 and Section 5.9 , the Securities shall not be subject to redemption until December 15, 2008. On and after December 15, 2008, the Company may redeem all or, from time to time, part of the Securities upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities, if any, to the applicable date of redemption (any such date, a “ Redemption Date ”) (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on December 15 of the years indicated below:

 

YEAR

 

PERCENTAGE

 

2008

 

104.250

%

2009

 

102.833

%

2010

 

101.417

%

2011 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

(2)                                   Prior to December 15, 2006, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the Securities (including any Additional Securities) with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings at a redemption price of 108.50% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that:

 

(a)                                   at least 65% of the original principal amount of the Securities remains outstanding after each such redemption; and

 

(b)                                  the redemption occurs within 60 days after the closing of such Public Equity Offering.

 

(3)                                   At any time prior to December 15, 2008 the Securities may be redeemed in whole or in part at the option of the Company upon (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (b) if no more than 5.0% of the principal amount of the Securities (including any Additional Securities) shall remain outstanding at any time, in each case upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice (but in no event more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control event) mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, at least one Business Day prior to the Redemption Date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the redemption price and showing in reasonable detail the method of its determination.

 

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(4)                                   The Payor may redeem all, but not less than all, of the Securities if as a result of any change in or amendment to the laws, regulations or rulings of any Relevant Tax Jurisdiction or any change in the official application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings, or any change in the official application or interpretation of, or any execution of or amendment to, any treaty or treaties affecting taxation to which such Relevant Tax Jurisdiction is a party (a “ Change in Tax Law ”) the Payor is or would be required on the next succeeding interest payment date to pay Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities as set forth in Section 3.1 , and the payment of such Additional Amounts cannot be avoided by the use of any reasonable measures available to the Payor; provided that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that the aggregate amount of such Additional Amounts would create additional annual costs in excess of 0.50% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities then outstanding.  In the case of the Company, the Change in Tax Law must become effective on or after the date of the Offering Circular. In the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, or a successor of either the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Change in Tax Law must become effective after the date that such entity first makes payment on the Securities. Further, the Payor must deliver to the Trustee at least 30 days before the applicable Redemption Date an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Payor has or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts as a result of such Change in Tax Law. The Payor must also provide the Holders with notice of the intended redemption at least 30 days and no more than 60 days before the applicable redemption date. The redemption price will equal the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the applicable Redemption Date and Additional Amounts, if any, then due and which otherwise would be payable.

 

Section 5.2                                       Applicability of Article .  Redemption of Securities at the election of the Company or otherwise, as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and this Article.

 

Section 5.3                                       Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee .  The election of the Company to redeem any Securities pursuant to Section 5.1 shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company, the Company shall, not later than the earlier of the date that is 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company or the date on which notice is given to the Holders (except as provided in Section 5.5 or unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5.4 .

 

Section 5.4                                       Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed .  If less than all the Securities are to be redeemed at any time pursuant to an optional redemption, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption, in compliance with the requirements of the principal securities exchange, if any, on which such Securities are listed, or, if such Securities are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements) and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of the Securities; provided , however , that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than $1,000.

 

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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities 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 redemption of Securities 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 5.5                                       Notice of Redemption .  Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided for in Section 11.2 not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed. The Trustee shall give notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided , however , that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, at least five Business Days prior to the date of giving such notice, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice at the Company’s expense and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the following items.

 

All notices of redemption shall state:

 

(1)                                   the Redemption Date,

 

(2)                                   the redemption price (or, if the redemption price is not then determinable, the basis for its determination) and the amount of accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 5.7 , if any,

 

(3)                                   if less than all outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Securities (or portion thereof) to be redeemed, as well as the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be outstanding after such partial redemption,

 

(4)                                   in case any Definitive Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

(5)                                   that on the Redemption Date the redemption price (and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 5.7 ) will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed, and, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, that interest on Securities called for redemption (or the portion thereof) will cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(6)                                   the place or places where Definitive Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price and accrued interest, if any,

 

(7)                                   the name and address of the Paying Agent,

 

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(8)                                   that Definitive Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price,

 

(9)                                   the CUSIP and ISIN numbers, and that no representation is made as to the accuracy or correctness of the CUSIP or ISIN numbers, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities, and

 

(10)                             the provision of the Indenture pursuant to which the Securities are to be redeemed.

 

Section 5.6                                       Deposit of Redemption Price .  Prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.4 ) an amount of money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

Section 5.7                                       Securities Payable on Redemption Date .  Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the redemption price therein specified (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the redemption price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, except that if a Redemption Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, then accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name the Security is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders whose Securities will be subject to redemption by the Company.

 

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Securities.

 

Section 5.8                                       Securities Redeemed in Part .  Any Definitive Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article) shall be surrendered at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 3.14 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder of such Security at the expense of the Company, a new Definitive Security or Securities, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered, provided, that each such new Security will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiple thereof.

 

Section 5.9                                       Special Mandatory Redemption .  Following the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Company shall redeem the Securities as a whole,

 

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upon notice as provided in this Section 5.9 , at a redemption price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.  Notwithstanding Section 5.5 , the Company shall give notice of such mandatory redemption within ten days of the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger by first-class mail mailed not less than 30 or more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Securities at its registered address and to the Escrow Agent, stating:

 

(1)                                   that the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred;

 

(2)                                   the Redemption Date;

 

(3)                                   the redemption price;

 

(4)                                   that on the Redemption Date the redemption price will become due and payable upon each Security to be redeemed and that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after such date; and

 

(5)                                   the place or places where each Security is to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price.

 

Upon receipt of the Escrow Funds pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Escrow Agreement, the Paying Agent or the Trustee (as the case may be) shall use all such Escrow Funds along with additional funds provided by Frontline in accordance with the Escrow Agreement to pay the redemption price and accrued interest due on the Redemption Date, provided that the foregoing shall not relieve the Company of its obligations with respect to such redemption.

 

ARTICLE VI
Defaults and Remedies

 

Section 6.1                                       Events of Default .  Each of the following is an “ Event of Default ”:

 

(1)                                   default in any payment of interest or additional interest (as required by a Registration Rights Agreement) on any Security when due, continued for 30 days;

 

(2)                                   default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any Security when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required redemption or repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;

 

(3)                                   failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to comply with its obligations under Article IV or Section 10.2 ;

 

(4)                                   failure by the Company to comply with any of its obligations under Sections 3.2 through 3.22 (inclusive) (in each case, other than a failure to purchase Securities which will constitute an Event of Default under clause (2) above and other than a failure to comply with Section 4.1 or Section 10.2 which is covered by clause (3)) for 30 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities;

 

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(5)                                   failure by the Company to comply with its other agreements contained in this Indenture for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities;

 

(6)                                   default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, which default:

 

(a)                                   is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the stated maturity of such Indebtedness (“ payment default ”); or

 

(b)                                  results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its maturity;

 

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more;

 

(7)                                   (a) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or a group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)                                      commences a voluntary case or proceeding;

 

(ii)                                   consents to the entry of judgment, decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding;

 

(iii)                                consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property;

 

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

 

(v)                                  consents to or acquiesces in the institution of a bankruptcy or an insolvency proceeding against it; or

 

(vi)                               takes any corporate action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing; or

 

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

 

(i)                                      is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or a group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited

 

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consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)                                   appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or a group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iii)                                orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or a group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

(8)                                   failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million (net of any amounts that a reputable and creditworthy insurance company has acknowledged liability for in writing), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

 

(9)                                   any Subsidiary Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms of this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or its Subsidiary Guarantee; or

 

(10)                             prior to the completion of a Successful Public Listing, the failure by Charterer, Frontline or Frontline Management to comply for 30 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities with any of its obligations under the Material Agreements.

 

Section 6.2                                       Acceleration .  If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (7) of Section 6.1 ) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Securities to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Securities because an Event of Default described in clause (6) of Section 6.1 has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Securities shall be automatically annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (6) of Section 6.1 shall be remedied or cured by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 20 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if (1) the annulment of the acceleration of the Securities would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Securities, have been cured or waived. If an Event of Default described in clause (7) of Section 6.1 above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid

 

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interest on all the Securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.

 

Section 6.3                                       Other Remedies .  If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

 

Section 6.4                                       Waiver of Past Defaults .  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by notice to the Trustee may (a) waive, by their consent (including, without limitation consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities), an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences except (i) a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on a Security or (ii) a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.2 cannot be amended without the consent of each Securityholder affected and (b) rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Securities and its consequences if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. When a Default or Event of Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any consequent right.

 

Section 6.5                                       Control by Majority .  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2 , that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided , however , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

Section 6.6                                       Limitation on Suits .  Subject to Section 6.7 , a Securityholder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:

 

(1)                                   such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default is continuing;

 

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(2)                                   Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities make requested in writing that the Trustee pursue the remedy;

 

(3)                                   such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4)                                   the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

(5)                                   the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder.

 

Section 6.7                                       Rights of Holders to Receive Payment .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 6.6 ), the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Securities held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to bring 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 6.8                                       Collection Suit by Trustee .  If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.1 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as Trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.7 .

 

Section 6.9                                       Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .  The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its Subsidiaries or its or their respective creditors or properties and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 .

 

Section 6.10                                 Priorities .  If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.7 ;

 

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SECOND: to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD: to the Company.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to each Securityholder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

 

Section 6.11                                 Undertaking for Costs .  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 or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by the Company, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in outstanding principal amount of the Securities.

 

Section 6.12                                 Additional Payments .  In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Securities pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of this Indenture or was required to repurchase the Securities, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Securities.

 

ARTICLE VII
Trustee

 

Section 7.1                                       Duties of Trustee .   (a)  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs; provided that if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against loss, liability or expense.

 

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

 

(1)                                   the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)                                   in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein,

 

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upon certificates, opinions or orders furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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

 

(1)                                    this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

(2)                                    the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(3)                                    the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5 .

 

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

 

(e)                                   The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

 

(f)                                     Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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

 

(h)                                  Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the TIA.

 

(i)                                      Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

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

 

Section 7.2                                       Rights of Trustee .  Subject to Section 7.1 :

 

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(a)                                   The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

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

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, unless the Trustee’s conduct constitutes willful misconduct or negligence.

 

(e)                                   The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

Section 7.3                                       Individual Rights of Trustee .  The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11 .

 

Section 7.4                                       Trustee’s Disclaimer .  The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

 

Section 7.5                                       Notice of Defaults .  If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder notice of the Default or Event of Default within 30 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any), or interest on any Security (including payments pursuant to the optional redemption or required repurchase provisions of such Security, if any), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders.

 

Section 7.6                                       Reports by Trustee to Holders .  As promptly as practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event prior to July 15 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of such May 15 that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports required by TIA § 313(c).

 

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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be filed with each stock exchange (if any) on which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

Section 7.7                                       Compensation and Indemnity .  The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, costs of preparing and reviewing reports, certificates and other documents, costs of preparation and mailing of notices to Securityholders, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability, damages, claims or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it without negligence or willful misconduct on its part in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture (including this Section 7.7 ) and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Securityholder, the Company or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company’s expense in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel provided that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes the Trustee’s defense, and, in the reasonable judgment of outside counsel to the Trustee, there is no conflict of interest between the Company and the Trustee in connection with such defense. The Company shall not be under any obligation to pay for any written settlement without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence.

 

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

 

The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in clause (7) of Section 6.1 with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Section 7.8                                       Replacement of Trustee .  The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

 

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

 

(2)                                   the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(3)                                   a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)                                   the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Securityholders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7 .

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities may petition, at the Company’s expense, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 , unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.9                                       Successor Trustee by Merger .  If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Securities 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 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 to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

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Section 7.10                                 Eligibility; Disqualification .  The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b); provided, however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.

 

Section 7.11                                 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .   The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

 

Section 8.1                                       Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance .   (a) Subject to Section 8.1(c) , when (i)(x) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.9 ) for cancellation or (y) all outstanding Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity or upon redemption or will 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 pursuant to Article V hereof and the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor irrevocably deposits or causes to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders money in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of Stated Maturity or redemption; (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound; (iii) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable under this Indenture and the Securities; and (iv) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of such Securities at Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be, then the Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture on demand of the Company (accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent specified herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with) and at the cost and expense of the Company.

 

(b)                                  Subject to Sections 8.1(c) and 8.2 , the Company at any time may terminate (i) all its obligations under the Securities and this Indenture (“ legal defeasance option ”), and after giving effect to such legal defeasance, any omission to comply with such obligations shall no longer constitute a Default or Event of Default or (ii) its obligations under Sections 3.2 (other than paragraph (4) thereof), 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.21, 3.22 and clause (3) of 4.1 and the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect

 

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of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant or clause, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or clause or by reason of any reference in any such covenant or clause to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply with such covenants shall no longer constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Sections 6.1(3) and 6.1(4) and the operation of Sections 6.1(6), 6.1(7) (but only with respect to a Significant Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), 6.1(8), 6.1(9) and 6.1(10) , and the events specified in such Sections shall no longer constitute an Event of Default (clause (ii) being referred to as the “ covenant defeasance option ”), but except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and the Securities shall be unaffected thereby. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

 

If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.  If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(4) (as such Section relates to Sections 3.2 (other than paragraph (4) thereof), 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.21 and 3.22), 6.1(5), 6.1(6), 6.1(7) (but only with respect to a Significant Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), 6.1(8),  6.1(9) or 6.1(10) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with clause (3) of Section 4.1 .

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

 

If the Company exercises either its legal or covenant defeasance option, the Subsidiary Guarantees in effect at such time will terminate.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 8.1(a) and(b) , the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.1, 3.2(4), 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 6.7, 7.7, 7.8 and in this Article 8 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.7, 8.4 and 8.5 shall survive.

 

Section 8.2                                       Conditions to Defeasance .  The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

 

(1)                                   the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders money in U.S. dollars or U.S. Government Securities or a combination thereof for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(2)                                   the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Securities plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Securities to maturity;

 

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(3)                                   no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, with respect to certain bankruptcy or insolvency Events of Default, on the 91st day after such date of deposit;

 

(4)                                   such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(5)                                   the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) to the effect that (A) the Securities and (B) assuming no intervening bankruptcy of the Company between the date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and that no Holder of the Securities is an insider of the Company, after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ right generally;

 

(6)                                   the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

(7)                                   in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) in the United States stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such 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 legal defeasance had not occurred;

 

(8)                                   in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) in the United States to the effect that the Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(9)                                   the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Securities and this Indenture as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.

 

Section 8.3                                       Application of Trust Money .   The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Securities deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Securities through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities.

 

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Section 8.4                                       Repayment to Company .   The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money, U.S. Government Securities or securities held by them upon payment of all the obligations under this Indenture.

 

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal of or premium or interest on the Securities that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors.

 

Section 8.5                                       Indemnity for U.S. Government Securities .   The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Securities or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Securities.

 

Section 8.6                                       Reinstatement .   If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with this Article VIII by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with this Article VIII; provided , however , that, if the Company has made any payment on any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX
Amendments

 

Section 9.1                                       Without Consent of Holders .   The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:

 

(1)                                   to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)                                   to comply with Article IV in respect of the assumption by a Successor Company of an obligation of the Company under this Indenture;

 

(3)                                   to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities (provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f) (2) (B) of the Code);

 

(4)                                   to add additional Subsidiary Guarantors or confirm and evidence the release of a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture; provided , however , that the designation is in accord with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

 

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(5)                                   to secure the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(6)                                   to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

 

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

 

(8)                                   to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

 

(9)                                   provide for a successor Trustee under this Indenture.

 

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

 

Section 9.2                                       With Consent of Holders .   The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities). However, without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment may not:

 

(1)                                   reduce the principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment;

 

(2)                                   reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Security;

 

(3)                                   reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Security;

 

(4)                                   reduce the premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase of any Security or change the time at which any Security may be redeemed or repurchased as described under Article V, Section 3.9, Section 3.7 or any similar provision, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;

 

(5)                                   make any Security payable in currency other than that stated in the Security;

 

(6)                                   impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of, premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Securities;

 

(7)                                   modify the Subsidiary Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Securities; or

 

(8)                                   make any change in this Section 9.2 or in Section 6.4 .

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. A consent to any amendment or waiver under this Indenture by any Holder of the Securities given in connection with a tender of such Holder’s Securities will not be rendered invalid by such tender.

 

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

 

Section 9.3                                       Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .   Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 9.4                                       Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers .   A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder. An amendment or waiver shall become effective upon receipt by the Trustee of the requisite number of written consents under Section 9.1 or 9.2 as applicable.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall become valid or effective more than 120 days after such record date.

 

Section 9.5                                       Notation on or Exchange of Securities .   If an amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

 

Section 9.6                                       Trustee To Sign Amendments .   The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2 ) shall be fully protected in

 

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relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE X
Subsidiary Guarantees

 

Section 10.1                                 Subsidiary Guarantees .   Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, jointly and severally with each other Subsidiary Guarantor, to each Holder of the Securities and the Trustee the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “ Obligations ”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees (to the extent permitted by law) that the Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound under this Article X notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Obligation.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Securities or the Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other person under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement; (d) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Obligations or any of them; (e) the failure of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy against any other Subsidiary Guarantor; or (f) any change in the ownership of the Company.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein constitutes a Guarantee of payment when due (and not a Guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder to any security held for payment of the Obligations.

 

Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.1(b) and 10.2 , the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than payment of the Obligations in full), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

 

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Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

 

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay any of the Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid amount of such Obligations then due and owing and (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Obligations then due and owing (but only to the extent not prohibited by law).

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Subsidiary Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Indenture for the purposes of its Subsidiary Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any such declaration of acceleration of such Obligations, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of this Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or the Holders in enforcing any rights under this Section.

 

Section 10.2                                 Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge .

 

(a)                                   The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including, without limitation, any guarantees under the Credit Facilities) and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law.

 

(b)                                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell its assets to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor without limitation. Subject to Article III and Article IV, each Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell all or substantially all its assets to a corporation, partnership or trust other than the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor (whether or not affiliated with the Subsidiary Guarantor), except that if the surviving Person of any such merger or consolidation is a Subsidiary of the Company but not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such merger, consolidation or sale shall not be permitted unless (i) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance

 

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reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee in respect of the Securities, this Indenture and the Subsidiary Guarantee; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (iii) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel addressed to the Trustee with respect to the foregoing matters. Upon the sale or disposition of a Subsidiary Guarantor (by merger, consolidation, the sale of its Capital Stock or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets (other than by a vessel charter made in the ordinary course of business)) and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person in such transaction to a Person (whether or not an Affiliate of the Subsidiary Guarantor) which is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, which sale or disposition is otherwise in compliance with this Indenture (including, without limitation, Sections 3.4, 3.7 and 3.10 ), such Subsidiary Guarantor will be deemed released from all its obligations under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee and such Subsidiary Guarantee will terminate; provided , however , that any such termination will occur only to the extent that all obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Credit Facilities, related documentation and any other agreements relating to any other Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries will also terminate upon such release, sale or transfer.

 

(c)                                   A Subsidiary Guarantor will be deemed released and relieved of its obligations under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee without any further action required on the part of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor upon (i) the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or (ii) if the Company exercises either its legal or covenant defeasance option in accordance with Article VIII.

 

Section 10.3                                 Right of Contribution .   Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that any Subsidiary Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made on the obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor who has not paid its proportionate share of such payment, so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantees.  The provisions of this Section 10.3 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of each Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee and the Holders and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain liable to the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder.

 

Section 10.4                                 No Subrogation .   Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Trustee or any Holder against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Trustee or any Holder for the payment of the Obligations, nor shall any Subsidiary Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Trustee and the Holders by the Company on account of the Obligations are paid in full. If any amount shall be paid to any Subsidiary Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Subsidiary Guarantor in trust for the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Subsidiary Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Subsidiary Guarantor, be

 

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turned over to the Trustee in the exact form received by such Subsidiary Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the Obligations.

 

ARTICLE XI
Miscellaneous

 

Section 11.1                                 Trust Indenture Act Controls .   If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the TIA, the provision required by the TIA shall control. Each Subsidiary Guarantor in addition to performing its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall perform such other obligations as may be imposed upon it with respect to this Indenture under the TIA.

 

Section 11.2                                 Notices .   Any notice or communication shall be in writing in the English language and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company:

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road,

Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, New York 10004

Attention:  Gary J. Wolfe

Robert E. Lustrin; or

 

if to the Trustee:

 

Wilmington Trust Company

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

 

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

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a registered Securityholder shall be mailed to the Securityholder at the Securityholder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.

 

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Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

Section 11.3                                 Communication by Holders with other Holders .   Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

Section 11.4                                 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .   Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

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

 

(2)                                   an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

Section 11.5                                 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .   Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

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

 

(2)                                   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;

 

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

 

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

 

In giving such Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely as to factual matters on an Officers’ Certificate or on certificates of public officials.

 

Section 11.6                                 When Securities Disregarded .   In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or by any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

 

92



 

Section 11.7                                 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar .   The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or a meeting of, Securityholders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

Section 11.8                                 Legal Holidays .   A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required to be closed in New York City, New York, Wilmington, Delaware or Oslo, Norway. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

 

Section 11.9                                 GOVERNING LAW .   THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Section 11.10                           No Recourse Against Others .   An incorporator, director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, stockholder or controlling person, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, this Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

Section 11.11                           Successors All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 11.12                           Multiple Originals .   The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

 

Section 11.13                           Qualification of Indenture .   The Company shall qualify this Indenture under the TIA in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Company, the Trustee and the Holders) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Securities and printing this Indenture and the Securities. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Company any such Officers’ Certificates or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

Section 11.14                           Table of Contents; Headings .   The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 11.15                           Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process .   The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably submit to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and of any competent New

 

93



 

York State Court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City for purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.  The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  Each of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Seward & Kissel, LLP (“ SK ”) as such Person’s authorized agent to receive and forward on its behalf service of any and all process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court and agrees that service of process in accordance with applicable law upon SK (or any successor) at its office at One Battery Park Plaza, New York, New York 10004 (or such other address in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, as the Company may designate by written notice to the other parties hereto) and written notice of such service to the Company, mailed or delivered to the Seward & Kissel, One Battery Park Plaza, New York, New York 10004, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company and, if applicable, such Subsidiary Guarantor in any such suit, action or proceeding and shall be taken and held to be valid personal service upon the Company.  Such designation and appointment shall be irrevocable.  Nothing in this Section 11.15 shall affect the right of any party hereto to service process in any manner permitted by law or limit the right of any party hereto to bring proceeding against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the courts of any jurisdiction or jurisdictions.  The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor further agree to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of SK in full force and effect so long as this Indenture or any of the Securities shall be outstanding; provided that the Company may and shall (to the extent SK ceases to be able to be served on the basis contemplated herein), by written notice to the Trustee, designate such additional or alternative agent for service of process under this Section 11.15 that (a) maintains an office located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York in the State of New York, (b) is either (i) counsel for the Company or (ii) a corporate service company which acts as agent for service of process for other Persons in the ordinary course of its business and (c) agrees to act as agent for service of process in accordance with this Section 11.15 .  Such notice shall identify the name of such agent for process and the address of such agent for process in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York.  Upon the request of any Holder, the Trustee shall deliver such information to such Holder.  To the extent that the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction or any court or from any legal process (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably waive such immunity in respect of its obligations under this Indenture, the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 11.16                           Indemnification for Foreign Currency Judgments .   The obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to any Holder of Securities or the Trustee shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than United States dollars (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that on the first Business Day following receipt by such Holder of Securities or the Trustee, as the case may be, of any amount in the Judgment Currency, such Holder of Securities or the Trustee may in accordance

 

94



 

with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency in New York, New York.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency that could be so purchased is less than the amount originally to be paid to such Holder of Securities or the Trustee, as the case may be, in the Agreement Currency, the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding such judgment, to pay to such Holder of Securities or the Trustee, as the case may be, the difference, and if the amount of the Agreement Currency that could be so purchased exceeds the amount originally to be paid to such Holder of Securities or the Trustee, as the case may be, such Holder of Securities or the Trustee, as the case may be, agrees to pay to or for the account of the Company such excess, provided that such Holder of Securities or the Trustee, as the case may be, shall not have any obligation to pay any such excess as long as a default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in its obligations in respect of its obligations to pay when due any principal of, or interest, premium, if any, liquidated damages, if any, or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities, or any other amounts due under this Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees has occurred and is continuing, in which case such excess may be applied by such Holder of Securities or the Trustee, as the case may be, to such payment obligations.

 

(2)                                   The provisions of this Section 11.16 shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any payment by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, and any amount due from the Company under this Section 11.16 will be due as a separate payment and shall not be affected by any judgment obtained or claims made for any other sums due under or in respect of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.17                           Severability .   In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

95



 

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

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kate Blankenship

 

 

Name:

Kate Blankenship

 

 

Title:

Director, Secretary and Attorney-In-Fact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James J. McGintey

 

 

  Name:

James J. McGintey

 

 

  Title:

Authorized Signer

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

AGREEMENTS

 

The Material Agreements (as defined in this Indenture), the Fleet Purchase Agreement (as defined in this Indenture) and each of the agreements contemplated in accordance with the Fleet Purchase Agreement are excluded from the provisions of Section 3.8(a) to the extent set forth in Section 3.8(b).

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF UNREGISTERED NOTE]

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS A NON-U.S. PURCHASER AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (C) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PURCHASERS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S, OR TRANSFER AGENT’S, AS APPLICABLE, RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E), OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE OR TRANSFER AGENT.

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (I) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE AND HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OF PLANS, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS OR OTHER ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAWS”), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF SUCH PLANS, ACCOUNTS OR ARRANGEMENTS, OR (II) THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.

 

A-1



 

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.]

 

No. [   ]

Principal Amount U.S. $[      ]

 

 

 

CUSIP NO.

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

8½% Senior Note due 2013

 

Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda exempted company, promises to pay to [        ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                             ] U.S. Dollars, on             , 2013.

 

Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15

 

Record Dates: June 1 and December 1 preceding each interest payment date

 

Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Date:

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF UNREGISTERED NOTE]

 

A-2



 

8½% Senior Notes due 2013

 

(1)                                   Interest

 

Ship Finance International Limited, an exempted Bermuda company (such company, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above, plus any Additional Interest specified in the Registration Rights Agreement or Additional Amounts described in the Indenture.

 

The Company will pay interest semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year commencing June 15, 2004. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Securities or, if no interest has been paid, from December 18, 2003. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any ( plus interest on such interest to the extent lawful), at the rate borne by the Securities to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

(2)                                   Method of Payment

 

By no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date on which any principal of or premium or interest on any Security is due and payable, the Company shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest. The Company will pay interest (except Defaulted Interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Securities at the close of business on the June 1 or December 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Securities are cancelled, repurchased or redeemed after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by the transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a Definitive Security (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however , that payments on the Securities may also be made, in the case of a Holder of a least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 15 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

(3)                                   Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Trust Company (the “Trustee”), will act as Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice to any Securityholder. The Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

 

A-3



 

(4)                                   Indenture

 

The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “Act”). Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture is unlimited. This Security is one of the 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 referred to in the Indenture. The Securities include (i) $580,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 issued under the Indenture on December 18, 2003 (herein called “Initial Securities”), (ii) if and when issued, additional 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 of the Company that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture subsequent to December 18, 2003 (herein called “Additional Securities”) and (iii) if and when issued, the Company’s 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture in exchange for Initial Securities or Additional Securities in an offer registered under the Securities Act as provided in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement. The Initial Securities, Additional Securities and Exchange Securities are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.

 

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts payable by the Company under the Indenture and the Securities when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Securities and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors unconditionally guarantee, jointly and severally, such obligations on a senior basis pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

 

(5)                                   Optional and Mandatory Redemption

 

The Securities are subject to both optional and mandatory redemption, either as a whole or in some cases in part, at the times, under the circumstances and at the redemption prices described in Article Five of the Indenture.

 

(6)                                   Repurchase Provisions

 

(a)                                   Upon a Change of Control any Holder of Securities will have the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

(b)                                  In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of Securities pursuant to Section 3.7(b) of the Indenture, the Company will be required to apply such Excess

 

A-4



 

Proceeds to the repayment of the Securities and any Pari Passu Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.7 of the Indenture.

 

(7)                                   Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.

 

(8)                                   Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

(9)                                   Amendment, Waiver

 

The Indenture or the Securities may be amended, and certain defaults may be waived, each as provided in the Indenture.

 

(10)                             Trustee Dealings with the Company

 

Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

(11)                             No Recourse Against Others

 

An incorporator, director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, stockholder or controlling person, as such, of each of the Company, or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, the Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

(12)                             Authentication

 

This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent acting on its behalf) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

 

(13)                             Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entirety), JT TEN

 

A-5



 

(= joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

(14)                             CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

 

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

(15)                             Governing Law

 

This Security shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

(16)                             Additional Information

 

The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and without charge to the Securityholder a copy of the Indenture.  Requests may be made to:

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road,

Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

A-6



 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

 

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

 

 

 

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                                       agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

(Signature must be guaranteed)

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

 

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.

 

In connection with any transfer or exchange of any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the date that is two years after the later of the date of original issuance of such Securities and the last date, if any, on which such Securities were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are being:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:

 

1 ý                            acquired for the undersigned’s own account, without transfer; or

 

2 ý                            transferred to the Company; or

 

3 ý                            transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); or

 

4 ý                            transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or

 

A-7



 

5 ý                            transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act; or

 

6 ý                            transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act), that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements (the form of which letter appears as Section 2.7 of the Indenture); or

 

7 ý                            transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however , that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Trustee or the Company may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Securities, in their sole discretion, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Trustee or the Company may reasonably request to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature must be guaranteed)

 

 

Signature

 

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (1) OR (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

 

 

Dated:

 

A-8



 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Global
Security

 

Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
of this Global
Security

 

Principal
Amount of
this Global
Security
following such
decrease or
increase

 

Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or
Securities
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A-9



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7 or 3.9 of the Indenture, check either box:

 

ý  

 

ý

3.7

 

3.9

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7 or 3.9 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount (must be integral multiple of $1,000): $

 

Date:

 

 

 

Your Signature

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Security)

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

 

(Signature must be guaranteed)

 

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.

 

A-10



 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF FACE OF REGISTERED NOTE]

 

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.]

 

No.  [   ]

Principal Amount  U.S. $[      ]

 

 

 

CUSIP NO.

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

8½% Senior Note due 2013

 

Ship Finance International Limited, an exempted Bermuda company, promises to pay to [        ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [           ] Dollars, on           , 2013.

 

Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15

 

Record Dates: June 1 and December 1 preceding each interest payment date

 

Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.

 

B-1



 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED

 

 

 

By:

 

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

as Trustee, certifies

that this is one of

the Securities referred

to in the Indenture.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

Date:

 

 

B-2



 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF REGISTERED NOTE]

 

8½% Senior Notes due 2013

 

(1)                                   Interest

 

Ship Finance International Limited, an exempted Bermuda company (such company, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above, plus any Additional Interest specified in the Registration Rights Agreement or Additional Amounts described in the Indenture.

 

The Company will pay interest semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year commencing June 15, 2004. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Securities or, if no interest has been paid, from December 18, 2003. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any ( plus interest on such interest to the extent lawful), at the rate borne by the Securities to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

(2)                                   Method of Payment

 

By no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date on which any principal of or premium or interest on any Security is due and payable, the Company shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest. The Company will pay interest (except Defaulted Interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Securities at the close of business on the June 1 or December 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Securities are cancelled, repurchased or redeemed after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by the transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a Definitive Security (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however , that payments on the Securities may also be made, in the case of a Holder of a least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 15 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

(3)                                   Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Trust Company (the “Trustee”), will act as Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or

 

B-3



 

co-registrar without notice to any Securityholder. The Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

 

(4)                                   Indenture

 

The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “Act”). Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

 

The aggregate principal amount of securities that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture is unlimited. This Security is one of the 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 referred to in the Indenture. The Securities include (i) $580,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 issued under the Indenture on December 18, 2003 (herein called “Initial Securities”), (ii) if and when issued, additional 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 of the Company that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture subsequent to December 18, 2003 (herein called “Additional Securities”) and (iii) if and when issued, the Company’s 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture in exchange for Initial Securities or Additional Securities in an offer registered under the Securities Act as provided in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement. The Initial Securities, Additional Securities and Exchange Securities are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.

 

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts payable by the Company under the Indenture and the Securities when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Securities and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors unconditionally guarantee, jointly and severally, such obligations on a senior basis pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

 

(5)                                   Optional and Mandatory Redemption

 

The Securities are subject to both optional and mandatory redemption, either as a whole or in some cases in part, at the times, under the circumstances and at the redemption prices described in Article Five of the Indenture.

 

(6)                                   Repurchase Provisions

 

(a)                                   Upon a Change of Control any Holder of Securities will have the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

B-4



 

(b)                                  In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of Securities pursuant to Section 3.7(b) of the Indenture, the Company will be required to apply such Excess Proceeds to the repayment of the Securities and any Pari Passu Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.7 of the Indenture.

 

(7)                                   Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.

 

(8)                                   Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

(9)                                   Amendment, Waiver

 

The Indenture or the Securities may be amended, and certain defaults may be waived, each as provided in the Indenture.

 

(10)                             Trustee Dealings with the Company

 

Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

(11)                             No Recourse Against Others

 

An incorporator, director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, stockholder or controlling person, as such, of each of the Company, or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, the Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

(12)                             Authentication

 

This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent acting on its behalf) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

 

B-5



 

(13)                             Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entirety), JT TEN (= joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

(14)                             CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

 

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

(15)                             Governing Law

 

This Security shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

(16)                             Additional Information

 

The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and without charge to the Securityholder a copy of the Indenture.  Requests may be made to:

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road,

Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

B-6



 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

 

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

 

 

 

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                                         agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

(Signature must be guaranteed)

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

 

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.

 

B-7



 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Global
Security

 

Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
of this Global
Security

 

Principal
Amount of
this Global
Security
following such
decrease or
increase

 

Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or
Securities
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-8



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7 or 3.9 of the Indenture, check either box:

 

ý  

 

ý

3.7

 

3.9

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7 or 3.9 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount (must be integral multiple of $1,000): $

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Security)

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

(Signature must be guaranteed)

 

 

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.

 

B-9



 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

This Supplemental Indenture, dated as of                            (this “Supplemental Indenture”), among [name of future Subsidiary Guarantor] (the “Guarantor”), Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda exempted company, (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture referred to below, and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as Trustee under the Indenture referred to below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of          , 2003 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the initial issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $580,000,000 of 8½% Senior Notes due 2013 of the Company (the “Securities”);

 

WHEREAS, Section 3.12 of the Indenture provides that unless such Subsidiary has previously issued a Subsidiary Guarantee which is then in full force and effect, the Company is required to cause each Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired by the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary will unconditionally Guarantee, on a joint and several basis with the other Subsidiary Guarantors, the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities on a senior basis; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Company and the other Subsidiary Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend the Indenture, without the consent of any Securityholder;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guarantor, the Company, the other Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.1                           Defined Terms.  As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

C-1



 

ARTICLE II

 

Agreement to be Bound; Subsidiary Guarantee

 

SECTION 2.1                           Agreement to be Bound.  The Guarantor hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and as such will have all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture. The Guarantor agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of the Indenture applicable to a Subsidiary Guarantor and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.2                           Guarantee.  The Guarantor hereby fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, jointly and severally with each other Subsidiary Guarantor, to each Holder of the Securities and the Trustee, the full and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of the Obligations pursuant to Article X of the Indenture on a senior basis.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 3.1                           Notices.  All notices and other communications to the Guarantor shall be given as provided in the Indenture to the Guarantor, at its address set forth below, with a copy to the Company as provided in the Indenture for notices to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.2                           Parties.  Nothing expressed or mentioned herein is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or corporation, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or any provision herein or therein contained.

 

SECTION 3.3                           Governing Law.  This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 3.4                           Severability Clause.  In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

SECTION 3.5                           Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indenture Part of Indenture.  Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Securities heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby. The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

C-2



 

SECTION 3.6                           Counterparts.  The parties hereto may sign one or more copies of this Supplemental Indenture in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

SECTION 3.7                           Headings.  The headings of the Articles and the Sections in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

C-3



 

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

 

 

 

[SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR],

 

as a Subsidiary Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[EXISTING SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:]

 

C-4




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Exhibit 5.1


[Letterhead of Seward & Kissel LLP]

       

                             May 17, 2004


Ship Finance International Limited
Par-la-Ville Place
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

Ladies and Gentlemen

        We have acted as United States and New York counsel to Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the "Company") and to the Company's subsidiaries listed on Exhibit A hereto (each a "Guarantor" and collectively the "Guarantors" and, together with the Company, the "Ship Finance International Group") in connection with the Company's Registration Statement, as amended, on Form F-4 (File No. 333-[    ]) (the "Registration Statement") as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), with respect to the Company's offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") up to $580,000,000 of the Company's 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due 2013 (the "Exchange Notes") for an identical principal amount at maturity of its outstanding 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due December 15, 2013 (the "Outstanding Notes"). The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003 between the Company, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee") (the "Indenture") and, when issued, will be guaranteed by the Guarantors (the "Guarantees") pursuant to identical supplemental indentures between the Trustee and the respective Guarantors (the "Supplemental Indentures"). Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.

        We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the prospectus of the Company (the "Prospectus") included in the Registration Statement; (iii) the Indenture; (iv) the Supplemental Indentures, (v) the form of the Outstanding Notes; (vi) the form of the Exchange Notes and (vii) such corporate documents and records of the Company and the Guarantors and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities (whoever are or will become signatories thereto) to complete the execution of documents. As to various questions of fact that are material to the opinion hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors or officers of the Company and the Guarantors and others. We have also assumed due authorization of the Guarantees under the laws of incorporation of the respective Guarantors.

        We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion that each of the Indenture (including, without limitation, each of the supplements thereto, including the Supplemental Indentures) and all documents contemplated by the Indenture to be executed in connection with the Exchange Offer have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Company and the Guarantors.



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

        This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we have no responsibility to update this opinion for events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, nor do we have any responsibility to advise you of any change in the laws after the date hereof.

        We are members of the bar of the State of New York, and this opinion is limited to the law of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States of America as in effect on the date hereof.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to each reference to us and the discussions of advice provided by us under the headings "Information about the Enforceability of Judgments and the Effect of Foreign Law", "Summary of the Terms of the Exchange Offer—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations", "The Exchange Offer—Transfer Taxes", "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus, without admitting we are "experts" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Seward & Kissel LLP

2



Exhibit A

Bonfield Shipping Ltd.
Fourways Marine Limited
Front Ardenne Inc.
Front Brabant Inc.
Front Falcon Corp.
Front Glory Shipping Inc.
Front Pride Shipping Inc.
Front Saga Inc.
Front Serenade Inc.
Front Splendour Shipping Inc.
Front Stratus Inc.
Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation
Golden Estuary Corporation
Golden Fjord Corporation
Golden Seaway Corporation
Golden Sound Corporation
Golden Tide Corporation
Katong Investments Ltd.
Langkawi Shipping Ltd.
Patrio Shipping Ltd.
Rakis Maritime S.A.
Sea Ace Corporation
Sibu Shipping Ltd.
Southwest Tankers Inc.
West Tankers Inc.
Ariake Transport Corporation
Edinburgh Navigation S.A.
Hitachi Hull #4983 Corporation
Madeira International Corp.
Granite Shipping Co. Ltd.
Golden Current Limited
Oscilla Shipping Limited
Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.
Aspinall Ptd Ltd.
Blizana Pte Ltd.
Bolzano Pte Ltd.
Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd.
Fox Maritime Pte Ltd.
Front Dua Pte Ltd.
Front Empat Pte Ltd.
Front Enam Pte Ltd.
Front Lapan Pte Ltd.
Front Lima Pte Ltd.
Front Tiga Pte Ltd.
Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.
Front Sembilan Ptd Ltd.
Rettie Pte Ltd.
Transcorp Pte Ltd.

3




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[Letterhead of Seward & Kissel LLP]
Exhibit A

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Exhibit 5.2

17 May 2004

Ship Finance International Limited
Par-la-Ville Place
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton HM 08
Bermuda

Re: 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen

        We have acted as special Bermuda counsel to Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda company (the "Company" in connection with the Company's offer to exchange up to $580,000,000 of the Company's 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due 2013 (the "Exchange Notes") for an identical principal amount at maturity of its outstanding 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due December 15, 2013. The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee") (the "Indenture").

        We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Indenture and (ii) such corporate documents and records of the Company and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities (whoever are or will become signatories thereto) to complete the execution of documents. As to various questions of fact that are material to the opinion hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors or officers of the Company and others.

        We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion that each of the Indenture and all documents contemplated by the Indenture to be executed in connection with the issuance of the Exchange Notes have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Company.

        Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard to such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Exchange Notes have been duly authorized by the Company.

        This opinion is limited to the laws of the Island of Bermuda. This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we have no responsibility to update this opinion for events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, nor do we have any responsibility to advise you of any change in the laws after the date hereof.

        We hereby confirm that the discussion under the headings "Information about the Enforceability of Judgements and the Effect of Foreign Law" and "Summary of the Terms of the Exchange Notes: Additional Amounts" contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4, insofar as such discussion represents legal conclusions or statements of Bermuda tax law, subject to the limitations and conditions set forth therein, constitutes the opinion of Mello Jones & Martin.

1


        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Exchange Notes, without admitting we are "experts" within the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

Yours faithfully

/s/ MELLO JONES & MARTIN

MELLO JONES & MARTIN

2




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Exhibit 5.3

[LETTERHEAD OF SEWARD & KISSEL LLP]

May 17, 2004

Ship Finance International Limited
Par-la-Ville Place
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

Ladies and Gentlemen

        We have acted as special Liberian counsel to Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the "Company") and to the Company's subsidiaries listed on Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the "Liberian Guarantors") in connection with the Company's offer to exchange up to $580,000,000 of the Company's 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due 2013 (the "Exchange Notes") for an identical principal amount at maturity of its outstanding 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due December 15, 2013. The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee") (the "Indenture") and, when issued, will be guaranteed (the "Guarantees") by the Liberian Guarantors pursuant to identical supplemental indentures between the Trustee and the respective Liberian Guarantors (the "Supplemental Indentures").

        We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Indenture; (ii) the Supplemental Indentures, and (iii) such corporate documents and records of the Company and the Liberian Guarantors and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities (whoever are or will become signatories thereto) to complete the execution of documents. As to various questions of fact that are material to the opinion hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors or officers of the Company and the Liberian Guarantors and others.

        We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion that each of the Indenture (including, without limitation, each of the supplements thereto, including the Supplemental Indentures) and all documents contemplated by the Indenture to be executed in connection with the issuance of the Exchange Notes have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Liberian Guarantors.

        Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard to such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Guarantees have been duly authorized by the Liberian Guarantors:

        This opinion is limited to the laws of the Republic Liberia. This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we have no responsibility to update this opinion for events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, nor do we have any responsibility to advise you of any change in the laws after the date hereof.


        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees, without admitting we are "experts" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

2



Exhibit A

Ariake Transport Corporation
Bonfield Shipping Ltd.
Edinburgh Navigation SA
Fourways Marine Limited
Front Ardenne Inc.
Front Brabant Inc.
Front Falcon Corp.
Front Glory Shipping Inc.
Front Pride Shipping Inc.
Front Saga Inc.
Front Serenade Inc.
Front Splendour Shipping Inc.
Front Stratus Inc.
Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation
Golden Estuary Corporation
Golden Fjord Corporation
Golden Seaway Corporation
Golden Sound Corporation
Golden Tide Corporation
Hitachi Hull #4983 Ltd.
Katong Investments Ltd.
Langkawi Shipping Ltd.
Patrio Shipping Ltd.
Rakis Maritime S.A.
Sea Ace Corporation
Sibu Shipping Ltd.
Southwest Tankers Inc.

3




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Exhibit A

Exhibit 5.4

 

Letterhead of Graham, Thompson & Co.

 

20 th May, 2004

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par —la-Ville Place

14 Par-la-Ville Road

Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

 

Dear Sirs:

 

Re: 8 ½% Senior Notes due 15 th December. 2013-Granite Shipping Company Limited (the “Bahamian Guarantor”): Legal Opinion

 

We are attorneys-at-law practicing in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (“ The Bahamas ”) and have been requested by Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the “ Company ”) and the Bahamian Guarantor, the Company’s subsidiary, in connection with the Company’s offer to exchange up to $580,000,000 of the Company’s 8½% senior notes due 2013 (the “ Exchange Notes ”) for an identical principal amount at maturity of its outstanding 8½% senior notes due 15 th December, 2013.  The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of 18 th December, 2003, between (inter-alia) the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (the “ Trustee ”) (the “ Indenture ”) and, when issued, will be guaranteed (the “ Guarantee ”) by the Bahamian Guarantor pursuant to  the form of Supplemental Indenture annexed as Exhibit C to the Indenture between the Trustee and the Bahamian Guarantor (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”).

 

We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Indenture; (ii) the Supplemental Indenture, and (iii) such corporate documents and records of the Bahamian Guarantor and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed.

 

In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed or otherwise, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities (whoever are or will become signatories thereto) to complete the execution of documents, and the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the documents examined by us.

 

In addition, we have assumed that the Supplemental Indenture when executed will be in substantially the same form as the forms that we have examined and that there will be no material differences thereto.

 



 

As to various questions of fact that are material to the opinion hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors or officers of the Bahamian Guarantor and others.

 

We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion that the Indenture (including, without limitation, each of the supplements thereto, including the Supplemental Indenture) and all documents contemplated by the Indenture to be executed in connection with the issuance of the Exchange Notes have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Bahamian Guarantor.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard to such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that , insofar as the laws of The Bahamas are concerned the Bahamian Guarantor has been duly authorized to enter into the Supplemental Indenture.

 

This opinion is limited to the laws of The Bahamas.  Insofar as the Supplemental Indenture is expressed to be governed by the laws of New York we have assumed with your approval the validity and enforceability of the same under such system of law.

 

This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we have no responsibility to update this opinion for events or circumstances occurring afterthe date hereof, nor do we have any responsibility to advise you of any change in the laws after the date hereof.

 

This Opinion is addressed to yourselves and may be relied upon by yourselves and Seward & Kissel LLP.  We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Exchange Notes and the Guarantee, without admitting we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

 

Yours faithfully,

GRAHAM, THOMPSON & CO.,

 

/s/ Michelle M. Pindling-Sands

 

Michelle M. Pindling-Sands

 

/s/ Monique R. Cartwright

 

Monique R. Cartwright

 

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Exhibit 5.5

 

 

Your Ref:


Our Ref:


 Please Respond To:




SNQ/snq/21974.0019/25


Steven Quayle

 

Telephone No.:

+44  1624  638300

 

 

 

 

Fax No.:

+44  1624  638333

 

 

 

 

Direct Dial:

+44  1624  638314

 

 

 

 

Direct Email:

snq@cains.co.im

 

 

 

20 May 2004

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-la-Ville Place

14 Par-la-Ville Road

Hamilton

HM 08 Bermuda

 

Dear Sirs,

 

Golden Current Limited (“Golden”)

Oscilla Shipping Ltd (“Oscilla”)  

(together the “Companies” and each a “Company”)

 

Preliminary

 

1.                                        We are a firm of Advocates practising in the Isle of Man and are qualified to give you this legal opinion under Isle of Man law.

 

Documents Examined

 

2.                                        For the purpose of giving this opinion we have examined copies of the following documents (but no others):

 

2.1                                  an Indenture dated as of 18 December 2003 (the “Primary Indenture”) made between Ship Finance International Limited (“Ship Finance”) and Wilmington Trust Company as Trustee (as defined therein) (the “Trustee”);

 

2.2                                  a draft Supplemental Indenture in the form set out at Exhibit C of the Primary Indenture to be made among, inter alios, Golden, Ship Finance and the Trustee attached to an email from Edward Horton of Seward & Kissel LLP to Steven Quayle of Cains received at 18:41 hours on 17 December 2003 (the “Email”) (the “Golden Indenture”) ;

 

2.3                               a draft Supplemental Indenture in the form set out at Exhibit C of the Primary Indenture to be made among, inter alios, Oscilla, Ship Finance and the Trustee attached to the Email (the “Oscilla Indenture”);

 


 

Postal Address:   PO Box 207, Douglas, Isle of Man  IM99  ITP

DX:   134795 Isle of Man                  Email:  law@cains.co.im          Web site:   www.cains.co.im

 

Directors: A J Corlett, R V Vanderplank, J R G Walton, S F Caine, P B Clucas

 

Associates:   A J Baker*, M J Pinson*,  M I Polson*,  A J Fingret*,  R I Colquitt, T D Maher,  S J Harding,   G Q Kermeen,  D J Bermingham,

J C Hill*,  M T Edwards,  C M Brooks,  B P F Hughes*,  M C Barrett,  S R Cranshaw,  K L Shea  Consultant: P M Saunders

* English Solicitor

 

Cains is the trading name of Cains Advocates Limited, an incorporated legal practice in the Isle of Man with registered number 102780C.

Registered Office; 15-19 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man   IMI   1LB

 



 

2.4                                  the current Memorandum and Articles of Association of Golden appearing on the file of Golden maintained by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission (the “FSC”) at its Companies Registry on the search date (as defined below);

 

2.5                                  the current Memorandum and Articles of Association of Oscilla appearing on the file of Oscilla maintained by the FSC at its Companies Registry on the search date;

 

2.6                                  minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors of Golden held on 13 May 2004 and 20 May 2004;

 

2.7                                  minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors of Oscilla held on 13 May 2004 and 20 May 2004;

 

2.8                                  a Directors’ and Secretary’s Certificate in respect of Golden dated 20 May 2004; and

 

2.9                                  a Directors’ and Secretary’s Certificate in respect of Oscilla dated 20 May 2004.

 

For the purposes of this letter:

 

(a)                                  the Golden Indenture and the Oscilla Indenture are together referred to as the “Documents”;

 

(b)                                 the documents listed in paragraphs 2.6 and 2.7 above are together referred to as the “Minutes”; and

 

(c)                                  the documents listed in paragraphs 2.8 and 2.9 above are together referred to as the “Certificates”.

 

Searches

 

3.                                        On 20 May 2004 (the “search date”) we procured a search of the file maintained by the FSC in relation to each Company.

 

Isle of Man Law

 

4.                                        We have not investigated the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Isle of Man and this opinion is given only with respect to the currently applicable laws of the Isle of Man and is given on the basis that it will be governed by and construed in accordance with such laws.

 

Assumptions

 

5.             For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have:

 

5.1                                  assumed the genuineness of all signatures; the capacity of all signatories; the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals; the conformity with original documents and completeness of all documents submitted to us as copies;

 

2



 

5.2                                  assumed that we have been provided with copies or originals of all documents which are relevant to the transaction governed by, or referred to in, the Documents or which might affect the opinions expressed in this letter; and

 

5.3                                  relied upon the certifications contained in the Certificates.

 

Opinion

 

6.                                       On the basis of the above assumptions and reliance and subject to any matters not disclosed to us, we are of the opinion that e ach Company has passed all necessary resolutions to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the Document to which it is to be a party.

 

Reliance

 

7.                                        This opinion is addressed to you and may be relied upon by you and your legal advisers.  This opinion is limited to the matters expressly stated herein and does not extend to, and is not to be read as extending by implication to, any other matter in connection with the Documents or any of them or the transactions or documents referred to therein.

 

Consent

 

8.                                        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to Ship Finance’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Ship Finance’s 8.5 percent senior notes due 2013 and the guarantees contained in the Documents, without admitting we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

/s/ CAINS

 

CAINS

3




Exhibit 5.6

 

[GALINDO, ARIAS & LOPEZ LETTERHEAD]

 

May 17, 2004

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-la-Ville Place

14 Par-la-Ville Road

Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

 

Re :  8 1/2% Senior Notes due December 15, 2013

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special Panamanian counsel to Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the “Company”) and to the Company's subsidiaries listed on Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “Panamanian Guarantors”) in connection with the Company's offer to exchange up to $580,000,000 of the Company's 8 1/2% senior notes due 2013 (the “Exchange Notes”) for an identical principal amount at maturity of its outstanding 8 1/2% senior notes due December 15, 2013.  The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (the “Trustee”) (the “Indenture”) and, when issued, will be guaranteed (the “Guarantees”) by the Panamanian Guarantors pursuant to identical supplemental indentures between the Trustee and the respective Panamanian Guarantors (the “Supplemental Indentures”).

 

We have examined originals or copies, certified or

 



Ship Finance International Limited

May 17, 2004

Page 2

 

 

otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of : (i) the Indenture; (ii) the Supplemental Indentures, and (iii ) such corporate documents and records of the Company and the Panamanian Guarantors and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts o f documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities (whoever are or will become signatories thereto) to complete the execution of documents. As to various questions of fact that are material to the opinion hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors or officers of the Company and the Panamanian Guarantors and others.

 

We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion that each of the Indenture (including, without limitation, each of the supplements thereto, including the Supplemental Indentures) and all documents contemplated by the Indenture to be executed in connection with the issuance of the Exchange Notes have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Panamanian Guarantors.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard to such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Guarantees have been duly authorized by the Panamanian Guarantors : This opinion is limited to the laws of Panama. This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we have no responsibility to update this opinion for events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, nor do we have any responsibility to advise you of any change in the laws after the date hereof.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees, without admitting we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the

 



Ship Finance International Limited

May 17, 2004

Page 3

 

 

Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,

 

GALINDO, ARIAS & LOPEZ

 

/s/ Ramón Ricardo Aria P.

 

Ramón Ricardo Aria P.

 

RRAP/bs

 




Exhibit 5.7

Tan Rajah & Cheah

17 May 2004

Ship Finance International Limited
Par-la-Ville Place
17 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamiliton, HM 08, Bermuda

[Letterhead]

Dear Sirs

Re:    8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013

We have acted as special Singaporean counsel to Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the "Company") and to the Company's subsidiaries listed on Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the "Singaporean Guarantors") in connection with the Company's offer to exchange up to $580,000,000 of the Company's 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due 2013 (the "Exchange Notes") for an identical principal amount at maturity of its outstanding 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due December 15, 2013. The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003, between the Company and Willmington Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee") (the "Indenture") and, when issued, will be guaranteed (the "Guarantees") by the Singaporean Guarantors pursuant to identical supplemental Indentures between the Trustee and the respective Singaporean Guarantors (the "Supplemental Indentures").

We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Indenture: (ii) the Supplemental Indentures, and (iii) such corporate documents and records of the Company and the Singaporean Guarantors and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities (whoever are or will become signatories thereto) to complete the execution of documents.


DATE:    17 May 2004

TO:    Ship Finance International Limited

As to various questions of fact that are material to the opinion hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors or officers of the Company and the Singaporean Guarantors and others.

We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion that each of the Indenture (including, without limitation, each of the supplements thereto, including the Supplemental indentures) and all documents contemplated by the Indenture to be executed in connection with the issuance of the Exchange Notes have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Singaporean Guarantors.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard to such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Guarantees have been duly authorized by the Singaporean Guarantors.

This opinion is limited to the laws of Singapore. This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we have no responsibility to update this opinion for events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, nor do we have any responsibility to advise you of any change in the laws after the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees, without admitting we are 'experts' within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

Yours faithfully

/s/ Tan Rajah & Cheah


Exhibit A

Aspinall Pte Ltd.
Blizana Pte Ltd.
Bolzano Pte Ltd.
Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd.
Fox Maritime Pte Ltd.
Front Dua Pte Ltd.
Front Empat Pte Ltd.
Front Enam Pte Ltd.
Front Lapan Pte Ltd.
Front Lima Pte Ltd.
Front Tiga Pte Ltd.
Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.
Front Sembilan Pte Ltd.
Rottio Pte Ltd.
Transcorp Pte Ltd.





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Exhibit 8.1

(212) 574-1200

May 17, 2004

Ship Finance International Limited
Par-la-Ville Place
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        In connection with the Registration Statement filed by Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the "Company") on Form F-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of l933, as amended through the date hereof (the "Registration Statement") in connection with the exchange offer of the Company's 8 1 / 2 % senior notes due December 15, 2013 (the "Notes"), we have been requested to render our opinion regarding certain United States federal income tax matters.

        In formulating our opinion as to these matters, we have examined such documents as we have deemed appropriate, including the Registration Statement and the prospectus that forms a part thereof (the "Prospectus"). We also have obtained such additional information as we have deemed relevant and necessary from representatives of the Company. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.

        Based on the facts as set forth in the Registration Statement and, in particular, on the representations, covenants, assumptions, conditions and qualifications described under the captions "Summary of the Terms of The Exchange Offer", "The Exchange Offer—Transfer Taxes", "Business—Taxation of Our Operations", "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Certain ERISA Considerations" therein, we hereby confirm that the opinions of Seward & Kissel LLP with respect to federal income tax matters are those opinions attributed to Seward & Kissel LLP in the Registration Statement under the captions "Summary of the Terms of The Exchange Offer—U.S. Federal Income Tax Consideration", "The Exchange Offer—Transfer Taxes", "Business—Taxation of Our Operations", "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Certain ERISA Considerations". It is our further opinion that the tax discussion set forth under the captions "Summary of the Terms of The Exchange Offer—U.S. Federal Income Tax Consideration" "The Exchange Offer—Transfer Taxes", "Business—Taxation of Our Operations", "Certain U.S Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Certain ERISA Considerations" in the Registration Statement accurately states our views as to the tax matters discussed therein.

        Our opinions and the tax discussion as set forth in the Registration Statement are based on the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of l986, as amended, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service which may be cited or used as precedents, and case law, any of which may be changed at any time with retroactive effect. No opinion is expressed on any matters other than those specifically referred to above by reference to the Registration Statement, and we have no responsibility to update this opinion or to advise you of any change in the laws after the date hereof.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to all references to our firm included in or made part of the Registration Statement.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/  
SEWARD & KISSEL LLP       



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Exhibit 10.1

 

17 FEBRUARY 2004

 

US$1,058,000,000

 

CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT

 

between

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

as Borrower

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED

 

and

 

NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA
as Bookrunners

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED, NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA,
FORTIS BANK (NEDERLAND) N.V., CRÉDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ,
SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL.), DNB NOR BANK ASA, HSH
NORDBANK AG, SCOTIABANK EUROPE PLC, SWEDBANK
(FÖRENINGSSPARBANKEN AB (PUBL)), THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF
THE BANK OF SCOTLAND, ING BANK N.V. (NORWAY), DEUTSCHE BANK AG
IN HAMBURG and SCHIFFSHYPOTHEKENBANK ZU LÜBECK AG

as Mandated Lead Arrangers

 

NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA
as Administrative Agent

 

NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA
as Security Trustee

 

THE ARRANGERS

 

THE ORIGINAL GUARANTORS

 

and

 

THE LENDERS

 

 

WHITE & CASE

 

7-11 Moorgate
London EC2R 6HH

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

 

 

 

2.

THE FACILITY

 

 

 

 

3.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

 

 

 

4.

DRAWDOWN

 

 

 

 

5.

REPAYMENT

 

 

 

 

6.

VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT

 

 

 

 

7.

MANDATORY PREPAYMENT

 

 

 

 

8.

INTEREST ON ADVANCES

 

 

 

 

9.

MARKET DISRUPTION AND ALTERNATIVE INTEREST RATES

 

 

 

 

10.

COMMISSIONS AND FEES

 

 

 

 

11.

TAXES

 

 

 

 

12.

INCREASED COSTS

 

 

 

 

13.

ILLEGALITY

 

 

 

 

14.

MITIGATION

 

 

 

 

15.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

 

 

 

16.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

17.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

 

 

 

18.

INSURANCE

 

 

 

 

19.

COLLATERAL VESSELS

 

 

 

 

20.

COLLATERAL MAINTENANCE

 

 

 

 

21.

POSITIVE UNDERTAKINGS

 

 

 

 

22.

NEGATIVE UNDERTAKINGS

 

 

 

 

23.

ACCEDING GUARANTORS

 

 

 

 

24.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

 

 

 

25.

DEFAULT INTEREST

 

 

 

 

26.

GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

 

 

 

 

27.

AGENT AND OBLIGORS’ AGENT

 

 

 

 

28.

BORROWER’S INDEMNITIES

 

 

 

 

29.

CURRENCY OF ACCOUNT

 

 

i



 

30.

PAYMENTSs

 

 

 

 

31.

SET-OFF

 

 

 

 

32.

SHARING AMONG THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

 

 

 

33.

CALCULATIONS AND ACCOUNTS

 

 

 

 

34.

ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS

 

 

 

 

35.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

36.

REMEDIES AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

 

37.

TAXATION AND STRUCTURAL MATTERS

 

 

 

 

38.

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

 

 

 

 

39.

NOTICES AND DELIVERY OF INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

40.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

 

 

 

 

41.

PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

 

 

 

42.

AMENDMENTS

 

 

 

 

43.

THIRD PARTY RIGHTS

 

 

 

 

44.

COUNTERPARTS

 

 

 

 

45.

GOVERNING LAW

 

 

 

 

46.

JURISDICTION

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1 LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2 FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

 

 

PART I - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO FIRST DRAWDOWN

 

 

PART II - CONDITIONS TO EACH ACQUISITION

 

 

PART III - FORM OF CORPORATE CERTIFICATE

 

 

PART IV - INITIAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 4 FORM OF DRAWDOWN REQUEST

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5 FORM OF ACCESSION NOTICE

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6 FORM OF DIRECTORS’ COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 7

 

 

PART I - GROUP STRUCTURE

 

 

PART II - COLLATERAL VESSELS

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 8 FORM OF CONSOLIDATION NOTICE

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 9 REPAYMENT

 

 

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THIS AGREEMENT is dated 17 February 2004 and made between:

 

(1)            SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED , a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda with its principal place of business at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM08, Bermuda (the “ Borrower ”);

 

(2)            CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED and NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA (each a “ Bookrunner ” and together, the “ Bookrunners ”;

 

(3)            CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED, NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA, FORTIS BANK (NEDERLAND) N.V., CRÉDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ, SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL.), DNB NOR BANK ASA, HSH NORDBANK AG, SCOTIABANK EUROPE PLC, SWEDBANK (FÖRENINGSSPARBANKEN AB (PUBL)), THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE BANK OF SCOTLAND, ING BANK N.V. (Norway), DEUTSCHE BANK AG IN HAMBURG and SCHIFFSHYPOTHEKENBANK ZU LÜBECK AG (each a “ Mandated Lead Arranger ” and together, the “ Mandated Lead Arrangers ”);

 

(4)            NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA (as administrative agent for and on behalf of the Finance Parties, the “ Administrative Agent ”);

 

(5)            NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA (as security trustee for and on behalf of the Finance Parties, the “ Security Trustee ”);

 

(6)            DANISH SHIP FINANCE (DANMARKS SKIBSKREDITFOND), DEUTSCHE SCHIFFSBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, NIB CAPITAL BANK N.V. and VEREINS-UND WESTBANK AG (each an “ Arranger ” and together, the “ Arrangers ”);

 

(7)            THE ORIGINAL GUARANTORS (as defined below); and

 

(8)            THE LENDERS (as defined below).

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.              DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1           Definitions

 

In this Agreement the following terms have the meanings set out below.

 

Acceding Guarantor ” means any member of the Group which has complied with the requirements of Clause 23 ( Acceding Guarantors ).

 

 “ Acceptable Hedging Agreement means a Hedging Agreement entered into on the terms of the International Swaps & Derivatives Association Inc. 1992 Master Agreement (Multicurrency-Cross Border).

 

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Accession Notice means a duly completed notice of accession in substantially the form of Schedule 5 ( Form of Accession Notice ).

 

Acquisition means the acquisition of a Collateral Vessel or a Collateral Vessel Owner pursuant to one or more Acquisition Documents (including the acquisition of each of the Collateral Vessel Owners for the time being incorporated in Singapore or the Isle of Man (as at the date of this Agreement) by virtue of the acquisition of Madeira International Corp. as the immediate Holding Company of such Collateral Vessel Owners) provided that, to the extent that the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner is a Subsidiary of the Borrower, no such acquisition shall constitute an “Acquisition” until the Advance to be made in respect of such Collateral Vessel has been made (taking into account the Seller Credit Undertaking relating thereto).

 

Acquisition Documents means the Fleet Purchase Agreement, each other document entered into or to be entered into by a member of the Group in relation to an Acquisition and any other document designated as an “Acquisition Document” by the Administrative Agent in writing.

 

Act means the Companies Act 1985.

 

Additional Acquisition ” means the acquisition of an Additional Vessel or an Additional Vessel Owner by the Group.

 

Additional Projections ” means such additional financial projections (if any) as are required by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Clause 3 ( Conditions Precedent ) by way of supplement to the Projections, which (except as otherwise permitted by the Administrative Agent) shall include the following:

 

(a)            detailed projected consolidated financial statements of the Group, prepared and approved by the Borrower:

 

(i)             covering a period of at least ten fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year commencing 2004; and

 

(ii)            reflecting the forecasted consolidated financial condition of the Group after giving effect to the Transaction; and

 

(b)            detailed projected consolidated financial statements of the Parent and the Charterer, prepared and approved by the Parent:

 

(i)             covering a period of at least 5 fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year commencing 2004; and

 

(ii)            reflecting the forecasted consolidated financial condition of the Parent and the Charterer after giving effect to the Transaction,

 

in each case, to the extent that such information and requirements are not so provided in the Projections.

 

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Additional Vessel ” means any double hull oil tanker (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, each Collateral Vessel) acquired (wholly or partially) by a member of the Group from time to time pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 22.3 (b) ( Financial Indebtedness ) and Clause 22.17 ( Acquisitions and Investments ) and the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

Additional Vessel Owner ” means from time to time, any person being the legal and registered owner of an Additional Vessel.

 

Administrative Services Agreement ” means the administrative services agreement to be entered into on or around the date of this Agreement between the Borrower, the Collateral Vessel Owners and the Manager.

 

Advance means an advance (as from time to time reduced by repayment) made or to be made by the Lenders under the Facility or arising in respect of the Facility under Clause 8.3 ( Consolidation of Advances ) or Clause 8.4 ( Division of Advances ).

 

Affiliate ”means in relation to a person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with that person, and for these purposes “control” shall be construed so as to include the ownership, either directly or indirectly and legally or beneficially, of more than 50% of the issued share capital of a company or the ability to control, either directly or indirectly, the affairs or the composition of the board of directors (or equivalent of it) of a company and “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with” shall be construed accordingly.

 

Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange means, in relation to 2 currencies, the Administrative Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of the first-mentioned currency with the second-mentioned currency in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11a.m. on a particular day.

 

Annual Budget ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 16.2 ( Annual Budget ).

 

Applicable Advance Amount ” means in relation to an Advance made or to be made to the Borrower pursuant to Clause 4.1 ( Conditions to Drawdown ) of this Agreement in connection with an Acquisition, the applicable amount appearing under the relevant heading in Part II of Schedule 7 ( Collateral Vessels ) in respect of the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner.

 

Applicable Outstanding Amount ” in relation to any Collateral Vessel at the relevant time, means the amount (determined by the Administrative Agent) which is equal to:

 

(a)            the Applicable Advance Amount relating to such Collateral Vessel; less

 

(b)            the aggregate of all Individual Repayment Instalments (if any) made by the Borrower at such time in respect of such Collateral Vessel.

 

Appraisal Criteria ” means, in relation to the preparation of any Appraisal Package, such Appraisal Package is prepared:

 

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(a)            with or without a physical inspection of the relevant Collateral Vessel (as the Administrative Agent may require);

 

(b)            on the basis of a sale of the individual vessel for prompt delivery and for cash on normal arm’s length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free from any existing charter or other contract of employment; and

 

(c)            after deducting the estimated amount of the usual and reasonable expenses which would be incurred in connection with such sale.

 

Appraisal Package ” means in respect of a Collateral Vessel, the Initial Appraisal Package or if applicable, the most recent Quarterly Appraisal Package or Updated Appraisal Package (as the case may be), relating to such Collateral Vessel.

 

Authorisation means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.

 

Available Commitment means, in relation to a Lender, at any time and save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, its Commitment at such time adjusted to take account of:

 

(a)            any cancellation or reduction of it or any transfer by such Lender or any transfer to it, in each case, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(b)            in the case of any proposed Advance, amount of any Advance which, pursuant to any other Drawdown Request is to be made on or before the proposed Drawdown Date,

 

less the amount of its share of the Advances made under this Agreement, provided always that such amount shall not be less than zero.

 

Available Facility means the aggregate amount of the Available Commitments in respect of the Facility at the relevant time.

 

Bankruptcy Code means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor to it.

 

Bareboat Charter Assignments ” means each of the assignment agreements entered into or to be entered into by the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner in favour of the Security Trustee in respect of an Existing Bareboat Charter.

 

Borrower Account ” means the account of the Borrower maintained with (a) the Security Trustee under the number 6011.04.43636 or (b) another financial institution which has a rating of at least A from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and at least A2 from Moody’s Investor’s Services, Inc. (and which, in relation to (b), is otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent (acting on the instructions of an Instructing Group) and the Borrower).

 

Break Costs means the amount (if any) by which:

 

4



 

(a)            the interest which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in an Advance or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of that Advance or Unpaid Sum, had the principal amount of such Advance or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period (excluding in respect of this period, that part of such interest representing the Margin);

 

exceeds:

 

(b)            the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the principal amount of such Advance or Unpaid Sum received or recovered by it on deposit with a leading bank in the London interbank market for a period starting on the Business Day following such receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of the current Interest Period.

 

Business Day ” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks generally are open for business in London, Oslo and New York City.

 

Cash means any credit balances on any deposit, savings or current account with a bank, Cash Equivalent Investments and cash in hand.

 

Cash Equivalent Investment means:

 

(a)            debt securities denominated in dollars issued or fully guaranteed or fully insured by any state of the United States of America (or any agency of it) rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group and P-1 by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and having maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(b)            certificates of deposit of, or time deposits or overnight bank deposits with, any commercial bank whose short-term securities are rated at least A-1 by Standard and Poor’s Rating Group and P-1 by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. having maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(c)            commercial paper of, or money market accounts or funds with or issued by, an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group and P-1 by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and having an original tenor of 12 months or less;

 

(d)            medium term fixed or floating rate notes of an issuer rated at least AA by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group and/or Aa2 by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. at the time of acquisition and having a remaining term of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition; and

 

(e)            is secured in favour of the Security Trustee (except as otherwise agreed by an Instructing Group).

 

Centre of Main Interests ” has the meaning given to it in Article 3(1) of Council Regulation (EC) NO 1346/2000 of 29 May 2000 on Insolvency Proceedings.

 

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Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any event whereby two or more persons acting in concert or any individual person acquires (to the extent not already acquired as at the date of this Agreement):

 

(a)            legally and/or beneficially and either directly or indirectly at least 50% of the issued share capital of either the Borrower or the Parent; or

 

(b)            the right or ability to control, either directly or indirectly, the affairs or composition of the majority of the board of directors (or equivalent of it) of either the Borrower or the Parent (as the case may be),

 

in each case, by virtue of ownership of share capital, contract or otherwise.

 

Change in Tax Law means the introduction, implementation, repeal, withdrawal or change in, or in the interpretation, administration or application of any Law relating to taxation after the date of this Agreement.

 

Charter Accounts ” means the account of the Charterer maintained (in respect of (x) the Charter Service Reserve Deposit and (y) any charter hire paid pursuant to third party charters) with (a) the Security Trustee under the number 6011.04.43628 and (b) (in respect of (x) exclusively) each account maintained with another financial institution which has a rating of at least A from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and at least A2 from Moody’s Investor’s Services, Inc. and is subject to an Encumbrance in favour of the Security Trustee in form and substance satisfactory to it.

 

Charter Ancillary Agreement ” means the charter ancillary agreement to be entered into on or around the date of this Agreement between the Borrower, the Parent, the Charterer and the Collateral Vessel Owners.

 

Charter Payment Deferral ” means any deferral of charter hire by the Charterer pursuant to and in accordance with each of Article 3 ( Deferral of Charter Payments ) of the Charter Ancillary Agreement and the Deed of Undertaking.

 

Charter Service Reserve Deposit ” means the portion of the amount comprising of Cash from time to time standing to the credit of the Charter Accounts which has been deposited pursuant to Article 2.1 ( Charter Service Reserve ) of the Charter Ancillary Agreement and which is to be maintained in accordance with the Transaction Documents.

 

Charterer ” means Frontline Shipping Limited, a special purpose company incorporated in Bermuda and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent.

 

Collateral Vessel ” means any of the vessels listed under the relevant heading in Part II of Schedule 7 ( Collateral Vessels ).

 

Collateral Vessel Owner ” means, from time to time, any person being (or, pursuant to the Transaction, any person to be) the legal and registered owner of a Collateral Vessel including, without limitation, any Substitute Vessel Owner (and any reference to the Collateral Vessel

 

6



 

owned by such Collateral Vessel Owner (where applicable) shall mean the Collateral Vessel to be acquired by it pursuant to the Transaction).

 

Collateral Vessel Security Documents ” has the meaning given to it in Part II of Schedule 3 ( Conditions to each Acquisition ).

 

Collateral Maintenance Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 20.3 ( Collateral Maintenance Prepayment Amount ).

 

Collateral Maintenance Test ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 20.1 ( Collateral Maintenance Test ).

 

Commitment ” means, in relation to a Lender at any time, and save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the amount set opposite its name in Schedule 1 ( Lenders and Commitments ) or as specified in the Transfer Certificate pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement.

 

Commercial Management Agreement ” means the commercial management agreement to be entered into on or around the date of this Agreement between the Charterer and the Manager.

 

Commercial Management Report ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 20.9 ( Commercial Management Reports ).

 

Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 6 ( Form of Directors’ Compliance Certificate ).

 

Compulsory Acquisition ” means requisition of title or other compulsory acquisition, requisition, appropriation, expropriation, deprivation or confiscation for any reason of a Collateral Vessel by any government or official authority or by any person or persons purporting to be or to represent a government or official authority.

 

Consolidated Current Assets ” means all of the current assets (other than credits receivable for corporation tax (including unrelieved surplus advance corporation tax (and their equivalents in any relevant jurisdiction, including any such taxes levied locally in such jurisdiction), withholding tax or any other tax on income or gains suffered and Interest receivable), in each case, at the relevant time.

 

Consolidated Current Liabilities ” means all of the current liabilities (excluding the short-term portion of any long term debt and any other Financial Indebtedness) and any accrued or unpaid Interest and any liabilities in respect of corporation tax (and their equivalents in any relevant jurisdiction including any such taxes levied locally in such jurisdiction), and dividends, redemptions and other distributions payable by members of the Group to persons not members of the Group, in each case, at the relevant time.

 

Consolidated Working Capital ” means Consolidated Current Assets minus Consolidated Current Liabilities, in each case, at the relevant time.

 

Consolidation Date ” means the date falling three months after the date of this Agreement.

 

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Consolidation Notice ” means a notice signed by an authorised signatory of the Borrower and delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Clause 8.3(b) ( Consolidation of Advances ) substantially in the form of Schedule 8 ( Form of Consolidation Notice ).

 

Corporate Governance Trigger ” means the occurrence of any event whereby the Parent ceases to own legally and/or beneficially and either directly or indirectly at least 50% of the issued share capital of the Borrower.

 

Deed of Covenant ” means the deed of covenant entered into or to be entered into (if applicable) by a Collateral Vessel Owner in relation to a Collateral Vessel pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Deed of Undertaking ” means the deed of undertaking entered into on or around the date of this Agreement between the Parent, the Borrower, the Charterer, the Manager, the Collateral Vessel Owners, the Administrative Agent and the Security Trustee.

 

Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance which (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under any of the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) would be an Event of Default.

 

Document of Compliance ” has the meaning given to it in the ISM Code.

 

Drawdown Date means the date on which an Advance is (or is requested) to be made under this Agreement.

 

Drawdown Request means a duly completed notice in the form prescribed by Schedule 4 ( Form of Drawdown Request ).

 

Earnings ” means, in relation to any Collateral Vessel, all moneys whatsoever which are now, or later become, payable (actually or contingently) to any Collateral Vessel Owner or the Security Trustee and which arise out of the use or operation of the relevant Collateral Vessel, including (but not limited to) the following, save to the extent that any of them is, with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, pooled or shared with any other person:

 

(a)            all freight, hire and passage moneys;

 

(b)            compensation payable to the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner or the Security Trustee in the event of requisition of that Collateral Vessel for hire;

 

(c)            remuneration for salvage and towage services;

 

(d)            demurrage and detention moneys;

 

(e)            damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of any charterparty or other contract for the employment of that Collateral Vessel; and

 

(f)             all moneys which are at any time payable under any Insurances in respect of loss of hire.

 

8



 

Encumbrance means:

 

(a)            a mortgage, charge (whether fixed, floating or otherwise) or pledge, any maritime or other lien or any other encumbrance or security interest of any kind;

 

(b)            the security rights of a plaintiff under an action in rem ; and

 

(c)            any arrangement entered into by a person (A) the effect of which is to place another person (B) in a position which is similar, in economic terms, to the position in which B would have been had he held a security interest or encumbrance over an asset of A; but this paragraph (c) does not apply to a right of set off or combination of accounts conferred by the standard terms of business of a bank or other financial institution.

 

Environment means living organisms including the ecological systems of which they form part and the following media:

 

(a)            air (including air within natural or man-made structures, whether above or below ground);

 

(b)            water (including territorial, coastal and inland waters, water under or within land and water in drains and sewers); and

 

(c)            land (including land under water).

 

Environmental Claim means any administrative, regulatory or judicial action, suit, demand, demand letter, claim, notice of non-compliance or violation, investigation, proceeding, consent order or consent agreement relating to any Environmental Law or Environmental Licence.

 

Environmental Incident ” means:

 

(a)            any release of Environmentally Sensitive Material from a Collateral Vessel; or

 

(b)            any incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released from a vessel other than a Collateral Vessel and which involves a collision between a Collateral Vessel and such other vessel or some other incident of navigation or operation, in either case, in connection with which a Collateral Vessel is actually or potentially liable to be arrested, attached, detained or injuncted, a Collateral Vessel and/or any Guarantor, the Manager (or any sub-manager of such Collateral Vessel) or any of its officers, employees or other persons retained or instructed by it (or such sub-manager) are at fault or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action; or

 

(c)            any other incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released otherwise than from a Collateral Vessel and in connection with which a Collateral Vessel is actually or potentially liable to be arrested and/or where any Guarantor, the Manager (or any sub-manager of such Collateral Vessel) or any of its officers, employees or other persons retained or instructed by it (or such sub-manager) are at fault or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action.

 

9



 

Environmental Law means all laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction which:

 

(a)            have as a purpose or effect the protection of, and/or prevention of harm or damage to, the Environment;

 

(b)            relate to the carriage of Environmentally Sensitive Material or to actual or threatened releases of Environmentally Sensitive Material;

 

(c)            provide remedies or compensation for harm or damage to the Environment; or

 

(d)            relate to Environmentally Sensitive Materials or health or safety matters.

 

Environmental Licence means any Authorisations required at any time under Environmental Law.

 

Environmentally Sensitive Material ” means (a) oil and oil products and (b) any other waste, pollutant, contaminant or other substance (including any liquid, solid, gas, ion, living organism or noise) that may be harmful to human health or other life or the Environment or a nuisance to any person or that may make the enjoyment, ownership or other territorial control of any affected land, property or waters more costly for such person to a material degree.

 

Equity Conversion ” has the meaning given to it in the Deed of Undertaking.

 

Equity Ratio ” means the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of Shareholder Equity to Total Assets.

 

Event of Default means any of the events or circumstances described as such in Clause 24 ( Events of Default ).

 

Existing Bareboat Charters ” means the demise charter agreements executed and in effect as at the date of this Agreement in respect of the ‘Navix Astral’, ‘New Vanguard’ ‘New Vista’ ‘Front Comanche’ ‘Opalia’ and ‘Oscilla’ Collateral Vessels.

 

Existing Time Charters ” means the time charter agreements executed and in effect as at the date of this Agreement in respect of the ‘Front Breaker’, ‘Front Climber’, ‘Front Driver’, ‘Front Guider’, ‘Front Leader’, ‘Front Rider’, ‘Front Striver’, ‘Front Viewer’, ‘Front Brabant’ and ‘Front Comanche’ Collateral Vessels.

 

Facility ”means the term loan facility granted to the Borrower pursuant to Clause 2.1 ( The Facility ).

 

Facility Office means:

 

(a)            in relation to the Administrative Agent, the office identified with its signature below or such other office as it may, from time to time select for the performance of its agency function under this Agreement; and

 

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(b)            in relation to a Lender, the office from time to time designated by it to the Administrative Agent for the purposes of this Agreement (or, in the case of a Transferee, at the end of the Transfer Certificate to which it is a party as Transferee) or such other office as such Lender may from time to time select.

 

Fee Letters ” means the fee letter dated 18 November 2003 addressed to the Parent from the Bookrunners and such other fee letters relating to the Finance Documents from time to time provided to (and countersigned by) the Borrower and/or the Parent by the Bookrunners, the Security Trustee and/or the Administrative Agent.

 

Finance Documents means:

 

(a)            this Agreement, any Accession Notices, any Transfer Certificates and any Letter of Accession;

 

(b)            the Security Documents;

 

(c)            the Security Trust Deed;

 

(d)            each Hedging Agreement entered into pursuant to Clause 21.11 ( Hedging );

 

(e)            the Fee Letters;

 

(f)             the Deed of Undertaking;

 

(g)            any other agreement or document entered into or executed pursuant to or contemplated by any of the foregoing documents; and

 

(h)            any other agreement or document designated as a “Finance Document” in writing by the Administrative Agent.

 

Finance Parties means the Bookrunners, the Administrative Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers, the Arrangers, the Security Trustee, the Lenders and each Hedge Counterparty and “ Finance Party ” means any of them.

 

Financial Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness for or in respect of:

 

(a)            moneys borrowed;

 

(b)            any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility;

 

(c)            any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

 

(d)            any redeemable preference shares;

 

(e)            the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP, be treated as a finance or capital lease;

 

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(f)             receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis);

 

(g)            accounts payable in the ordinary course of trade which have been outstanding for more than 120 days since their due date (other than any such amounts which are the subject of a dispute which is actively being contested in good faith);

 

(h)            the amount of any liability in respect of any purchase price for assets or services the payment of which is deferred for a period in excess of 120 days in order to raise finance or to finance the acquisition of those assets or services;

 

(i)             any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing;

 

(j)             any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value shall be taken into account);

 

(k)            any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial or other institution; and

 

(l)             the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (k) above.

 

Financial Quarter ” means the period commencing on the day immediately following any Quarter Date in each year, and ending on the next succeeding Quarter Date.

 

Fleet Purchase Agreement ” means the fleet purchase agreement dated 11 December 2003 entered into between the Parent and the Borrower in relation to the Acquisitions.

 

GAAP means in relation to an Obligor or any financial statement of an Obligor, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

General Assignment ” means each general assignment entered into or to be entered into pursuant to this Agreement between the Charterer and a Collateral Vessel Owner in relation to a Collateral Vessel (including the documents referred to in paragraph 1 under Part IV of Schedule 3 ( Initial Security Documents )).

 

Group means the Borrower and each of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries from time to time.

 

Group Business means the commercial business or activity of the Borrower and the Group, being the ownership, chartering out and operation of single and double hull crude oil tankers.

 

Group Structure Chart ” means the group structure chart set out in Part I of Schedule 7 ( Group Structure ).

 

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Guaranteed Obligations ” means the aggregate of all amounts from time to time due and payable by the Guarantors or any of them to the Finance Parties or any of them pursuant to Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ).

 

Guarantors means the Original Guarantors and any Acceding Guarantors and “ Guarantor ” means any one of them, as the context requires.

 

Hedge Counterparty means each Lender which is a party to an Acceptable Hedging Agreement pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 21.11 ( Hedging ) and “ Hedge Counterparties ” means all such Lenders.

 

Hedging Agreement means any agreement in respect of an interest rate swap, currency swap, forward foreign exchange transaction, cap, floor, collar or option transaction or any other treasury transaction or any combination of it or any other transaction entered into in connection with the protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.

 

Holding Company means a company or corporation of which another company or corporation is a Subsidiary.

 

Increased Cost means:

 

(a)            any reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or an Affiliate’s) overall capital;

 

(b)            any additional or increased cost; or

 

(c)            any reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,

 

which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having agreed to make available its Commitment or having funded or performed its obligations under any Finance Document.

 

Indebtedness includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent (including interest and other charges relating to it).

 

Individual Collateral Value ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 20.4 ( Valuation of Collateral Vessels ).

 

Individual Repayment Instalment ” in relation to a Collateral Vessel (to the extent that an Advance has been made in respect of such Collateral Vessel), means each of the quarterly repayment amounts (numbered 1 to 24 (or less, if applicable)) set opposite such Collateral Vessel in Schedule 9 ( Repayment ), being an amount which is to fall due from time to time under Clause 5.1 ( Repayment ) as a portion of each Repayment Instalment.

 

Initial Appraisal Package ” means, in relation to each of the Collateral Vessels, an appraisal prepared in accordance with the Appraisal Criteria and confirmed in writing by three independent first class shipbrokers appointed or approved by the Administrative Agent as to

 

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inter alia the fair market value of the relevant Collateral Vessel as at the date of each such written confirmation.

 

Initial Borrowing Date means the first Drawdown Date on which an Advance is made to the Borrower under this Agreement.

 

Initial Security Documents means the documents listed in Part IV of Schedule 3 ( Initial Security Documents ).

 

Instructing Group means:

 

(a)            before any Advance has been made under this Agreement, a Lender or group of Lenders whose Available Commitments amount in aggregate to more than 66 2/3% of the Available Facility; and

 

(b)            thereafter, a Lender or group of Lenders to whom in aggregate more than 66 2/3% of the aggregate amount of the Outstandings are (or if there are no Outstandings at such time, immediately prior to repayment of it, were then) owed.

 

Insurance Report and Certificate ” means, in relation to a Collateral Vessel (a) a report prepared by Marsh Marine & Energy AS confirming inter alia full details of the Insurance in place for such Collateral Vessel, the identity of each insurance company, underwriter and/or club providing such Insurance and further confirming that such Insurance is consistent with the terms of the Mortgage and Deed of Covenant and/or the General Assignment (as applicable) entered into or to be entered into in relation to such Collateral Vessel pursuant to this Agreement, as well as (in each case) the terms of Clause 18 ( Insurance ) and (b) a certificate signed by an authorised signatory of Marsh Marine & Energy AS confirming (in its professional judgement) that the contents of such report is accurate and that adequate Insurance is in place in respect of the relevant Collateral Vessel.

 

Insurances ” means, in relation to any Collateral Vessel:

 

(a)            all policies and contracts of insurance, including entries of that Collateral Vessel in any protection and indemnity or war risks association, which are effected in respect of that Collateral Vessel, its Earnings or otherwise in relation to it; and

 

(b)            all rights and other assets relating to, or derived from, any of the foregoing, including any rights to a return of a premium.

 

Intellectual Property Rights means any patent, trade mark, service mark, registered design, trade name or copyright or any license to use any of the same.

 

Interest ”means:

 

(a)            interest and amounts in the nature of interest accrued in respect of any Financial Indebtedness;

 

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(b)            discounts suffered and repayment premiums payable in respect of Financial Indebtedness, in each case to the extent GAAP requires that such discounts and premiums be treated as or in like manner to interest;

 

(c)            discount fees and acceptance fees payable or deducted in respect of any Financial Indebtedness (including all fees payable in connection with any letters of credit or guarantees);

 

(d)            any other costs, expenses and deductions of the like effect and any net payment (or, if appropriate in the context, receipt) under any Hedging Agreement or like instrument, taking into account any premiums payable for the same, and the interest element of any net payment under any Hedging Agreement; and

 

(e)            commitment and non-utilisation fees (including, without limitation, those payable under this Agreement) but excluding agent’s fees, front-end, management, arrangement and participation fees and repayment premia with respect to any Financial Indebtedness (including, without limitation, all those payable under the Finance Documents) and any up-front premium or front-end fee payable in connection with any Hedging Agreement entered into with a Hedge Counterparty pursuant to Clause 21.11 ( Hedging ).

 

Interest Payment Date ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 8.5 ( Payment of Interest for Advances ).

 

Interest Period means, save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any of those periods mentioned in Clause 8.1 ( Interest Periods for Advances ).

 

ISM Code ” means the International Safety Management Code (including the guidelines on its implementation), adopted by the International Maritime Organisation Assembly as Resolutions A.741 (18) and A.788 (19), as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Joint Venture means any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement that is not a member of the Group.

 

Law means:

 

(a)            common or customary law;

 

(b)            any constitution, decree, judgment, legislation, order, ordinance, regulation, statute, treaty or other legislative measure in any jurisdiction; and

 

(c)            any present or future directive, regulation, practice, concession or requirement which has the force of law and which is issued by any governmental or inter-governmental body, agency or department or any central bank or other fiscal, monetary, regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or agency.

 

Lender means a person which:

 

(a)            is named in Schedule 1 ( Lenders and Commitments ); or

 

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(b)            has become a party to this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Clause 34 ( Assignments and Transfers ),

 

which in each case has not ceased to be a party to this Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Letter of Accession ” has the meaning given to it in the Deed of Undertaking.

 

LIBOR means, in relation to any amount owed by an Obligor under this Agreement on which interest for a given period is to accrue:

 

(a)            the rate per annum which appears on the Relevant Page for such period at or about 11.00 am on the Quotation Date for such period; or

 

(b)            if no such rate is displayed and the Administrative Agent shall not have selected an alternative service on which such rate is displayed, the arithmetic mean (rounded upwards, if not already such a multiple, to the nearest 5 decimal places) of the rates (as notified to the Administrative Agent) at which each of the Reference Banks was offering to prime banks in the London interbank market deposits in dollars for such period at or about 11.00 am on the Quotation Date for such period.

 

Loss or Sale Prepayment Amount ” means an amount equal to the greater of:

 

(a)               the Applicable Outstanding Amount relating to such Acquisition; and

 

(b)               the Outstandings at such time multiplied by the applicable fraction,

 

in either case, up to a maximum amount equal to the Outstandings at the relevant time and for the purposes of this definition, “ applicable fraction ” at such time means the Individual Collateral Value of the relevant Collateral Vessel divided by the Total Collateral Value.

 

Major Casualty ” means, in relation to any Collateral Vessel, any casualty to that Collateral Vessel in respect of which the claim or the aggregate of the claims against all insurers, before adjustment for any relevant franchise or deductible, exceeds $2,000,000 or the equivalent in any other currency.

 

Management Agreement ” means each of the management agreements entered into or to be entered into in relation to a Collateral Vessel between the Manager and the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner comprising of a ‘Shipman 98’ Baltic and International Maritime Council standard ship management agreement together with the riders attached thereto.

 

Manager ” means Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd. a company incorporated in Bermuda and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent.

 

Margin means 1.25% per annum.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on:

 

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(a)            the validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the rights or remedies of the Finance Parties under the Transaction Documents;

 

(b)            the ability of the Parent or any other member of the Parent Group to perform their obligations in respect of the Transaction; or

 

(c)            the business, property, assets, nature of assets, operations, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Parent or any member of the Parent Group.

 

Maturity Date ” means the sixth anniversary of the date of this Agreement.

 

Member State ” means a member of the European Community.

 

Mortgage ” means, in relation to any Collateral Vessel, the first priority ship mortgage on that Collateral Vessel entered into or to be entered into by the relevant Obligor pursuant to and in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Necessary Authorisations means all Authorisations (including any competition and other clearances necessary in relation to the Acquisitions and Environmental Licences) of any person including any government or other regulatory authority required by applicable Law to enable it to:

 

(a)            lawfully enter into and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is party;

 

(b)            ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in England and, if different, its jurisdiction of incorporation, of such Transaction Documents to which it is party; and

 

(c)            carry on its business from time to time,

 

in each case, in relation to which any applicable waiting periods have expired, as determined by the Administrative Agent, except to the extent that any permitted action by the relevant person during such waiting period would not, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Net Worth ” at any time, means the aggregate of:

 

(a)            the amount paid up or credited as paid up in respect of the issued share capital of the Borrower; and

 

(b)            the aggregate amount of the consolidated reserves (including retained earnings) of the Borrower,

 

but adjusted by:

 

(i)             adding any credit balance on the profit and loss account of the Borrower contained in the most recent financial statements of the Borrower delivered under

 

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this Agreement (to the extent not included in paragraph (b) above) or, as the case may be, deducting any debit balance on such profit and loss account;

 

(ii)            deducting any dividend or other distribution declared, recommended or made by the Borrower out of profits earned up to and including the date of the latest financial statements of the Borrower to the extent that such distribution is not provided for in such financial statements;

 

(iii)          deducting to the extent included any amounts in respect of goodwill or other intangible assets;

 

(iv)           deducting any loans (or any other transactions of any kind having the commercial effect of lending) to any person;

 

(v)             excluding to the extent included any amount by which the net book value of any asset of the Borrower has been written up after the date of the most recent financial statements delivered by the Borrower under this Agreement by way of a revaluation;

 

(vi)           reflecting any variation since the date of the latest financial statements of the Borrower delivered under this Agreement in the amount paid up or credited as paid up on the issued share capital of the Borrower and in the consolidated reserves of the Borrower (other than in the profit and loss account of the Borrower contained in such financial statements); and

 

(vii)          excluding the amount paid up or credited as paid up on any share capital of the Borrower which is redeemable or may on the occurrence of certain events be redeemable prior to the Maturity Date, and excluding any element of consolidated reserves attributable to such share capital,

 

but so that no amount shall be included or excluded more than once in the same calculation, and, for the avoidance of doubt, no account shall be taken of any amount set aside for taxation purposes.

 

Obligors ”means the Borrower and the Guarantors and “ Obligor ” means any of them.

 

Obligors’ Agent means the Borrower in its capacity as agent for the Obligors, pursuant to Clause 27.16 ( Obligors’ Agent ).

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the final form offering memorandum relating to the Senior Notes dated 11 December 2003.

 

Original Financial Statements means in relation to the Group:

 

(a)            the audited predecessor combined carve-out financial statements relating to it for the fiscal years ended 31 December 2002, 2001 and 2000;

 

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(b)            the unaudited predecessor combined carve-out financial statements relating to it for the six months ended 30 June 2003 and 2002; and

 

(c)            the Projections and any Additional Projections.

 

Original Guarantors ” means Madeira International Corp. and each of the Collateral Vessel Owners.

 

Original Obligors means the Borrower and the Original Guarantors.

 

Other Management Agreement ” in relation to a Collateral Vessel being the subject of an Existing Time Charter or a Relevant Bareboat Charter, means the management agreement entered into or to be entered into by the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner pursuant to which such Collateral Vessel is for the time being managed or is to be managed.

 

Outstandings ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of the Advances outstanding under this Agreement.

 

Parent ” means Frontline Ltd., a company incorporated in Bermuda, being the owner of the entire issued share capital of each of the Borrower, the Charterer and the Manager, as at the date of this Agreement.

 

Parent Group ” means the Parent, the Manager, the Charterer, the Group and any other direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Parent.

 

Participating Member State means any member of the European Community that at the relevant time has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

 

Performance Guarantee ” means the performance guarantee to be entered into on or around the date of this Agreement by the Parent as guarantor in relation to the Transaction.

 

Permitted Capital Payment ” means the payment of a dividend or distribution (including by way of an issue of shares to one or more existing shareholders of the Borrower) or a payment in respect of capital expenditure, in each case, by the Borrower where (x) such payment is made in the absence of a Default and would not itself give rise to a Default (y) any amounts deferred in respect of the Charter Payment Deferral have been received by the Group and (z) at the time of the relevant payment:

 

(a)            where such payment is effected prior to a Successful Listing:

 

(i)             the Charter Service Reserve Deposit is in excess of $100,000,000 and will continue to be immediately following the making of such payment; and

 

(ii)            the Group (on a consolidated basis) has an Equity Ratio of at least 30% and will continue to have immediately following the making of such payment;

 

(b)            where such payment is effected immediately upon completion of a Successful Listing:

 

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(i)             such payment is a one-time payment (in the case of a dividend or distribution payment to the shareholders of record immediately prior to such Successful Listing);

 

(ii)            the Charter Service Reserve Deposit is at least $250,000,000 and will continue to be immediately following the making of such payment;

 

(iii)          the Net Worth of the Borrower is in excess of $528,900,000 and will continue to be immediately following the making of such payment; and

 

(iv)           the Group (on a consolidated basis) has an Equity Ratio of at least 24.2% and will continue to have immediately following the making of such payment; and

 

(c)            where such payment and/or share issue is effected on or after a Successful Listing and after any payment made pursuant to paragraph (b) above, the aggregate of (x) the Cash freely available to the Group and (y) the Charter Service Reserve Deposit is in excess of $100,000,000 and will continue to be immediately following the making of such payment,

 

provided that, prior to any such payment, the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower confirming compliance by the Borrower with each of the foregoing conditions (to the extent applicable) in relation to such payment (and compliance by the Group with Clause 17.1 ( Financial Condition ) in respect of the date of such certificate and immediately following the relevant payment).

 

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

 

(a)            each of the Encumbrances created pursuant to the Security Documents;

 

(b)            an Encumbrance in respect of any Additional Vessel (including its earnings and insurances) securing Indebtedness assumed by any Obligor (and/or the relevant Additional Vessel Owner where it has yet to become an Acceding Guarantor, if applicable) in respect of the acquisition of such Additional Vessel, as contemplated under Clause 22.4 (c) ( Guarantees );

 

(c)            liens in respect of a Collateral Vessel for unpaid master’s or crew’s wages in accordance with usual maritime practice;

 

(d)            liens in respect of a Collateral Vessel for salvage;

 

(e)            liens arising by operation of law for not more than 2 months’ prepaid hire under any charter relating to a Collateral Vessel (to the extent that such charter is permitted in accordance with this Agreement);

 

(f)             liens for master’s disbursements incurred in the ordinary course of trading and any other lien arising by operation of law or otherwise in the ordinary course of the operation, repair or maintenance of a Collateral Vessel, provided such liens do not secure amounts

 

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more than 30 days overdue (unless the overdue amount is being disputed by the Guarantor who is the owner of such Collateral Vessel in good faith by appropriate steps);

 

(g)            any Encumbrance created in favour of a plaintiff or defendant in any proceedings or arbitration as security for costs and expenses where the relevant Guarantor is actively prosecuting or defending such proceedings or arbitration in good faith; and

 

(h)            Encumbrances arising by operation of law in respect of taxes which are not overdue for payment or in respect of taxes being disputed in good faith by appropriate steps and in respect of which appropriate reserves have been made.

 

Permitted Listing ” means a sale of all or a portion of the share capital of the Borrower or the payment of a dividend to any existing shareholders of the Borrower by way of a share issue, in each case, pursuant to a public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in accordance with Clause 21.7 ( Listing ), on terms which have been the subject of the prior approval of the Administrative Agent (acting on the instructions of an Instructing Group).

 

Pertinent Document ” means:

 

(a)            any Finance Document;

 

(b)            any policy or contract of insurance contemplated by or referred to in Clause 18 ( Insurance ) or any other provision of the Finance Documents;

 

(c)            any other document contemplated by or referred to in any Finance Document; and

 

(d)            any document which has been or is at any time sent by or to a Finance Party in contemplation of or in connection with the Transaction or under any policy, contract or document falling within paragraphs (b) or (c) above.

 

Pertinent Matter ” means:

 

(a)            any transaction or matter contemplated by, arising out of, or in connection with a Pertinent Document; or

 

(b)            any statement relating to a Pertinent Document or to a transaction or matter falling within paragraph (a) above,

 

and which covers any such transaction, matter or statement, whether entered into, arising or made at any time prior to or on the date of this Agreement or thereafter.

 

Projections ” means the detailed consolidated financial projections relating to the Group, the Parent and the Charterer, in the form most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

Proportion in respect of a Lender, means:

 

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(a)            in the case of an Advance to be made under this Agreement, the proportion borne by such Lender’s Available Commitment to the Available Facility;

 

(b)            in the case of an Advance or Advances outstanding under this Agreement, the proportion borne by such Lender’s share of the amount of such Advance or Advances to the total amount thereof;

 

(c)            if paragraph (a) does not apply and there are no Outstandings, the proportion borne by such Lender’s Available Commitment to the Available Facility (or if the Available Facility is then zero, by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to its reduction to zero); and

 

(d)            if paragraph (b) does not apply and there are any Outstandings, the proportion borne by such Lender’s share of the Outstandings to the amount of all the Outstandings for the time being.

 

Prospective Bareboat Charters ” means the demise charter agreements due to be executed on or around 31 March 2004 in respect of the ‘New Circassia’, ‘Opalia’, ‘Front Commerce’ and ‘Hakata’ Collateral Vessels.

 

Protected Party means a Finance Party or any Affiliate of a Finance Party which is or will be, subject to any Tax Liability in relation to any amount payable under or in relation to a Finance Document.

 

Purchase Price means in relation to a Collateral Vessel, the amount referred to under the relevant heading in Part II of Schedule 7 ( Collateral Vessels ).

 

Quarter Date means any of 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December.

 

Quarterly Appraisal Package ” means, in relation to a Collateral Vessel, an appraisal prepared in accordance with the Appraisal Criteria and confirmed in writing by three independent first class shipbrokers appointed or approved by the Administrative Agent as to inter alia the fair market value of the relevant Collateral Vessel as at the date of each such written confirmation.

 

Quotation Date means, in relation to any currency and any period for which an interest rate is to be determined, 2 Business Days before the first day of that period,

 

 “ Reference Banks means the principal London offices of Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG and Credit Agricole Indosuez or such other bank or banks as may be appointed as such by the Administrative Agent.

 

Relevant Bareboat Charters ” means the Existing Bareboat Charters and the Prospective Bareboat Charters.

 

Relevant Page means the page of the Reuters or Telerate screen on which is displayed BBA LIBOR for dollars, or, if such page or service shall cease to be available, such other page or service which displays the London interbank offered rates for dollars as the Administrative Agent, after consultation with the Lenders, shall select.

 

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Repayment Date ” means each of the dates specified in Clause 5.1 ( Repayment ) as a Repayment Date in respect of the Outstandings.

 

Repayment Instalment ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 5.1 ( Repayment ).

 

Reports means:

 

(a)            each Insurance Report and Certificate;

 

(b)            the Appraisal Packages; and

 

(c)            each Commercial Management Report (if any).

 

Safety Management Certificate ” has the meaning given to it in the ISM Code.

 

Security Documents means:

 

(a)            the Initial Security Documents (and any General Assignment in addition to those referred to in paragraph 1 under Part IV of Schedule 3 ( Initial Security Documents )), each Collateral Vessel Security Document, each Deed of Covenant, each Tripartite Agreement and each Bareboat Charter Assignment;

 

(b)            any other document (executed at any time) conferring or evidencing any Encumbrance, guarantee or other assurance against financial loss for, or in respect of, any of the obligations of the Obligors under this Agreement (including but not limited to any security document (or if applicable, tripartite or other subordination agreement) entered into pursuant to Clause 18.16(b) ( Bareboat Charter Insurance ), Clause 19.1(a)(ii) ( Collateral Vessels’ Names and Registration ), Clause 19.13(b) ( Restrictions on Chartering and Appointment of Managers ), Clause 21.14 ( Further Assurance ), Clause 22.7(c) ( Disposals ), Clause 22.19(a) ( Bank Accounts ) or Clause 23(a) ( Acceding Guarantors ); and

 

(c)            any other document executed at any time pursuant to any covenant in any of the Security Documents referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) above.

 

Security Trust Deed ” means the security trust deed dated on or around the date of this Agreement entered into between inter alia the Borrower and the Security Trustee.

 

Seller Credit Undertaking ” has the meaning given to it in the Deed of Undertaking.

 

Senior Note Default ” means an event of default (however described and subject to any applicable grace periods) under the Senior Note Documents.

 

Senior Note Documents ” means:

 

(a)            the Offering Memorandum;

 

(b)            the Senior Note Indenture;

 

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(c)            the Senior Note Purchase Agreement;

 

(d)            the Senior Notes;

 

(e)            any other agreement or document entered into or executed pursuant to or contemplated by any of the foregoing documents; and

 

(f)             any other agreement or document designated as a “Senior Note Document” in writing by the Administrative Agent.

 

Senior Notes ” means the senior unsecured notes due 2013 constituted by the Senior Note Indenture issued by the Borrower in relation to the Transaction.

 

Senior Note Indenture ” means the note indenture entered into by the Borrower and dated 18 December 2003 relating to the Senior Notes.

 

Senior Note Purchase Agreement ” means the senior note purchase agreement entered into by inter alia the Borrower on 11 December 2003 relating to the Senior Notes.

 

Shareholder Equity ” means any Indebtedness outstanding at the relevant time issued by the Borrower to one or more of its shareholders that is fully subordinated, whether by law, pursuant to contract or otherwise (or by a combination of the same) in right of payment to the rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents.

 

Subsidiary of a company or corporation means any company or corporation:

 

(a)            more than 50% of the issued share capital of which is legally or beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the first-mentioned company or corporation; or

 

(b)            where the first-mentioned company owns the right or ability to control directly or indirectly the affairs or the composition of the board of directors (or equivalent of it) of such company or corporation; or

 

(c)            which is a Subsidiary of another Subsidiary of the first-mentioned company or corporation.

 

Substitute Vessel Owner ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 23(a) ( Acceding Guarantors ).

 

Successful Listing ” means one or more Permitted Listings representing in aggregate at least 20% of the share capital of the Borrower.

 

Tax Credit means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of any tax.

 

Tax Deduction means a deduction or withholding for or on account of tax from a payment made or to be made under a Finance Document.

 

Taxes Act ”means the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

 

Tax Liability has the meaning set out in paragraph (e) of Clause 11.2 ( Tax Indemnity ).

 

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Tax Payment means the increase in any payment made by an Obligor to a Finance Party under paragraph (c) of Clause 11.1 ( Tax Gross-up) or any amount payable under paragraph (d) of Clause 11.1 ( Tax Gross-up ) or under Clause 11.2 ( Tax Indemnity ).

 

Termination Date means the earlier of the date which is:

 

(a)            the Consolidation Date;

 

(b)            the first Business Day (if any) on which the Available Commitment of each of the Lenders in respect of the Facility is zero;

 

(c)            the first Business Day (if any) on which the Group is the owner of each of the forty seven Collateral Vessels; and

 

(d)            the date (if any) on which this Agreement and the Facility is terminated by the mutual agreement of each of the parties to this Agreement,

 

in each case, as determined by the Administrative Agent by notice to the Borrower under Clause 4.2 ( Notification of Termination Date ) (in respect of paragraph (c), following consultation with the Security Trustee and the Borrower).

 

Termination Date Notice ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 4.2 ( Notification of Termination Date ).

 

Time Charter Parties ” means each of the time charter parties entered into or to be entered into between the Charterer and the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner pursuant to this Agreement in relation to the applicable Collateral Vessel.

 

Total Assets ” means the aggregate book value of all assets (both tangible and intangible) owned by the Group and/or any member of it at the relevant time.

 

Total Collateral Value ” means the aggregate of all Individual Collateral Values at the relevant time.

 

Total Loss ” means, in relation to any Collateral Vessel:

 

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

 

(b)            any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of such Collateral Vessel, whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority, (excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period not exceeding 1 year without any right to an extension) unless it is within 1 month redelivered to the full control or the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner; or

 

25



 

(c)            any arrest, capture, seizure or detention of such Collateral Vessel (including any hijacking or theft) unless it is within 2 months of such incident redelivered to the full control of the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner.

 

Total Loss Date ” means, in relation to any Collateral Vessel:

 

(a)            in the case of an actual loss of such Collateral Vessel, the date on which it occurred or, if that is unknown, the date when such Collateral Vessel was last heard of;

 

(b)            in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of such Collateral Vessel, the earlier of:

 

(i)             the date on which a notice of abandonment is given to any insurers of such Collateral Vessel; and

 

(ii)            the date of any compromise, arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner with such insurers, in which such insurers agree to treat the Collateral Vessel as a total loss; and

 

(c)            in the case of any other type of total loss, on the date (or the most likely date) on which it appears to the Security Trustee that the event constituting the total loss occurred.

 

Transaction ” means the entry into the Transaction Documents (other than the Relevant Bareboat Charters, the Existing Time Charters and the Other Management Agreements) and the performance of the obligations thereunder by each of the parties thereto including inter alia the issuance of the Senior Notes, the provision of the Facility to the Borrower and the consummation of each of the Acquisitions.

 

Transaction Documents means:

 

(a)            the Finance Documents;

 

(b)            the Senior Note Documents;

 

(c)            each Management Agreement;

 

(d)            the Performance Guarantee;

 

(e)            the Administrative Services Agreement;

 

(f)             the Charter Ancillary Agreement;

 

(g)            each Time Charter Party;

 

(h)            the Commercial Management Agreement;

 

(i)             each Acquisition Document;

 

(j)             the Relevant Bareboat Charters;

 

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(k)            the Existing Time Charters;

 

(l)             the Other Management Agreements;

 

(m)           any other agreement or document (other than any Finance Document) entered into or executed pursuant to or contemplated by any of the foregoing documents; and

 

(n)            any other agreement or document designated as a “Transaction Document” in writing by the Administrative Agent.

 

Transfer Certificate means a duly completed transfer certificate in the form set out in Schedule 2 ( Form of Transfer Certificate ) and signed by a Lender and a Transferee whereby such Lender seeks to procure the transfer to such Transferee of all or a part of such Lender’s rights, benefits and obligations under this Agreement as contemplated in Clause 34 ( Assignments and Transfers ).

 

Transfer Date means, in relation to any Transfer Certificate, the date for the making of the transfer as specified in such Transfer Certificate.

 

Transferee means a person to which a Lender seeks to transfer all or part of its rights, benefits and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 34 ( Assignments and Transfers ).

 

Tripartite Agreements ” means each of the agreements entered into or to be entered into in respect of a Collateral Vessel being subject to an Existing Bareboat Charter by the relevant third party charterer in favour of the Finance Parties for the purposes of inter alia the subordination of certain of the rights of such third party charterer to the rights of the Finance Parties under the Security Documents relating to such Collateral Vessel.

 

Unpaid Sum ” means any sum due and payable by an Obligor under any Finance Document but unpaid.

 

Updated Appraisal Package ” means, in relation to a Collateral Vessel, an appraisal prepared in accordance with the Appraisal Criteria and confirmed in writing by three independent first class shipbrokers appointed or approved by the Administrative Agent as to inter alia the fair market value of the relevant Collateral Vessel as at the date of each such written confirmation.

 

1.2           Accounting Expressions

 

All accounting expressions which are not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

1.3           Construction

 

Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in this Agreement to:

 

the “ Administrative Agent ”, a “ Mandated Lead Arranger ”, a “ Bookrunner ”, the “ Security Trustee ”, a “ Hedge Counterparty ”, an “ Arranger ” or a “ Lender ” shall be construed so as to

 

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include their respective and any subsequent successors, Transferees and permitted assigns in accordance with their respective interests;

 

agreed form means, in relation to any document, in the form agreed by the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Borrower prior to the date of this Agreement;

 

continuing in relation to a Default capable of being remedied shall be construed as meaning that (a) the circumstances constituting such Default continue and (b) neither the Administrative Agent (being duly authorised to do so) nor the Lenders have waived such of its or their rights under this Agreement as arise as a result of that event;

 

determines or “ determined ” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination;

 

the “ equivalent on any given date in one currency (the “ first currency ”) of an amount denominated in another currency (the “ second currency ”) is a reference to the amount of the first currency which could be purchased with the second currency at the Administrative Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange for the purchase of the first currency with the second currency;

 

including ” means including (without limitation), to the extent not already stated;

 

month is a reference to a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next succeeding calendar month save that, where any such period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, it shall end on the next succeeding Business Day, unless that day falls in the calendar month succeeding that in which it would otherwise have ended, in which case it shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day provided that, if a period starts on the last Business Day in a calendar month or if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month in which that period ends, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that later month (and references to “ months ” shall be construed accordingly);

 

a “ person ” shall be construed as a reference to any person, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality) of two or more of the foregoing;

 

tax shall be construed so as to include all present and future taxes, charges, imposts, duties, levies, deductions or withholdings of any kind whatsoever, or any amount payable on account of or as security for any of the foregoing, by whomsoever on whomsoever and wherever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed together with any penalties, additions, fines, surcharges or interest relating to it and “ taxes and “ taxation shall be construed accordingly;

 

VAT shall be construed as value added tax as provided for in the Value Added Tax Act 1994 and legislation (or purported legislation and whether delegated or otherwise) supplemental to that Act or in any primary or secondary legislation promulgated by the European Community or European Union or any official body or agency of the European Community or European Union, and any tax similar or equivalent to value added tax (including details of any applicable foreign VAT) imposed by any country other than the United Kingdom and any similar or turnover tax replacing or introduced in addition to any of the same;

 

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a “ wholly-owned Subsidiary ” of a company or corporation shall be construed as a reference to any company or corporation which has no other members except that other company or corporation and that other company’s or corporation’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries or nominees for that other company or corporation or its wholly-owned Subsidiaries; and

 

the “ winding-up ”, “ dissolution ” or “ administration ” of a company or corporation shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous proceedings under the Law of the jurisdiction in which such company or corporation is incorporated or any jurisdiction in which such company or corporation carries on business, including the seeking of liquidation, winding-up, reorganisation, dissolution, administration, arrangement, adjustment, protection from creditors or relief of debtors.

 

1.4           Currency

 

US$ ”, “ $ ” and “ dollar ” denote the lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

1.5           Statutes

 

Any reference in this Agreement to a statute or a statutory provision shall, save where a contrary intention is specified, be construed as a reference to such statute or statutory provision as the same shall have been, or may be, amended or re-enacted.

 

1.6           Time

 

Any reference in this Agreement to a time shall, unless otherwise specified, be construed as a reference to London time.

 

1.7           References to Agreements

 

Unless otherwise stated, any reference in this Agreement to any agreement or document (including any reference to this Agreement) shall be construed as a reference to:

 

(a)            such agreement or document as amended, varied, novated or supplemented from time to time;

 

(b)            any other agreement or document whereby such agreement or document is so amended, varied, supplemented or novated; and

 

(c)            any other agreement or document entered into pursuant to or in accordance with any such agreement or document.

 

2.              THE FACILITY

 

2.1           The Facility

 

The Lenders grant to the Borrower, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, a term loan facility in a maximum aggregate amount of $1,058,000,000.

 

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2.2           Purposes

 

The Borrower shall apply the proceeds of each Advance exclusively in or towards the payment of part of the Purchase Price applicable to such Acquisition as set out in Part II of Schedule 7 ( Collateral Vessels ), the repayment of any existing Indebtedness related to the relevant Collateral Vessel (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Outstandings) and/or the payment of any costs and expenses incurred in connection with such Acquisition or otherwise in relation to the Transaction.

 

2.3           Several Obligations

 

The obligations of each Finance Party under this Agreement are several and the failure by a Finance Party to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement shall not affect the obligations of any of the Obligors towards any other party to this Agreement nor shall any other party be liable for the failure by such Finance Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

2.4           Several Rights

 

The rights of each Finance Party are several and any debt arising under this Agreement at any time from an Obligor to any Finance Party to this Agreement shall be a separate and independent debt.  Each Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, separately enforce its rights under this Agreement.

 

3.              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

The obligations of the Finance Parties under this Agreement shall be conditional upon the Administrative Agent having confirmed to the Borrower that it has received the documents listed in Part I of Schedule 3 ( Conditions Precedent to First Drawdown ) and that each is satisfactory, in form and substance, to the Mandated Lead Arrangers.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied.

 

4.              DRAWDOWN

 

4.1           Conditions to Drawdown

 

Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, an Advance will be made by the Lenders to the Borrower if:

 

(a)            the Administrative Agent has received from the Borrower a duly completed Drawdown Request for that Advance not later than 10.00 a.m. on a day which is no more than 10 nor less than 3 Business Days prior to the proposed Drawdown Date for such Advance, receipt of which shall oblige the Borrower to borrow the amount requested on the date stated upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement;

 

(b)            the proposed Drawdown Date is a Business Day which is or precedes the Termination Date;

 

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(c)            the proposed amount of such Advance is equal to the Applicable Advance Amount;

 

(d)            the Administrative Agent has received confirmation that the Charter Service Reserve Deposit is at least $250,000,000 (less the amount of any pre-paid charter hire as agreed in advance with the Administrative Agent); and

 

(e)            the Administrative Agent has received evidence satisfactory to it that:

 

(i)             any Indebtedness outstanding (other than the Outstandings) in relation to the relevant Collateral Vessel or Collateral Vessel Owner has been discharged in full (or will be discharged in full, immediately upon the provision of (x) such Advance and (y) (where that Indebtedness is in respect of more than one Collateral Vessel) such other Advances (if applicable) requested to be made on the same Drawdown Date); and

 

(ii)            any Encumbrances over the relevant Collateral Vessel securing any such Indebtedness have been (or immediately upon the provision of such Advances, will be) released;

 

(f)             immediately after the making of such Advance there will be no more than forty seven Advances outstanding;

 

(g)            no Default has occurred which is continuing or would occur from the making of such Advance and no other circumstances exist or will arise in connection with the making of such Advance which will have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(h)            each of the representations made in Clause 15 ( Representations and Warranties ) is true and will continue to be true, in each case, in all respects, following the making of the relevant Advance, provided that any such representation which expressly relates to a given date or period shall be required to be true solely in respect of that date or period;

 

(i)             in relation to the relevant Acquisition, the Administrative Agent has received (or it is satisfied that immediately upon the making of the relevant Advance, it will receive) each of the documents referred to in Part II of Schedule 3 ( Conditions to each Acquisition ) (each in form and substance satisfactory to the Mandated Lead Arrangers); and

 

(j)             the Administrative Agent has received evidence satisfactory to it that all costs and expenses for the time being due and payable by the Parent or any Obligor to any Finance Party under the Finance Documents have been paid.

 

4.2           Notification of Termination Date

 

Following consultation with the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower and the Lenders (a “ Termination Date Notice ”), confirm the Termination Date.  The Administrative Agent shall provide the Termination Date Notice on or prior to the Termination Date.

 

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4.3           Legal Opinions

 

Within 14 days following each Drawdown Date, the Borrower shall procure that the Administrative Agent receives each of the legal opinions (issued by the relevant local counsel) in respect of the Collateral Vessel Owner and/or Collateral Vessel to which the relevant Advance relates (being the legal opinions to be delivered in the form agreed with the Mandated Lead Arrangers in relation to such Advance pursuant to and in accordance with paragraph 7(b) ( Legal Opinions ) in Part II of Schedule 3 ( Conditions to each Acquisition ), subject to any amendments thereto which are acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arrangers for the purposes of this Clause 4.1).

 

5.              REPAYMENT

 

5.1           Repayment

 

On the date occurring three months after the date of this Agreement and at subsequent three-monthly intervals thereafter or (if earlier) on the Maturity Date in respect of the final such date (each a “ Repayment Date ”), the Borrower shall repay an amount equal to the aggregate of all Individual Repayment Instalments falling due on such date (excluding any prior application against such Individual Repayment Instalments (or any of them) under Clause 6.3 ( Application of Repayments of Advances ) or Clause 7.4 ( Application of Mandatory Prepayments )), each such repayment being referred to in this Agreement as a “ Repayment Instalment ” provided that, if any such day is not a Business Day, the Repayment Date will be the next succeeding Business Day in the then current calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).  For the avoidance of doubt, if applicable following the Termination Date or at any time following a prepayment under Clause 6 ( Voluntary Prepayment ) or Clause 7 ( Mandatory Prepayment ), the Administrative Agent shall provide to the Borrower on request a copy of Schedule 9 ( Repayment ) as amended to account for any repayment or prepayment of Outstandings pursuant to this Agreement.  Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Clause 5.1, on the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall repay all Outstandings (if any) which remain due and payable on such date.

 

5.2           No Reborrowing of Advances

 

The Borrower may not reborrow any part of the Facility which is repaid.

 

6.              VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT

 

6.1           Voluntary Prepayment

 

The Borrower shall, if it has given to the Administrative Agent not less than 3 Business Days’ prior written notice to that effect, repay the Outstandings in whole or in part (but if in part, in an amount that reduces the Outstandings by a minimum amount of $500,000 or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may permit) together with accrued interest on the amount repaid without premium or penalty (but without prejudice to any Break Costs payable in respect of such repayment in accordance with Clause 28.2 ( Break Costs )).

 

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6.2           Right of Prepayment and Cancellation in relation to a single Lender

 

If any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under Clause 11.1 ( Tax Gross-up ) or a Lender claims indemnification from the Borrower under the provisions of Clause 11.2 ( Tax Indemnity ) or Clause 12.1 ( Increased Costs ) and within 30 days thereafter the Administrative Agent receives from the Borrower (while the circumstances giving rise to such increase or indemnification continue), at least 10 Business Days’ prior notice of its intention to repay or to cause to be repaid such Lender’s share of the Outstandings, the Borrower shall on the last day of each of the then current Interest Periods repay such Lender’s portion of each Advance to which such Interest Periods relate.

 

6.3           Application of Repayments of Advances

 

Any repayment made pursuant to Clauses 6.1 ( Voluntary Prepayment ) or 6.2 ( Right of Prepayment and Cancellation in relation to a single Lender ) shall be applied on a pro rata basis against each Individual Repayment Instalment that remains outstanding.

 

6.4           Release from Obligation to make Advances

 

A Lender for whose account a repayment is to be made under Clause 6.2 ( Right of Prepayment and Cancellation in relation to a single Lender) shall not be obliged to participate in the making of Advances on or after the date upon which the Administrative Agent receives the relevant notice of intention to repay such Lender’s share of the Outstandings, on which date all of such Lender’s Available Commitment shall be cancelled and all of its Commitment shall be reduced to zero.

 

6.5           Notice of Repayment

 

Any notice of repayment given by the Borrower pursuant to Clauses 6.1 ( Voluntary Prepayment ) or 6.2 ( Right of Prepayment and Cancellation in relation to a single Lender ) shall be irrevocable, shall specify the date upon which such repayment is to be made and the amount of such repayment and shall oblige the Borrower to make such repayment on such date.

 

6.6           Restrictions on Repayment

 

No Obligor shall repay all or any part of any Advance except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

6.7           Cancellation upon Repayment

 

No amount repaid under this Agreement may subsequently be reborrowed and upon any repayment the availability of the Facility shall be reduced by an amount corresponding to the amount of such repayment and the Available Commitment of each Lender in relation to the Facility shall be cancelled in an amount equal to such Lender’s Proportion of the amount repaid.

 

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7.              MANDATORY PREPAYMENT

 

7.1           Total Loss or Sale

 

(a)            If a Collateral Vessel is sold or otherwise disposed of or is the subject of a Total Loss, the Borrower shall repay an amount equal to the Loss or Sale Prepayment Amount which shall be applied in or towards the discharge of the Outstandings at such time, in accordance with Clause 7.4(b) ( Application of Mandatory Prepayments ), together with accrued interest on the amount repaid without premium or penalty but subject to the payment of any Break Costs arising in respect of such repayment.

 

(b)            Such repayment shall be made:

 

(i)             in the case of a sale or other disposition of a Collateral Vessel, on or before the date on which the sale or disposal is completed by delivery of that Collateral Vessel to the relevant person acquiring such Collateral Vessel; or

 

(ii)            in the case of a Total Loss of a Collateral Vessel, on the earlier of the date falling 120 days after the Total Loss Date and the date of receipt by the Security Trustee of the proceeds of insurance relating to such Total Loss.

 

7.2           Collateral Maintenance Test

 

Promptly upon receipt of a notice under Clause 20.3 ( Collateral Maintenance Prepayment Amount ), the Borrower shall repay an amount equal to the Collateral Maintenance Prepayment Amount, which shall be applied in or towards the discharge of the Outstandings at such time, in accordance with Clause 7.4 ( Application of Mandatory Prepayments ), together with accrued interest on the amount repaid without premium or penalty (but without prejudice to any Break Costs payable in respect of such repayment in accordance with Clause 28.2 ( Break Costs )).

 

7.3           Change of Control

 

If there occurs a Change of Control or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Parent Group or the Group, all of the Available Commitments shall immediately be cancelled, the Commitment of each Lender in respect of the Facility shall be reduced to zero and the Borrower shall immediately repay the Outstandings in full together with unpaid interest accrued thereon and all other amounts due and payable to any Finance Party pursuant to Clause 28 ( Borrower’s Indemnities ) and any other provision of the Finance Documents.

 

7.4           Application of Mandatory Prepayments

 

(a)            Any repayment made pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Clause 7 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) (other than pursuant to Clause 7.1 ( Total Loss or Sale )) shall be applied on a pro rata basis against each Individual Repayment Instalment in inverse chronological order of maturity.

 

(b)            Any repayment made pursuant to Clause 7.1 ( Total Loss or Sale ) in respect of a Collateral Vessel which is sold or otherwise disposed of or subject to a Total Loss, shall

 

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be applied in or towards the repayment of each Individual Repayment Instalment relating to such Collateral Vessel in inverse chronological order of maturity and thereafter on a pro rata basis against each other Individual Repayment Instalment in inverse chronological order of maturity.

 

8.              INTEREST ON ADVANCES

 

8.1           Interest Periods for Advances

 

The period for which the Facility is outstanding shall be divided into successive periods (each an “ Interest Period ”) each of which (other than the first which shall begin on the Drawdown Date relating to such Advance) shall start on the last day of the preceding such period and any Interest Period which begins during or at the same time as any other Interest Period in respect of an Advance shall end at the same time as that other Interest Period.

 

8.2           Duration

 

The duration of each Interest Period shall, save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, be 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, in each case as the Borrower may, by not less than three Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent, select or such other period as the Lenders may agree, provided that:

 

(a)            if the Borrower fails to give such notice of selection in relation to an Interest Period, the duration of that Interest Period shall, subject to the other provisions of this Clause 8 ( Interest on Advances ), be 3 months;

 

(b)            the first Interest Period relating to each Advance (unless the Administrative Agent otherwise specifies), shall commence on the Drawdown Date relating to that Advance and (in each case) shall end on the Consolidation Date; and

 

(c)            any Interest Period that would otherwise end during the month preceding, or extend beyond, a Repayment Date shall be of such duration that it shall end on that Repayment Date.

 

8.3           Consolidation of Advances

 

(a)            Subject to paragraph (b) of this Clause 8.3, if 2 or more Interest Periods in respect of Advances end at the same time, then on the last day of those Interest Periods, the Advances to which those Interest Periods relate shall be consolidated into and treated as a single Advance.

 

(b)            No later than 5 Business Days immediately prior to the Consolidation Date, the Borrower (in consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall provide a Consolidation Notice to the Administrative Agent directing:

 

(i)             the number of Advances which are to remain outstanding from the Consolidation Date (which shall not exceed 6);

 

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(ii)            the Interest Period to be applicable to each such Advance, which shall be 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months; and

 

(iii)          the principal amount of each such Advance.

 

Following the delivery of a Consolidation Notice in accordance with this Clause 8.3 (with effect from the Consolidation Date (or such other Business Day as the Administrative Agent may determine)) the Advances shall be consolidated and the Interest Periods relating thereto shall be adjusted to reflect the directions made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with paragraphs (i) to (iii) above (subject always to Clause 8.2 ( Duration ) and the other provisions of this Agreement).

 

8.4           Division of Advances

 

Subject to the requirements of Clause 8.2 ( Duration ) and without prejudice to Clause 8.3 ( Consolidation of Advances ), the Borrower may, by not less than 3 Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent, direct that any Advance borrowed by it shall, at the beginning of the next Interest Period relating to it, be divided into (and thereafter, save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, be treated in all respects as) 2 or more Advances in such amounts (equal in aggregate to the Advance being so divided) as shall be specified by the Borrower in such notice provided that the Borrower shall not be entitled to make such a direction if:

 

(a)            the Consolidation Date has not occurred; or

 

(b)            as a result of so doing, there would be outstanding more than 6 Advances.

 

8.5           Payment of Interest for Advances

 

On the last day of each Interest Period (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately succeeding Business Day in the then current calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not)) and if the relevant Interest Period exceeds 3 months, on the expiry of each 3 month period during that Interest Period (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”), the Borrower shall pay accrued interest on the Advance to which such Interest Period relates.

 

8.6           Interest Rate for Advances

 

The rate of interest applicable to an Advance at any time during an Interest Period relating to it shall be the rate per annum which is the sum of the Margin and LIBOR.

 

9.              MARKET DISRUPTION AND ALTERNATIVE INTERE ST RATES

 

9.1           Market Disruption

 

If, in relation to any Interest Period:

 

(a)            LIBOR is to be determined by reference to the Reference Banks and at or about 11.00 a.m. on the Quotation Date for such Interest Period, none or only one of the

 

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Reference Banks supplies a rate for the purpose of determining LIBOR for the relevant period; or

 

(b)            before the close of business in London on the Quotation Date for such Interest Period, the Administrative Agent has been notified by a Lender or each of a group of Lenders to whom in aggregate 35% or more of the relevant Advance is owed (or, in the case of an undrawn Advance, if made, would be owed) that the cost to it of obtaining matching deposits for the relevant Advance in the London interbank market would be in excess of LIBOR,

 

then the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of such event and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Clause 9.2 ( Substitute Interest Period and Interest Rate ) shall apply (if the relevant Advance is an Advance which is already outstanding).  If either paragraph (a) or (b) applies to a proposed Advance such Advance shall not be made.

 

9.2           Substitute Interest Period and Interest Rate

 

(a)            If paragraph (a) of Clause 9.1 ( Market Disruption ) applies, the duration of the relevant Interest Period shall be 1 month or, if less, such that it shall end on the next succeeding Repayment Date.

 

(b)            If either paragraph of Clause 9.1 ( Market Disruption ) applies to an Advance, the rate of interest applicable to each Lender’s portion of such Advance during the relevant Interest Period shall (subject to any agreement reached pursuant to Clause 9.3 ( Alternative Rate )) be the rate per annum which is the sum of:

 

(i)             the Margin; and

 

(ii)            the rate per annum notified to the Administrative Agent by such Lender before the last day of such Interest Period to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to such Lender of funding from whatever sources it may select its portion of such Advance during such Interest Period.

 

9.3           Alternative Rate

 

If:

 

(a)            Clause 9.1 ( Market Disruption ) applies; or

 

(b)            by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market during any period of 3 consecutive Business Days, LIBOR is not available to prime banks in the London interbank market,

 

then, if the Administrative Agent or the Borrower so requires, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations with a view to agreeing an alternative basis:

 

(a)            for determining the rate of interest from time to time applicable to Advances; and/or

 

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(b)            upon which the Advances may be maintained (whether in dollars or some other currency) thereafter,

 

and any such alternative basis that is agreed shall take effect in accordance with its terms and be binding on each party to this Agreement, provided that the Administrative Agent may not agree any such alternative basis without the prior consent of each Lender.

 

10.           COMMISSIONS AND FEES

 

10.1         Commitment Fee

 

The Borrower shall, within 2 Business Days following the Termination Date, pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee on the aggregate amount of such Lender’s Available Commitment from day to day during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the Termination Date, such commitment fee to be calculated at the rate of 0.625% per annum on such Available Commitment applicable from time to time during that period.

 

10.2         Other Fees

 

The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent the other fees referred to in the Fee Letters in the amounts and at the times specified therein for distribution (if applicable) by the Administrative Agent in accordance with such letters.

 

11.           TAXES

 

11.1         Tax Gross-up

 

(a)            Each payment made by an Obligor under a Transaction Document shall be made by it without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by Law.

 

(b)            As soon as it becomes aware that an Obligor is or will be required by Law to make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate at which or the basis on which such Tax Deduction is to be made) the relevant Obligor shall notify the Administrative Agent accordingly.

 

(c)            If a Tax Deduction is required by Law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due shall be increased to an amount so that, after the required Tax Deduction is made, the payee receives an amount equal to the amount it would have received had no Tax Deduction been required.

 

(d)            If a Tax Deduction is required by Law to be made by the Administrative Agent or the Security Trustee from any payment to any Finance Party which represents an amount or amounts received from an Obligor, that Obligor shall, unless paragraph (e) below applies, pay directly to that Finance Party an amount which, after making the required Tax Deduction enables the payee of that amount to receive an amount equal to the payment which it would have received if no Tax Deduction had been required.

 

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(e)            An Obligor which is required to make a Tax Deduction shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction to the relevant taxing authority within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by Law.

 

(f)             Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction or other payment shall deliver to the Administrative Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the interest to which such Tax Deduction or payment relates, an original receipt or other evidence which is reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction or other payment has been made to the relevant tax authority.

 

11.2         Tax Indemnity

 

(a)            Subject to paragraph (b) of this Clause, the Borrower shall (within 3 Business Days of demand by the Administrative Agent) pay (or procure that the relevant Obligor pays) for the account of a Protected Party an amount equal to any Tax Liability which that Protected Party determines will arise or has arisen (directly or indirectly) in connection with any Finance Document.

 

(b)            Paragraph (a) of this Clause shall not apply:

 

(i)             with respect to any Tax Liability of a Protected Party in respect of Tax on Overall Net Income of that Protected Party; or

 

(ii)            to the extent that any Tax Liability has been compensated for by an increased payment or other payment under paragraphs (c) or (d) of Clause 11.1 ( Tax Gross-up ) or would have been compensated for by such an increased payment or other payment, but for the application of paragraph (e) of Clause 11.1 ( Tax Gross-up ).

 

(c)            A Protected Party making, or intending to make, a claim pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Clause shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower.

 

(d)            A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this Clause, notify the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)            In this Clause 11.2:

 

Tax Liability means, in respect of any Protected Party:

 

(i)             any liability or any increase in the liability of that person to make any payment of or in respect of tax;

 

(ii)            any loss of any relief, allowance, deduction or credit in respect of tax which would otherwise have been available to that person;

 

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(iii)          any setting off against income, profits or gains or against any tax liability of any relief, allowance, deduction or credit in respect of tax which would otherwise have been available to that person; and

 

(iv)           any loss or setting off against any tax liability of a right to repayment of tax which would otherwise have been available to that person.

 

For this purpose, any question of whether or not any relief, allowance, deduction, credit or right to repayment of tax has been lost or set off in relation to any person, and if so, the date on which that loss or set-off took place, shall be conclusively determined by that person and such determination shall be binding on the relevant parties to this Agreement.

 

Tax on Overall Net Income means, in relation to a Protected Party, tax (other than tax deducted or withheld from any payment) imposed on the net income of that Protected Party by the jurisdiction in which the relevant Finance Party’s Facility Office or head office is situated.

 

11.3         Tax Credit

 

(a)            If an Obligor makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines in its absolute discretion that:

 

(i)             a Tax Credit is attributable to that Tax Payment; and

 

(ii)            that Finance Party has obtained, utilised and retained that Tax Credit,

 

the Finance Party shall (subject to paragraph (b) below and to the extent that such Finance Party can do so without prejudicing the availability and/or the amount of the Tax Credit and the right of that Finance Party to obtain any other benefit, relief or allowance which may be available to it) pay to the Obligor such amount which that Finance Party determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-tax position as it would have been in had the Tax Payment not been made by the Obligor.

 

(b)            (i)             Each Finance Party shall have an absolute discretion as to the time at which and the order and manner in which it realises or utilises any Tax Credits and shall not be obliged to arrange its business or its tax affairs in any particular way in order to be eligible for any credit or refund or similar benefit.

 

(ii)            Without prejudice to Clause 37 ( Taxation and Structural Matters ), no Finance Party shall be obliged to disclose to any other person any information regarding its business, tax affairs or tax computations.

 

(iii)          If a Finance Party has made a payment to an Obligor pursuant to this Clause 11.3 on account of a Tax Credit and it subsequently transpires that that Finance Party did not receive that Tax Credit, that Obligor shall, on demand, pay to that Finance Party the amount which that Finance Party determines will put it (after that payment is received) in the same after-tax position as it would have been in had no such payment been made to that Obligor.

 

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(c)            No Finance Party shall be obliged to make any payment under this Clause 11.3 if, by doing so, it would contravene the terms of any applicable Law or any notice, direction or requirement of any governmental or regulatory authority (whether or not having the force of law).

 

12.           INCREASED COSTS

 

12.1         Increased Costs

 

Subject to Clause 12.3, ( Exceptions ) the Borrower shall, within 3 Business Days of a demand by the Administrative Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Cost incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result (direct or indirect) of:

 

(a)            the introduction or implementation of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any Law, regulation, practice or concession or any directive, requirement, request or guidance (whether or not having the force of Law) of any central bank, including the European Central Bank, the Financial Services Authority or any other fiscal, monetary, regulatory or other authority;

 

(b)            compliance with any Law, regulation, practice, concession or any such directive, requirement, request or guidance made after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(c)            the implementation of economic or monetary union by any Member State which is not already a Participating Member State.

 

12.2         Increased Costs Claims

 

(a)            A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 12.1 ( Increased Costs ) shall notify the Administrative Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower.

 

(b)            Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Administrative Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs.

 

12.3         Exceptions

 

Clause 12.1 ( Increased Costs ) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

 

(a)            attributable to a Tax Deduction required by Law to be made by an Obligor;

 

(b)            compensated for by Clause 11.2 ( Tax Indemnity ) (or would have been compensated for by Clause 11.2 but was not so compensated solely because Clause 11.2 (b) applied); and

 

(c)            attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or any of its Affiliates of any Law or regulation.

 

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13.           ILLEGALITY

 

If it becomes unlawful in any relevant jurisdiction for a Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in any Advance:

 

(a)            that Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

 

(b)            upon the Administrative Agent notifying the Borrower, the Available Commitment of that Lender will immediately be cancelled and its Commitment reduced to zero and such Lender shall not thereafter be obliged to participate in any Advance; and

 

(c)            the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Advances made to that Borrower on the last day of the current Interest Period for each Advance occurring after the Administrative Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Administrative Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by Law) together with accrued interest and all other amounts owing to that Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

14.           MITIGATION

 

14.1         Mitigation

 

(a)            Each Finance Party shall, if requested by and in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in any amount becoming payable under, or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of Clause 11 ( Taxes ), Clause 12 ( Increased Costs ) or Clause 13 ( Illegality ) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

 

(b)            Paragraph (a) of this Clause does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

14.2         Limitation of Liability

 

(a)            The Borrower shall indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under Clause 14.1 ( Mitigation ).

 

(b)            A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 14.1 if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might in any way be prejudicial to it.

 

15.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Each Obligor (in the case of the Borrower, both in respect of itself and on behalf of each other member of the Parent Group (if applicable) and in the case of each of the other Obligors in respect of itself) makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 15 to each Finance Party.

 

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15.1         Due Organisation

 

(a)            It is a corporation duly organised under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation with power to enter into those of the Transaction Documents to which it is party and to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under them and all corporate and other action required to authorise its execution of such Transaction Documents and its performance of its obligations under them has been duly taken.

 

(b)            It is duly qualified and is authorised to do business and, in jurisdictions having a concept of good standing, is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its property or the conduct of its business requires such qualifications.

 

15.2         No Deduction

 

Under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and/or territories in which it is subject to taxation in force at the date of this Agreement, it will not be required to make any deduction for or withholding on account of tax from any payment it may make under any of the Finance Documents to which it is party.

 

15.3         Claims Pari Passu

 

Under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and, if different, England, in force at the date of this Agreement, the claims of the Finance Parties against it under the Finance Documents to which it is party rank and will rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its unsecured creditors save those whose claims are preferred by any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or similar laws of general application.

 

15.4         No Immunity

 

In any legal proceedings taken in its jurisdiction of incorporation and, if different, England in relation to any of the Transaction Documents to which it is party it will not be entitled to claim for itself or any of its assets immunity from suit, execution, attachment or other legal process.

 

15.5         Governing Law, Judgments and Arbitral Awards

 

In any legal proceedings taken in its jurisdiction of incorporation in relation to any of the Transaction Documents to which it is party, the choice of law expressed in such documents to be the governing law of it and any judgment obtained in such jurisdiction (or arbitral award obtained pursuant to any such Transaction Document) will be recognised and enforced.

 

15.6         All Actions Taken

 

All acts, conditions and things required to be done, fulfilled and performed in order:

 

(a)            to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights under and perform and comply with the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Transaction Documents to which it is party;

 

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(b)            to ensure that the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Transaction Documents to which it is party are legal, valid and binding; and

 

(c)            to make the Transaction Documents to which it is party admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation and, if different, England,

 

have been done, fulfilled and performed.

 

15.7         No Filing or Stamp Taxes

 

Under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and England, in force at the date of this Agreement, it is not necessary that any of the Transaction Documents to which it is party be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in such jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to any of them other than those filings which are necessary to perfect the Encumbrances created pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

15.8         Binding Obligations

 

The obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Transaction Documents to which it is party, are legal, valid and binding and enforceable against it in accordance with the terms thereof and no limit on its powers will be exceeded as a result of the borrowings, grant of security or giving of guarantees contemplated by such Transaction Documents or the performance by it of any of its obligations thereunder.

 

15.9         No Winding-up

 

No member of the Parent Group has taken any corporate action nor have any other steps been taken or legal proceedings been started or (to the best of its knowledge and belief) threatened against any member of the Parent Group, for its winding-up, dissolution, administration or re-organisation or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, conservator, custodian, trustee or similar officer of it or of any or all of its assets or revenues.

 

15.10       Solvency

 

(a)            No member of the Parent Group is unable, or admits or has admitted its inability, to pay its debts or has suspended making payments on any of its debts.

 

(b)            No member of the Parent Group by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties has commenced, or intends to commence, negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness.

 

(c)            The value of the assets of each member of the Parent Group is not less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities).

 

(d)            No moratorium has been, or may, in the reasonably foreseeable future be, declared in respect of any indebtedness of any member of the Parent Group.

 

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15.11       No Default

 

(a)            No Default is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the making of any Advance.

 

(b)            No other event or circumstance is outstanding or has occurred which constitutes or may (with the passage of time, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of the foregoing) constitute a default under any agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or to which its (or its Subsidiaries’) assets are subject which might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

15.12       No Material Proceedings

 

(a)            No litigation, investigation, arbitration, action or administrative proceeding (including proceedings relating to any alleged or actual breach of the ISM Code) of or before any court, arbitral body, or agency (private, governmental or otherwise):

 

(i)             relating to this Agreement, any document executed in connection herewith or otherwise in relation to the Transaction; or

 

(ii)            which (in the opinion of the Administrative Agent or an Instructing Group) has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,

 

has been started or, to the best of its knowledge, is threatened or is pending against it, or any member of the Group.

 

(b)            Without prejudice to the foregoing paragraph (a), no judgement, order, injunction or other restraint (excluding for the avoidance of doubt any provision of the Transaction Documents) has been imposed or declared, or has otherwise arisen in relation to the Transaction which might cause a Material Adverse Effect, except to extent permitted under Clause 24.10 ( Judgment ).

 

(c)            No labour disputes are current or, to the best of its knowledge, threatened against it or any member of the Group, which would or might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

15.13       Original Financial Statements

 

The Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP and consistently applied (unless and to the extent expressly disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing to the contrary before the date of this Agreement) and (excluding the Projections and any Additional Projections) fairly represent the financial position of the Borrower as at the dates for which they were prepared and/or (as appropriate) the results of operations and changes in financial position during the period for which they were prepared.

 

15.14       No Material Adverse Effect

 

Since the delivery of the Original Financial Statements pursuant to this Agreement, no event or series of events has occurred having a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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15.15       No Undisclosed Liabilities

 

As at the date as of which the Original Financial Statements were prepared, it does not have any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) which were not disclosed thereby (or by the notes thereto) or reserved against therein and it has no unrealised or anticipated losses arising from commitments entered into by it which were not so disclosed or reserved against.

 

15.16       Projections, Reports and Annual Budgets

 

In the case of the Borrower:

 

(a)            to the best of its knowledge and belief having made all reasonable and proper enquiries, all statements of fact relating to the assets, financial condition and operations of the Group and each of the Collateral Vessel Owners and Collateral Vessels contained in each of the Projections, the Reports and the Annual Budgets (if any) is true, complete and accurate in all material respects as at their respective dates;

 

(b)            the opinions and views (if any) expressed in each of the Projections, the Reports and the Annual Budgets (if any) by the Borrower represent the honestly held opinions and views of the Borrower and were arrived at after careful consideration and were based on reasonable grounds as at their respective dates;

 

(c)            all projections and forecasts (if any) contained in each of the Projections, the Reports and the Annual Budgets (if any) made by the Borrower are based upon assumptions (including, without limitation, assumptions as to the future performance of the business, inflation, price increases and efficiency gains) which the Borrower has carefully considered and considers to be fair and reasonable as at their respective dates; and

 

(d)            none of the Reports, the Projections or Annual Budgets (if any) omitted to disclose or take into account any matter known to the Borrower after due and careful enquiry where failure to disclose or take into account such matter would result in the Reports, the Projections or the Annual Budgets (as applicable) or any information or projection contained therein being misleading in any material respect as at the date thereof and which might, if disclosed, adversely affect the decision of a person considering whether to provide finance in relation to the Transaction.

 

15.17       Indebtedness and Encumbrances

 

(a)            Save as permitted under Clause 22.3 ( Financial Indebtedness ) and excluding any other Indebtedness to be discharged in accordance with Clause 4.1(e)(i) ( Conditions to Drawdown ) (but including any such Indebtedness not discharged in accordance with such Clause), neither it nor any member of the Group has incurred any Indebtedness.

 

(b)            Save as permitted under Clause 22.1 ( Negative Pledge ), no Encumbrance exists over all or any of the present or future revenues or assets of any member of the Group.

 

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15.18       Transaction Documents

 

(a)            Its execution of the Transaction Documents to which it is party and its exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations thereunder do not and will not:

 

(i)             conflict with any agreement, mortgage, bond or other instrument or treaty which is binding upon it, any Subsidiary or any of the assets of any Subsidiary or, except as provided in the Security Documents, result in a requirement for the creation of any Encumbrance over any such asset, in each case, in any way;

 

(ii)            conflict with any of the provisions of the documents relating to its constitution; or

 

(iii)          conflict with any applicable law, regulation or official or judicial order.

 

(b)            The Transaction Documents (or part thereof) constitute the entire agreement between the Parent and the Group in relation to the Transaction.

 

15.19       Structure

 

(a)            The Group Structure Chart (x) is a complete and accurate representation of the structure of the Parent, the Group, the Charterer and the Manager (subject to any transfer or issuance in respect of the share capital of the Borrower pursuant to any Permitted Listing or Permitted Capital Payment, any disposal or acquisition of an entity by a member of the Group in accordance with Clause 22.7 ( Disposals ) or Clause 22.17 ( Acquisitions and Investments ) respectively (including the incorporation or acquisition of a Subsidiary (whether or not being an Additional Vessel Owner or Substitute Vessel Owner at such time) by the Borrower for the purposes of any Additional Acquisition or the substitution of an existing Collateral Vessel Owner, in either case, to be made in accordance with this Agreement), or any variation otherwise expressly permitted pursuant to the Finance Documents) and (y) in relation to each Collateral Vessel Owner, shows the Collateral Vessel owned by such Collateral Vessel Owner or to be acquired pursuant to the Transaction.  From time to time upon request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent a revised structure chart in the form of the Group Structure Chart, as amended in order to accurately reflect the structure of the Group at such time.

 

(b)            Each Guarantor (excluding any Additional Vessel Owner partially owned by the Group in accordance with this Agreement) is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and (subject to any Permitted Listing or other transfer or (if applicable) issue of share capital in the Borrower in accordance with this Agreement) the Borrower is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent.

 

(c)            In the case of the Borrower, it is a Holding Company and, save as contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Borrower has not traded or undertaken any commercial activities of any kind and has no liabilities or obligations (actual or contingent) except to the extent contemplated under the Finance Documents.

 

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15.20       Environmental Matters

 

(a)            It has:

 

(i)             complied with all Environmental Laws to which it may be subject;

 

(ii)            obtained all Environmental Licences required or desirable in connection with its business; and

 

(iii)          complied with the terms of all such Environmental Licences,

 

in each case, where failure to do so would or might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)            There is no Environmental Claim pending or threatened against it, and to the best of its knowledge and belief there are no past or present acts, omissions, events or circumstances which could form the basis of any Environmental Claim against it, which has or may have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)            No:

 

(i)             property currently or previously owned, leased, occupied or controlled by it is contaminated with any Environmentally Sensitive Material; and

 

(ii)            discharge, release, leaking, migration or escape of any Environmentally Sensitive Material into the Environment has occurred or is occurring on, under or from that property,

 

in each case, in circumstances where the same would or might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

15.21       Necessary Authorisations

 

The Necessary Authorisations required by it, are in full force and effect, and it is in compliance with the material provisions of each such Necessary Authorisation relating to it and, to the best of its knowledge, none of the Necessary Authorisations relating to it are the subject of any pending or threatened proceedings or revocation.

 

15.22       Intellectual Property

 

(a)            The Intellectual Property Rights owned by or licensed to it are all the material Intellectual Property Rights required by it in order to carry out, maintain and operate its business, properties and assets, and so far as it is aware, it does not infringe, in any way any Intellectual Property Rights of any third party save, in each case, where the failure to own or license the relevant Intellectual Property Rights or any infringement thereof will not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)            So far as it is aware, it and each of its Subsidiaries has taken all reasonable formal and procedural actions (including payment of fees) required to maintain any registered

 

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Intellectual Property Rights owned by it, which are material in the context of the Group Business or which are required by it (or such Subsidiary) in order for it (or such Subsidiary) to carry on its (or such Subsidiary’s) business in all material respects and such formal and procedural actions are in full force and effect.

 

15.23       Ownership of Assets

 

Save to the extent disposed of without breaching the terms of any of the Finance Documents with effect from and after the date of this Agreement, it and each of its Subsidiaries has good title to or valid leases or licences of or is otherwise entitled to use and permit other members of the Group to use all assets necessary to conduct the Group Business taken as a whole as it is conducted at the date of this Agreement.

 

15.24       Payment of Taxes

 

It:

 

(a)            has paid all taxes imposed upon it or its assets within the time period allowed therefor without incurring tax penalties or creating any Encumbrance;

 

(b)            is not overdue in the filing of any tax returns; and

 

(c)            has no claims which are being, or are reasonably likely to be, asserted against it with respect to taxes which might have a Material Adverse Effect,

 

save to the extent it can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the same are being contested in good faith on the basis of appropriate professional advice.

 

15.25       Security Documents

 

It is the legal and beneficial owner of all assets and other property which it purports to charge, mortgage, pledge, assign or otherwise secure pursuant to each Security Document and those Security Documents to which it is a party create and give rise to valid and effective Encumbrances of the nature and having the ranking expressed in those Security Documents.

 

15.26       Insurance

 

Each member of the Group is adequately insured in full compliance with the provisions of Clause 18 ( Insurance ).

 

15.27       Private & Commercial Acts

 

Its execution of the Finance Documents to which it is party constitutes, and its exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations under this Agreement will constitute, private and commercial acts done and performed for private and commercial purposes.

 

15.28       Centre of Main Interests

 

Its Centre of Main Interests is Bermuda.

 

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15.29       EC Regulation

 

On the date of this Agreement and on each day on which the Finance Documents (or any of them) are in force and/or any amount due and payable thereunder remains unpaid, in relation to the drawdown by the Borrower of each of the Advances, the performance and discharge of its obligations and liabilities under this Agreement or any of the other Finance Documents and the transactions and other arrangements effected or contemplated hereby or thereby, it is acting for its own account and the foregoing will not involve or lead to a contravention of any law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure which has been implemented to combat “money laundering” (as defined in Article 1 of the Directive (91/308/EEC) of the Council of the European Communities).

 

15.30       Financial Assistance

 

All payments and provision of guarantees, security and other assistance by and/or between members of the Parent Group made under the Transaction Documents have been and will be made in compliance with applicable local laws and regulations concerning financial assistance by a company for the acquisition of or subscription for its own shares or the shares of its parent or any other company (including Isle of Man law, in respect of the execution of the Finance Documents by each of Oscilla Shipping Limited and Golden Current Limited and the performance of their respective obligations thereunder (and the payment of the Purchase Price in relation to such Collateral Vessel Owners)).

 

15.31       Repetition

 

Except as otherwise indicated, each of the representations in this Clause 15 ( Representations and Warranties ) is deemed to be made by each Obligor making such representation on the date of this Agreement in relation to itself and by the Borrower in relation to itself and the other members of the Parent Group (if applicable) by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on:

 

(a)            each Drawdown Date and on the first day of each Interest Period; and

 

(b)            in the case of any Acceding Guarantor on the day the same becomes (or if earlier, is required to have become) an Acceding Guarantor.

 

16.           FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

16.1         Financial Statements

 

The Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 180 days after the end of each of its or the Parent Group’s financial years (as applicable), the audited consolidated financial statements for such financial year (in respect of the Group and the Parent Group), in each case, audited by an internationally recognised firm of independent auditors licensed to practise in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Parent and the Borrower, and accompanied by the related auditor’s report (and as soon as they become available but in any event within 60 days after the

 

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end of each Financial Quarter, unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements of the Group and the Parent Group, in each case, relating to such Financial Quarter).

 

16.2         Annual Budget

 

On the first Business Day following the commencement of each financial year of the Borrower commencing 2005, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent in form and substance satisfactory to it a budget (including inter alia a profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow projection) (an “ Annual Budget ”) in respect of the Group for such financial year.

 

16.3         Other Information

 

(a)            The Borrower shall and shall procure that each of the other members of the Parent Group shall from time to time promptly on the request of the Administrative Agent, provide the Administrative Agent with such information about the Group Business and financial condition of the Parent Group or any member of the Parent Group (including such member’s business, where applicable) as the Administrative Agent may require (including in relation to the corporate and capital structure of the Group, any member of the Group, the Parent, the Charterer or the Manager).

 

(b)            Promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request, the Borrower shall supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order for the Administrative Agent to carry out and be satisfied with the results of all necessary “know your client” or other checks in relation to the identity of any person, that it is required to carry out in relation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents.

 

16.4         Compliance Certificates

 

(a)            The Borrower shall ensure that each set of financial statements delivered by it pursuant to Clause 16.1 ( Financial Statements ) or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement is accompanied by a Compliance Certificate signed by its chief financial officer confirming compliance with the financial covenants set out in Clause 17 ( Financial Condition ) (in the case of any financial statements of the Group) and Clause 9.5(a) of the Deed of Undertaking (in the case of any financial statements of the Parent Group) and (in each case) the absence of any Default as at the end of such financial year or Financial Quarter (as the case may be) to which such financial statements relate.

 

(b)            Without prejudice to Clause 21.13 ( Access to Records ), if, in the reasonable opinion of an Instructing Group, a breach of any provision of Clause 17 ( Financial Condition ) or Clause 9.5(a) of the Deed of Undertaking has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to (i) call for a full independent audit and investigation of the financial position of any member of the Parent Group at the Borrower’s expense and (ii) have access, together with its accountants and other professional advisers (with or without prior notice), during normal business hours, to the assets, books and records of any member of the Parent Group and to inspect the same.

 

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16.5         Notifications

 

The Borrower shall furnish or procure that there shall be furnished to the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)            promptly, documents required to be despatched by the Borrower, the Manager, the Charterer or any other member of the Parent Group (other than the Parent) to the Parent or any other person being a shareholder of the Borrower, the Manager, the Charterer or such member of the Parent Group (as the case may be) from time to time in their capacity as shareholder and all documents relating to the financial obligations of any Obligor, the Manager, the Charterer or such member of the Parent Group (as the case may be) despatched by or on behalf of such person to its creditors generally (in their capacity as creditors) (including, without limitation, any notifications or documents relating to any Finance Document or Senior Note Document);

 

(b)            promptly, such further information regarding any Collateral Vessel, its Earnings or Insurances or the financial condition, business and operations of any member of the Parent Group as any Finance Party (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request;

 

(c)            as soon as the same are instituted or, to its knowledge, threatened, details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings involving any member of the Parent Group (including proceedings relating to any alleged or actual breach of the ISM Code) which, if adversely determined, would or might have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(d)            written details of any Default forthwith upon becoming aware of the same and of all remedial steps being taken and proposed to be taken in respect of that Default; and

 

(e)            promptly upon receipt of a request by the Administrative Agent, a certificate signed by a director or its chief financial officer on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying such Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy the same).

 

17.           FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

17.1         Financial Condition

 

At all times (or as otherwise stated), the financial condition of the Group, as evidenced by the financial statements provided pursuant to Clause 16.1 ( Financial Statements ) shall be such that:

 

(a)            Minimum Liquidity

 

Free and available Cash in respect of the Group shall be at least $25,000,000.

 

(b)            Minimum Working Capital

 

Consolidated Working Capital on the last day of each Financial Quarter of the Borrower shall be no less than zero.

 

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(c)            Minimum Equity Ratio

 

The Equity Ratio on the last day of each Financial Quarter of the Borrower shall be at least 20%.

 

17.2         Calculation on Pro Forma Basis

 

All calculations of the financial covenants set out in Clause 17.1 ( Financial Condition ) and the financial definitions used in this Agreement shall be made on a pro forma basis giving effect to all material acquisitions and/or dispositions made during the relevant period of calculation based on the actual historical financial results of the items being acquired or disposed of.

 

18.           INSURANCE

 

18.1         Definitions

 

In this Clause 18 ( Insurance ):

 

excess risks ” means, in relation to any Collateral Vessel, the proportion of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies in respect of that Collateral Vessel in consequence of its insured value being less than the value at which that Collateral Vessel is assessed for the purpose of such claims;

 

obligatory insurances ” means, in relation to any Collateral Vessel, all insurances effected, or which the Guarantor which owns that Collateral Vessel is obliged to effect, under this Clause 18 ( Insurance ) or any other provision of this Agreement or of another Finance Document;

 

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

 

protection and indemnity risks ” means the usual risks covered by a member of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Associations, including pollution risks and the proportion (if any) of any sums payable to any other person or persons in case of collision which are not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies entered into pursuant to Clause 18.2(a) ( Maintenance of Obligatory Insurances ) by reason of the incorporation into them of clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/10/83) or (1/11/1995) or the Institute Amended Running Down Clause (1/10/71) or any equivalent provision; and

 

war risks ”  includes the risk of mines and all risks excluded from hull and machinery marine risk policies (entered into pursuant to Clause 18.2(a) ( Maintenance of Obligatory Insurances )) by clause 23 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/10/83) or clause 24 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/11/1995) or any equivalent provision.

 

18.2         Maintenance of Obligatory Insurances

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) keep the Collateral Vessel owned by it insured at its own expense against:

 

(a)            fire and usual marine risks (including hull and machinery and excess risks);

 

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(b)            war risks (with terrorism and war protection and indemnity risks);

 

(c)            protection and indemnity risks; and

 

(d)            any other risks against which the Security Trustee considers, having regard to practices and other circumstances prevailing at the relevant time, it would be reasonable for each Guarantor to insure and which are specified by the Security Trustee by notice to that Guarantor or the Borrower.

 

18.3         Terms of Obligatory Insurances

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) effect such insurances:

 

(a)            in dollars;

 

(b)            in respect of the Collateral Vessels, in the case of fire and usual marine risks and war risks, in an amount (calculated on an agreed value basis) equal to at least (i) 110% of the Applicable Outstanding Amount relating to such Collateral Vessel, or if greater (ii) the Individual Collateral Value of such Collateral Vessel; and

 

(c)            in the case of protection and indemnity cover, including pollution liability risks, for an aggregate amount equal to the highest amount in respect of which cover is ordinarily available from protection and indemnity associations which are members of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Associations and in the international marine insurance market;

 

(d)            in relation to protection and indemnity risks in respect of the Collateral Vessel’s full tonnage;

 

(e)            on terms approved by the Security Trustee; and

 

(f)             through approved brokers and with approved insurance companies; and/or

 

(g)            underwriters or, in the case of war risks and protection and indemnity risks, in approved war risks and protection and indemnity risks associations.

 

18.4         Further Protection for Finance Parties

 

In addition to the terms set out in Clause 18.3 ( Terms of Obligatory Insurances ), each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) procure that the obligatory insurances effected by it shall:

 

(a)            whenever the Security Trustee requires, other than the obligatory insurances in respect of protection and indemnity risks, name (or be amended to name) the Security Trustee as additional named assured for its rights and interests, warranted no operational interest and with full waiver of rights of subrogation against the Security Trustee, but without the

 

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Security Trustee thereby being liable to pay (but having the right to pay) premiums, calls or other assessments in respect of such insurance;

 

(b)            name (or be amended to name) the Security Trustee as a joint assured in respect of protection and indemnity risks (but without, as between the Security Trustee and the Guarantor, liability on the part of the Security Trustee for premiums, calls or contributions);

 

(c)            in the case of the obligatory insurances in respect of marine risks and war risks, be endorsed by way of a loss payable clause in the relevant form set out in the relevant Security Document;

 

(d)            in the case of the obligatory insurances in respect of protection and indemnity risks provide for moneys payable thereunder to be paid in accordance with a loss payable clause in the relevant form set out in the relevant Security Document, and in any case in reimbursement of the assured which has settled the liability to which the relevant claim relates or, if so agreed by the relevant insurers, to be paid directly to the person to whom the liability was incurred in respect of which the relevant money was paid.

 

(e)            provide that all payments by or on behalf of the insurers under the obligatory insurances to the Security Trustee shall be made without set off, counterclaim or deductions or condition whatsoever;

 

(f)             provide that such obligatory insurances shall be primary without right of contribution from other insurances which may be carried by the Security Trustee or any other Finance Party; and

 

(g)            provide that the Security Trustee may make proof of loss if the Guarantor concerned fails to do so.

 

18.5         Renewal of Obligatory Insurances

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall):

 

(a)            at least 21 days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance effected by it:

 

(i)             notify the Security Trustee of the brokers (or other insurers) and any protection and indemnity or war risks association through or with which that Guarantor proposes to renew that obligatory insurance and of the proposed terms of renewal; and

 

(ii)            obtain the Security Trustee’s approval to the matters referred to in paragraph (a) (i) above;

 

(b)            at least 14 days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance effected by it, renew that obligatory insurance in accordance with the Security Trustee’s approval pursuant to paragraph (a) above; and

 

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(c)            procure that the approved brokers and/or the approved war risks and protection and indemnity associations with which such a renewal is effected and promptly after the renewal notify the Security Trustee in writing of the renewal and provide copies of terms and conditions of the renewal.

 

18.6         Copies of Policies and Letters of Undertaking

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) ensure that all approved brokers (i) provide the Security Trustee with pro forma copies of all policies relating to the obligatory insurances which they are to effect or renew and of a letter or letters of undertaking in the form customarily provided by the relevant broker or hull and/or war underwriters acceptable to the Security Trustee and (ii) in the case of any Guarantor being a Collateral Vessel Owner, undertake to the Security Trustee and the Administrative Agent that they will:

 

(a)            endorse on each policy, immediately upon issue, a loss payable clause and a notice of assignment complying with the provisions of Clause 18.4 ( Further Protection for Finance Parties );

 

(b)            hold such policies, and the benefit of such insurances, to the order of the Security Trustee in accordance with such loss payable clause;

 

(c)            advise the Security Trustee immediately of any material change to the terms of the obligatory insurances and/or any non-payment by the relevant Guarantor of any premiums or other sums;

 

(d)            notify the Security Trustee, not less than 14 days before the expiry of the obligatory insurances, in the event of their not having received notice of renewal instructions from that Guarantor or its agents and, in the event of their receiving instructions to renew, they will promptly notify the Security Trustee of the terms of the instructions; and

 

(e)            not set off against any sum recoverable in respect of a claim relating to the Collateral Vessel owned by that Guarantor under such obligatory insurances any premiums or other amounts due to them or any other person whether in respect of that Collateral Vessel or otherwise, they waive any lien on the policies, or any sums received under them, which they might have in respect of such premiums or other amounts and they will not cancel such obligatory insurances by reason of non payment of such premiums or other amounts, and will arrange for a separate policy to be issued in respect of that Collateral Vessel forthwith upon being so requested by the Security Trustee.

 

18.7         Copies of Certificates of Entry

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) ensure that any protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations in which the Collateral Vessel owned by it is entered, provides the Security Trustee with:

 

(a)            a certified copy of the certificate of entry for that Collateral Vessel;

 

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(b)            in the case of a Collateral Vessel, a letter or letters of undertaking in the form customarily provided by the relevant protection and indemnity club acceptable to the Security Trustee; and

 

(c)            a certified copy of each certificate of financial responsibility for pollution by oil or other Environmentally Sensitive Material issued by the relevant certifying authority in relation to such Collateral Vessel.

 

18.8         Deposit of Original Policies

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) ensure that all original slips, cover notes, certificates of entry, policies and other instruments of insurance relating to obligatory insurances effected by it from time to time are deposited in accordance with market practice with the approved brokers through which the insurances are effected or renewed.

 

18.9         Payment of Premiums

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) punctually pay all premiums, calls, contributions, or other sums payable in respect of the obligatory insurances effected by it and produce all relevant receipts when so required by the Administrative Agent or the Security Trustee.

 

18.10       Required Guarantees

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) ensure that any guarantees and/or indemnities required by a protection and indemnity or war risks association from time to time are promptly issued, executed and delivered and remain in full force and effect.

 

18.11       Compliance with Terms of Insurances

 

No Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall) do (or permit to be done) or omit to do any act or thing which would or might enable cancellation of any obligatory insurance or render any obligatory insurance invalid, void, voidable or unenforceable or render any sum paid under any obligatory insurance repayable in whole or in part and in particular:

 

(a)            each Guarantor shall take all necessary action and comply with all requirements which may from time to time be applicable to the obligatory insurances, and (without limiting the obligation contained in paragraph (c) of Clause 18.6 ( Copies of Policies and Letters of Undertaking )) ensure that the obligatory insurances are not made subject to any exclusions or qualifications to which the Security Trustee has not given its prior written approval;

 

(b)            no Guarantor shall make any changes relating to the classification or classification society or manager or operator of the Collateral Vessel owned by it except as approved by the underwriters of the obligatory insurances and the Administrative Agent;

 

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(c)            each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) make all quarterly or other voyage declarations which may be required by the protection and indemnity risks association in which the Collateral Vessel owned by it is entered to maintain cover for trading to the United States of America and Exclusive Economic Zone (as defined in the United States Oil Pollution Act 1990 or any other applicable legislation);

 

(d)            no Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall) do any act or voluntarily suffer or permit any act to be done whereby any obligatory insurances shall or may be suspended or avoided and no Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall) employ the Collateral Vessel owned by it, nor allow it to be employed, otherwise than in conformity with the terms and conditions of the obligatory insurances, without first obtaining the consent of the relevant insurers and complying with any requirements (as to extra premium or otherwise) which such insurers specify; and

 

(e)            each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) procure that all amounts payable under the obligatory insurances are paid in accordance with the relevant loss payable clause.

 

18.12       Alteration to Terms of Insurances

 

No Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall) either make or agree to any alteration to the terms of any obligatory insurance nor waive any right relating to any obligatory insurance.

 

18.13       Settlement of Claims

 

No Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall) without the prior written consent of the Security Trustee settle, compromise, abandon any claim, give notice of abandonment of a Collateral Vessel and/or claim a constructive Total Loss under any obligatory insurance for Total Loss or for a Major Casualty, and each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) do all things necessary and provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Security Trustee to collect or recover any moneys which at any time become payable in respect of the obligatory insurances.

 

18.14       Provision of Insurance Information

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) promptly provide the Security Trustee (or any persons which it may designate) with any information which the Security Trustee (or any such designated person) requests for the purpose of:

 

(a)            obtaining or preparing any report from an independent marine insurance broker as to the adequacy of the obligatory insurances effected or proposed to be effected; and/or

 

(b)            effecting, maintaining or renewing such insurances as are referred to in Clause 18.15 Mortgagee’s Interest Insurance Additional Perils Insurances ) or dealing with or considering any matters relating to any such insurances,

 

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and each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall), forthwith upon demand, indemnify the Security Trustee in respect of all fees and other expenses incurred by or for the account of the Security Trustee in connection with any such report as is referred to in paragraph (a) above.

 

18.15       Mortgagee’s Interest Insurance Additional Perils (Pollution)

 

The Security Trustee shall be entitled from time to time to effect, maintain and renew a mortgagee’s interest insurance additional perils insurance policy in such amounts, on such terms, through such insurers and generally in such manner as the Security Trustee may from time to time consider appropriate and the Borrower shall upon demand fully indemnify the Security Trustee in respect of all premiums and other expenses which are incurred in connection with or with a view to effecting, maintaining or renewing any such insurance or dealing with, or considering, any matter arising out of any such insurance.

 

18.16       Bareboat Charter Insurance

 

In respect of any Collateral Vessel being subject to a Relevant Bareboat Charter or other demise charter, the Guarantor which is the owner of that Collateral Vessel shall (and the Borrower shall procure that such Guarantor shall):

 

(a)            require, in a manner satisfactory to the Security Trustee, that the bareboat charterer of that Collateral Vessel comply in all respects with the provisions of this Clause 18 ( Insurance ) in respect of the Insurances relating to that Collateral Vessel; and

 

(b)            require that such bareboat charterer assign to the Security Trustee all of its rights title and interest in and to the Insurances relating to that Collateral Vessel upon terms satisfactory to the Security Trustee.

 

18.17       Changes to Insurances

 

If following a review of the Insurances relating to any Collateral Vessel, the Security Trustee determines that such Insurances are inadequate to protect the Finance Parties’ interest in the Collateral Vessel by reason of changes to the insurance market (other than changes permitted by this Clause 18 ( Insurance )) having regard to comparable insurances effected by owners and operators of vessels of a similar type and age to the relevant Collateral Vessel, the Security Trustee may by notice to the Guarantor require the Guarantor to promptly take such actions as in the reasonable opinion of the Security Trustee are necessary to remedy such inadequacies, in which case, the relevant Guarantor shall at its own cost procure that such actions are taken accordingly and promptly.

 

19.           COLLATERAL VESSELS

 

19.1         Collateral Vessels’ Names and Registration

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall):

 

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(a)            not change the registered name or flag of any Collateral Vessel other than, in each case, with the prior consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) provided that:

 

(i)             in relation to any Collateral Vessel currently flagged at the Norwegian International Ship Register or in Singapore, such Collateral Vessel may be changed to a Marshall Island flag;

 

(ii)            prior to or immediately upon any change to the existing name or flag of a Collateral Vessel, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent such security and subordination documents and as soon as practicable thereafter, such other documents, in each case, as the Administrative Agent may require in connection with such change of name or flag; and

 

(iii)          notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a)(i) of this Clause 19.1, on or after 31 December 2004, any change to a flag or name of a Collateral Vessel shall require the prior consent of an Instructing Group;

 

(b)            not do or allow to be done anything as a result of which such registration might be cancelled or imperilled; and

 

(c)            at its cost and expense, ensure that the interest of the Finance Parties in the Collateral Vessel is duly noted or reported to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law with the registry where such Collateral Vessel is registered.

 

19.2         Repair and Classification

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) keep and maintain at its own expense the Collateral Vessel owned by it in a seaworthy condition, in good running order and repair and in a good and safe condition:

 

(a)            consistent with first class ship ownership and management practice;

 

(b)            so as to maintain that Collateral Vessel’s present class (in accordance with Clause 18.11 (b) ( Compliance with Terms of Insurances )) with its present classification society, free of overdue recommendations and conditions affecting that Collateral Vessel’s class; and

 

(c)            so as to comply, at all times, with all laws and regulations applicable in the jurisdiction in which it is registered or to vessels trading to any jurisdiction to which that Collateral Vessel may trade from time to time, including but not limited to the ISM Code and take all such action as is necessary to ensure that each Guarantor receives certification of compliance with such Code.

 

19.3         Classification Society Undertaking

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) instruct the classification society referred to in Clause 19.2 ( Repair and Classification ) (and procure that classification society undertakes with the Security Trustee):

 

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(a)            to send to the Security Trustee, following receipt of a written request from the Security Trustee, certified true copies of all original class records held by that classification society in relation to the Collateral Vessel owned by it;

 

(b)            without prejudice to the generality of Clause 21.13 ( Access to Records ), to allow the Security Trustee (or its representatives), at any time and from time to time, to inspect the original class and related records of that Guarantor and that Collateral Vessel at the offices of that classification society and to take copies of them;

 

(c)            to notify the Security Trustee immediately in writing if that classification society:

 

(i)             receives notification from that Guarantor or any person that that Collateral Vessel’s classification society is to be changed; or

 

(ii)            becomes aware of any facts or matters which may result in or have resulted in a change, suspension, discontinuance, withdrawal or expiry of that Collateral Vessel’s class under the rules or terms and conditions of that Guarantor’s or that Collateral Vessel’s membership of that classification society;

 

(d)            following receipt of a written request from the Security Trustee:

 

(i)             to confirm that that Guarantor is not in default of any of its contractual obligations or liabilities to that classification society and, without limiting the foregoing, that it has paid in full all fees or other charges due and payable to the classification society; or

 

(ii)            if that Guarantor is in default of any of its contractual obligations or liabilities to that classification society, to specify to the Security Trustee in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances of such default, the consequences of such default and any remedy period agreed or allowed by that classification society.

 

19.4         Modification of Collateral Vessels

 

No Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall) make any modification or repairs to, or replacement of, the Collateral Vessel owned by it or equipment installed on it which would or might materially alter the structure, type or performance characteristics of that Collateral Vessel or materially reduce its value.

 

19.5         Removal of Parts

 

No Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall) remove any material part of the Collateral Vessel owned by it, or any item of equipment installed on, that Collateral Vessel unless the part or item so removed is forthwith replaced by a suitable part or item which is in the same condition and value as or better condition and value than the part or item removed, is free from any Encumbrance in favour of any person other than the Security Trustee and becomes on installation on that Collateral Vessel the property of the Guarantor concerned and subject to the security constituted by the Mortgage (if any) relating to such Collateral Vessel provided that, a Guarantor or any person on its behalf or under its instruction may not install

 

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equipment owned by a third party unless the equipment can be removed without any risk of damage to the Collateral Vessel owned by it.

 

19.6         Surveys

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) submit the Collateral Vessel owned by it regularly to all periodic or other surveys which may be required for classification purposes and, if so required by the Security Trustee, provide the Security Trustee with copies of all survey reports.

 

19.7         Inspection and Documentation

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) permit the Security Trustee (acting through surveyors or other persons appointed by it for that purpose) to board and have full and complete access to the Collateral Vessel owned by it and its cargo to inspect its condition or to satisfy themselves about proposed or executed repairs and shall afford all proper facilities for such inspections and procure that all documentation required to be on board the Collateral Vessel in compliance with all applicable laws or regulations and the terms of the Transaction Documents is at all times on such Collateral Vessel.

 

19.8         Prevention of and Release from Arrest

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) promptly discharge:

 

(a)            all liabilities which give or may give rise to maritime or possessory liens on or claims enforceable against the Collateral Vessel owned by it, its Earnings or Insurances;

 

(b)            all taxes, dues and other amounts charged in respect of the Collateral Vessel owned by it, its Earnings or Insurances; and

 

(c)            all other outgoings whatsoever in respect of the Collateral Vessel owned by it, its Earnings or Insurances,

 

and, forthwith upon receiving notice of the arrest of the Collateral Vessel owned by it, or of its detention in exercise or purported exercise of any lien or claim, that Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that such Guarantor shall) immediately notify the Security Trustee of such arrest and procure its release by providing bail or otherwise as the circumstances may require.

 

19.9         Actions of Guarantor

 

No Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall), at any time:

 

(a)            abandon a Collateral Vessel (or any material part thereof);

 

(b)            represent or hold out any of the Finance Parties as carrying goods or passengers on the Collateral Vessel owned by it or as being in any way connected or associated with any

 

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operation or carriage (whether for hire or otherwise) undertaken in respect of such Collateral Vessel;

 

(c)            pledge the credit of any of the Finance Parties for any maintenance, service, repairs, dry-docking or modification to any Collateral Vessel or for any other purpose whatsoever; or

 

(d)            sell or purport to sell or execute a bill of sale of any Collateral Vessel or any interest therein.

 

19.10       Compliance with Laws

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall):

 

(a)            comply, or procure compliance with the ISM Code, all other Environmental Laws and all other laws or regulations relating to the Collateral Vessel owned by it, its ownership, operation, use, maintenance and management or to the business of that Guarantor and obtain and comply with all Environmental Licences required or desirable in connection with the business it carries on;

 

(b)            not employ the Collateral Vessel owned by it nor allow its employment in any manner contrary to any Law in any relevant jurisdiction including but not limited to the ISM Code;

 

(c)            in the event of hostilities in any part of the world (whether war is declared or not), not cause or permit the Collateral Vessel owned by it to enter or trade to any zone which is declared a war zone by any government or by that Collateral Vessel’s war risks insurers unless that Guarantor has (at its expense) effected any special, additional or modified insurance cover which the Security Trustee and the war risks insurers may require;

 

(d)            promptly notify the Security Trustee of any Environmental Claim pending or threatened against it and shall take such steps in relation to it as the Security Trustee may reasonably request; and

 

(e)            without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Clause 19.10, not permit or allow to occur any discharge, release, leak, migration or other escape of any Environmentally Sensitive Material into the Environment on, under or from any property owned, leased, occupied or controlled by it, where such discharge, release, leak, migration or escape would or might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

19.11       Provision of Information Concerning Collateral Vessels

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) promptly provide the Security Trustee with any information which it requests regarding:

 

(a)            the Collateral Vessel owned by it, its employment, position and engagements;

 

(b)            the Earnings of the Collateral Vessel owned by it and payments and amounts due to its master and crew;

 

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(c)            any expenditure incurred, or likely to be incurred, in connection with the operation, maintenance or repair of the Collateral Vessel owned by it and any payments made by it in respect of that Collateral Vessel;

 

(d)            any towages and salvages affecting such Collateral Vessel; and

 

(e)            its compliance, the Manager’s (and any sub-manager’s) compliance and the compliance of the Collateral Vessel owned by it with the ISM Code,

 

and, upon the Security Trustee’s request, provide copies of any current charter relating to the Collateral Vessel owned by it, of any current guarantee of any such charter and of that Collateral Vessel’s Safety Management Certificate and any relevant Document of Compliance.

 

19.12       Notification of Certain Events

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall) as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Security Trustee by fax, confirmed forthwith by letter, of:

 

(a)            any casualty to the Collateral Vessel owned by it which is or is likely to be or to become a Major Casualty;

 

(b)            any occurrence of an event as a result of which the Collateral Vessel owned by it has become or might, by the passing of time or otherwise, become a Total Loss;

 

(c)            any material requirement or recommendation made in relation to the Collateral Vessel owned by it by any insurer or classification society or by any competent authority which is not immediately complied with in accordance with its terms;

 

(d)            any arrest or detention of the Collateral Vessel owned by it, any exercise or purported exercise of any lien on that Collateral Vessel or its Earnings or any requisition of that Collateral Vessel for hire;

 

(e)            any Environmental Claim made against that Guarantor or in connection with the Collateral Vessel owned by it, or any Environmental Incident;

 

(f)             any claim for breach of the ISM Code being made against that Guarantor, the Manager or otherwise in connection with the Collateral Vessel owned by it;

 

(g)            any other matter, event or incident, actual or threatened, the effect of which will or could lead to the ISM Code not being complied with; or

 

(h)            any other event in respect of a Collateral Vessel which might reasonably be expected to result in or give rise to any loss, liability or claim whatsoever,

 

and that Guarantor shall keep the Security Trustee advised in writing on a regular basis and in such detail as the Security Trustee shall require of that Guarantor’s, the Borrower’s, the Manager’s or any other person’s response to any of those events or matters.

 

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19.13       Restrictions on Chartering and Appointment of Managers

 

(a)            No Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Guarantor shall), in relation to the Collateral Vessel owned or to be acquired by it (without prejudice to any Existing Time Charter or Time Charter Party):

 

(i)             let that Collateral Vessel under a demise charter, or permit such a charter to continue in respect of such Collateral Vessel, for any period (other than in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Clause 19.13) or enter into any time charter or voyage charter arrangement in respect of such Collateral Vessel (or permit such an arrangement to continue);

 

(ii)            charter that Collateral Vessel otherwise than on bona fide arm’s length terms at the time when that Collateral Vessel is fixed; and

 

(iii)          appoint a manager of that Collateral Vessel other than the Manager, any manager retained pursuant to an Other Management Agreement or any other person acceptable to the Administrative Agent (including any person to which the Manager has delegated some or all of its management responsibilities in relation to the Collateral Vessels in accordance with the Transaction Documents).

 

(b)            Prior to or immediately upon the entry into any demise charter agreement in respect of a Collateral Vessel (other than an Existing Bareboat Charter (without prejudice to the obligation of the Borrower to deliver a Tripartite Agreement and Bareboat Charter Assignment in respect of such Existing Bareboat Charter in accordance with Clause 3 ( Conditions Precedent )) but including any Prospective Bareboat Charter), the Borrower shall procure the delivery to the Administrative Agent of such security and other documents as the Administrative Agent may require in connection with such demise charter agreement (including but not limited to any security documents required pursuant to Clause 18.16(b) ( Bareboat Charter Insurance )).

 

(c)            Within 30 days following each Drawdown Date (in respect of each Collateral Vessel to which the Advance made on such Drawdown Date relates), the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent in form and substance satisfactory to it (x) copies certified as true and complete copies of each of the agreements relating to the appointment of the relevant third party manager as contemplated in sub-paragraph (a)(iii) of this Clause 19.13 and (y) a letter of undertaking or other subordination document executed by such manager in favour of the Security Trustee.

 

19.14       Notice of Mortgage

 

Each Guarantor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each Guarantor shall), at its cost and expense, at all times keep the Mortgage registered against the Collateral Vessel owned by it as a valid first priority mortgage, carry on board that Collateral Vessel a certified copy of the Mortgage and place and maintain in a conspicuous place in the navigation room and the master’s cabin of that Collateral Vessel a framed, printed and fireproof notice reading as follows: “This Vessel is covered by a first priority mortgage in favour of Nordea Bank Norge ASA as security trustee.  Under the terms of the said first priority mortgage neither the owner nor any charterer

 

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nor the master of the Vessel nor any other person has any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Vessel any lien whatsoever other than for crew’s wages or salvage.”.  Each Guarantor further agrees that it shall promptly (and in any event within 30 days) replace any such notice that becomes illegible, lost, damaged or destroyed for any reason.

 

19.15       Sharing of Earnings

 

Subject to the terms of the Transaction Documents, no Guarantor shall enter into any agreement or arrangement for the sharing of any Earnings of the Collateral Vessel owned by it, except as permitted by the Administrative Agent.

 

20.           COLLATERAL MAINTENANCE

 

20.1         Collateral Maintenance Test

 

The Borrower shall ensure that the Total Collateral Value is at all times equal to or greater than 140% of the Outstandings at such times (the “ Collateral Maintenance Test ”).

 

20.2         Notification

 

The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Security Trustee promptly upon becoming aware of any breach of the Collateral Maintenance Test, whether by virtue of any valuation made pursuant to Clause 20.4 ( Valuation of Collateral Vessels ) or otherwise.

 

20.3         Collateral Maintenance Prepayment Amount

 

As soon as practicable after becoming aware of any breach of the Collateral Maintenance Test, the Administrative Agent shall (in consultation with the Security Trustee and if applicable, with reference to any information provided to it pursuant to Clause 20.4 ( Valuation of Collateral Vessels )) notify the Borrower of the amount (the “ Collateral Maintenance Prepayment Amount ”) of the Outstandings which need to be discharged to ensure that the circumstances giving rise to such breach no longer apply and immediately upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall comply with its obligations under Clause 7.2 ( Collateral Maintenance Test ).

 

20.4         Valuation of Collateral Vessels

 

For the purposes of this Agreement, the fair market value of a Collateral Vessel on any date (the “ Individual Collateral Value ”) is the average of the three valuations shown in the Appraisal Package relating to such Collateral Vessel.

 

20.5         Quarterly Appraisal Packages

 

The Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent as soon as the same becomes available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each Financial Quarter, a Quarterly Appraisal Package in relation to each Collateral Vessel in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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20.6         Updated Appraisal Package

 

Without prejudice to Clause 20.5 ( Quarterly Appraisal Packages ), the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent promptly upon request of the Administrative Agent, an Updated Appraisal Package in relation to any Collateral Vessel designated by the Administrative Agent.

 

20.7         Appraisals Binding

 

Any Appraisal Package delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding and conclusive as regards each of the Obligors.

 

20.8         Provision of Information Concerning Appraisals

 

The Obligors shall promptly provide the Administrative Agent and any independent appraiser with any information which the Administrative Agent or that independent appraiser may request in relation to the preparation of an Appraisal Package (or part thereof) and, if the Obligors fail to provide the information by the date specified in the relevant request, such Appraisal Package may be constituted on any basis and assumptions which each independent appraiser or the Administrative Agent considers prudent.

 

20.9         Commercial Management Reports

 

Promptly upon request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall (in consultation with the Manager) provide to the Administrative Agent in form and substance satisfactory to it a commercial management report (a “ Commercial Management Report ”) relating to the Collateral Vessels.

 

21.           POSITIVE UNDERTAKINGS

 

21.1         Application of Advances

 

The Borrower shall apply the proceeds of each Advance made to it exclusively for the purposes specified in Clause 2.2 ( Purposes ).

 

21.2         Financial Assistance and Fraudulent Conveyance

 

Without prejudice to Clause 26.12 ( Fraudulent Conveyance ), each Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each member of the Group shall) ensure that all payments and provision of guarantees, security and other assistance by and between members of the Group (or between any member of the Group and any other person) have been and will be made in compliance with applicable local laws and regulations concerning fraudulent conveyance, financial assistance by a company for the acquisition of or subscription for its own shares or the shares of its parent or any other company or concerning the protection of shareholders’ capital.

 

21.3         Necessary Authorisations

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each member of the Group shall):

 

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(a)            obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect all Necessary Authorisations; and

 

(b)            supply certified copies to the Administrative Agent of all Necessary Authorisations.

 

21.4         Compliance with Applicable Laws

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each member of the Group shall) comply with all applicable Laws to which it and the Collateral Vessel that it owns may be subject.

 

21.5         Representations Untrue

 

After the delivery of any Drawdown Request and before the making of the Advance requested under it, each Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each member of the Group shall) notify the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of any event of which it is aware which will cause or may reasonably be expected to cause any of the representations deemed to be repeated pursuant to Clause 15.31 ( Repetition ) to be untrue at or before the time of the making of such Advance.

 

21.6         Corporate Governance

 

Prior to or immediately upon a Corporate Governance Trigger, the Borrower shall procure that at least 50% of its board of directors in office following such Corporate Governance Trigger are at all times independent of the Parent.

 

21.7         Listing

 

Following the commencement of substantive preparations by the Borrower in relation to a listing of all or a portion of the share capital of the Borrower on the New York Stock Exchange, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent on demand with such information and other assurances relating to the same as it may require for the purposes of determining whether such listing will constitute a Permitted Listing for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

21.8         Infringement of Intellectual Property

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each member of the Group shall):

 

(a)            notify the Administrative Agent promptly of any infringement or suspected infringement or any challenge to the validity of any of the present or future Intellectual Property Rights owned, used or exploited by it which may come to its notice and supply the Administrative Agent with all information in its possession relating thereto if the same might have a Material Adverse Effect and take all necessary steps (including, without limitation, the institution of legal proceedings) to prevent third parties infringing such Intellectual Property Rights to the extent that failure to do so might have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)            take all necessary action to safeguard and maintain its rights, present and future, in or relating to all Intellectual Property Rights owned, used or exploited by it to the extent that

 

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failure to do so might have a Material Adverse Effect (in each case including, without limitation, paying all applicable renewal fees, licence fees and other outgoings in connection with the same); and

 

(c)            not enter into any licence or other agreement or arrangement in respect of Intellectual Property Rights other than on normal arms’ length commercial terms and comply with all licences to it of any Intellectual Property Rights in each case to the extent that failure to do so might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.9         Ranking of Claims

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each member of the Group shall) ensure that at all times the claims of the Finance Parties against it under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its unsecured creditors save those whose claims are preferred by any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or similar laws of general application.

 

21.10       Pay Taxes

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each member of the Group shall), file all tax returns on time and pay and discharge all taxes and governmental charges payable by or assessed upon it or any Collateral Vessel prior to the date on which the same become overdue (and without causing any Encumbrance to be created), save to the extent the relevant Obligor can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the same are being contested in good faith on the basis of appropriate professional advice and that adequate reserves have been established therefor in accordance with GAAP and does not involve any material risk of the sale, forfeiture or loss of any Collateral Vessel or any adverse effect or any criminal liability on the part of any member of the Parent Group or any Finance Party.

 

21.11       Hedging

 

The Borrower shall:

 

(a)            within 3 Business Days following the date of this Agreement, enter into and maintain interest rate hedging arrangements and confirmations with Hedge Counterparties to limit the Group’s exposure to adverse movements in interest rates in relation to the Facility;

 

(b)            ensure that such arrangements and confirmations are entered into in the form of Acceptable Hedging Agreements (subject to such amendments as the relevant Hedge Counterparty may require, provided that the Borrower shall ensure that (x) in each case, such arrangements cover an approximate period of 5 years from the Initial Borrowing Date and (y) in aggregate, are in respect of not less than $500,000,000 of the Outstandings which will be applicable upon full utilisation of the Facility); and

 

(c)            promptly provide the Administrative Agent with certified true copies of each such Hedging Agreement entered into.

 

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21.12       Business Systems

 

Each Obligor shall ensure that the equipment and systems associated with the Group Business and each member of the Group are designed, constructed, completed, tested, commissioned, equipped, operated and maintained in all material respects in accordance with:

 

(a)            all Necessary Authorisations;

 

(b)            all applicable Laws; and

 

(c)            good practice in the shipping industry.

 

21.13       Access to Records

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each member of the Group shall), at reasonable times and on reasonable prior notice subject only to the provision of any confidentiality undertaking required by such Obligor (acting reasonably), afford the Administrative Agent or any Finance Party, any professional adviser to the Administrative Agent or such Finance Party, or other representative and/or contractor of the Administrative Agent or such Finance Party (an “ Inspecting Party ”) access to, and permit such Inspecting Party to inspect or observe, such part of the Group Business as is owned or operated by such Obligor and to have access to books, records, accounts, documents, computer programmes, data or other information in the possession of or available to such Obligor or member of the Group and to take such copies as may be considered appropriate by such Inspecting Party.

 

21.14       Further Assurance

 

(a)            Each Guarantor being a Collateral Vessel Owner shall (and the Borrower shall procure that each such Guarantor shall) at its own expense, promptly take all such action as the Administrative Agent or the Security Trustee may require for the purpose of perfecting or protecting any Finance Party’s rights with respect to the Encumbrances intended to be created or evidenced by the Security Documents.

 

(b)            At any time whilst there is a continuing Default each Obligor which is a Collateral Vessel Owner shall execute and deliver to the Security Trustee such additional Security Documents in such form and in relation to such assets as the Security Trustee may require.

 

21.15       Compliance with Transaction Documents

 

The Borrower and each Obligor shall procure the prompt compliance by the Parent, the Charterer and the Manager with each of the provisions of the Transaction Documents to which the Parent, the Charterer or the Manager (as the case may be) are a party.

 

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22.           NEGATIVE UNDERTAKINGS

 

22.1         Negative Pledge

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall), without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group (or in the case of any Encumbrance in respect of the Senior Notes, all the Lenders), create or permit to subsist any Encumbrance over all or any of its present or future revenues or assets, other than Permitted Encumbrances or any Encumbrances to be released in accordance with Clause 4.1 (e)(ii) ( Conditions to Drawdown ) (but including any such Encumbrances not released in accordance with such Clause).

 

22.2         Loans

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall), without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group, be the creditor in respect of any Financial Indebtedness.

 

22.3         Financial Indebtedness

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall), without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group incur, create or permit to subsist or have outstanding any Financial Indebtedness or enter into any agreement or arrangement whereby it is entitled to incur, create or permit to subsist any Financial Indebtedness other than:

 

(a)            Financial Indebtedness outstanding under the Finance Documents or the Senior Note Documents;

 

(b)            subject to Clause 22.4 (c) ( Guarantees ) and to Clause 23 ( Acceding Guarantors ), Financial Indebtedness incurred by any member of the Group for the purposes of funding an Additional Acquisition or Financial Indebtedness incurred in relation to the Additional Vessel acquired pursuant to such Additional Acquisition by virtue of a sale and lease-back transaction as contemplated under Clause 22.7(b)(v) ( Disposals ), provided that (at all times) the amount of such Financial Indebtedness does not exceed 70% of the value (as determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower) of such Additional Vessel; and

 

(c)            Financial Indebtedness to be discharged in accordance with Clause 4.1 (e)(i) ( Conditions to Drawdown ), provided that such Financial Indebtedness is discharged, in full, on or prior to 31 March 2004.

 

22.4         Guarantees

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall) grant or agree to grant or permit to subsist any guarantee other than:

 

(a)            guarantees, indemnities or performance bonds given in the ordinary course of the Group Business;

 

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(b)            guarantees contained in the Finance Documents or the Senior Note Documents;

 

(c)            subject to Clause 23 ( Acceding Guarantors ), guarantees in respect of Financial Indebtedness of itself or any other member of the Group which is contemplated and permitted under Clause 22.3(b) ( Financial Indebtedness ); or

 

(d)            guarantees in respect of any Financial Indebtedness to be discharged in accordance with Clause 4.1 (e)(i) ( Conditions to Drawdown ) to the extent such Financial Indebtedness is permitted pursuant to Clause 22.3 (c) ( Financial Indebtedness ).

 

22.5         Dividends, Distributions and Share Capital

 

Other than (in the case of the Borrower) pursuant to (x) a Permitted Capital Payment (but without prejudice to Clause 7.3 ( Change of Control )), or (y) an Equity Conversion in accordance with the Deed of Undertaking, no Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall):

 

(a)            (i)             declare, make or pay any dividend (or interest on any unpaid dividend), charge, fee or other distribution (whether in cash or in kind) on or in respect of any of its shares or redeem any preference shares; or

 

(ii)            repay or distribute any share premium account;

 

save (in the case of paragraph (i) above) to the extent that payment of such dividend or other distribution is made in order to facilitate the making of payments required pursuant to the terms of the Finance Documents; or

 

(b)            (i)             redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or repay any of its share capital, or resolve to do so;

 

(ii)            issue any warrants, notes or bonds which are convertible into shares;

 

(iii)          issue any shares which by their terms are redeemable; or

 

(iv)           issue any share capital to any person (other than pursuant to the incorporation of a Substitute Vessel Owner as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or in connection with an Additional Acquisition to be made in accordance with this Agreement).

 

22.6         Amendments to Documents

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall), without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group, amend, supplement, supersede or waive (by way of express consent or otherwise):

 

(a)            subject to Clause 21.11(b) ( Hedging ), any term of any Transaction Document; or

 

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(b)            its by-laws or other constitutional documents or enter into any agreements or arrangements with the Parent,

 

or purport to release or limit any of the obligations of the Parent, the Manager, the Charterer or any Obligor under any Transaction Document (except to the extent expressly permitted under the Finance Documents).

 

22.7         Disposals

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall), without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group or except as expressly permitted under the Finance Documents, either in a single transaction or in a series of transactions, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of:

 

(a)            any shares in any of its Subsidiaries (other than (x) in a Collateral Vessel Owner to the extent that the applicable Collateral Vessel has been transferred to a Substitute Vessel Owner in accordance with this Agreement or (y) without prejudice to Clause 7.3 ( Change of Control ), pursuant to a Permitted Capital Payment);

 

(b)            all or any part of its revenues, assets, other shares, business or undertakings (including its Earnings or Insurances in respect of any Collateral Vessel) other than:

 

(i)             the expenditure of cash in the ordinary course of the Group Business, on arms’ length terms;

 

(ii)            the lending of cash and the repayment of cash lent or credit provided in compliance with or as expressly permitted by the terms of the Finance Documents;

 

(iii)          the payment of fees, interest (including any coupon) and expenses under the Finance Documents or the Senior Note Documents (and any other amounts payable by the Borrower expressly under the terms of any Hedge Agreement entered into by it in accordance with this Agreement);

 

(iv)           disposals of Cash Equivalent Investments on arms’ length terms; or

 

(v)             the disposal of any Additional Vessel acquired in accordance with this Agreement, including on terms whereby such asset is or may be leased to or reacquired or acquired by any member of the Group; or

 

(c)            any Collateral Vessel, other than (x) a disposal of a Collateral Vessel owned by a Collateral Vessel Owner incorporated in Singapore to a Substitute Vessel Owner incorporated in Liberia in accordance with this Agreement or (y) a disposal of any other Collateral Vessel by a Collateral Vessel Owner to a Substitute Vessel Owner in accordance with this Agreement, subject (in the case of (y)) to the prior consent of the Administrative Agent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld (and, in the case of (x) and (y), the provision, prior to or immediately upon such disposal, of such security, subordination and other documents in respect of the relevant Collateral Vessel as the

 

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Administrative Agent may require), provided that, on or after 31 December 2004, any disposal of a Collateral Vessel to a Substitute Vessel Owner shall require the prior consent of an Instructing Group,

 

provided that, all such sales, transfers, leases or other disposals as are referred to in and permitted by paragraph (b) above shall be made only for cash consideration payable in full at the time of disposal.

 

22.8         Change of Business

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall), without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group or save as otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of the Finance Documents:

 

(a)            make (or threaten to make) any material change in the nature of the Group Business;

 

(b)            cease (or threaten to cease) any material part of the Group Business;

 

(c)            carry on any business other than the Group Business; or

 

(d)            charter in vessels.

 

22.9         Mergers

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall), without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group amalgamate, consolidate or merge with any other company or person.

 

22.10       Joint Ventures

 

No Obligor (other than the Borrower) shall, (and the Borrower shall procure that no Obligor shall) enter into or acquire any interest in any Joint Venture, except for any Joint Venture entered into in respect of an Additional Acquisition made or to be made in accordance with this Agreement.

 

22.11       Intra-Group Transactions

 

Except as expressly contemplated under the Offering Memorandum, no Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall) without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group enter into any arrangement or contract with any other member of the Parent Group unless such arrangement or contract is entered into on an arms’ length basis and on reasonable commercial terms and is otherwise expressly permitted under this Agreement.

 

22.12       Change in Financial Year

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall) change the end of its financial year (and in the case of the Borrower, the financial year of the Group) from 31 December.

 

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22.13       Change in Auditors

 

The Borrower shall not change its auditors or those of the Group, save to another internationally recognised firm of chartered accountants which is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and is willing to provide the reports referred to in Clause 16.1 ( Financial Statements ) relating to each Obligor or the Group (on the same or substantially the same basis and format as the existing auditors), and provided that an Obligor has first given prior written notice of such proposed change to the Administrative Agent.

 

22.14       Ownership

 

The Borrower shall ensure that:

 

(a)            each Collateral Vessel Owner from time to time owned or acquired by any member of the Group shall at all times be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, in each case (excluding the Collateral Vessel Owners incorporated in Singapore or the Isle of Man, as at the date of this Agreement), directly owned by the Borrower without the involvement of any intermediate Holding Companies in respect of such Collateral Vessel Owner; and

 

(b)            no such Collateral Vessel Owner shall be a Holding Company.

 

22.15       Legal Name and Jurisdiction of Incorporation

 

Without prejudice to Clause 22.7(c) ( Disposals ) and the other provisions of this Agreement, no Obligor (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall) change its legal name or the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organised.

 

22.16       Limitations on Hedging

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall ensure that no member of the Group shall) enter into any Hedging Agreement other than:

 

(a)            Hedging Agreements specifically permitted under Clause 21.11 ( Hedging ); or

 

(b)            spot or forward foreign exchange contracts solely entered into in connection with the Group Business, which are not entered into for investment or speculative purposes.

 

22.17       Acquisitions and Investments

 

Save as otherwise expressly permitted under this Agreement, no Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall) purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any shares (or other securities or any interest therein) in (or incorporate) any company or acquire (by subscription or otherwise) or invest in any business or (save in the ordinary course of the Group Business) purchase or otherwise acquire any other assets (including, but not limited to, vessels) other than as follows:

 

(a)            the purchase of Cash Equivalent Investments;

 

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(b)            the Acquisitions and (subject to Clause 23 ( Acceding Guarantors )) any Additional Acquisition (or by virtue of the incorporation or acquisition of a Subsidiary by the Borrower which is to be an Additional Vessel Owner or a Substitute Vessel Owner) or pursuant to any sale and lease-back transaction as contemplated under Clause 22.7(b)(v) ( Disposals ), in each case, in accordance with the Transaction Documents provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, no part of any Advance may be applied other than in accordance with Clause 2.2 ( Purposes ); and

 

(c)            subject to Clause 23 ( Acceding Guarantors ), the acquisition of a Collateral Vessel by a Substitute Vessel Owner in accordance with Clause 22.7(c) ( Disposals ).

 

22.18       Capital Expenditure

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall) incur any capital expenditure, other than:

 

(a)            capital expenditure incurred in relation to the Acquisitions or any Additional Acquisition in accordance with the Finance Documents;

 

(b)            capital expenditure reasonably incurred in the ordinary course of owning, operating, maintaining and repairing a Collateral Vessel or Additional Vessel; and

 

(c)            in the case of the Borrower, for the purposes of any Permitted Capital Payment.

 

22.19       Bank Accounts

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no Obligor shall) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (acting on the instructions of an Instructing Group), open maintain or have any interest (whether alone or with any other person) in any account with a bank or other financial institution providing like services other than:

 

(a)            accounts secured in favour of the Security Trustee pursuant to the Security Documents (being the Borrower Account or any other account maintained with a financial institution other than the Security Trustee which has a rating of at least A from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and at least A2 from Moody’s Investor’s Services, Inc. where such other account is the subject of an Encumbrance in favour of the Security Trustee in form and substance satisfactory to it);

 

(b)            other accounts maintained with the Administrative Agent pursuant to the requirements of the Finance Documents; or

 

(c)            any account maintained in respect of an Additional Vessel or a member of the Group (other than an Obligor) and any other account maintained otherwise than in connection with the Transaction (as determined by the Borrower in good faith).

 

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22.20       Centre of Main Interests

 

No Obligor shall (and the Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group shall), without the prior written consent of an Instructing Group, cause or allow its Centre of Main Interests to change.

 

23.           ACCEDING GUARANTORS

 

(a)            In the event of a change of legal and registered ownership of a Collateral Vessel from the owner of such Collateral Vessel to another wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with Clause 22.7(c) ( Disposals ) and Clause 22.17(c) ( Acquisitions and Investments ) (a “ Substitute Vessel Owner ”), the guarantee granted by the previous Collateral Vessel Owner in respect of such Collateral Vessel pursuant to Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) shall (following receipt by the Administrative Agent of a written request of from the Borrower) be automatically released subject to the accession of such Substitute Vessel Owner to this Agreement as an Acceding Guarantor in accordance with this Clause 23.  The Borrower shall procure that on or prior to the date such legal and registered ownership is transferred to such Substitute Vessel Owner, there is delivered to the Administrative Agent (in form and substance satisfactory to it), an Accession Notice (together with such security and subordination documentation as the Administrative Agent may require, including but not limited to a Mortgage and (if applicable) a Deed of Covenant in respect of such Collateral Vessel) duly executed by itself (if applicable) and the relevant Substitute Vessel Owner together with such other documents as the Administrative Agent may require (in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to it), evidencing (w) the right of such Substitute Vessel Owner to rely (as a beneficiary) on the Performance Guarantee on the same basis as the other Collateral Vessel Owners (x) the accession of such Substitute Vessel Owner to the terms of the Transaction Documents (in addition to this Agreement) to which the Collateral Vessel Owners are collectively a party (y) the validity, due capacity, authorisation and execution of such Accession Notice (and subordination, security and other documentation referred to above) by each of the parties thereto and (z) the appointment by such Substitute Vessel Owner of an agent to accept service of process in England in respect of the Finance Documents to which such Substitute Vessel Owner is from time to time a party.

 

(b)            In relation to each Additional Vessel Owner (if any) in respect of which one or more of the Obligors is to assume guarantee obligations (as contemplated under Clause 22.4(c) ( Guarantees )), the Borrower shall procure that on or prior to the date such guarantee obligations are assumed, there is delivered to the Administrative Agent (in form and substance satisfactory to it), an Accession Notice duly executed by itself and the relevant Additional Vessel Owner together with such other documents as the Administrative Agent may require, evidencing (x) the validity, due capacity, authorisation and execution of such Accession Notice by the Borrower and the relevant Additional Vessel Owner and (y) the appointment by such Additional Vessel Owner of an agent to accept service of process in England in respect of the Finance Documents to which such Additional Vessel Owner is from time to time a party.

 

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(c)            Upon delivery of a duly executed Accession Notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) above, the Substitute Vessel Owner or the Additional Vessel Owner, as the case may be, being party to it, the other Obligors and the Finance Parties, will assume such obligations towards one another and/or acquire such rights against each other as they would each have assumed or acquired had such Substitute Vessel Owner or Additional Vessel Owner, as the case may be, been an original party to this Agreement as an Original Guarantor, and such Substitute Vessel Owner or Additional Vessel Owner, as the case may be, shall become a party to this Agreement as an Acceding Guarantor.

 

24.           EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Each of Clauses 24.1 ( Non-Payment ) to Clause 24.19 ( Cancellation of Insurances ) describes the circumstances which constitute an Event of Default for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

24.1         Non-Payment

 

(a)            An Obligor fails to pay any amount of interest due from it under any Finance Document at the time, in the currency and in the manner specified in this Agreement unless failure to pay was due solely to technical or administrative error in the transmission of funds and the relevant sum is paid in full within 5 Business Days of the due date.

 

(b)            An Obligor fails to pay any amount of principal due from it under any Finance Document at the time, in the currency and in the manner specified in this Agreement.

 

24.2         Covenants of Obligors

 

(a)            An Obligor fails duly to perform or comply with its obligations (if any) in respect of:

 

(i)             Clause 4.3 ( Legal Opinions ), Clause 16 ( Financial Information ), Clause 18 ( Insurance ), Clause 19.1 ( Collateral Vessels’ Name and Registration ), Clause 19.2 ( Repair and Classification ), Clause 19.9 ( Actions of Guarantor ), Clause 21.1 ( Application of Advances ), Clause 21.2 ( Financial Assistance and Fraudulent Conveyance ), Clause 21.3 ( Necessary Authorisations ), Clause 21.4 ( Compliance with Applicable Laws ), Clause 21.9 ( Ranking of Claims ), Clause 21.11 ( Hedging ), Clause 22.1 ( Negative Pledge ), Clause 22.2 ( Loans ), Clause 22.3 ( Financial Indebtedness ), Clause 22.4 ( Guarantees ), Clause 22.5 ( Dividends, Distributions and Share Capital ), Clause 22.6 ( Amendments to Documents ), Clause 22.7 ( Disposals ), Clause 22.8 ( Change of Business ), Clause 22.9 ( Mergers ), Clause 22.10 ( Joint Ventures ), Clause 22.14 ( Ownership ), 22.15 ( Legal Name and Jurisdiction of Incorporation ), Clause 22.16 ( Limitations on Hedging ), Clause 22.17 ( Acquisitions and Investments ), Clause 22.18 ( Capital Expenditure ), Clause 22.19 ( Bank Accounts ) or Clause 22.20 ( Centre of Main Interests ); or

 

(ii)            the Collateral Maintenance Test.

 

(b)            The financial condition of the Group fails to comply with any provision of Clause 17 ( Financial Condition ) or any other requirement of Clause 17 ( Financial Condition ) is not satisfied.

 

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24.3         Other Obligations of Obligors

 

An Obligor fails duly to perform or comply with any of the other obligations expressed to be assumed by it in any of the Transaction Documents (other than any of those referred to in Clauses 24.1 ( Non-Payment ) and 24.2 ( Covenants of Obligors ) and excluding any Senior Note Default) and such failure, if capable of remedy, is not so remedied within 30 days of such failure to perform or comply having occurred, provided that, in relation to a failure by the Borrower to comply with Clause 21.6 ( Corporate Governance ), a grace period of 60 days shall apply.

 

24.4         Covenants of Parent, Charterer and Manager

 

The Parent, the Charterer or the Manager fails duly to perform or comply with any provision of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

 

24.5         Misrepresentation

 

Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed to have been made by an Obligor in any Finance Document or in any notice or other document, certificate or statement delivered by it pursuant to it or in connection therewith is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to have been made.

 

24.6         Cross Default

 

(a)            Any Financial Indebtedness of any member of the Parent Group is not paid when due or within any originally applicable grace period (including but not limited to any Financial Indebtedness arising under the Senior Note Documents);

 

(b)            any Financial Indebtedness of any member of the Parent Group is declared (or is capable of being declared) to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default, however described (including but not limited to any Financial Indebtedness arising under the Senior Note Documents);

 

(c)            any creditor of any member of the Parent Group becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of any member of the Parent Group due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default, however described (including but not limited to any Financial Indebtedness arising under the Senior Note Documents); or

 

(d)            any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any member of the Parent Group is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of any member of the Parent Group as a result of an event of default, however described (including but not limited to any Financial Indebtedness arising under the Senior Note Documents),

 

provided that, no Event of Default will occur under this Clause 24.6 if (x) the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness and/or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within paragraphs (a) to (d) above is less than $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) or (y) such event is caused otherwise than by a failure of any member of the Parent Group (other than the Charterer, the Manager or any member of the Group) to pay an amount falling due in respect of it, where such event is remedied or waived within 30

 

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days of its occurrence in accordance with any underlying agreements (for the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the expiry of any applicable grace periods relating thereto under such agreements).

 

24.7         Insolvency

 

Any member of the Parent Group is unable (or deemed for the purposes of any applicable Law, unable) to pay its debts as they fall due, ceases or suspends generally the payment of its debts or announces an intention to do so, or commences negotiations with any one or more of its creditors (or makes a proposal to do so) with a view to the general readjustment or rescheduling of its Indebtedness or makes a general assignment for the benefit of or a composition with its creditors or a moratorium is declared in respect of the Indebtedness of any member of the Parent Group (including, without limitation, pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code).

 

24.8         Winding-up

 

Any member of the Parent Group takes any corporate action or other steps are taken or legal proceedings are started for its winding-up, dissolution, administration or re-organisation or for the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, conservator, custodian, trustee or similar officer of it or of any or all of its revenues and assets (including, without limitation, pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code).

 

24.9         Execution or Distress

 

Any execution, expropriation, attachment, sequestration or distress is levied against, or an encumbrancer takes possession of, the whole or any part of, the property, undertaking or assets of any member of the Parent Group having an aggregate value of more than $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) and the same is not discharged within 30 days.

 

24.10       Judgment

 

Without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 24.9 ( Execution or Distress ), any judgment, award or similar process in an amount exceeding $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) is made, issued or levied against an Obligor or any part of its assets:

 

(a)            in respect of which there is no right of appeal or any right of appeal has lapsed or, if applicable, the relevant court decides not to review the same within 30 days (or where such proceedings took place in a jurisdiction other than that in which the relevant Obligor is organised or incorporated, 60 days) after receipt of a relevant request or filing by the applicable Obligor for it to do so; and

 

(b)            such judgment, award or similar process is not satisfied, discharged or released within 30 days (or where such proceedings took place in a jurisdiction other than that in which the relevant Obligor is organised or incorporated, 60 days) after its making, issue or levy or, if earlier, immediately following such decision by the relevant court,

 

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provided that, if such court decides to review the judgment, award or similar process, it shall be an Event of Default if an Instructing Group considers that such review does not have a reasonable chance of success for the relevant Obligor within a reasonable period of time.

 

24.11       Similar Events

 

Any event occurs which, under the laws of any jurisdiction, has a similar or analogous effect to any of those events mentioned in Clause 24.7 ( Insolvency ), 24.8 ( Winding-up ) or Clause 24.9 ( Execution or Distress ).

 

24.12       Repudiation

 

Any member of the Parent Group repudiates any of the Transaction Documents to which it is party or does or causes to be done any act or thing evidencing an intention to repudiate any of the Transaction Documents to which it is party.

 

24.13       Illegality

 

At any time it is or becomes unlawful for a member of the Parent Group to perform or comply with any or all of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents to which it is party or any of the obligations of a member of the Parent Group under any of the Transaction Documents to which it is party are not or cease to be legal, valid and binding.

 

24.14       Qualifications of Financial Statements

 

The auditors qualify their report on any audited financial statements of the Group in any regard which, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent acting on the instructions of an Instructing Group, is material in the context of the Finance Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

24.15       Nationalisation

 

y or under the authority of any government:

 

(a)            the management of any member of the Parent Group is wholly or partially displaced or the authority of any member of the Parent Group in the conduct of its business is wholly or partially curtailed; or

 

(b)            all or a majority of the issued shares of any member of the Parent Group or the whole or any part the book value of which is 10% or more of the book value of the whole of its revenues or assets is seized, nationalised, expropriated or compulsorily acquired.

 

24.16       Senior Note Default

 

A Senior Note Default occurs.

 

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24.17       Material Adverse Effect

 

Any event or circumstance occurs which in the opinion of the Administrative Agent (acting on the instructions of an Instructing Group) would or might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

24.18       Consents

 

Any consent, authorisation, licence, certificate or approval of a registration with or declaration to any government authority or official required in connection with this Agreement, including, without limitation:

 

(i)             any Necessary Authorisations; or

 

(ii)            the registration of any Collateral Vessels; or

 

(iii)          the operation, use, management, maintenance, employment or otherwise in respect of any Collateral Vessel,

 

is modified or amended in a manner unsatisfactory to the Administrative Agent or is withheld, terminated or not renewed, or otherwise ceases to be in full force and effect.

 

24.19       Cancellation of Insurances

 

A notice of cancellation in respect of the Insurances is given and not rescinded before such cancellation becomes effective unless replacement insurance coverage complying with the terms of this Agreement is effected by the relevant Obligor or other responsible person before such cancellation becomes effective.

 

24.20       Acceleration

 

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and while the same is continuing at any time thereafter, the Administrative Agent may (and, if so instructed by an Instructing Group, shall) by written notice to the Borrower:

 

(a)            declare all or any part of the Outstandings to be immediately due and payable (whereupon the same shall become so payable together with accrued interest thereon and any other sums then owed by any Obligor under the Finance Documents) or declare all or any part of the Outstandings to be due and payable on demand of the Administrative Agent; and/or

 

(b)            declare that any undrawn portion of the Facility shall be cancelled, whereupon the same shall be cancelled and the corresponding Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced to zero; and/or

 

(c)            exercise or direct the Security Trustee to exercise any rights and remedies (including any right to demand cash collateral by deposit in such interest-bearing account as the Administrative Agent may specify under the Security Documents).

 

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24.21       Repayment on Demand

 

If, pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 24.20 ( Acceleration ), the Administrative Agent declares all or any part of the Outstandings to be due and payable on demand of the Administrative Agent, then, and at any time thereafter, the Administrative Agent may (and, if so instructed by an Instructing Group, shall) by written notice to the Borrower:

 

(a)            require repayment of all or the relevant part of the Advances on such date as it may specify in such notice (whereupon the same shall become due and payable on such date together with accrued interest thereon and any other sums then owed by any Obligor under the Finance Documents) or withdraw its declaration with effect from such date as it may specify in such notice; and/or

 

(b)            select as the duration of any Interest Period which begins whilst such declaration remains in effect a period of 6 months or less.

 

25.           DEFAULT INTEREST

 

25.1         Consequences of Non-Payment

 

If any sum due and payable by an Obligor under this Agreement is not paid on the due date therefor in accordance with the provisions of Clause 30 ( Payments ) or if any sum due and payable by an Obligor pursuant to a judgment of any court in connection with this Agreement is not paid on the date of such judgment, the period beginning on such due date or, as the case may be, the date of such judgment and ending on the Business Day which the obligation of such Obligor to pay the Unpaid Sum is discharged shall be divided into successive periods, each of which (other than the first) shall start on the last day of the preceding such period (which shall be a Business Day) and the duration of each of which shall (except as otherwise provided in this Clause 25 ( Default Interest )) be selected by the Administrative Agent.

 

25.2         Default Rate

 

During each such period relating thereto as is mentioned in Clause 25.1 ( Consequences of Non-Payment ) an Unpaid Sum shall bear interest at the rate per annum which is the sum from time to time of 2%, the Margin and LIBOR as the case may be on the Quotation Date therefor, provided that:

 

(a)            if, for any such period, LIBOR cannot be determined, the rate of interest applicable to each Lender’s portion of such Unpaid Sum shall be the rate per annum which is the sum of 2%, the Margin, (as aforesaid) and the rate per annum notified to the Administrative Agent by such Lender as soon as practicable after the beginning of such period as being that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to such Lender of funding from whatever sources it may select its portion of such Unpaid Sum during such period; and

 

(b)            if such Unpaid Sum is all or part of an Advance which became due and payable on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period relating thereto, the first Interest Period applicable to it shall be of a duration equal to the unexpired portion of that Interest Period

 

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and the rate of interest applicable thereto from time to time during such Interest Period shall be that which exceeds by 2% the rate which would have been applicable to it had it not so fallen due.

 

25.3         Maturity of Default Interest

 

Any interest which shall have accrued under Clause 25.2 ( Default Rate ) in respect of an Unpaid Sum shall be due and payable and shall be paid by the Obligor owing such sum at the end of the period by reference to which it is calculated or on such other dates as the Administrative Agent may specify by written notice to such Obligor.

 

25.4         Construction of Unpaid Sum

 

Any Unpaid Sum shall (for the purposes of this Clause 25 ( Default Interest ), Clause 12 ( Increased Costs ) and Clause 28 ( Borrower’s Indemnities )) be treated as an advance and accordingly in those provisions the term “Advance” includes any Unpaid Sum and the term “Interest Period”, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, includes each such period relating thereto as is mentioned in Clause 25.1 ( Consequences of Non-Payment ).

 

26.           GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

 

26.1         Guarantee

 

Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, jointly and severally, to each of the Finance Parties the due and punctual payment by each Obligor of all sums payable by it under each of the Finance Documents to the Finance Parties (or any of them) and agrees that promptly on demand it will pay to the Administrative Agent each and every sum of money which such Obligor is at any time liable to pay to any Finance Party under or pursuant to any Finance Document which is due but unpaid.

 

26.2         Indemnity

 

Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees, jointly and severally, as primary obligor and not only as surety, to indemnify and hold harmless each Finance Party on demand by the Administrative Agent from and against any loss incurred by such Finance Party as a result of any of the obligations of any Obligor under or pursuant to any Finance Document being or becoming void, voidable, unenforceable or ineffective as against such Obligor for any reason whatsoever (whether or not known to that Finance Party or any other person) the amount of such loss being the amount which the Finance Party suffering it would otherwise have been entitled to recover from that Obligor.

 

26.3         Continuing and Independent Obligations

 

The obligations of each Guarantor under this Agreement shall constitute and be continuing obligations which shall not be released or discharged by any intermediate payment or settlement of all or any of the obligations of the Obligors under the Finance Documents, shall continue in full force and effect until the unconditional and irrevocable payment and discharge in full of all amounts owing by the Obligors under each of the Finance Documents and are in addition to and

 

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independent of, and shall not prejudice or merge with, any other security (or right of set-off) which any Finance Party may at any time hold in respect of such obligations or any of them.

 

26.4         New Accounts

 

If the Administrative Agent makes demand of the Guarantors or any of them pursuant to this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ):

 

(a)            the Administrative Agent may open a new account or accounts in respect of the liabilities of the Obligors to which this guarantee relates or any of them (and if it does not do so it shall be treated as if it had done so at the time it made such demand); and

 

(b)            thereafter any amounts paid by any Obligor (or any other person) to the Administrative Agent in respect of the liabilities of the Obligors under any of the Finance Documents shall be credited (or be treated as having been credited) to a new account and not as having been applied in or towards payment of such liabilities or any of them.

 

26.5         Avoidance of Payments

 

Where any release, discharge or other arrangement in respect of any obligation of the Obligors, or any Encumbrances any Finance Party may hold therefor, is given or made in reliance on any payment or other disposition which is avoided or must be repaid (whether in whole or in part) in an insolvency, liquidation or otherwise and whether or not any Finance Party has conceded or compromised any claim that any such payment or other disposition will or should be avoided or repaid (in whole or in part), the provisions of this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) shall continue as if such release, discharge or other arrangement had not been given or made.

 

26.6         Immediate Recourse

 

None of the Finance Parties shall be obliged, before exercising or enforcing any of the rights conferred upon them in respect of the Guarantors by this Agreement or by Law, to seek to recover amounts due from the Obligors or to exercise or enforce any other rights or Encumbrances any of them may have or hold in respect of any of the obligations of the Obligors (or any of them) under any of the Finance Documents.

 

26.7         Waiver of Defences

 

Neither the obligations of the Guarantors contained in this Agreement nor the rights, powers and remedies conferred on the Finance Parties in respect of the Guarantors by this Agreement or by Law shall be discharged, impaired or otherwise affected by:

 

(a)            the winding-up, dissolution, administration or re-organisation of an Obligor or any other person or any change in the status, function, control or ownership of an Obligor or any such other person;

 

(b)            any of the obligations of the Obligor or any other person under any Finance Document or any security held by any Finance Party therefor being or becoming illegal, invalid, unenforceable or ineffective in any respect;

 

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(c)            any time or other indulgence being granted to or agreed (i) to or with any Obligor or any other person in respect of its obligations or (ii) in respect of any security granted under any Finance Documents;

 

(d)            any amendment to, or any variation, waiver or release of, any obligation of, or any security granted by, any Obligor or any other person under any Finance Document;

 

(e)            any total or partial failure to take, or perfect, any security proposed to be taken in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any other person under the Finance Documents;

 

(f)             any total or partial failure to realise the value of, or any release, discharge, exchange or substitution of, any security held by any Finance Party in respect of the Obligors’ obligations under any Finance Document; or

 

(g)            any other act, event or omission which might operate to discharge, impair or otherwise affect any of the obligations of any of the Guarantors under this Agreement or any of the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon the Finance Parties or any of them by this Agreement or by Law.

 

26.8         No Competition

 

Any rights which any Guarantor may at any time have by way of contribution or indemnity in relation to any of the obligations of any Obligor under any of the Finance Documents (including any right of contribution arising under Clause 26.11 ( Guarantor’s Right of Contribution )) or to claim or prove as a creditor of such Obligor or any other person or its estate in competition with the Finance Parties or any of them, shall be exercised by such Guarantor only if and to the extent that the Administrative Agent so requires and in such manner and upon such terms as the Administrative Agent may specify and each Guarantor shall hold any moneys, rights or Encumbrances held or received by it as a result of the exercise of any such rights on trust for the Administrative Agent for application in or towards payment of any sums at any time owed by the Obligors or any of them under any of the Finance Documents as if such moneys, rights or Encumbrances were held or received by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement.

 

26.9         Appropriation

 

No Finance Party shall be obliged to apply any sums held or received by it in respect of the obligations of the Obligors under any of the Finance Documents in or towards payment of amounts owing under any of the Finance Documents, and any such sum may, in the relevant Finance Party’s discretion, be credited to a suspense or impersonal account and held in such account pending the application from time to time (as the relevant Finance Party may think fit) of such sums in or towards the discharge of such liabilities owed to it under the Finance Documents as such Finance Party may select.

 

26.10       Limitation of Liabilities

 

In respect of any existing credit facility (an “ Existing Facility ”) which is to be discharged pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 4.1(e)(i) ( Conditions to Drawdown ) and Clause 22.3(c) ( Financial Indebtedness ) to which a Guarantor is a party as a guarantor and/or a

 

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borrower, to the extent that the granting of a guarantee and/or the provision of an indemnity by such Guarantor pursuant to this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) would cause a default under such Existing Facility, such guarantee and indemnity shall become effective, automatically and immediately, upon the release of the guarantee (and/or if applicable, discharge of principal obligations) to the extent that such release or discharge constitutes a full release or discharge of all such obligations of the relevant Guarantor in respect of such Existing Facility (and not before such release or discharge).

 

26.11       Guarantor’s Right of Contribution

 

At any time a payment in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is made under this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ), the right of contribution of each Guarantor against each other Guarantor shall be determined as provided in the immediately following sentence, with the right of contribution of each Guarantor to be revised and restated as of each date on which a payment (a “ Relevant Payment ”) is made in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations under this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ).  At any time that a Relevant Payment is made by a Guarantor that results in the aggregate payments made by such Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations to and including the date of the Relevant Payment exceeding such Guarantor’s Contribution Percentage (as defined below) of the aggregate payments made by all Guarantors in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations to and including the date of the Relevant Payment (such excess, the “ Aggregate Excess Amount ”), each such Guarantor shall have a right of contribution against each other Guarantor who has made no payment or has made payments in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations to and including the date of the Relevant Payment in an aggregate amount less than such other Guarantor’s Contribution Percentage of the aggregate payments made to and including the date of the Relevant Payment by all Guarantors in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations (the aggregate amount of such deficit, the “ Aggregate Deficit Amount ”) in an amount equal to (x) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Aggregate Excess Amount of such Guarantor and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Excess Amount of all Guarantors multiplied by (y) the Aggregate Deficit Amount of such other Guarantor.  A Guarantor’s right of contribution pursuant to the preceding sentences shall arise at the time of each computation, subject to adjustment to the time of each computation.  In this Clause 26.11 ( Guarantor’s Right of Contribution ):

 

(i)             each Guarantor’s “ Contribution Percentage ” shall mean the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Adjusted Net Worth (as defined below) of such Guarantor by (y) the aggregate Adjusted Net Worth of all Guarantors;

 

(ii)            the “ Adjusted Net Worth ” of each Guarantor shall mean the greater of (x) the Applicable Net Worth (as defined below) of such Guarantor and (y) zero; and

 

(iii)          the “ Applicable Net Worth ” of each Guarantor shall mean the amount by which the fair saleable value of such Guarantor’s assets on the date of any Relevant Payment exceeds its existing debts and other liabilities (including contingent liabilities, but without giving effect to any Guaranteed Obligations arising under this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) or any guaranteed obligations arising under any guarantee of the Senior Notes) on such date.

 

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Each of the Guarantors recognises and acknowledges that the rights to contribution arising hereunder shall constitute an asset in favour of the party entitled to such contribution.  In this respect, each Guarantor has the right to waive its contribution right against any Guarantor to the extent that after giving effect to such waiver such Guarantor would remain solvent, in the determination of an Instructing Group.

 

26.12       No Fraudulent Conveyance

 

Each Guarantor and each Finance Party (by its acceptance of the benefits of the provisions of this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity )) hereby confirms that it is its intention that the provisions of this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for the purposes of the Bankruptcy Code, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar law of the United States of America or any state thereof, or of the Republic of Liberia.  To effect the foregoing intention, each Guarantor and each Finance Party (by its acceptance of the benefits of the provisions of this Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity )) hereby irrevocably agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed by such Guarantor shall be limited to such amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other (contingent or otherwise) liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any rights to contribution of such Guarantor from the other Guarantors pursuant to Clause 26.11 ( Guarantor’s Right of Contribution ) (calculated as if such maximum amount had been discharged in full by such Guarantor), result in the Guaranteed Obligations of such Guarantor in respect of such maximum amount not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

27.           AGENT AND OBLIGORS’ AGENT

 

27.1         Appointment of the Administrative Agent

 

Each of the other Finance Parties appoints the Administrative Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents and authorises the Administrative Agent to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically delegated to it under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

27.2         Duties of the Administrative Agent

 

(a)            The Administrative Agent shall promptly inform each Lender of the contents of any notice or document received by it in its capacity as Administrative Agent from any of the Obligors under this Agreement.

 

(b)            The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of the occurrence of any Event of Default or any other default by an Obligor in the due performance of or compliance with its obligations under any Finance Document upon becoming aware of the same.

 

(c)            If so instructed by an Instructing Group, the Administrative Agent shall refrain from exercising any power or discretion vested in it as agent under any Finance Document.

 

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(d)            The duties of the Administrative Agent under the Finance Documents are, save to the extent otherwise expressly provided, solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

 

27.3         Role of the Mandated Lead Arrangers and Arrangers

 

Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Mandated Lead Arrangers and Arrangers shall have no obligations of any kind to any other party under or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

27.4         No Fiduciary Duties

 

(a)            Nothing in the Finance Documents constitutes the Administrative Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers or the Arrangers as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person.

 

(b)            None of the Administrative Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers or the Arrangers shall be bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.

 

27.5         Business with the Group

 

The Administrative Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Arrangers may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group.

 

27.6         Discretion of the Administrative Agent

 

(a)            The Administrative Agent may rely on:

 

(i)             any representation, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; and

 

(ii)            any statement made by a director, authorised signatory or employee of any person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within his knowledge or within his power to verify.

 

(b)            The Administrative Agent may assume, unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders, that:

 

(i)             no Default has occurred;

 

(ii)            any right, power, authority or discretion vested in this Agreement upon any party, the Lenders or an Instructing Group has not been exercised; and

 

(iii)          any notice or request made by the Borrower is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors.

 

(c)            The Administrative Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, surveyors or other experts.

 

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(d)            The Administrative Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its personnel and agents.

 

27.7         Instructing Group’s Instructions

 

(a)            Unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, the Administrative Agent shall (i) act in accordance with any instructions given to it by an Instructing Group (or, if so instructed by an Instructing Group, refrain from acting or exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Administrative Agent) and (ii) shall not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from taking any action) in accordance with such an instruction of an Instructing Group.

 

(b)            Unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given by an Instructing Group will be binding on all the Finance Parties.

 

(c)            The Administrative Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with the instructions of an Instructing Group (or, if appropriate, all the Lenders) until it has received such security or collateral as it may require for any cost, loss or liability which it may incur in complying with such instructions.

 

(d)            In the absence of instructions from an Instructing Group (or, if appropriate, all the Lenders), the Administrative Agent may act (or refrain from taking action) in accordance with what it considers to be the best interest of the Lenders.

 

(e)            The Administrative Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document without first obtaining that Lender’s consent to do so.

 

27.8         No Responsibility

 

The Administrative Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Arrangers are not:

 

(a)            responsible for the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by any Finance Party or an Obligor or any other person in or in connection with any Finance Document, including but not limited to the Offering Memorandum, the Projections, the Reports and the Annual Budgets (if any); or

 

(b)            responsible for the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

27.9         Exclusion of Liability

 

(a)            Without limiting paragraph (b) of this Clause, the Administrative Agent will not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

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(b)            Each of the Lenders agrees that it will not take any proceedings, or assert or seek to assert any claim, against any officer, employee or agent of the Administrative Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Administrative Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document and agrees that any officer, employee or agent of the Administrative Agent may enforce this provision.

 

(c)            The Administrative Agent will not be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by it if it has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by it for that purpose.

 

27.10       Lender’s Indemnity

 

Each Lender shall in its relevant Proportion (as determined at all times for these purposes in accordance with paragraph (c) of the definition of “Proportion”) indemnify the Administrative Agent from time to time on demand by the Administrative Agent against any cost, loss or liability incurred by the Administrative Agent (otherwise than by reason of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct) in acting as Administrative Agent under the Finance Documents (unless it has been reimbursed therefor by an Obligor pursuant to the terms of the Finance Documents).

 

27.11       Resignation

 

(a)            The Administrative Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor Administrative Agent by giving notice to the Lenders and the Borrower.

 

(b)            Alternatively the Administrative Agent may resign without having designated a successor as agent under paragraph (a) above (and shall resign if so required by an Instructing Group) by giving notice to the Lenders and the Borrower, in which case an Instructing Group (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Administrative Agent.

 

(c)            If an Instructing Group has not appointed a successor Administrative Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 30 days after notice of resignation was given, the Administrative Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Administrative Agent.

 

(d)            The retiring Administrative Agent shall, at the Borrower’s cost, make available to its successor such documents and records and provide such assistance as its successor may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Administrative Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

(e)            The resignation notice of the Administrative Agent shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor Administrative Agent.

 

(f)             Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents but shall

 

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remain entitled to the benefit of this Clause 27 ( Agent and Obligors’ Agent ).  The Administrative Agent’s successor and each of the other parties to this Agreement shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor Administrative Agent had been an original party as the Administrative Agent.

 

27.12       Confidentiality

 

(a)            The Administrative Agent (in acting as agent for the other Finance Parties) shall be regarded as acting through its respective agency division which in each case shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

 

(b)            If information is received by another division or department of the Administrative Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary but without prejudice to Clause 37 ( Taxation and Structural Matters ), the Finance Parties are not obliged to disclose to any other person (i) any confidential information or (ii) any other information if the disclosure would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any Law.

 

27.13       Facility Office

 

The Administrative Agent may treat each Lender as a Lender, entitled to payments under this Agreement and acting through its Facility Office unless it has received not less than 5 Business Days’ prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

27.14       Credit Appraisal by the Lenders

 

Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms to the Administrative Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Arrangers that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:

 

(a)            the financial condition, status and nature of each member of the Group;

 

(b)            the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(c)            whether that Lender has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

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(d)            the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of the Projections, the Offering Memorandum, the Reports and any other information provided by the Administrative Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers, the Arrangers or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

27.15       Deduction from Amounts Payable by the Administrative Agent

 

If any party owes an amount to the Administrative Agent under any Finance Document, the Administrative Agent may, after giving notice to that party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that party which the Administrative Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed.  For the purposes of the Finance Documents, that party shall be regarded as having received such payment without any such deduction.

 

27.16       Obligors’ Agent

 

(a)            Each Obligor (other than the Borrower) irrevocably authorises the Borrower to act on its behalf as its agent in relation to the Finance Documents and irrevocably authorises:

 

(i)             the Borrower on its behalf to supply all information concerning itself, its financial condition and otherwise to the relevant persons contemplated under this Agreement and to give all notices and instructions under the Finance Documents and to execute on its behalf any Finance Document and to enter into any agreement in connection with the Finance Documents notwithstanding that the same may affect such Obligor, without further reference to or the consent of such Obligor; and

 

(ii)            each Finance Party to give any notice, demand or other communication to be given to or served on such Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents to the Borrower on its behalf,

 

and in each such case such Obligor will be bound thereby as though such Obligor itself had supplied such information, given such notice and instructions, executed such Finance Document and agreement or received any such notice, demand or other communication.

 

(b)            Every act, omission, agreement, undertaking, settlement, waiver, notice or other communication given or made by the Obligors’ Agent under any Finance Document, or in connection with this Agreement (whether or not known to any other Obligor and whether occurring before or after such Obligor became an Obligor under this Agreement), shall be binding for all purposes on all other Obligors as if the other Obligors had expressly made, given or concurred with the same.  In the event of any conflict between any notices or other communications of the Obligors’ Agent and any other Obligor, those of the Obligors’ Agent shall prevail.

 

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27.17       Co-operation with the Administrative Agent

 

Each Lender and each Obligor will co-operate with the Administrative Agent to complete any legal requirements imposed on the Administrative Agent in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement and shall supply any information requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with the proper performance of those duties.

 

28.           BORROWER’S INDEMNITIES

 

28.1         Funding Indemnity

 

Borrower agrees at all times to indemnify protect, defend and hold harmless each Lender against any loss it may suffer or incur as a result of its funding or making arrangements to fund its portion of an Advance requested by the Borrower under this Agreement but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (save as a result of its own gross negligence or wilful default).

 

28.2         Break Costs

 

(a)            The Borrower shall, within 3 Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of any Advance or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for that Advance or Unpaid Sum.

 

(b)            Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Administrative Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue.

 

28.3         Miscellaneous Indemnities

 

The Borrower shall fully indemnify each Finance Party severally on demand in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities and losses which may be made or brought against or incurred by a Finance Party, in any country, as a result of or in connection with:

 

(a)            any action taken, or omitted or neglected to be taken, under or in connection with any Finance Document by the Administrative Agent, the Security Trustee or any other Finance Party or by any receiver appointed under a Finance Document; or

 

(b)            any other Pertinent Matter.

 

Without prejudice to its generality, this Clause 28.3 covers any claims, expenses, liabilities and losses which arise, or are asserted, under or in connection with any law relating to safety at sea, the ISM Code or any Environmental Law.

 

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29.           CURRENCY OF ACCOUNT

 

29.1         Currency

 

The dollar is the currency of account and payment for each and every sum at any time due from any Obligor under this Agreement provided that:

 

(a)            each repayment of any Outstandings or Unpaid Sum (or part thereof) shall be made in the currency in which those Outstandings or such Unpaid Sum are denominated on their due date;

 

(b)            interest shall be payable in the currency in which the sum in respect of which such interest is payable was denominated when that interest accrued;

 

(c)            each payment in respect of costs and expenses shall be made in the currency in which the same were incurred; and

 

(d)            each payment pursuant to Clause 11.2 ( Tax Indemnity ) or Clause 12.1 ( Increased Costs ) shall be made in the currency specified by the Finance Party claiming under it.

 

29.2         Currency Indemnity

 

If any sum due from an Obligor under a Finance Document or any order or judgment given or made in relation to a Finance Document has to be converted from the currency (the “ first currency ”) in which the same is payable under such Finance Document or under such order or judgment into another currency (the “ second currency ”) for the purpose of (a) making or filing a claim or proof against such Obligor, (b) obtaining an order or judgment in any court or other tribunal or (c) enforcing any order or judgment given or made in relation to such Finance Document, the Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless each of the persons to whom such sum is due from and against any loss suffered or incurred as a result of any discrepancy between (x) the rate of exchange used for such purpose to convert the sum in question from the first currency into the second currency and (y) the rate or rates of exchange at which such person may in the ordinary course of business purchase the first currency with the second currency upon receipt of a sum paid to it in satisfaction, in whole or in part, of any such order, judgment, claim or proof.

 

30.           PAYMENTS

 

30.1         Payment to the Administrative Agent

 

On each date on which this Agreement requires an amount to be paid by an Obligor or any of the Lenders under this Agreement, such Obligor or, as the case may be, such Lender shall make the same available to the Administrative Agent by payment in same day funds (or such other funds as may for the time being be customary for the settlement of transactions in the relevant currency) to such account or bank as the Administrative Agent may have specified for this purpose and any such payment which is made for the account of another person shall be made in time to enable the Administrative Agent to make available such person’s portion of it to such other person in accordance with Clause 30.2 ( Same Day Funds ).

 

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30.2         Same Day Funds

 

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of another person shall be made available by the Administrative Agent to such other person (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office) for value the same day by transfer to such account of such person with such bank as such person shall have previously notified to the Administrative Agent for this purpose.

 

30.3         Clear Payments

 

Any payment required to be made by an Obligor under this Agreement shall be calculated without reference to any set-off or counterclaim and shall be made free and clear of, and without any deduction for or on account of, any set-off or counterclaim.

 

30.4         Partial Payments

 

If the Administrative Agent receives a payment that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under the Finance Documents, the Administrative Agent shall, unless otherwise instructed by all the Lenders, apply that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor under the Finance Documents in the following order:

 

(a)            first , in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Security Trustee under the Finance Documents;

 

(b)            secondly , in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest or commission due but unpaid under any Finance Document;

 

(c)            thirdly , in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under any Finance Document; and

 

(d)            fourthly , in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents,

 

and such application shall override any appropriation made by an Obligor.

 

30.5         Indemnity

 

Where a sum is to be paid under this Agreement to the Administrative Agent for the account of another person, the Administrative Agent shall not be obliged to make the same available to that other person (or to enter into or perform any exchange contract in connection therewith) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received such sum, but if it does so and it proves to be the case that it had not actually received such sum, then the person to whom such sum (or the proceeds of such exchange contract) was (or were) so made available shall on request refund the same to the Administrative Agent together with an amount sufficient to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent from and against any cost or loss it may have suffered or incurred by reason of its having paid out such sum (or the proceeds of such exchange contract) prior to its having received such sum.

 

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31.           SET-OFF

 

31.1         Right to Set-off

 

Each of the Obligors authorises each Lender to apply any credit balance to which such Obligor is entitled on any account of such Obligor with that Lender in satisfaction of any sum due and payable from such Obligor to such Lender under this Agreement but unpaid and for this purpose, each Lender is authorised to purchase with the moneys standing to the credit of any such account such other currencies as may be necessary to effect such application.

 

31.2         No Obligation

 

No Lender shall be obliged to exercise any right given to it by Clause 31.1 ( Right to Set-Off ).

 

32.           SHARING AMONG THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

32.1         Payments to Finance Parties

 

If a Finance Party (a “ Recovering Finance Party ”) receives or recovers any amount from an Obligor other than in accordance with Clause 30 ( Payments ) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:

 

(a)            the Recovering Finance Party shall, within 3 Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery to the Administrative Agent;

 

(b)            the Administrative Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Administrative Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause 30.4 ( Partial Payments ), without taking account of any tax which would be imposed on the Administrative Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

 

(c)            the Recovering Finance Party shall, within 3 Business Days of demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent an amount (the “ Sharing Payment ”) equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Administrative Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with Clause 30.4 ( Partial Payments ).

 

32.2         Redistribution of Payments

 

The Administrative Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) in accordance with Clause 30.4 ( Partial Payments ).

 

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32.3         Recovering Finance Party’s Rights

 

(a)            On a distribution by the Administrative Agent under Clause 32.2 ( Redistribution of Payments ), the Recovering Finance Party will be subrogated to the rights of the Finance Parties which have shared in the redistribution.

 

(b)            If and to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party is not able to rely on its rights under paragraph (a) above, the relevant Obligor shall be liable to the Recovering Finance Party for a debt equal to the Sharing Payment which is immediately due and payable.

 

32.4         Reversal of Redistribution

 

If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then:

 

(a)            each Finance Party which has received a share of the relevant Sharing Payment pursuant to Clause 32.2 ( Redistribution of Payments ) shall, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent for account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its share of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay); and

 

(b)            that Recovering Finance Party’s rights of subrogation in respect of any reimbursement shall be cancelled and the relevant Obligor will be liable to the reimbursing Finance Party for the amount so reimbursed.

 

32.5         Exceptions

 

(a)            This Clause 32 ( Sharing Among the Finance Parties ) shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the relevant Obligor.

 

(b)            A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if:

 

(i)             it notified such other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings; and

 

(ii)            such other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice of it or did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings.

 

33.           CALCULATIONS AND ACCOUNTS

 

33.1         Day Count Convention

 

Interest shall accrue from day to day and shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

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33.2         Reference Banks

 

Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, on any occasion a Reference Bank or Lender fails to supply the Administrative Agent with an interest rate quotation required of it under the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the rate for which such quotation was required shall be determined from those quotations which are supplied to the Administrative Agent.

 

33.3         Maintain Accounts

 

Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts evidencing the amounts from time to time lent by and owing to it under this Agreement.

 

33.4         Control Accounts

 

The Administrative Agent shall maintain on its books a control account or accounts in which shall be recorded:

 

(a)            the amount of any Advance or Unpaid Sum and each Lender’s share in it;

 

(b)            the amount of all principal, interest and other sums due or to become due from each of the Obligors to any of the Lenders under the Finance Documents and each Lender’s share in it; and

 

(c)            the amount of any sum received or recovered by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and each Lender’s share in it.

 

33.5         Prima Facie Evidence

 

In any legal action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to Clause 33.3 ( Maintain Accounts ) and Clause 33.4 ( Control Accounts ) shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the specified obligations of the Obligors.

 

33.6         Certificate of Finance Party

 

A certificate of a Finance Party as to the amount for the time being required to indemnify it against any Tax Liability pursuant to Clause 11.2 ( Tax Indemnity ) or any Increased Cost pursuant to Clause 12.1 ( Increased Costs ) shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the specified obligations of the Borrower.

 

33.7         Certificate of the Administrative Agent

 

A certificate of the Administrative Agent as to the amount at any time due from the Borrower under this Agreement (or the amount which, but for any of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement being or becoming void, unenforceable or ineffective, at any time, would have been due from the Borrower under this Agreement) shall, in the absence of manifest error, be prima facie evidence for the purposes of Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) and the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

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34.           ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS

 

34.1         Successors and Assignees

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit of each party to this Agreement and its or any subsequent successors, permitted assignees and Transferees.

 

34.2         Assignment or Transfers by Obligors

 

None of the rights, benefits and obligations of an Obligor under this Agreement shall be capable of being assigned or transferred and each Obligor undertakes not to seek to assign or transfer any of its rights, benefits and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of all of the Lenders.

 

34.3         Assignments or Transfers by Lenders

 

Any Lender may, at any time, assign all or any of its rights and benefits under the Finance Documents in accordance with Clause 34.4 ( Assignments ) or transfer all or any of its rights, benefits and obligations under the Finance Documents in accordance with Clause 34.5 ( Transfer Certificate ) without the consent of any other party save that:

 

(a)            in the absence of any Default, any such assignment or transfer shall be subject to the prior consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); and

 

(b)            such assignment or transfer shall be in respect of a principal amount of the Facility of at least $5,000,000.

 

34.4         Assignments

 

If any Lender wishes to assign all or any of its rights and benefits under the Finance Documents, unless and until the relevant assignee has agreed with the other Finance Parties that it shall be under the same obligations towards each of them as it would have been under if it had been an original party to the Finance Documents as a Lender, such assignment shall not become effective and the other Finance Parties shall not be obliged to recognise such assignee as having the rights against each of them which it would have had if it had been such a party to this Agreement.

 

34.5         Transfer Certificate

 

If any Lender wishes to transfer all or any of its rights, benefits and/or obligations under the Finance Documents, such transfer may be effected by novation through the delivery to the Administrative Agent of a duly completed and duly executed Transfer Certificate in which event, on the later of the Transfer Date specified in such Transfer Certificate and the fifth Business Day after (or such earlier Business Day endorsed by the Administrative Agent on such Transfer Certificate falling on or after) the date of delivery of such Transfer Certificate to the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)            to the extent that in such Transfer Certificate the Lender party to it seeks to transfer its rights, benefits and obligations under the Finance Documents, each of the Obligors and

 

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such Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and their respective rights against one another shall be cancelled (such rights and obligations being referred to in this Clause 34.5 as “ discharged rights and obligations ”);

 

(b)            each of the Obligors and the Transferee party to it shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the discharged rights and obligations only insofar as such Obligor and such Transferee have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of such Obligor and such Lender;

 

(c)            the other Finance Parties and the Transferee shall acquire the same rights and benefits and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had such Transferee been an original party to the Finance Documents as a Lender with the rights, benefits and obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of such transfer; and

 

(d)            such Transferee shall become a party to this Agreement as a Lender.

 

34.6         Transfer Fee

 

On the date upon which a transfer takes effect pursuant to Clause 34.5 ( Transfer Certificate ), the Transferee in respect of such transfer shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account a transfer fee of $3,000 provided that this fee shall not be payable by any Lender being party to this Agreement on the date of this Agreement in respect of transfers made by such Lender prior to the Termination Date.

 

34.7         Disclosure of Information

 

Without prejudice to Clause 37 ( Taxation and Structural Matters ), any Lender may disclose to any of its Affiliates, to any actual or potential assignee or Transferee, to any person who may otherwise enter into contractual relations with such Lender in relation to this Agreement or any person to whom, and to the extent that, information is required to be disclosed by any applicable Law, such information about the Obligors and the Group as such Lender shall consider appropriate.

 

35.           COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

35.1         Transaction Costs

 

The Borrower shall, from time to time on demand of the Administrative Agent, indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Security Trustee and each of the Mandated Lead Arrangers for all costs and expenses (including legal fees and disbursements) incurred by them in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Finance Documents and the completion of the transactions therein contemplated and the primary syndication of the Facility.

 

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35.2         Preservation and Enforcement Costs

 

The Borrower shall, from time to time on demand of the Administrative Agent, indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses (including legal fees and disbursements) incurred in or in connection with the preservation and/or enforcement of any of the rights of such Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

 

35.3         Stamp Taxes

 

The Borrower shall pay all stamp, registration, documentary and other taxes (including any penalties, additions, fines, surcharges or interest relating thereto) to which any of the Finance Documents or any judgment given in connection therewith is or at any time may be subject and shall, from time to time on demand of the Administrative Agent, indemnify the Finance Parties against any liabilities, costs, claims and expenses resulting from any failure to pay or any delay in paying those taxes.  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled (but not obliged) to pay those taxes (whether or not they are its primary responsibility) and to the extent that it does so claim under this Clause 35.3.

 

35.4         Compensation

 

The Borrower shall, from time to time on demand of the Administrative Agent (and without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 35.2 ( Preservation and Enforcement Costs ) and Clause 35.5 ( Amendments and Waivers )) compensate the Administrative Agent at such daily and/or hourly rates as the Administrative Agent shall from time to time reasonably determine for all time expended by the Administrative Agent, its directors, officers and employees, and for all costs and expenses (including telephone, fax, copying, travel and personnel costs) they may incur, in connection with the Administrative Agent taking such action as it may consider appropriate in connection with:

 

(a)            the granting or proposed granting of any waiver or consent requested under any of the Finance Documents by the Obligors or any of them;

 

(b)            any actual, potential or suspected breach by an Obligor of any of its obligations under any of the Finance Documents;

 

(c)            the occurrence of any Default; or

 

(d)            any amendment or proposed amendment of any of the Finance Documents requested by the Obligors or any of them.

 

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35.5         Amendments and Waivers

 

If an Obligor requests any amendment or waiver in accordance with Clause 42 ( Amendments ), the relevant Obligor shall, on demand of the Administrative Agent, reimburse the Finance Parties for all costs and expenses (including legal fees and disbursements) incurred by any of the Finance Parties in responding to or complying with such request.

 

35.6         Management Time of the Administrative Agent

 

Any amount payable to the Administrative Agent under this Clause 35 ( Costs and Expenses ) shall include the cost of utilising its management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as it may notify to the Borrower and the Lenders, and is in addition to any fee paid or payable to it under Clause 10 ( Commissions and Fees ).

 

35.7         Lenders’ Indemnity

 

If any Obligor fails to perform any of its obligations under this Clause 35 ( Costs and Expenses ), each Lender shall indemnify and hold harmless each of the Administrative Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers, the Arrangers and/or the Security Trustee (as applicable) from and against its Proportion (as determined at all times for these purposes in accordance with paragraph (c) of the definition of “Proportion”) of any loss incurred by any of them as a result of such failure and the relevant Obligor shall forthwith reimburse each Lender for any payment made by it pursuant to this Clause.

 

35.8         Value Added Tax

 

(a)            All amounts expressed to be payable under any Finance Document by any Obligor to a Finance Party shall be exclusive of any VAT.  If VAT is chargeable on any supply made by a Finance Party to any Obligor under any Finance Document (whether that supply is taxable pursuant to the exercise of an option or otherwise), that Obligor shall pay to that Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying that consideration) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT as further consideration.

 

(b)            No payment or other consideration to be made or furnished to any Obligor pursuant to or in connection with any Finance Document may be increased or added to by reference to (or as a result of any increase in the rate of) any VAT which shall be or may become chargeable in respect of any taxable supply.

 

(c)            Where a Finance Document requires any party to reimburse a Finance Party for any costs or expenses, that party shall also pay any amount of those costs or expenses incurred referable to VAT chargeable thereon.

 

35.9         Indemnity Payments

 

Where under any Finance Document an Obligor has an obligation to indemnify or reimburse any Protected Party in respect of any loss or payment, the calculation of the amount payable by way of indemnity or reimbursement shall take account of the likely tax treatment in the hands of that

 

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Protected Party (as determined by such Protected Party) of the amount payable by way of indemnity or reimbursement and of the loss or payment in respect of which that amount is payable.

 

36.           REMEDIES AND WAIVERS

 

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Finance Parties or any of them, any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy.  The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Law.

 

37.           TAXATION AND STRUCTURAL MATTERS

 

Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Agreement, each Obligor and each Finance Party hereby agrees that any party hereto and each employee, representative or other agent of such party may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure applicable in the United States of America to the transactions contemplated under the Finance Documents and any materials whatsoever (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to each such party relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, other than any information for which non-disclosure is reasonably necessary in order to comply with applicable securities law.

 

38.           CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

 

In no event shall any Finance Party be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages and each Obligor (for itself and in respect of each of its Subsidiaries (if any)) hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favour.

 

39.           NOTICES AND DELIVERY OF INFORMATION

 

39.1         Writing

 

Each communication to be made under this Agreement shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, shall be made by fax or letter.

 

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39.2         Giving of Notice

 

Any communication or document to be made or delivered by one person to another pursuant to this Agreement shall in the case of any person other than a Lender or an Obligor (unless that other person has by 15 days’ written notice to the Administrative Agent specified another address) be made or delivered to that other person at the address identified with its signature below, in the case of a Lender, at the address from time to time designated by it to the Administrative Agent for the purpose of this Agreement (or, in the case of a Transferee at the end of the Transfer Certificate to which it is a party as Transferee) or in the case of any Obligor, to ‘c/o Frontline Management AS, P.O. Box 1327 Vika, N-0112 Oslo (Attn: Finance Department; Fax: + 47 23 11 40 44; Tel: + 47 23 11 4000)’ and shall be deemed to have been made or delivered when despatched (in the case of any communication made by fax) or (in the case of any communication made by letter) when left at the address or (as the case may be) 5 days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address provided that, any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Administrative Agent shall be effective only when received by the Administrative Agent and then only if the same is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Administrative Agent’s signature below (or such other department or officer as the Administrative Agent shall from time to time specify for this purpose).

 

39.3         Use of Websites

 

(a)            An Obligor may satisfy its obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information in relation to those Lenders (the “ Website Lenders ”) who accept as a method of communication the posting of information onto an electronic website designated by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (the “ Designated Website ”) if:

 

(i)             the Administrative Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method;

 

(ii)            both the Borrower and the Administrative Agent are aware of the address of, and any relevant password specifications for, the Designated Website; and

 

(iii)          the information is in a format previously agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

If any Lender (a “ Paper Form Lender ”) does not agree to the delivery of information electronically then the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower accordingly and the Borrower shall supply the information to the Administrative Agent (in sufficient copies for each Paper Form Lender) in paper form.

 

(b)            The Administrative Agent shall supply each Website Lender with the address of, and any relevant password specifications for, the Designated Website following designation of that website by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)            The Borrower shall, promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence, notify the Administrative Agent if:

 

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(i)             the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure;

 

(ii)            the password specifications for the Designated Website change;

 

(iii)          any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website;

 

(iv)           any existing information which has been provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website is amended; or

 

(v)             the Borrower becomes aware that the Designated Website or any information posted onto the Designated Website is or has been infected by any electronic virus or similar software.

 

If the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent under paragraph (c)(i) or paragraph (c)(v) above, all information to be provided by the Borrower under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Administrative Agent and each Website Lender is satisfied that the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing.

 

(d)            Any Website Lender may request, through the Administrative Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website. The Borrower shall comply with any such request within 10 Business Days.

 

39.4         Electronic Communication

 

(a)            Any communication to be made between the Administrative Agent and a Lender under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means, if the Administrative Agent and the relevant Lender:

 

(i)             agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication;

 

(ii)            notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

 

(iii)          notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them.

 

(b)            Any electronic communication made between the Administrative Agent and a Lender will be effective only when actually received in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Lender to the Administrative Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Administrative Agent shall specify for this purpose.

 

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40.           ENGLISH LANGUAGE

 

Except as permitted by the Administrative Agent, each communication and document made or delivered by one party to another pursuant to this Agreement shall be in the English language or accompanied by a translation of it into English certified (by an officer of the person making or delivering the same) as being a true and accurate translation of it.

 

41.           PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

If, at any time, any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Law of any jurisdiction, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect:

 

(a)            the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement; or

 

(b)            the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the Law of any other jurisdiction.

 

42.           AMENDMENTS

 

42.1         Amendments

 

Except as provided in Clauses 42.2 ( Consent ), 42.3 ( Technical Amendments ) and 42.4 ( Guarantees and Security ), the Administrative Agent, if it has the prior written consent of an Instructing Group, and the Obligors affected thereby, may from time to time agree in writing to amend this Agreement or to waive, prospectively or retrospectively, any of the requirements of this Agreement and any amendments or waivers so agreed shall be binding on all the Finance Parties and the Obligors.

 

42.2         Consent

 

An amendment or waiver relating to the following matters shall not be made without the prior written consent of each Lender affected thereby:

 

(a)            any increase in the Commitment of such Lender;

 

(b)            a reduction in the proportion of any amount received or recovered (whether by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) in respect of any amount due from an Obligor under this Agreement to which any Lender is entitled;

 

(c)            a decrease in the Margin or any other interest payment, or fees or other amounts due under this Agreement to any Lender from an Obligor or any other party to this Agreement;

 

(d)            any change in the currency of account;

 

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(e)            the deferral of the date for payment of any principal, interest, fee or any other amount due under this Agreement to any Lender from an Obligor or any other party to this Agreement;

 

(f)             the deferral of the Termination Date, the Consolidation Date or the Maturity Date;

 

(g)            the provisions of Clause 34.3 ( Assignments or Transfers by Lenders );

 

(h)            any reduction to the percentage set forth in the definition of Instructing Group; or

 

(i)             a change to any provision which contemplates the need for the consent or approval of all the Lenders.

 

42.3         Technical Amendments

 

Notwithstanding Clause 42.1 ( Amendments ), the Administrative Agent may determine administrative matters and make technical amendments arising out of manifest errors on the face of this Agreement, where such amendments would not prejudice or otherwise be adverse to the position of any Lender under this Agreement, without reference to the Lenders.

 

42.4         Guarantees and Security

 

A waiver of issuance or the release of any Guarantor from any of its obligations under Clause 26 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or a release of any Encumbrances under the Security Documents other than in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents shall require the prior written consent of all the Lenders.

 

42.5         Amendments affecting the Administrative Agent

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not be obliged to agree to any amendment or waiver if the same would:

 

(a)            amend or waive any provision of Clause 27 ( Agent and Obligors’ Agent ), Clause 28.3 ( Miscellaneous Indemnities ),  Clause 35 ( Costs and Expenses ) or this Clause 42 ( Amendments ); or

 

(b)            otherwise amend or waive any of the Administrative Agent’s rights under this Agreement or subject the Administrative Agent to any additional obligations under this Agreement.

 

43.           THIRD PARTY RIGHTS

 

(a)            A person which is not a party to this Agreement (a “ third party ”) shall have no right to enforce any of its provisions except that:

 

(i)             a third party shall have those rights it would have had if the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 had not come into effect; and

 

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(ii)            each of Clause 11.2 ( Tax Indemnity ), Clause 12 ( Increased Costs ) and Clause 27.9 ( Exclusion of Liability ) shall be enforceable by any third party referred to in such clause as if such third party were a party to this Agreement.

 

(b)            The parties to this Agreement may without the consent of any third party (including the Parent, the Manager or the Charterer) vary or rescind this Agreement.

 

44.           COUNTERPARTS

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and all of such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

45.           GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English Law.

 

46.           JURISDICTION

 

46.1         Courts of England

 

Each of the parties to this Agreement irrevocably agrees for the benefit of each of the Finance Parties that the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceedings, and to settle any disputes, which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement (respectively “ Proceedings ” and “ Disputes ”) and, for such purposes, irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts.

 

46.2         Waiver

 

Each of the Obligors irrevocably waives any objection which it might now or hereafter have to Proceedings being brought or Disputes being settled in the courts of England and agrees not to claim that any such court is an inconvenient or inappropriate forum.

 

46.3         Service of Process

 

Each of the Obligors agrees that the process by which any Proceedings in England are begun may be served on it by being delivered to Maritime Recovery Limited (Attn: Nicholas Sherriff) of 20, Salcott Road, P.O.Box 293, London SW11 6DJ, United Kingdom (or, if different, its registered office for the time being).  If the appointment of the person mentioned in this Clause ceases to be effective in respect of any of the Obligors, the relevant Obligor shall immediately appoint a further person in England to accept service of process on its behalf in England and, failing such appointment within 15 days, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to appoint such person by notice to the relevant Obligor. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

 

46.4         Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions

 

Nothing in Clause 46.1 ( Courts of England ) shall (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Finance Parties or any of them to take Proceedings against any of the Obligors in any

 

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other court of competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (whether concurrently or not) if and to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

 

46.5         General Consent

 

Each of the Obligors consents generally in respect of any Proceedings to the giving of any relief or the issue of any process in connection with such Proceedings including the making, enforcement or execution against any property whatsoever (irrespective of its use or intended use) of any order or judgment which may be made or given in such Proceedings.

 

46.6         Waiver of Immunity

 

To the extent that any Obligor may in any jurisdiction claim for itself or its assets or revenues immunity from suit, execution, attachment (whether in aid of execution, before judgment or otherwise) or other legal process and to the extent that in any such jurisdiction there may be attributed to itself, its assets or revenues such immunity (whether or not claimed), such Obligor irrevocably agrees not to claim, and irrevocably waives, such immunity to the full extent permitted by the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

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SCHEDULE 1
LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS
 

Lenders

 

Commitments (US$)

 

 

 

 

 

Crédit Agricole Indosuez

 

95,000,000.00

 

Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V.

 

95,000,000.00

 

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.)

 

95,000,000.00

 

Nordea Bank Norge ASA

 

88,000,000.00

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

75,000,000.00

 

DnB NOR Bank ASA

 

75,000,000.00

 

HSH Nordbank AG

 

75,000,000.00

 

Scotiabank Europe plc

 

75,000,000.00

 

SWEDBANK (FöreningsSparbanken AB (publ))

 

75,000,000.00

 

The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland

 

75,000,000.00

 

ING Bank N.V. (Norway)

 

70,000,000.00

 

Deutsche Bank AG in Hamburg

 

32,500,000.00

 

Schiffshypothekenbank zu Lübeck AG

 

32,500,000.00

 

Danish Ship Finance (Danmarks Skibskreditfond)

 

25,000,000.00

 

Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft

 

25,000,000.00

 

NIB Capital Bank N.V.

 

25,000,000.00

 

Vereins-und Westbank AG

 

25,000,000.00

 

TOTAL

 

1,058,000,000.00

 

 

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SCHEDULE 2
FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
 

To:           Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Administrative Agent ”)

 

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

 

This Transfer Certificate relates to the credit facility agreement (the “ Credit Facility Agreement ”) dated 17 February 2004 entered into between the Borrower, Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Bookrunners ”), Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V., Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), DnB NOR Bank ASA, HSH Nordbank AG, Scotiabank Europe plc, Swedbank (FöreningsSparbanken AB (publ)), The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, ING Bank N.V. (Norway), Deutsche Bank AG in Hamburg and Schiffshypothekenbank zu Lübeck AG (the “ Mandated Lead Arrangers ”), the Administrative Agent, Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Security Trustee ”), Danish Ship Finance (Danmarks Skibskreditfond), NIB Capital Bank N.V. and Vereins-und Westbank AG (the “ Arrangers ”), the entities named therein as original guarantors (the “ Original Guarantors ”) and the entities named therein as lenders (the “ Lenders ”).  Terms defined or construed in the Credit Facility Agreement shall have the same meanings and constructions when used in this Transfer Certificate.

 

1.              Terms defined or construed in the Credit Facility Agreement shall have the same meanings and constructions when used in this Transfer Certificate.  The terms “Lender”, “Transferee”, “Lender’s Participation” and “Portion Transferred” are defined in the Schedule to this Transfer Certificate.

 

2.              The Lender:

 

(a)            confirms that the details in the Schedule to this Transfer Certificate are an accurate summary of the Lender’s participation in the Agreement and the Interest Periods or Terms (as the case may be) for existing Advances as at the date of this Transfer Certificate; and

 

(b)            requests the Transferee to accept and procure the transfer to the Transferee of the Portion Transferred by countersigning and delivering this Transfer Certificate to the Administrative Agent at its address for the service of notices designated to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

3.              The Transferee requests the Administrative Agent to accept this Transfer Certificate as being delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to and for the purposes of Clause 34.5 ( Transfer Certificate ) of the Credit Facility Agreement so as to take effect in accordance with the terms of it on the Transfer Date or on such later date as may be determined in accordance with the terms of it.

 

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4.              The Transferee confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Facility Agreement together with such other information as it has required in connection with this transaction and that it has not relied and will not rely on the Lender to check or enquire on its behalf into the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any such information and further agrees that it has not relied and will not rely on the Lender to assess or keep under review on its behalf the financial condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status or nature of any Obligor.

 

5.              The Transferee undertakes with the Lender and each of the other parties to the Credit Facility Agreement that it will perform in accordance with their terms all those obligations which by the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement will be assumed by it after delivery of this Transfer Certificate to the Administrative Agent and satisfaction of the conditions (if any) subject to which this Transfer Certificate is expressed to take effect.

 

6.              The Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Credit Facility Agreement, any other Finance Document or other document relating to it and assumes no responsibility for the financial condition of any Obligor or for the performance and observance by any Obligor of any of its obligations under the Credit Facility Agreement, any Finance Document or any other document relating to it and any and all such conditions and warranties, whether express or implied by Law or otherwise, are excluded.

 

7.              The Lender gives notice that nothing in this Transfer Certificate or in the Credit Facility Agreement (or any Finance Document or other document relating to it) shall oblige the Lender (a) to accept a re-transfer from the Transferee of the whole or any part of its rights, benefits and/or obligations under the Credit Facility Agreement transferred pursuant to this Transfer Certificate or (b) to support any losses directly or indirectly sustained or incurred by the Transferee for any reason whatsoever (including the failure by any Obligor or any other party to the Credit Facility Agreement (or any document relating to it) to perform its obligations under any such document) and the Transferee acknowledges the absence of any such obligation as is referred to in (a) and (b) above.

 

8.              This Transfer Certificate and the rights, benefits and obligations of the parties under this Transfer Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English Law.

 

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The Schedule

 

1.

Lender:

 

 

2.

Transferee:

 

 

3.

Transfer Date:

 

 

4.

Lender’s Participation in Facility                                     Portion Transferred

 

 

 

Lender’s Available Commitment*

 

 

5.

Lender’s Participation in Outstandings          Interest Period          Portion Transferred

 

 

 

 


*               Details of the Lender’s Available Commitment should not be completed after the Termination Date.

 

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[ Lender ]

 

[ Transferee ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

Date:

 

 

Administrative Details of Transferee and its Facility Office

 

Facility Office Address:

 

Contact Name:

 

Account for Payments:

 

Fax:

 

Telephone:

 

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SCHEDULE 3
 
PART I - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO FIRST D RAWDOWN
 

1.              Corporate Documents

 

In relation to each Original Obligor, the Parent, the Charterer and the Manager:

 

(a)            a copy of its up to date constitutional documents and, if applicable, a good standing certificate;

 

(b)            a copy of a board resolution or resolutions approving the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which it is party and the terms and conditions thereof and authorising a named person or persons to sign the Transaction Documents to which it is party and any documents to be delivered by such party pursuant thereto;

 

(c)            if applicable, a copy of a resolution or resolutions of its shareholders approving the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which it is party and the terms and conditions thereto; and

 

(d)            a duly completed certificate of a duly authorised officer in substantially the form set out in Part III of Schedule 3 ( Form of Corporate Certificate ) (as amended in respect of any documents to be delivered subsequently pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 4.1(i)( Conditions to Drawdown )).

 

2.              Authorisations and Clearances

 

A copy of each Necessary Authorisation requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

3.              Projections and Reports

 

Each of the following documents, each of which is to be addressed to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties or is to be delivered with written confirmation that it can be relied upon by the Finance Parties:

 

(a)            the Additional Projections (if any); and

 

(b)            the Initial Appraisal Package relating to each Collateral Vessel (all written confirmations forming part of such Initial Appraisal Packages together establishing that the Total Collateral Value (as determined in accordance with this Agreement) is at least $1,950,000,000, without prejudice to the Collateral Maintenance Test).

 

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4.              Financial Statements

 

Copies of the Original Financial Statements.

 

5.              Finance Documents

 

Original executed copies of the following documents executed by each of the parties thereto:

 

(a)            this Agreement;

 

(b)            the Initial Security Documents;

 

(c)            the Security Trust Deed;

 

(d)            the Fee Letters;

 

(e)            the Deed of Undertaking and

 

(f)             any other Finance Document required by the Administrative Agent.

 

6.              Senior Note Documents

 

Copies, certified as true copies by a duly authorised officer of the Borrower or Parent of the following documents (if applicable) executed by each of the parties thereto:

 

(a)            the Offering Memorandum;

 

(b)            the Senior Note Indenture;

 

(c)            the Senior Note Purchase Agreement; and

 

(d)            the Senior Notes.

 

7.              Other Transaction Documents

 

Copies, certified as true copies by a duly authorised officer of the Borrower or Parent of the following documents executed by each of the parties thereto :

 

(a)            the Performance Guarantee;

 

(b)            the Administrative Services Agreement;

 

(c)            the Charter Ancillary Agreement;

 

(d)            the Commercial Management Agreement; and

 

(e)            the Fleet Purchase Agreement and each other Acquisition Document for the time being available to any Obligor.

 

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8.              Process Agent

 

Written confirmation from the process agent referred to in Clause 46.3 ( Service of Process ) that it accepts its appointment as process agent of each Obligor, the Parent, the Charterer and the Manager.

 

9.              Legal Opinions

 

An opinion of:

 

(a)            White & Case, legal advisers to the Administrative Agent and the Mandated Lead Arrangers on matters of English law;

 

(b)            Conyers, Dill & Pearman, London on matters of Bermudan law; and

 

(c)            Kluge Advokatfirma on matters of Norwegian law;

 

in each case, addressed to the Finance Parties.

 

10.           Issuance of Senior Notes

 

Evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Borrower has issued the Senior Notes in accordance with the Senior Note Documents.

 

11.           Available Cash

 

Evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Borrower and the Original Guarantors between them have (and immediately following the forty seventh Acquisition, will continue to have) free and available cash on hand of at least $25,000,000, of which $20,000,000 may be prepaid charter hire.

 

12.           No Conflict

 

In relation to the Borrower, evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that:

 

(a)            the entry into and performance of the Transaction Documents to which the Borrower is a party will not breach any borrowing or other Indebtedness limit to which it is subject; and

 

(b)            the performance by it of its obligations under the Credit Facility Agreement and any other agreement or document executed pursuant thereto does not and will not breach any agreement binding on the Borrower and all Necessary Authorisations required in connection therewith have been obtained and are current.

 

13.           Solvency of Group

 

Evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that, following the consummation of the Transaction and the incurrence of all Indebtedness by the Group (applicable at such time) in connection with the Transaction, (a) such Group, taken as a whole, will be solvent during the foreseeable future and able to repay its debts as they fall due in accordance with its obligations

 

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and (b) the Guarantors at such time and each of their direct and indirect Subsidiaries (if any), taken as a whole, will be solvent during the foreseeable future and able to repay their debts as they fall due in accordance with their obligations.

 

14.           Other Documents

 

Any other documents or evidence which the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

 

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PART II - CONDITIONS TO EACH ACQUISITION
 

1.              Authorisations and Clearances

 

A copy of each Necessary Authorisation requested by the Administrative Agent, to the extent not already delivered pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 3 ( Conditions Precedent ).

 

2.              Collateral Vessel Security Documents

 

In relation to a Collateral Vessel Owner, at least 2 original copies of the following documents (the “ Collateral Vessel Security Documents ”) duly executed by the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner in respect of the relevant Collateral Vessel, together with all documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Collateral Vessel Security Documents and evidence that the Encumbrances constituted thereby have been (or will be) registered promptly and/or otherwise perfected to the extent required by the Administrative Agent and in accordance with applicable Law:

 

(a)            a Mortgage;

 

(b)            a Deed of Covenant (if applicable);

 

(c)            a Tripartite Agreement (if applicable);

 

(d)            a Bareboat Charter Assignment (if applicable); and

 

(e)            a General Assignment.

 

3.              Relevant Bareboat Charters and Existing Time Charters

 

If applicable, copies, certified as true copies by a duly authorised officer of the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner of the Relevant Bareboat Charters (in executed or agreed form, as applicable) or Existing Time Charters (in executed form) relating to the relevant Collateral Vessel.

 

4.              Management Agreements and Other Management Agreements

 

Copies, certified as true copies by a duly authorised officer of the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner of the Management Agreement and (if applicable) the Other Management Agreement relating to the relevant Collateral Vessel.

 

5.              Acquisition Documents

 

Copies, certified as true copies by a duly authorised officer of the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner of all Acquisition Documents relating to the acquisition of such Collateral Vessel Owner

 

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(to the extent not already delivered pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 3 ( Conditions Precedent )).

 

6.              Time Charter Parties

 

Copies, certified as true copies by a duly authorised officer of the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner of the Time Charter Party relating to the relevant Collateral Vessel.

 

7.              Legal Opinions

 

(a)            Opinions addressed to the Finance Parties from the counsel referred to under paragraph 9 in Part I of Schedule 3 ( Condition Precedent to First Drawdown ) in relation to the Transaction Documents designated by the Administrative Agent, to the extent that such opinions have not been provided pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 3 ( Conditions Precedent ).

 

(b)            A draft opinion from the relevant local counsel in respect of the law of the jurisdiction (x) in which the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner is incorporated and (if applicable) (y) in which the relevant Collateral Vessel is registered, in each case, in a form acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arrangers (to be issued pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 4.3 ( Legal Opinions )), such local counsel being:

 

(i)             Watson, Farley & Williams in relation to matters of Marshall Islands, Liberian and (if applicable) French law;

 

(ii)            Khattar Wong & Partners in relation to matters of Singapore law;

 

(iii)          Higgs & Johnson in relation to matters of Bahamian law;

 

(iv)           Dickinson, Cruickshank & Co. in relation to matters of Isle of Man law;

 

(v)             Patton, Moreno & Asvat in relation to matters of Panamanian law; and/or

 

(vi)           Johnson Stokes & Master in relation to matters of Hong Kong law,

 

in each case, addressed to the Finance Parties.

 

8.              Insurance Report and Certificate

 

The Insurance Report and Certificate relating to the relevant Collateral Vessel, which is to be addressed to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties or is to be delivered with written confirmation that it can be relied upon by the Finance Parties.

 

9.              Updated Appraisal Package

 

To the extent required by the Administrative Agent, an Updated Appraisal Package relating to the relevant Collateral Vessel.

 

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10.           Collateral Vessels

 

(a)            Documentary evidence that the Mortgage entered into or to be entered into by the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner has been duly registered and/or recorded as a valid first priority ship mortgage in accordance with the laws of the relevant jurisdiction.

 

(b)            Documentary evidence that the relevant Collateral Vessel:

 

(i)             is definitively and permanently registered in the name of the applicable Collateral Vessel Owner under a flag acceptable to the Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, certificates of ownership from appropriate authorities;

 

(ii)            is in the absolute and unencumbered ownership of such Collateral Vessel Owner, save as contemplated by the Finance Documents;

 

(iii)          maintains the highest class with a classification society acceptable to the Administrative Agent and is free of all overdue recommendations and conditions of such classification society; and

 

(iv)           is insured in accordance with this Agreement and all requirements herein in respect of Insurances for the time being applicable have been complied with (in addition to the delivery of the Insurance Report and Certificate relating to such Collateral Vessel to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent).

 

(c)            Copies of the documents of compliance and of the Collateral Vessel’s Safety Management Certificate (together with any other details of the applicable safety management system which the Administrative Agent may require).

 

(d)            The results of maritime registry searches relating to the relevant Collateral Vessel.

 

11.           Corporate Certificate

 

A duly completed certificate of a duly authorised officer of the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner in substantially the form set out in Part III of Schedule 3 ( Form of Corporate Certificate ) (as amended in respect of any documents already delivered pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 3 ( Conditions Precedent )).

 

12.           Acquisition Unconditional

 

Evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that all conditions precedent to the consummation of the relevant Acquisition have been satisfied, subject only to the payment of the relevant Purchase Price.

 

13.           No Conflict

 

Evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that:

 

(a)            the entry into and performance of the Transaction Documents to which the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner is a party does not and will not breach any borrowing or other Indebtedness limit to which it is subject; and

 

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(b)            the execution, delivery and performance of an Accession Notice by such Collateral Vessel Owner if applicable and the performance by it of its obligations under the Credit Facility Agreement and any other agreement or document executed pursuant thereto does not and will not breach any agreement binding on such Collateral Vessel Owner and all Necessary Authorisations required in connection therewith have been obtained and are current.

 

14.           Conditions Precedent

 

Evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that each of the documents and other evidence delivered to it pursuant to Clause 3 ( Conditions Precedent ) (other than any legal opinions) in relation to the relevant Collateral Vessel Owner remain up-to-date and in full force and effect, and since the delivery of such documents and other evidence, no amendment, supplement, waiver or other variation has been made thereto (other than (if applicable) as approved by the Mandated Lead Arrangers and set out in such certificate).

 

15.           Other Documents

 

Any other documents or evidence which the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

 

123



 

PART III - FORM OF CORPORATE CERTIFICATE
 

To:           Nordea Bank Norge ASA (as the “ Administrative Agent ”)

 

We refer to a credit facility agreement (the “ Credit Facility Agreement ”) dated 17 February 2004 entered into between the Borrower, Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Bookrunners ”), Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V., Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), DnB NOR Bank ASA, HSH Nordbank AG, Scotiabank Europe plc, Swedbank (FöreningsSparbanken AB (publ)), The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, ING Bank N.V. (Norway), Deutsche Bank AG in Hamburg and Schiffshypothekenbank zu Lübeck AG (the “ Mandated Lead Arrangers ”), the Administrative Agent, Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Security Trustee ”), Danish Ship Finance (Danmarks Skibskreditfond), NIB Capital Bank N.V. and Vereins-und Westbank AG (the “ Arrangers ”), the entities named therein as original guarantors (the “ Original Guarantors ”) and the entities named therein as Lenders (the “ Lenders ”).  Terms defined or construed in the Credit Facility Agreement shall have the same meanings and constructions when used in this Certificate.

 

I, [ name ] , a Director of [ name of Obligor/Parent/Manager/Charterer ] of [ address ] (the “ Company ”)

 

CERTIFY that:

 

(a)            attached to this Certificate marked “ A are, true, correct, complete and up-to-date copies of [ ] [ For Corporate Certificate to be delivered under Part I of Schedule 3, refer to each of Transaction Documents (other than any Finance Document) to be delivered under Part I of Schedule 3.  Each such Transaction Document only required to be delivered and certified by one Obligor (Borrower should certify principal Transaction Documents in such Corporate Certificate).  For Corporate Certificate to be delivered under Part II of Schedule 3, refer to Transaction Documents relating to relevant Collateral Vessel to be delivered under Part II of Schedule 3 (relevant Collateral Vessel Owner should certify such Transaction Documents). ] ;

 

(b)            attached to this Certificate marked “ B ” are true, correct, complete and up-to-date copies of all documents which contain or establish or relate to the constitution of the Company [ and a good standing certificate in respect of it ] ;

 

(c)            attached to this Certificate marked “ C ” is a true, correct and complete copy of [ resolutions duly passed ] at [ a meeting of the Board of Directors and/or Shareholders ] of the Company duly convened and held on [          ] approving the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party and authorising their execution, signature, delivery and

 

124



 

performance and such resolutions have not been amended, modified or revoked and are in full force and effect;

 

(d)            [ attached to this Certificate and marked “ D ” is a true, correct and complete copy of all the Necessary Authorisations referred to in Part II of Schedule 3 ( Co nditions to each Acquisition ); ]

 

(e)            [ attached to this Certificate marked “ E ” is a true, complete and correct copy of the acceptance by [ ] in England of its appointment as agent of the Company for the purpose of accepting service of process.  I confirm that such agent’s appointment remains in force as at the date of this Agreement; ]

 

(f)             the entry into and performance of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party will not breach any borrowing or other Indebtedness limit to which the Company is subject;

 

(g)            [ each of the documents and other evidence delivered to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to Clause 3 ( Conditions Precedent ) (other than any legal opinions) remain up-to-date and in full force and effect, and since the delivery of such documents and other evidence, no amendment, supplement, waiver or other variation has been made thereto [ (other than as approved by the Mandated Lead Arrangers pursuant to a written notice dated [ ] 2004); ]

 

(h)            [ all conditions precedent to the consummation of the Acquisition of the Company have been satisfied, subject only to the payment of the relevant Purchase Price; ]

 

(i)             [[ the execution, delivery and performance of the Accession Notice and ] the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Credit Facility Agreement and any other agreement or document (if any) executed pursuant thereto does not and will not breach any agreement binding on the Company and all Necessary Authorisations required in connection therewith have been obtained and are current; ] [ and ]

 

(j)             [ following the consummation of the Transaction and the incurrence of all Indebtedness by the Group (applicable at such time) in connection with the Transaction, (a) such Group, taken as a whole, will be solvent during the foreseeable future and able to repay its debts as they fall due in accordance with its obligations and (b) the Guarantors at such time and each of their direct and indirect Subsidiaries (if any), taken as a whole, will be solvent during the foreseeable future and able to repay their debts as they fall due in accordance with their obligations ] .

 

[ The following signatures are the true signatures of the persons who have been authorised to sign the relevant Transaction Documents on behalf of the Company and to give notices and communications (including Drawdown Requests) under or in connection with the Transaction Documents on behalf of the Company ] .*

 


* Include in respect of the Borrower.

 

125



 

Name

 

Position

 

Signature

 

 

 

 

 

[                             ]

 

[                             ]

 

[                             ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed:

 

 

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

[                             ]

 

 

 

 

I, [ name ] , a [ Director/Secretary ] of [ name of Obligor/Parent/Manager/Charterer ] (the “ Company ”), certify that the persons whose names and signatures are set out above are duly appointed directors of the Company and that the signatures of each of them above are their respective signatures.

 

Signed:

 

 

 

[ Director/Secretary ]

 

 

Date:

[                        ]

 

126



 

PART IV - INITIAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS
 

1.              Assignments by each of the Collateral Vessel Owners in favour of the Security Trustee in respect of (i) the Insurances (ii) the requisition proceeds (iii) the relevant Management Agreement (iv) the Administrative Services Agreement (v) the relevant Time Charter Party (vi) the Charter Ancillary Agreement (vii) the Performance Guarantee and (iix) the benefit of the assignment referred to under paragraph 10 below.

 

2.              Floating charge by the Charterer in favour of the Borrower in respect of the assets of the Charterer.

 

3.              Share pledge by the Parent in favour of the Borrower in respect of the share capital of the Charterer.

 

4.              Share charges/pledges by the Borrower in favour of the Security Trustee in respect of the share capital of each of the Original Guarantors.

 

5.              Share charges/pledges by Madeira International Corp. in favour of the Security Trustee in respect of the share capital of each Collateral Vessel Owner owned by it.

 

6.              Assignments by the Charterer in favour of each of the Collateral Vessel Owners in respect of the Commercial Management Agreement.

 

7.              Assignment by the Borrower in favour of the Security Trustee in respect of (i) the floating charge by the Charterer (ii) the Performance Guarantee (iii) the share pledge by the Parent (iv) the Charter Ancillary Agreement (v) the Fleet Purchase Agreement and (vi) the Administrative Services Agreement.

 

8.              Account pledge by the Charterer in favour of the Borrower in respect of the Charter Account with the Security Trustee.

 

9.              Assignment by Borrower in favour of the Security Trustee in respect of the account pledge referred to in paragraph 8 above.

 

10.           Assignments by the Manager in favour of each Collateral Vessel Owner in respect of the insurances relating to off-hire.

 

11.           Account pledge by the Borrower in favour of the Security Trustee in respect of the Borrower Account.

 

12.           Letter of undertaking/subordination agreement by Frontline Management AS and/or the Parent in favour of the Security Trustee in respect of any off-hire insurance relating to a Collateral Vessel under which such entities are named as co-assured.

 

127



 

SCHEDULE 4
FORM OF DRAWDOWN REQUEST
 

From:       Ship Finance International Limited (the “ Borrower ”)

 

To:           Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Administrative Agent ”)

 

Date: [ ]

 

Dear Sirs

 

We refer to a credit facility agreement (the “ Credit Facility Agreement ”) dated 17 February 2004 entered into between the Borrower, Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Bookrunners ”), Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V., Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), DnB NOR Bank ASA, HSH Nordbank AG, Scotiabank Europe plc, Swedbank (FöreningsSparbanken AB (publ)), The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, ING Bank N.V. (Norway), Deutsche Bank AG in Hamburg and Schiffshypothekenbank zu Lübeck AG (the “ Mandated Lead Arrangers ”), the Administrative Agent, Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Security Trustee ”), Danish Ship Finance (Danmarks Skibskreditfond), NIB Capital Bank N.V. and Vereins-und Westbank AG (the “ Arrangers ”), the entities named therein as original guarantors (the “ Original Guarantors ”) and the entities named therein as Lenders (the “ Lenders ”).  Terms defined or construed in the Credit Facility Agreement shall have the same meanings and constructions when used in this request.

 

We give you notice that, pursuant to the Credit Facility Agreement, we wish the Lenders to make an Advance on the following terms:

 

(a)            Applicable Advance Amount: $ [          ]

 

(b)            Interest Period: [              ]

 

(c)            Proposed date of Advance: [          ] (or if that day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)

 

(d)            Collateral Vessel to which such Advance is to relate: [        ]

 

We confirm that, at the date of this Request, each of the representations deemed to be repeated pursuant to Clause 15.31 ( Repetition ) are true and no Default is continuing or would result from the Advance to which this Drawdown Request relates.

 

The proceeds of this drawdown should be credited to the following account:

 

Relevant bank: [ ]

Address: [ ]

Account number: [ ]

 

128



 

Sort code: [ ]

Account holder: [ ]

 

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

 

 

For and on behalf of

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

129



 

SCHEDULE 5
FORM OF ACCESSION NOTICE
 

THIS ACCESSION NOTICE is entered into on [                          ] by [ insert name of subsidiary ] (the “ Subsidiary ”) and [ insert name of Borrower ] by way of a deed in favour of the Finance Parties (as defined in the Credit Facility Agreement referred to below).

 

BACKGROUND

 

A              By a credit facility agreement (the “ Credit Facility Agreement ”) dated 17 February 2004 entered into between Ship Finance International Limited (the “ Borrower ”), Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Bookrunners ”), Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V., Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), DnB NOR Bank ASA, HSH Nordbank AG, Scotiabank Europe plc, Swedbank (FöreningsSparbanken AB (publ)), The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, ING Bank N.V. (Norway), Deutsche Bank AG in Hamburg and Schiffshypothekenbank zu Lübeck AG (the “ Mandated Lead Arrangers ”), Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Administrative Agent ”), Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Security Trustee ”), Danish Ship Finance (Danmarks Skibskreditfond), NIB Capital Bank N.V. and Vereins-und Westbank AG (the “ Arrangers ”), the entities named therein as original guarantors (the “ Original Guarantors ”) and the entities named therein as Lenders (the “ Lenders ”), the Lenders agreed to provide to the Borrower a $1,058,000,000 credit facility.  Terms defined or construed in the Credit Facility Agreement have the same meanings and constructions when used in this Accession Notice.

 

B              [ The Borrower has requested that the Subsidiary become an Acceding Guarantor pursuant to and in accordance with Clause 23 ( Acceding Guarantors ) of the Credit Facility Agreement. ]

 

NOW THIS DEED WITNESS AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.              Terms defined in the Credit Facility Agreement have the same meanings in this Agreement.

 

2.              The Subsidiary is a company duly organised under the laws of [ insert relevant jurisdiction ] .

 

3.              The Subsidiary confirms that it has received from the Borrower a true and up-to-date copy of the Credit Facility Agreement and the other Finance Documents.

 

4.              The Subsidiary undertakes, upon its becoming a Guarantor, to perform all the obligations expressed to be undertaken under the Credit Facility Agreement and the other Finance Documents by a Guarantor and agrees that it shall be bound by the Credit Facility

 

130



 

Agreement and the other Finance Documents in all respects as if it had been an original party to it as an Original Guarantor. [ Provided that [ make such exceptions as may be necessary to limit the obligations of an Acceding Guarantor to ensure that such obligations are enforceable in accordance with applicable Law ]] .

 

5.              The Borrower:

 

(a)            repeats each of the representations deemed to be repeated pursuant to Clause 15.31 ( Repetition ); and

 

(b)            confirms that no Default is continuing or will occur as a result of the Subsidiary becoming an Acceding Guarantor.

 

6.              The Subsidiary makes, in relation to itself, the representations and warranties set out in Clause 15 ( Representations and Warranties ) of the Credit Facility Agreement (to the extent that the same are stated to apply to the Guarantors). ]

 

7.              [ The Subsidiary confirms that it has appointed Maritime Recovery Limited of 20, Salcott Road, P.O.Box 293, London SW11 6DJ, UK, to be its process agent for the purposes of accepting service of Proceedings on it. ]

 

8.              The Subsidiary’s administrative details for the purposes of the Credit Facility Agreement are as follows:

 

Address:

 

Contact:

 

Telephone No:

 

Fax No:

 

9.              This Accession Notice and the rights, benefits and obligations of the parties under this Accession Notice shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

 

This Accession Notice has been executed as a Deed by the Borrower and the Subsidiary and signed by the Administrative Agent on the date written at the beginning of this Accession Notice.

 

THE COMMON SEAL of

)

 

[ Name of Subsidiary ]

)

 

was hereunto affixed in the

)

 

presence of:

)

 

 

 

 

Director

)

 

 

 

 

[ insert name of director ]

 

131



 

Director/Secretary

)

 

 

 

 

[ insert name of director/secretary ]

 

[OR]

 

EXECUTED as a DEED by

 

[ Name of Subsidiary ]

 

acting by

 

THE COMMON SEAL of

)

 

Ship Finance International Limited

)

 

was hereunto affixed in

)

 

the presence of:

)

 

 

 

 

Director

)

 

 

 

 

[ insert name of director ]

 

 

 

 

 

Director/Secretary

)

 

 

 

 

[ insert name of director/secretary ]

 

OR

 

EXECUTED as a DEED by

Ship Finance International Limited

acting by

 

 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

Nordea Bank Norge ASA

 

By:

 

132



 

SCHEDULE 6
FORM OF DIRECTORS’ COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 

To:           Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Administrative Agent ”)

 

Dear Sirs

 

Certificate dated [        ] in respect of the period ended [        ] (the “Certification Date”)

 

We refer to a credit facility agreement (the “ Credit Facility Agreement ”) dated 17 February 2004 entered into between Ship Finance International Limited (the “ Borrower ”), Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Bookrunners ”), Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V., Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), DnB NOR Bank ASA, HSH Nordbank AG, Scotiabank Europe plc, Swedbank (FöreningsSparbanken AB (publ)), The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, ING Bank N.V. (Norway), Deutsche Bank AG in Hamburg and Schiffshypothekenbank zu Lübeck AG (the “ Mandated Lead Arrangers ”), the Administrative Agent, Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Security Trustee ”), Danish Ship Finance (Danmarks Skibskreditfond), NIB Capital Bank N.V. and Vereins-und Westbank AG (the “ Arrangers ”), the entities named therein as original guarantors (the “ Original Guarantors ”) and the entities named therein as Lenders (the “ Lenders ”).  Terms defined or construed in the Credit Facility Agreement have the same meanings and constructions when used in this Compliance Certificate.

 

1.              This Compliance Certificate is provided in accordance with Clause 16.4 ( Compliance Certificates ) of the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

2.              [ ] , being the chief financial officer of the Borrower as at the date of this Agreement, confirm that the financial covenants contained in Clause 17 ( Financial Condition ) of the Credit Facility Agreement have been complied with as at the Certification Date.

 

3.              Our confirmation is based on the following:

[ Set out calculations for each condition required to be met by Clause 17 including each element required to determine relevant amount/ratio ]

 

133



 

4.              We further confirm that no Default is continuing as at the Certification Date.

 

Signed:

 

Signed:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

Title:

 

 

 

Date:

 

Date:

 

134



 

SCHEDULE 7
 
PART I - GROUP STRUCTURE
 

 

135



 

PART II - COLLATERAL VESSELS

 

Collateral Vessel
Owner

 

Collateral Vessel

 

Built

 

Size (dwt)

 

Type

 

Purchase Price ($)

 

Applicable
Advance
Amount ($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suezmaxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Langkawi Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Birch

 

1991

 

152,000

 

SH

 

25,244,984

 

8,198,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sibu Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Maple

 

1991

 

152,000

 

SH

 

25,376,672

 

8,198,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granite Shipping Ltd

 

Front Granite

 

1991

 

142,031

 

SH

 

24,651,232

 

7,964,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.

 

Front Lillo

 

1991

 

147,143

 

SH

 

26,168,474

 

7,964,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.

 

Front Emperor

 

1992

 

147,273

 

SH

 

27,554,389

 

8,315,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southwest Tankers Inc.

 

Front Sunda

 

1992

 

142,031

 

SH

 

26,950,136

 

8,315,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West Tankers Inc.

 

Front Comor

 

1993

 

142,031

 

SH

 

28,427,159

 

8,784,056

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourways Marine Limited

 

Front Spirit

 

1993

 

147,273

 

SH

 

29,736,708

 

8,784,056

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Pride Shipping Inc.

 

Front Pride

 

1993

 

149,686

 

DH

 

35,601,323

 

18,600,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Splendour Shipping Inc.

 

Front Splendour

 

1995

 

149,745

 

DH

 

39,519,675

 

22,200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Glory Shipping Inc.

 

Front Glory

 

1995

 

149,834

 

DH

 

39,223,825

 

22,200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Ardenne Inc.

 

Front Ardenne

 

1997

 

153,000

 

DH

 

41,351,909

 

25,200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rakis Maritime S.A.

 

Front Fighter

 

1998

 

153,328

 

DH

 

41,637,071

 

26,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patrio Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Hunter

 

1998

 

153,344

 

DH

 

41,731,293

 

26,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bolzano Pte. Ltd.

 

Mindanao

 

1998

 

158,000

 

DH

 

39,320,280

 

26,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Brabant Inc.

 

Front Brabant

 

1998

 

153,000

 

DH

 

41,358,378

 

26,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VLCCs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cirebon Shipping Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Vanadis

 

1990

 

285,782

 

SH

 

34,674,308

 

9,779,583

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fox Maritime Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Sabang

 

1990

 

285,715

 

SH

 

33,537,308

 

9,779,583

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Empat Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Highness

 

1991

 

284,420

 

SH

 

38,925,161

 

10,248,067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Lima Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Lady

 

1991

 

284,420

 

SH

 

39,234,534

 

10,248,067

 

 

136



 

Collateral Vessel
Owner

 

Collateral Vessel

 

Built

 

Size (dwt)

 

Type

 

Purchase Price ($)

 

Applicable
Advance
Amount ($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Enam Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Lord

 

1991

 

284,420

 

SH

 

38,873,902

 

10,248,067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Tiga Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Duke

 

1991

 

284,420

 

SH

 

42,285,596

 

10,775,109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sea Ace Corp.

 

Front Ace

 

1993

 

275,546

 

SH

 

44,126,960

 

11,126,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Dua Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Duchess

 

1993

 

284,480

 

SH

 

45,451,803

 

11,126,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edinburgh Navigation S.A.

 

Edinburgh

 

1993

 

302,493

 

SH

 

42,938,988

 

11,770,636

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation

 

Navix Astral

 

1996

 

275,644

 

SH

 

49,683,613

 

12,473,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Sound Corp.

 

New Vista

 

1998

 

300,149

 

DH

 

67,662,762

 

37,700,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Seaway Corp.

 

New Vanguard

 

1998

 

300,058

 

DH

 

67,431,819

 

37,700,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Fjord Corp.

 

Front Commerce

 

1999

 

300,144

 

DH

 

68,526,501

 

39,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Estuary Corp.

 

Front Comanche

 

1999

 

300,133

 

DH

 

68,193,882

 

39,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Current Limited

 

Opalia

 

1999

 

302,193

 

DH

 

56,343,723

 

39,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Tide Corp.

 

New Circassia

 

1999

 

306,009

 

DH

 

64,184,079

 

39,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oscilla Shipping Limited

 

Oscilla

 

2000

 

302,193

 

DH

 

51,364,002

 

40,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ariake Transport Corp.

 

Ariake

 

2001

 

298,530

 

DH

 

74,247,705

 

42,500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Stratus Inc.

 

Front Stratus

 

2002

 

298,500

 

DH

 

72,229,427

 

43,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Saga Inc.

 

Front Page

 

2002

 

298,500

 

DH

 

72,480,897

 

43,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Serenade Inc.

 

Front Serenade

 

2002

 

299,152

 

DH

 

70,640,255

 

43,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Falcon Corp.

 

Front Falcon

 

2002

 

308,000

 

DH

 

73,498,862

 

43,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hitachi Hull 4983 Ltd.

 

Hakata

 

2002

 

296,000

 

DH

 

75,310,055

 

43,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OBOs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Lapan Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Climber

 

1991

 

169,178

 

DH

 

31,052,994

 

18,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transcorp Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Guider

 

1991

 

169,142

 

DH

 

36,371,734

 

18,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonfield Shipping Limited

 

Front Driver

 

1991

 

169,177

 

DH

 

34,483,616

 

18,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Sembilan Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Leader

 

1991

 

169,381

 

DH

 

31,025,808

 

18,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katong Investments Limited

 

Front Breaker

 

1991

 

169,381

 

DH

 

35,438,232

 

18,900,000

 

 

137



 

Collateral Vessel
Owner

 

Collateral Vessel

 

Built

 

Size (dwt)

 

Type

 

Purchase Price ($)

 

Applicable
Advance
Amount ($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aspinall Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Viewer

 

1992

 

169,381

 

DH

 

38,781,295

 

19,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rettie Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Striver

 

1992

 

169,204

 

DH

 

37,104,624

 

19,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blizana Pte. Ltd.

 

Front Rider

 

1992

 

169,718

 

DH

 

38,439,499

 

19,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL:

 

2,108,397,452

 

1,058,000,000

 

 


SH = Single Hulled

DH = Double Hulled

 

138



 

SCHEDULE 8
FORM OF CONSOLIDATION NOTICE
 

To:           Nordea Bank Norge ASA (the “ Administrative Agent ”)

 

From:       Ship Finance International Limited (the “ Borrower ”)

 

Date:        [ ] 2004

 

Dear Sirs

 

We refer to a credit facility agreement (the “ Credit Facility Agreement ”) dated 17 February 2004 entered into between the Borrower, Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Nordea Bank Norge ASA as Bookrunners, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Nordea Bank Norge ASA, HSH Nordbank AG, Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V., Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), DnB NOR Bank ASA, HSH Nordbank AG, Scotiabank Europe plc, Swedbank (FöreningsSparbanken AB (publ)), The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, ING Bank N.V. (Norway), Deutsche Bank AG in Hamburg and Schiffshypothekenbank zu Lübeck AG as Mandated Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent, Nordea Bank Norge ASA as the Security Trustee, Danish Ship Finance (Danmarks Skibskreditfond), NIB Capital Bank N.V. and Vereins-und Westbank AG as the Arrangers, the entities named therein as original guarantors (the “ Original Guarantors ”) and the entities named therein as Lenders (the “ Lenders ”).  Terms defined or construed in the Credit Facility Agreement have the same meanings and constructions when used in this Consolidation Notice.

 

We further refer to the Consolidation Date which is to occur on 17 May 2004.  Pursuant to Clause 8.3(b) ( Consolidation of Advances ) of the Credit Facility Agreement, we hereby give you notice as follows:

 

(a)            the number of Advances that we wish to remain outstanding from the Consolidation Date is [ ] ; and

 

(b)            the principal amount and Interest Period to be applicable to each such Advance (with effect from the Consolidation Date) shall be as follows:*

 

(i)             Advance One: [ principal amount ] [ 1 ] month;

 

(ii)            Advance Two: [ principal amount ] [ 2 ] months;

 

(iii)          Advance Three: [ principal amount ] [ 3 ] months;

 


* Delete as appropriate.  Maximum of six Advances.

 

139



 

(iv)           Advance Four: [ principal amount ] [ 6 ] months;

 

(v)             Advance Five [ principal amount ] [ 9 ] months; and

 

(vi)           Advance Six [ principal amount ] [ 12 ] months.

 

(c)            For the avoidance of doubt, we acknowledge that the aggregate amount outstanding under the Facility in respect of the principal amount immediately following the Consolidation Date will equal [ ]

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

 

 

For and on behalf of

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 


§ Equal to the sum of the amounts listed under paragraph (b).

 

140



 

SCHEDULE 9
REPAYMENT

 

 

 

(Amounts in US$)

 

Collateral Vessel

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

 

 

(in $)

 

Suezmax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Birch

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

Front Maple

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

Front Granite

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

Front Lillo

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

Front Emperor

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

Front Sunda

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

Front Comor

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

Front Spirit

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

Front Pride

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

Front Splendour

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

Front Glory

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

Front Ardenne

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

Front Fighter

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

Front Hunter

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

Front Mindanao

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

Front Brabant

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VLCCs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Vanadis

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

Front Sabang

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

Front Highness

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

Front Lady

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

Front Lord

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

Front Duke

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

Front Ace

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

Front Duchess

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

Edinburgh

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

Navix Astral

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

New Vista

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

New Vanguard

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

Front Commerce

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

Front Comanche

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

 

141



 

 

 

(Amounts in US$)

 

Collateral Vessel

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

 

 

(in $)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opalia

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

New Circassia

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

Oscilla

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

Ariake

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

Front Stratus

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

Front Page

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

Front Serenade

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

Front Falcon

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

Hakata

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OBOs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Climber

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Guider

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Driver

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Leader

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Breaker

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Viewer

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

Front Striver

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

Front Rider

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

 

142



 

 

 

(Amounts in US$)

 

Collateral Vessel

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

 

 

(in $)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suezmax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Birch

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

Front Maple

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

Front Granite

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

Front Lillo

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

Front Emperor

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

Front Sunda

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

Front Comor

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

Front Spirit

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

Front Pride

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

Front Splendour

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

Front Glory

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

Front Ardenne

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

Front Fighter

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

Front Hunter

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

Front Mindanao

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

Front Brabant

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VLCCs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Vanadis

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

Front Sabang

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

Front Highness

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

Front Lady

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

Front Lord

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

Front Duke

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

Front Ace

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

Front Duchess

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

Edinburgh

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

Navix Astral

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

New Vista

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

New Vanguard

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

Front Commerce

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

Front Comanche

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

Opalia

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

 

143



 

 

 

(Amounts in US$)

 

Collateral Vessel

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

 

 

(in $)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Circassia

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

Oscilla

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

Ariake

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

Front Stratus

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

Front Page

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

Front Serenade

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

Front Falcon

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

Hakata

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OBOs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Climber

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Guider

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Driver

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Leader

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Breaker

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

Front Viewer

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

Front Striver

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

Front Rider

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

 

144



 

 

 

(Amounts in US$)

 

Collateral Vessel

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

 

 

(in $)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suezmax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Birch

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,606

 

Front Maple

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,602

 

341,606

 

Front Granite

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,845

 

Front Lillo

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,842

 

331,845

 

Front Emperor

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,487

 

Front Sunda

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,482

 

346,487

 

Front Comor

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,010

 

Front Spirit

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,002

 

366,010

 

Front Pride

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

465,000

 

7,905,000

 

Front Splendour

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

11,562,500

 

Front Glory

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

462,500

 

11,562,500

 

Front Ardenne

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

14,850,000

 

Front Fighter

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

16,280,000

 

Front Hunter

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

16,280,000

 

Front Mindanao

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

16,280,000

 

Front Brabant

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

440,000

 

16,280,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VLCCs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Vanadis

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,982

 

 

 

 

 

Front Sabang

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,979

 

488,982

 

 

 

 

 

Front Highness

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

426,998

 

Front Lady

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

426,998

 

Front Lord

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

427,003

 

426,998

 

Front Duke

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,963

 

448,960

 

Front Ace

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

Front Duchess

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

463,603

 

Edinburgh

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,443

 

490,447

 

Navix Astral

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,723

 

519,731

 

New Vista

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

23,248,341

 

 

145



 

 

 

(Amounts in US$)

 

Collateral Vessel

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

 

 

(in $)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Vanguard

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

628,333

 

23,248,341

 

Front Commerce

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

25,240,625

 

Front Comanche

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

25,240,625

 

Opalia

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

25,240,625

 

New Circassia

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

615,625

 

25,240,625

 

Oscilla

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

601,471

 

27,066,167

 

Ariake

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

590,278

 

28,923,606

 

Front Stratus

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

30,614,464

 

Front Page

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

30,614,464

 

Front Serenade

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

30,614,464

 

Front Falcon

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

30,614,464

 

Hakata

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

577,632

 

30,614,464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OBOs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Climber

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

5,315,625

 

Front Guider

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

5,315,625

 

Front Driver

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

5,315,625

 

Front Leader

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

5,315,625

 

Front Breaker

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

590,625

 

5,315,625

 

Front Viewer

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

7,186,106

 

Front Striver

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

7,186,106

 

Front Rider

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

552,778

 

7,186,106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,692

 

23,427,698

 

22,449,734

 

22,449,734

 

22,449,734

 

522,096,952

 

 

146



 

SIGNATORIES

 

THE BORROWER

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

Signed by

)

duly authorised pursuant to a)

)

power of attorney dated

)

on

)

behalf of Ship Finance International

)

Limited

)

 

 

 

 

THE BOOKRUNNERS

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED

 

By:

 

 

Address:

Citigroup Global Markets Limited

 

33 Canada Square

 

London

 

E14 5LB

 

Fax:  +44 (0) 20 7986 8278

 

Attention:  Pareejat Singhal

 

Telephone:  +44 (0) 20 7986 7569

 

E-mail:  pareejat.singhal@citigroup.com

 

147



 

THE MANDATED LEAD ARRANGERS

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED

 

By:

 

 

Address:

Citigroup Global Markets Limited

 

33 Canada Square

 

London

 

E14 5LB

 

Fax:  +44 (0) 20 7986 8278

 

Attention:  Pareejat Singhal

 

Telephone:  +44 (0) 20 7986 7569

 

E-mail:  pareejat.singhal@citigroup.com

 

 

NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Middelthuns gate 17, PO Box 1166 Sentrum, 0107 Oslo, Norway

 

Fax:  +47 22 48 66 68

 

Attention:  Linda Christin Hoff

 

Telephone:  +47 22  48 63 72 (+47 22 48 50 00)

 

E-mail: linda.christin.hoff@nordea.com

 

148



 

FORTIS BANK (NEDERLAND) N.V.

 

By:

 

 

Address:

Haaton VII’s gt 10,

 

N0161 Oslo

 

 

Fax: +47 23 11 49 40

 

Attention: Francis Birkeland

 

Telephone: +47 23 11 49 50

 

 

CRÉDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ

 

By:

 

 

Address:  9 Quai Du President Paul Doumer, 92920 Paris La Defense Cedex, France

 

Fax:  +33 141 89 1934

 

Attention:  Loan Administration Dept – Sylvie Godet-Couery

 

Telephone: +33 141 89 1249

 

Email:  sylvie.godetcouery@ca-indosuez.com

 

149



 

SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL.)

 

By:

 

 

Address:  RB 8 FCA

 

Fax:  +46 8 611 0384

 

Attention:  Niclas Lundqvist

 

Telephone:  +46 8 763 8648

 

Email:  niclas.lundqvist@seb.se

 

 

DNB NOR BANK ASA

 

By:

 

 

Address:  0021 Oslo, Norway

 

Fax:  +47 22 48 2894

 

Attention:  Solveig Nuland Knoff

 

Telephone:  +47 22 94 9663

 

Email:  solveig.knoff@dnbnor.no

 

150



 

HSH NORDBANK AG

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz 50, 20095 Hamburg, Germany

 

Fax:  +49 40 3333 34269

 

Attention:  Irena Franke

 

Telephone: +49 40 3333 12041

 

Email:  irena.franke@hsh-nordbank.com

 

 

SCOTIABANK EUROPE PLC

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Scotia House, 33 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1BB

 

Fax:  00 44 0 207 454 9019

 

Attention:  Lee Bowden/Diann Thomas

 

Telephone:  00 44 (0) 207 826 5635/5631

 

Email:  lee_bowden@scotiacapital.com/diann.thomas@scotiacapital.com

 

151



 

SWEDBANK (FÖRENINGSSPARBANKEN AB (PUBL))

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Swedbank Shipping E7, SE-10534 Stockholm

 

Fax:  +46 8 7007980

 

Attention:  Nina Kytta/Richard Lonnqvist

 

Telephone:  +46 8 5859 1785/+46 8 5859 1405

 

Email:  nina.kytta@swedbank.com/richard.lonnqvist@swedbank.com

 

 

THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE BANK OF SCOTLAND

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Bank of Scotland, Corporate Banking, Marine Finance, 11 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9BN.

 

Fax:  +44 131 659 0387

 

Attention:  John Lowe

 

Telephone:  +44 131 659 0320

 

Email:  john_lowe@bankofscotland.co.uk

 

152



 

ING BANK N.V. (NORWAY)

 

By:

 

 

Address:  ING Bank N.V. PO Box 13, loc.code DP 02.10.87, 3000 DA Rotterdam, The Netherlands

 

Fax:  +31 10 444 6791

 

Attention:  Miss Ingrid van der Hoek

 

Telephone:  +31 10 444 6843

 

Email:  Ingrid.van.der.Hoek@mail.ing.nl

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG IN HAMBURG

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Brandstwiete 1, D- 20457 Hamburg, Germany

 

Fax:  +49 40 3701 4649

 

Attention:  Carola-Marea Rotch

 

Telephone:  +49 40 3701 4334

 

Email:  carola-marea.rotch@db.com

 

153



 

SCHIFFSHYPOTHEKENBANK ZU LÜBECK AG

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Brandstwiete 1, D- 20457 Hamburg, Germany

 

Fax:  +49 40 3701 4649

 

Attention:  Caola-Marea Rotch

 

Telephone:  +49 40 3701 4334

 

Email:  carika-marea.rotch@db.com

 

154



 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Middelthuns gate 17, PO Box 1166 Sentrum, 0107 Oslo, Norway

 

Fax:  +47 22 48 66 68

 

Attention:  Linda Christin Hoff

 

Telephone:  +47 22  48 63 72 (+47 22 48 50 00)

 

E-mail: linda.christin.hoff@nordea.com

 

 

THE SECURITY TRUSTEE

 

NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Middelthuns gate 17, PO Box 1166 Sentrum, 0107 Oslo, Norway

 

Fax:  +47 22 48 66 68

 

Attention:  Linda Christin Hoff

 

Telephone:  +47 22  48 63 72 (+47 22 48 50 00)

 

E-mail: linda.christin.hoff @nordea.com

 

155



 

THE ARRANGERS

 

DANISH SHIP FINANCE (DANMARKS SKIBSKREDITFOND)

 

By:

 

 

Address: Danish Ship Finance, Sankt Annae Plads 3, 1250 Copenhagen K, Denmark

 

Fax:  +45 33 33 96 66

 

Attention:  Loan Administration

 

Telephone:  +45 33 33 93 33

 

Email: Loanadmin@shipfinance.dk

 

 

DEUTSCHE SCHIFFSBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Domshof 17, D-28195 Bremen

 

Fax:  +49 421 3235 39

 

Attention:  Mrs Tanja Laverer

 

Telephone:  +49 421 3609 290

 

Email:  tanja.laverer@schiffsbank.com

 

156



 

NIB CAPITAL BANK N.V.

 

By:

 

 

Address:  PO Box 380

 

Fax:  +31 70 342 5366

 

Attention:  Ron Jonk

 

Telephone:  +31 70 342 5024

 

Email:  maurice.wymans@nibcapital.com/ron.jonk@nibcapital.com

 

 

VEREINS-UND WESTBANK AG

 

By:

 

 

Address:  Alter Wall 22, D-20457, Hamburg

 

Fax:  +49 40 3692 3060

 

Attention:  Ms Dorte Ziebarth

 

Telephone:  +49 40 3692 2663

 

Email:  dorte.ziebarth@vuw.de

 

157



 

THE ORIGINAL GUARANTORS

 

MADEIRA INTERNATIONAL CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

LANGKAWI SHIPPING LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

SIBU SHIPPING LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

GRANITE SHIPPING LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

PUERTO REINOSA SHIPPING CO. S.A.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT TUJUH PTE LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

158



 

SOUTHWEST TANKERS INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

WEST TANKERS INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

FOURWAYS MARINE LIMITED

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT PRIDE SHIPPING INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT SPLENDOUR SHIPPING INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT GLORY SHIPPING INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

159



 

FRONT ARDENNE INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

RAKIS MARITIME S.A.

 

By:

 

 

 

PATRIO SHIPPING LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

BOLZANO PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT BRABANT INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

CIREBON SHIPPING PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

160



 

FOX MARITIME PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT EMPAT PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT LIMA PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT ENAM PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT TIGA PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

SEA ACE CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

161



 

FRONT DUA PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

EDINBURGH NAVIGATION S.A.

 

By:

 

 

 

GOLDEN BAYSHORE SHIPPING CORPORATION

 

By:

 

 

 

GOLDEN SOUND CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

GOLDEN SEAWAY CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

GOLDEN FJORD CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

162



 

GOLDEN ESTUARY CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

GOLDEN CURRENT LIMITED

 

By:

 

Its duly authorised attorney

 

 

GOLDEN TIDE CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

OSCILLA SHIPPING LIMITED

 

By:

 

Its duly authorised attorney

 

 

ARIAKE TRANSPORT CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT STRATUS INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

163



 

FRONT SAGA INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT SERENADE INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT FALCON CORP.

 

By:

 

 

 

HITACHI HULL 4983 LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT LAPAN PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

TRANSCORP PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

164



 

BONFIELD SHIPPING LIMITED

 

By:

 

 

 

FRONT SEMBILAN PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

KATONG INVESTMENTS LIMITED

 

By:

 

 

 

ASPINALL PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

RETTIE PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

BLIZANA PTE. LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

165



 

THE LENDERS

 

CRÉDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ

 

By:

 

 

FORTIS BANK (NEDERLAND) N.V.

 

By:

 

 

SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL.)

 

By:

 

 

NORDEA BANK NORGE ASA

 

By:

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

By:

 

 

DNB NOR BANK ASA

 

By:

 

 

HSH NORDBANK AG

 

By:

 

 

SCOTIABANK EUROPE PLC

 

By:

 

 

166



 

SWEDBANK (FÖRENINGSSPARBANKEN AB (PUBL))

 

By:

 

 

THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE BANK OF SCOTLAND

 

By:

 

 

ING BANK N.V. (NORWAY)

 

By:

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG IN HAMBURG

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

SCHIFFSHYPOTHEKENBANK ZU LÜBECK AG

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

DANISH SHIP FINANCE (DANMARKS SKIBSKREDITFOND)

 

By:

 

 

DEUTSCHE SCHIFFSBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

 

By:

 

 

167



 

NIB CAPITAL BANK N.V.

 

By:

 

 

VEREINS-UND WESTBANK AG

 

By:

 

168




Exhibit 10.2

 

FLEET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

BY AND BETWEEN

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

 

AND

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

Dated as of December 11, 2003

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

1.1.

Definitions

 

1.2.

References; Headings; Interpretation

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II PURCHASE OF PURCHASED INTERESTS

 

 

 

 

2.1.

Purchase of Purchased Interests by Buyer.

 

2.2.

Purchase Price/Certain Economic Provisions.

 

2.3.

Closing.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

 

 

 

 

3.1.

Organization

 

3.2.

Authority and Enforceability

 

3.3.

No Conflicts

 

3.4.

Consents

 

3.5.

Purchased Interests and Subsidiaries

 

3.6.

Financial Statements

 

3.7.

Undisclosed Liabilities

 

3.8.

Compliance with Laws

 

3.9.

Title to Property

 

3.10.

Intellectual Property

 

3.11.

Litigation; Orders

 

3.12.

Employment Arrangements

 

3.13.

[Intentionally Omitted.]

 

3.14.

Taxes

 

3.15.

Brokerage Commissions

 

3.16.

Licenses, Other Authorizations, Etc.

 

3.17.

Material Contracts

 

3.18.

Environmental Matters

 

3.19.

Vessels.

 

3.20.

Books and Records

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

 

 

 

 

4.1.

Organization

 

4.2.

Authority and Enforceability

 

4.3.

No Conflicts

 

4.4.

Consents

 

4.5.

Brokerage Commissions

 

 



 

ARTICLE V CERTAIN COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

5.1.

Investigation of Business; Access to Properties and Records, Etc.

 

5.2.

Efforts; Obtaining Consents and Approvals

 

5.3.

Conduct of Business

 

5.4.

Total Loss.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

 

 

 

6.1.

Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Buyer.

 

6.2.

Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Seller.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII INDEMNIFICATION

 

 

 

 

7.1.

Survival of Representations, Warranties and Indemnities.

 

7.2.

Indemnification.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

8.1.

Choice of Law.

 

8.2.

Entire Agreement.

 

8.3.

Amendment or Modification.

 

8.4.

Assignment.

 

8.5.

Notices.

 

8.6.

Counterparts.

 

8.7.

Severability.

 

8.8.

U.S. Currency.

 

 

 

 

Schedules

 

 

 

 

Schedule 2.2

Purchase Price

 

Schedule 3.4

Consents

 

Schedule 3.5

Purchased Companies

 

Schedule 3.7

Undisclosed Liabilities/Vessel Indebtedness

 

Schedule 3.19

Vessels

 

 

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Form of Charter

 

Exhibit B

Form of Charter Ancillary Agreement

 

Exhibit C

Form of Management Agreement

 

Exhibit D

Form of Administrative Services Agreement

 

Exhibit E

Form of Performance Guarantee

 

 

ii



 

FLEET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

FLEET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of December 11, 2003 (this “ Agreement ”), by and between SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, a Bermuda exempted company (“ Buyer ”) and FRONTLINE LTD., a Bermuda exempted company (“ Seller ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, Seller is or will be the owner of all of the Interests in each of the entities set forth on Schedule 3.5 hereto (each, a “ Purchased Company ”);

 

WHEREAS, each Purchased Company either owns or will own directly (a) 100% of the interests in the Vessel set forth opposite such Purchased Company’s name on Schedule 3.5 hereto (each such Purchased Company sometimes referred to herein as a “ Direct Holding Subsidiary ”) or (b) 100% of the interests in another wholly owned subsidiary that in turn, as indicated on Schedule 3.5 hereto, owns directly 100% of the interests in the Vessel set forth opposite such Purchased Company’s name on Schedule 3.5 hereto (each such subsidiary sometimes referred to herein as an “ Intermediate Holding Subsidiary ” and, together with the Direct Holding Subsidiaries, the “ Vessel Owning Subsidiaries ”);

 

WHEREAS, each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries will enter into a time charter (each, a “ Charter ”) with the Charterer substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, pursuant to which each Vessel Owning Subsidiary will agree to charter the Vessel owned by such Vessel Owning Subsidiary to the Charterer, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, Buyer, each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries, Frontline and the Charterer will enter into a charter ancillary agreement (the “ Charter Ancillary Agreement ”) substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, pursuant to which they will agree on certain matters with respect to, among other things, the Charter Service Reserve (as defined therein), the Bonus Payments (as defined therein), certain payment deferral rights under the Charters and certain collateral arrangements with respect to the Charterer’s obligations thereunder and under the Charters, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries will enter into a management agreement (each, a “ Management Agreement ”) with Frontline Management substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, pursuant to which Frontline Management will agree to provide to each Vessel Owning Subsidiary certain technical management services with respect to the Vessel owned by such Vessel Owning Subsidiary, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, Buyer and each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries will enter into an administrative services agreement (“the “ Administrative Services Agreement ”) with Frontline Management substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, pursuant to which Frontline Management will agree to provide to Buyer and each Vessel Owning Subsidiary certain

 



 

administrative support services, including corporate compliance, payroll, tax, regulatory compliance, legal and other administrative services, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, Frontline will issue a performance guarantee (the “ Performance Guarantee ”) substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, pursuant to which Frontline will agree to guarantee the performance of the obligations of the Charterer under the Charters and the Charter Ancillary Agreement and the obligations of Frontline Management under the Management Agreements and the Administrative Services Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell and transfer to Buyer all of the Interests in each Purchased Company, and Buyer wishes to purchase all of the Interests in each Purchased Company, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein contained;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants described below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1.           Definition s.  As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Administrative Services Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Affiliate ” means, at any time, and with respect to any Person, any other Person that at such time directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.  As used in this definition, “ Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City or Oslo, Norway are required or authorized to be closed.

 

Buyer ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Charter ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Charter Ancillary Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Charterer ” means Frontline Shipping Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Seller.

 

2



 

Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

Direct Holding Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Damages ” means any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, demands, claims, actions, cause of actions, costs, expenses, damages and judgments, including, without limitation, all out of pocket attorneys’ fees and expenses.

 

Environmental Laws ” means any and all foreign, federal, state, commonwealth or local laws, ordinances or regulations relating to pollution, the protection of the environment and the discharge or release of materials into the environment.

 

Financial Statements ” means the predecessor combined carve-out financial statements of Buyer and the related notes thereto included in the Offering Circular.

 

Frontline Management ” means Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Seller.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States of America.

 

Governmental Authority ” means with respect to any Person: (a) the government of (i) the United States of America or any State or other political subdivision thereof or (ii) any jurisdiction in which such Person or any of its subsidiaries conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of such Person or any of its subsidiaries; or (b) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.

 

Hazardous Material ” means any substance, chemical, compound, product, solid, gas, liquid, waste or byproduct which is classified or regulated as “hazardous” or “toxic” pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.

 

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.

 

Independent Director ” means, with respect to a Person, a duly appointed member of the Board of Directors of such Person who is not at the time of and during such appointment, and has not been during the immediately preceding 24 months, (a) an officer, director or employee, affiliate, associate, material supplier or material customer of such Person or any of its affiliates, or (b) a direct or indirect shareholder or beneficial owner of such Person or any of its affiliates.

 

Intellectual Property ” means all of the following: patents, patent rights, copyrights, works which are the subject matter of copyrights, trademarks, tradenames, tradestyles, patent and trademark applications and licenses and rights thereunder, and all other

 

3



 

rights under any of the foregoing, all extensions, renewals, reissues, divisions, continuations, and continuations-in-part of any of the foregoing, and all rights to sue for past, present, and future infringement of any of the foregoing; inventions, trade secrets, formulae, processes, compounds, drawings, designs, blueprints, surveys, reports, manuals, and operating standards; goodwill, customer and other lists, in whatever form maintained; and trade secret rights, copyright rights, patent rights, rights in works of authorship, and contract rights relating to computer software programs, in whatever form created or maintained.

 

Intellectual Property Rights ” means the rights or interest of any Person in or to any Intellectual Property.

 

Interest ” means (a) capital stock, member interests, partnership interests, other equity interests, rights to profits or revenue and any other similar interest, (b) any security or other interest convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing and (c) any right (contingent or otherwise) to acquire any of the foregoing .

 

Intermediate Holding Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

ISM Code ” means the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operating of Ships and for Pollution Prevention constituted pursuant to Resolution A 741(18) of the International Maritime Organization and incorporated into the Safety of Life at Sea Convention.

 

Legal Requirements ” means all laws, statutes, codes, acts, ordinances, orders, judgments, decrees, injunctions, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, authorizations, directions and requirements of Governmental Authorities.

 

License ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.16.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance or rights of others, or any interest or title of any vendor, lessor, lender or other secured party to or of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or capital lease, upon or with respect to any property or asset of such Person.

 

Loss Proceeds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.

 

Management Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means with respect to a Person, a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets, properties or prospects of such Person and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of such Person to perform its obligations under this Agreement, or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

 

Material Contract ” means: (a) any agreement for the purchase, sale or lease of raw materials, commodities, supplies, products, or other personal property, or for the furnishing or receipt of services, the performance of which will extend over a period of more than one year or involve consideration in excess of $100,000; (b) any agreement concerning a partnership or joint venture; (c) any vessel lease, bareboat charter or time charter; (d) any contract or agreement

 

4



 

with respect to any newbuilding or vessel under construction, (e) any commercial or technical management agreements or pooling agreements; (f) any agreement under which a Person has created, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed any indebtedness for borrowed money, or any capitalized lease obligation, in excess of $100,000 or under which it has granted a Lien with respect to any of its assets; (g) any collective bargaining agreement; (h) any agreement for the employment of any individual on a full-time, part-time, consulting, or other basis providing annual compensation in excess of $100,000; and (i) any other agreement the performance of which involves consideration in excess of $100,000.

 

Notice of Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.

 

Offering Circular ” means that certain offering circular of Buyer, dated as of the date hereof, with respect to Buyer’s senior unsecured notes in the principal amount of $580 million.

 

Performance Guarantee ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Permitted Liens ” means any (a) liens for current taxes or ad valorem t axes (i) not yet due and payable or (ii) contested in good faith, if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as may be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor, (b) statutory liens of landlords, liens of carriers, warehouse persons, mechanics and material persons and other liens imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums (i) not yet due and payable or (ii) contested in good faith, if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as may be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor, (c) liens incurred or deposits made in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other similar types of social security programs or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds and similar obligations, in each case in the ordinary course of business, (d) liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of Buyer or any Subsidiary arising from vessel chartering, drydocking, maintenance, the furnishing of supplies and bunkers to vessels, repairs and improvements to vessels, crews’ wages and maritime Liens; (e) liens for salvage and general average; and (f) liens in favor of commercial banks presently existing or hereafter arising securing indebtedness with respect to any of the Vessels.

 

Person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, or any other company or entity or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

Purchased Company ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Purchased Interests ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

Release ” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the outdoor environment, which shall include without limitation, seas and waterways.

 

5



 

Seller ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Subsidiary ” means each Purchased Company, Intermediate Holding Subsidiary and each Vessel Owning Subsidiary.

 

Total Loss ” means, with respect to a Vessel, a total loss, destruction, condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure, forfeiture, blocking and trapping or other taking of title to or use of such Vessel (provided that such loss, destruction, condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure, forfeiture, blocking and trapping or other taking of title to or use of such Vessel was covered by insurance or resulted in the actual payment of compensation, indemnification or similar payments to such Person).

 

Vessel Owning Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Vessels ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.19(a).

 

1.2.           References; Headings; Interpretation .  All references in this Agreement to Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions refer to the corresponding Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions of or to this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise.  Titles appearing at the beginning of any Articles, Sections, subsections or other subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of this Agreement, and shall be disregarded in construing the language hereof.  The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and “hereof” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.  The words “this Article,” “this Section” and “this subsection” and words of similar import refer only to the Article, Section or subsection hereof in which such words occur.  The word “or” is not exclusive, and the word “including” (in its various forms) means including without limitation.  Pronouns in masculine, feminine or neuter genders shall be construed to state and include any other gender, and words, terms and titles (including terms defined herein) in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE OF PURCHASED INTERESTS

 

2.1.           Purchase of Purchased Interests by Buyer .

 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at each Closing Seller shall sell and transfer to Buyer all of the Interests in the Purchased Company or Purchased Companies to be transferred to Buyer at such Closing (such Interests, with respect to each Purchased Company, the “ Purchased Interests ”), free and clear of any and all Liens (except for Permitted Liens), and Buyer shall purchase all such Purchased Interests for the consideration provided for in Section 2 .2.  Seller and Buyer shall, and Seller shall cause the Charterer, Frontline Management and the Subsidiaries to, execute and deliver at or prior to each Closing all documentation necessary to effect the sale and transfer of the applicable Purchased Interests (and, if applicable, any Loss Proceeds) to Buyer, as set forth in Article VI.

 

6



 

2.2.           Purchase Price/Certain Economic Provisio ns.

 

(a)            In consideration of the sale and transfer of the Purchased Interests in all of the Purchased Companies, Buyer shall pay to Seller a purchase price (the “ Purchase Price ”) equal to the aggregate sum of $U.S. 950 million, based upon the aggregate book value of all of the Purchased Companies, as set forth on Schedule 2.2, excluding working capital that will be retained by Seller and other intercompany balances that will be eliminated.  Each Purchased Company shall be sold to Buyer with its existing secured indebtedness and Buyer shall purchase each Purchased Company subject to such indebtedness.  At each Closing, Buyer shall pay to Seller that portion of the Purchase Price allocable to the Purchased Interests being purchased at such Closing as set forth on Schedule 2.2.  The aggregate Purchase Price shall be paid partly in cash and partly by a deemed equity contribution by Seller such that after Buyer has purchased all of the Purchased Interests, Seller shall be deemed to have contributed to Buyer $525 million in equity.   All payments of the cash portion of the Purchase Price for the Purchased Interests shall be made in immediately available funds by wire transfer to an account designated in writing by Seller.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Buyer and Seller hereby agree that the Charters, the Charter Ancillary Agreement, the Management Agreements, the Administrative Services Agreement and the Performance Guarantee shall each be given economic effect as of January 1, 2004 regardless of the terms of any underlying agreements between Buyer, Seller, any of their respective subsidiaries or any other Person.

 

2.3.           Closing.

 

Subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI, the sale and transfer of the Purchased Interests in each Purchased Company (each such sale and transfer, a “ Closing ”) shall take place on or prior to March 17, 2004 at such times and on such dates (each such date, a “ Closing Date ”) as the parties may mutually agree, it being understood that each Closing shall occur as soon as practicable after the date hereof.

 

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

 

Representations and Warranties of Seller .  Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that:

 

3.1.           Organization .  Each of Seller and the Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.  Each of Seller and the Subsidiaries (a) has all requisite power to own, operate or lease its properties and assets as now owned, operated or leased and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and (b) is in good standing and is duly qualified to transact business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of property owned or leased by it or the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified, except where the failure to be in good standing or to be duly qualified to transact

 

7



 

business would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller or any Subsidiary.

 

3.2.           Authority and Enforceability .  Seller has the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to transfer, convey and sell to Buyer the Purchased Interests and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Seller and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

3.3.           No Conflicts .  The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement will not conflict with or result in any violation of or constitute a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or result in the acceleration of any obligation under, or constitute a default under any provision of, (a) the articles of incorporation or bylaws or other organizational documents of Seller or any Subsidiary, (b) any mortgage, bond, indenture, agreement, franchise, license, permit or other instrument or obligation to which Seller or any Subsidiary is a party or is subject or by which any of their respective assets or properties may be bound, or (c) any Legal Requirement affecting or binding upon Seller or any Subsidiary or any of their respective assets or properties.

 

3.4.           Consents .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4, no consent, permit, approval or authorization of, notice or declaration to or filing with any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement or the consummation by Seller or any Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

3.5.           Purchased Interests and Subsidiaries .

 

(a)            Schedule 3.5 sets forth a true and complete list that accurately reflects (i) the name of each Purchased Company and (ii) Seller’s current ownership percentage of the Interests in each Purchased Company.  As of each Closing, Seller will own 100% of the Purchased Interests in each Purchased Company and there will be no other issued and outstanding Interests in any of the Purchased Companies other than the Purchased Interests.

 

(b)            Seller is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good, valid and marketable title to, the Interests of each Purchased Company set forth on Schedule 3.5 and shall be the record and beneficial owner of, and have good, valid and marketable title to, the Purchased Interests of each Purchased Company purchased at each Closing.  Seller owns the Interests of each Purchased Company free and clear of all Liens (except for Permitted Liens), and, upon consummation of the purchase of the Purchased Interests at any Closing as contemplated hereby, Buyer will acquire from Seller good, valid and marketable title to such Purchased Interests, free and clear of all Liens (except for Permitted Liens).

 

8



 

(c)            The Purchased Interests in each of the Purchased Companies have been duly authorized, are validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and were not issued in violation of, and are not subject to, any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person.  As of each Closing, the Purchased Interests in each of the Purchased Companies shall have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not issued in violation of, and not subject to, any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person.

 

(d)            There are no contracts, agreements or other understandings (including, without limitation, options, warrants, calls and preemptive rights), except with respect to Permitted Liens, obligating any of the Purchased Companies (i) to issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any Interests in such Purchased Company, (ii) to redeem, purchase or acquire in any manner any Interests in such Purchased Company or (iii) to make any dividend or distribution of any kind with respect to any Interests in such Purchased Company.

 

(e)            There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation, or similar rights affecting the Interests in any of the Purchased Companies, and there are no voting trusts, proxies, or other shareholder or similar agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the Interests in any of the Purchased Companies.

 

(f)             Complete and accurate copies of the organizational documents, each as amended to date and presently in effect, of each of the Subsidiaries have been provided by Seller to Buyer.

 

3.6.           Financial Statements .  There have been no transactions involving the businesses of the Subsidiaries which properly should have been set forth in the Financial Statements and which have not been accurately so set forth.  There has been no Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of Seller, no fact or condition exists which would be reasonably expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary.

 

3.7.           Undisclosed Liabilities .  Except as reflected, reserved against or otherwise disclosed in the Financial Statements (or any accompanying notes thereto), and except as incurred in the ordinary course, there is no material liability, debt or obligation of or claim against any of the Subsidiaries known to Seller which would have been required to be reflected on such Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP.  The estimated amount of the indebtedness on each of the Vessels outstanding as of December 31, 2003 is set forth on Schedule 3.7 hereto.  As of each Closing, all intercompany account balances between Seller and the applicable Subsidiary shall have been eliminated.

 

3.8.           Compliance with Laws .  Each of Seller and the Subsidiaries has complied with all applicable Legal Requirements except for such non-compliance which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary.  No notice, citation, summons or order has been issued, no complaint has been filed, no penalty has been assessed and, to the knowledge of Seller, no investigation or review is pending or threatened by any

 

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Governmental Authority with respect to any alleged violation by any Subsidiary of any applicable Legal Requirement.

 

3.9.           Title to Property .  Each Subsidiary has good and defensible title to its assets and properties, tangible and intangible, that individually or in the aggregate are material, in each case free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.

 

3.10.         Intellectual Property .  To the knowledge of Seller, (a) no Intellectual Property owned or used by any Subsidiary infringes in any material respect any Intellectual Property Right owned or used by any other Person; and (b) there is no material violation by any Person of any Intellectual Property Right owned or used by any Subsidiary.

 

3.11.         Litigation; Orders .  There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened at law or in equity, before or by any Governmental Authority or before any arbitrator of any kind, against Seller (other than any such actions, suits or proceedings that could not reasonably be expected to adversely impact the ability of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby) or any Subsidiary which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Subsidiary and (ii) no Subsidiary is subject to any settlements, consent decrees, judgments, injunctions, orders or findings, in each case that would have a Material Adverse Effect on such Subsidiary that would reasonably be expected to adversely impact the ability of Seller or such Subsidiary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

3.12.         Employment Arrangements .  No Subsidiary has any obligation, contingent or otherwise, under (a) any employment, collective bargaining or other labor agreement, (b) any written or oral agreement containing severance or termination pay arrangements, (c) any deferred compensation agreement, retainer or consulting arrangements, (d) any pension or retirement plan, bonus or profit-sharing plan, or stock option or stock purchase plan, or (e) any other employee contract or non-terminable (whether with or without penalty) employment arrangement; in each case other than in the ordinary course of business.

 

3.13.         [Intentionally Omitted .]

 

3.14.         Taxes .  Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, Seller and each Subsidiary has correctly prepared and filed all tax returns or reports that are required to have been filed in any jurisdiction, and has timely paid in full all taxes due and payable with respect thereto and all other taxes and assessments levied upon it or its properties, assets, income or franchises or otherwise payable by it, to the extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent.  Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, no tax Liens have been filed with respect to any property, business or asset of Seller or any Subsidiary.

 

3.15.         Brokerage Commissions .  No broker, finder or similar agent has been employed by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than Buyer) and no Person is entitled to any brokerage commission, finder’s fee or any similar compensation, in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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3.16.         Licenses, Other Authorizations, Etc .   Each Subsidiary owns or possesses all material licenses, permits, franchises, registrations and similar authorizations of any Government Authority which are necessary and used in the operation of its business as of the date hereof (collectively, “ Licenses ”).  No such License will terminate or be subject to termination or revocation as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except those whose termination or revocation would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary.  All Licenses are in full force and effect except for those whose failure to be in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary.  No proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened seeking the revocation or limitation of any such License that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary.  All required filings with respect to Licenses have been timely made and all required applications for renewal thereof have been timely filed except for those which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary.

 

3.17.         Material Contracts .  True and complete copies (including all amendments) of each Material Contract have been made available to Buyer.  Each Material Contract is the legal and valid obligation of the Subsidiary party thereto, binding and enforceable against such Subsidiary in accordance with its terms.  Each Material Contract has not been terminated, and neither such Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Seller, any other Person is in material breach or default thereunder, and no event has occurred that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a material breach or default, or permit termination, modification in any manner adverse to such Subsidiaries or acceleration thereunder.  No party to any such Material Contract has asserted or, to Seller’s knowledge, has (except by operation of law) any right to offset, discount or otherwise abate any amount owing under the Material Contract except as expressly set forth in such Material Contract.

 

3.18.         Environmental Matters .  The Subsidiaries have obtained all environmental consents, approvals, licenses and permits required for their operations by any applicable Environmental Law except for failures to obtain that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary.  No Subsidiary has caused any Release, threatened Release or disposal of any Hazardous Material, except as permitted by Legal Requirements or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Subsidiary.

 

3.19.         Vessels .

 

(a)            Schedule 3.19 lists all vessels owned, leased, chartered or operated by each Vessel Owning Subsidiary (the “ Vessels ”), setting forth, for each such Vessel, as of the date hereof, its (i) name, (ii) vessel type (iii) owner,  (iv) flag, (v) dwt, (vi) year in which the vessel was constructed and (vii) the term of the current charter for each Vessel to the extent such charter expires after December 31, 2003.

 

(b)            Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 , each of the Vessels: (i) is free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, (ii) is adequate and suitable for use by the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries in their business as presently conducted by them in all material respects,

 

11



 

ordinary wear and tear and depreciation excepted; (iii) is seaworthy in all material respects for hull and machinery insurance warranty purposes and is in good running order and repair; (iv) is insured against all risks and in amounts consistent with applicable Legal Requirements and common industry practices; (v) is in compliance with all charters covering such Vessels and material maritime Legal Requirements (including maritime Environmental Laws); (vi) complies with the requirements of the ISM Code, (vii) is duly registered under the flag set forth opposite the Vessel’s name in Schedule 3.19 ; (viii) is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of its present class and classification society. All class certificates and national and international certificates of the Vessels are clean and valid and free of recommendations affecting class.

 

3.20.         Books and Records .  The respective minute books and records of each of the Subsidiaries contain accurate records of all meetings of, and actions taken by the respective shareholders and board of directors (or similar governing bodies) of the Subsidiaries.

 

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

 

Representations and Warranties of Buyer .  Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller that:

 

4.1.           Organiz ation .  Buyer is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.  Buyer (a) has all requisite power to own, operate or lease its properties and assets as now owned, operated or leased and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and (b) is in good standing and is duly qualified to transact business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of property owned or leased by it or the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified, except where the failure to be in good standing or to be duly qualified to transact business, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer.

 

4.2.           Authority and Enforceability .  Buyer has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to purchase the Purchased Interests and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Buyer and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by: (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

4.3.           No Conflict s .  The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement will not conflict with or result in any violation of or constitute a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or result in the acceleration of any obligation under, or constitute a default under any provision of, (a) the articles of incorporation or bylaws or other organizational

 

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documents of Buyer, (b) any mortgage, bond, indenture, agreement, franchise, license, permit or other instrument or obligation to which Buyer is a party or is subject or by which any of its assets or properties may be bound, or (c) any Legal Requirement affecting or binding upon, Buyer or upon any of its assets or properties.

 

4.4.           Consent s .  No consent, permit, approval or authorization of, notice or declaration to or filing with any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement or the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereunder except those that shall have been obtained or made at or prior to each Closing.

 

4.5.           Brokerage Commissio ns .  No broker, finder or similar agent has been employed by or on behalf of Buyer and no Person is entitled to any brokerage commission, finder’s fee or any similar compensation, in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

ARTICLE V

CERTAIN COVENANTS

 

5.1.           Investigation of Business; Access to Pro perties and Records, Etc After the date hereof, Seller will cause to be afforded to Buyer and its representatives reasonable access to Seller’s and each Subsidiary’s offices, properties, books and records during normal business hours, in order that Buyer may have full opportunity to make such investigations as it may reasonably require of the affairs of each Subsidiary, provided that such investigation will only be upon reasonable notice and will not unreasonably disrupt Seller’s operations.

 

5.2.           Efforts; Obtaining Consents and Approval s .  Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each party will use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions and to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated hereby and to cooperate with the other in connection with the foregoing, including using all reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary consents, approvals and authorizations from each Governmental Authority and each other Person that are required to consummate the transactions contemplated under this Agreement.

 

5.3.           Conduct of Business .  After the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date applicable to a Subsidiary, except as contemplated by the Offering Circular, or the refinancing of indebtedness, or except with the consent of Buyer, Seller agrees to cause each such Subsidiary:

 

(a)            to operate its business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;

 

(b)            to refrain from making or causing to be made any change in its articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents;

 

13



 

(c)            not to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or agreeing to merge or consolidate with, or purchase substantially all of the stock or assets of, or otherwise acquire, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof;

 

(d)            not to enter into any partnership, joint venture or similar type of arrangement;

 

(e)            not to issue or agree to issue any additional Interests in such Subsidiary;

 

(f)             not to purchase or redeem, directly or indirectly, any of its Interests;

 

(g)            except as otherwise provided by law or GAAP, to refrain from making or causing to be made any change in its accounting methods, principles or practices;

 

(h)            not to sell, transfer, license, lease or otherwise dispose of or encumber any of its material properties or assets, except for Permitted Liens and charters entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)             not to enter into any employment agreement or grant any increase in the compensation of officers or employees; and

 

(j)             not to incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness which will constitute a liability of a Subsidiary as of the Closing Date applicable to such Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the foregoing shall not prohibit any Subsidiary from re-domiciling to another jurisdiction or re-flagging its Vessel in another jurisdiction so long as the new jurisdiction is one that is reasonably acceptable to institutional lenders in the shipping industry; provided, however, that any new entity created in connection with such re-domiciling or re-flagging shall be deemed to take the place of the Subsidiary engaging in such re-domiciling or re-flagging for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

5.4.           Total Loss .   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if prior to a Closing, there is a Total Loss of a Vessel owned by a Vessel Owning Subsidiary, then Seller shall, no later than June 15, 2004 either (a) irrevocably transfer and assign to Buyer all insurance proceeds, damages, indemnities or other amounts (the “ Loss Proceeds ”) it has received or may receive in connection with such Total Loss or (b) substitute a separate wholly owned subsidiary of Seller that owns a vessel of similar age, size and classification as the Vessel that suffered the Total Loss and transfer such substitute wholly owned subsidiary to Buyer for a similar purchase price, free and clear of all Liens.  In the event of a substitution in accordance with clause (b) above, such substituted wholly owned subsidiary shall for all purposes hereunder be deemed to take the place of the Vessel Owning Subsidiary whose Vessel suffered the Total Loss, including with respect to the representations and warranties concerning, and the conditions to closing the purchase of, such Vessel Owning Subsidiary.

 

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ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

6.1.           Conditions Precedent to Obligations of B uyer.

 

The obligation of Buyer to purchase the Purchased Interests in a Purchased Company is subject to the fulfillment, prior to or at each applicable Closing, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived in whole or in part by Buyer):

 

(a)            all representations and warranties made by Seller to Buyer shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the time of such Closing with the same effect as though made again at and as of that time;

 

(b)            Seller shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Seller prior to or at such Closing;

 

(c)            there shall be no actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened against or affecting Seller or such Purchased Company or any property of Seller or such Purchased Company in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Purchased Company;

 

(d)            all notifications, consents, authorizations, approvals and clearances from each Governmental Authority and any other Person required to be made or obtained, in connection with the transactions provided for in this Agreement shall have been made or obtained on terms satisfactory to Buyer;

 

(e)            such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is itself a Vessel Owning Subsidiary) or each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries owned by such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is an Intermediate Holding Subsidiary) shall have entered into a Charter with the Charterer with respect to the Vessel owned by it and such Charter shall not have been terminated or amended in any respect;

 

(f)             Buyer, the Charterer, Seller and such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is itself a Vessel Owning Subsidiary) or each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries owned by such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is an Intermediate Holding Subsidiary) shall have entered into the Charter Ancillary Agreement and such Charter Ancillary Agreement shall not have been terminated or amended in any respect;

 

(g)            such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is itself a Vessel Owning Subsidiary) or each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries owned by such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is an Intermediate Holding Subsidiary) shall have entered into a Management Agreement with Frontline Management with respect to the Vessel owned by it and such Management Agreement shall not have been terminated or amended in any respect;

 

(h)            Buyer and such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is itself a Vessel Owning Subsidiary) or each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries owned by such Purchased

 

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Company (if such Purchased Company is an Intermediate Holding Subsidiary) shall have entered into the Administrative Services Agreement with Frontline Management and such Administrative Services Agreement shall not have been terminated or amended in any respect;

 

(i)             Seller shall have executed the Performance Guarantee and such Performance Guarantee shall not have been terminated or amended in any respect;

 

(j)             Buyer shall have received financing in an aggregate amount with respect to all of such Closings in an amount not less than $1.058 billion, on terms satisfactory to Buyer;

 

(k)            all proceedings to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer and its counsel, and Buyer shall have received copies of all such documents and other evidence as it or its counsel may reasonably request in order to establish the consummation of such transactions and the taking of all proceedings in connection therewith;

 

(l)             since the date of this Agreement there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect on such Purchased Company or, if applicable, any of its Vessel Owning Subsidiaries, except as contemplated by Section 5.4; and

 

(m)           Seller shall have delivered to Buyer certificate(s), if any, representing the Purchased Interests in such Purchased Company, accompanied by powers duly endorsed or executed in blank, and all other documents necessary to transfer to Buyer the Purchased Interests in such Purchased Company free and clear of any Lien.

 

6.2.           Conditions Precedent to Obligations of S eller.

 

The obligation of Seller to sell and transfer the Purchased Interests in a Purchased Company is subject to the fulfillment, prior to or at each applicable Closing, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived in whole or in part by Seller):

 

(a)            all representations and warranties of Buyer to Seller shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and at and as of the time of such Closing with the same effect as though those representations and warranties had been made at and as of that time;

 

(b)            Buyer shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Buyer prior to or at such Closing;

 

(c)            all notifications, consents, authorizations, approvals and clearances from each Governmental Authority and any other Person required to be made or obtained, in connection with the transactions provided for in this Agreement shall have been made or obtained on terms satisfactory to Seller;

 

(d)            such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is itself a Vessel Owning Subsidiary) or each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries owned by such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is an Intermediate Holding Subsidiary) shall have entered into a Charter with the Charterer with respect to the Vessel owned by it;

 

16



 

(e)            Buyer and such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is itself a Vessel Owning Subsidiary) or each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries owned by such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is an Intermediate Holding Subsidiary) shall have entered into the Charter Ancillary Agreement;

 

(f)             such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is itself a Vessel Owning Subsidiary) or each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries owned by such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is an Intermediate Holding Subsidiary) shall have entered into a Management Agreement with Frontline Management with respect to the Vessel owned by it;

 

(g)            Buyer and such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is itself a Vessel Owning Subsidiary) or each of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries owned by such Purchased Company (if such Purchased Company is an Intermediate Holding Subsidiary) shall have entered into the Administrative Services Agreement; and

 

(h)            Buyer shall have paid to Seller the applicable portion of the Purchase Price for the Purchased Interests in such Purchased Company being purchased in the amount and by the method set forth in Section 2.2 and Schedule 2.2 hereof.

 

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

7.1.           Survival of Representations, Warranties and Indemnities.

 

The representations and warranties of Seller and Buyer contained in Articles III and IV, respectively, shall survive each Closing until the second anniversary of the respective Closing Date.

 

7.2.           Indemnification.

 

(a)            Seller agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer, its Affiliates and, if applicable, their respective directors, officers, shareholders, employees, attorneys, accountants, agents and representatives and their heirs, successors and assigns from and against any and all Damages based upon, arising out of or otherwise in respect of (i) any inaccuracy in or any breach of any representation or warranty of Seller contained in this Agreement, (ii) the failure of Seller to perform or observe fully any covenant, agreement or provision to be performed or observed by Seller pursuant to this Agreement or (iii) any Third-Party Claim arising out of or in connection with the operation of the business of Seller or any Subsidiary on or before such Subsidiary’s respective Closing Date.

 

(b)            Buyer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller, its Affiliates and, if applicable, their respective directors, officers, shareholders, employees, attorneys, accountants, agents and representatives and their heirs, successors and assigns from and against any and all Damages based upon, arising out of or otherwise in respect of (i) any inaccuracy in or any breach of any representation or warranty of Buyer contained in this Agreement or (ii) the failure of

 

17



 

Buyer to perform or observe fully any covenant, agreement or provision to be performed or observed by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.Third-Party Claims.

 

(c)            If any party entitled to be indemnified pursuant to Section 7.2 (an “ Indemnified Party ”) receives notice of the assertion of any claim in respect of Damages, such Indemnified Party shall give the party who may become obligated to provide indemnification hereunder (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) written notice describing such claim or fact in reasonable detail (the “ Notice of Claim ”) promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after receiving any written notice from a third party).  The failure by the Indemnified Party to timely provide a Notice of Claim to the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by the Indemnified Party’s failure to provide timely notice hereunder.

 

(d)            In the event any Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within ten (10) Business Days after the Indemnified Party has given notice of the matter that the Indemnifying Party is assuming the defense thereof: (i) the Indemnifying Party will defend the Indemnified Party against the matter with counsel of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party; (ii) the Indemnified Party may retain separate co-counsel at its sole cost and expense (except that the Indemnifying Party will be responsible for the fees and expenses of the separate co-counsel to the extent the Indemnified Party reasonably concludes that the counsel the Indemnifying Party has selected has a conflict of interest); (iii) the Indemnified Party will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the matter without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and (iv) the Indemnifying Party will not consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to the matter, or enter into any settlement which does not include a provision whereby the plaintiff or claimant in the matter releases the Indemnified Party from all liability with respect thereto, and, in a settlement or compromise which does not involve only the payment of money by the Indemnifying Party, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(e)            In the event the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within ten (10) Business Days after the Indemnified Party has received a Notice of Claim that the Indemnifying Party is assuming the defense thereof, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right, subject to the provisions of this Article, to undertake the defense, compromise or settlement of such claim for the account of the Indemnifying Party.  Unless and until the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any claim, the Indemnifying Party shall advance to the Indemnified Party any of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any such action or proceeding.  Each Indemnified Party shall agree in writing prior to any such advance that, in the event it receives any such advance, such Indemnified Party shall reimburse the Indemnifying Party for such fees, costs and expenses to the extent that it shall be determined that it was not entitled to indemnification under this Article VII.

 

(f)             In the event that the Indemnifying Party undertakes the defense of any claim, the Indemnifying Party will keep the Indemnified Party advised as to all material developments in connection with such claim, including, but not limited to, promptly furnishing the Indemnified Party with copies of all material documents filed or served in connection therewith.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.1.           Choice of Law .

 

This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles.

 

8.2.           Entire Agreement .

 

This Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.

 

8.3.           Amendment or Modification .

 

This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all of the parties; provided, however, that any such amendment or modification must be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of Buyer (which majority must include the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors of Buyer).

 

8.4.           Assignment .

 

No party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other parties hereto.

 

8.5.           Notices .

 

Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice, request, consent, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party to another party shall be in writing and will be deemed given (a) when received if delivered personally or by courier; or (b) on the date receipt is acknowledged if delivered by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or (c) on the day of transmission if sent by facsimile transmission and receipt thereof is confirmed, as follows:if to Buyer, addressed to:

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-La-Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

Attention:  Finance Department

Facsimile: +1 (441) 295-3494

 

if to Seller, addressed to:

 

Frontline Ltd.

Par-La-Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

 

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Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

Attention:  Finance Department

Facsimile: +1 (441) 295-3494

 

or to such other place and with such other copies as any party may designate as to itself by written notice to the others in accordance with this Section.

 

8.6.           Counterparts .

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory parties had signed the same document.  All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

8.7.           Severability .

 

If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

 

8.8.           U.S. Currency .

 

All sums and amounts payable to or to be payable pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be payable in coin or currency of the United States of America that, at the time of payment, is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the United States of America.

 

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

 

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kate Blankenship

 

 

Name: Kate Blankenship

 

Title: Director, Secretary, Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kate Blankenship

 

 

Name: Kate Blankenship

 

Title: Director, Secretary, Attorney-in-Fact

 



 

SCHEDULE 2.2

PURCHASE PRICE

 

Purchased Company

 

Vessel

 

Purchase Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granite Shipping Co. Ltd.

 

Front Granite

 

$

24,651,232

 

Golden Current Limited

 

Opalia

 

56,343,723

 

Oscilla Shipping Limited

 

Oscilla

 

51,364,002

 

Bonfield Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Driver

 

34,483,616

 

Fourways Marine Limited

 

Front Spirit

 

29,736,708

 

Front Ardenne Inc.

 

Front Ardenne

 

41,351,909

 

Front Brabant Inc.

 

Front Brabant

 

41,358,378

 

Front Falcon Inc.

 

Front Falcon

 

73,498,862

 

Front Glory Shipping Inc.

 

Front Glory

 

39,223,825

 

Front Pride Shipping Inc.

 

Front Pride

 

35,601,323

 

Front Saga Inc.

 

Front Page

 

72,480,897

 

Front Serenade Inc.

 

Front Serenade

 

70,640,255

 

Front Splendour Shipping Inc.

 

Front Splendour

 

39,519,675

 

Front Stratus Inc.

 

Front Stratus

 

72,229,427

 

Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation

 

Navix Astral

 

49,683,613

 

Golden Estuary Corporation

 

Front Comanche

 

68,193,882

 

Golden Fjord Corporation

 

Front Commerce

 

68,526,501

 

Golden Seaway Corporation

 

New Vanguard

 

67,431,819

 

Golden Sound Corporation

 

New Vista

 

67,662,762

 

Golden Tide Corporation

 

New Circassia

 

64,184,079

 

Katong Investments Ltd.

 

Front Breaker

 

35,438,232

 

Langkawi Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Birch

 

25,244,984

 

Patrio Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Hunter

 

41,731,293

 

Rakis Maritime S.A.

 

Front Fighter

 

41,637,071

 

Sea Ace Corporation

 

Front Ace

 

44,126,960

 

Sibu Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Maple

 

25,376,672

 

Southwest Tankers Inc.

 

Front Sunda

 

26,950,136

 

West Tankers Inc.

 

Front Comor

 

28,427,159

 

Sakura Transport Corp.

 

Sakura I

 

74,247,705

 

Ariake Transport Corp.

 

Ariake

 

 

*

Edinburgh Navigation S.A.

 

Edinburgh

 

42,938,988

 

Dundee Navigation S.A.

 

Dundee

 

 

**

Tokyo Transport Corp.

 

Tanabe

 

75,310,055

 

Hitatchi Hull # 4983 Corp.

 

Hakata

 

 

***

Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.

 

Front Lillo

 

26,168,474

 

Madeira International Corp.(1)

 

Front Viewer

 

38,781,295

 

Madeira International Corp.(2)

 

Front Rider

 

38,439,499

 

Madeira International Corp.(3)

 

Mindanao

 

39,320,280

 

Madeira International Corp.(4)

 

Front Vanadis

 

34,674,308

 

Madeira International Corp.(5)

 

Front Sabang

 

33,537,308

 

Madeira International Corp.(6)

 

Front Duchess

 

45,451,803

 

Madeira International Corp.(7)

 

Front Highness

 

38,925,161

 

 



 

Madeira International Corp.(8)

 

Front Lord

 

38,873,902

 

Madeira International Corp.(9)

 

Front Climber

 

31,052,994

 

Madeira International Corp.(10)

 

Front Lady

 

39,234,534

 

Madeira International Corp.(11)

 

Front Duke

 

42,285,596

 

Madeira International Corp.(12)

 

Front Emperor

 

27,554,389

 

Madeira International Corp.(13)

 

Front Leader

 

31,025,808

 

Madeira International Corp.(14)

 

Front Striver

 

37,104,624

 

Madeira International Corp.(15)

 

Front Guider

 

36,371,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

2,108,397,451

****

 


*                                          This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Sakura Transport Corp.

**                                   This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Edinburgh Navigation S.A.

***                            This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Tokyo Transport Corp.

****                     Includes existing senior secured indebtedness.

 

(1) Owns 100% of Aspinall Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(2) Owns 100% of Blizana Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(3) Owns 100% of Bolzano Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(4) Owns 100% of Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(5) Owns 100% of Fox Maritime Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(6) Owns 100% of Front Dua Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(7) Owns 100% of Front Empat Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(8) Owns 100% of Front Enam Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(9) Owns 100% of Front Lapan Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(10) Owns 100% of Front Lima Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(11) Owns 100% of Front Tiga Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(12) Owns 100% of Front Tujuh Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(13) Owns 100% of Front Sembilan Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(14) Owns 100% of Rettie Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(15) Owns 100% of Transcorp Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

 



 

SCHEDULE 3.4
CONSENTS

 

 

Consents required under senior secured credit facility for each Subsidiary

 



 

SCHEDULE 3.5

PURCHASED COMPANIES

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Vessel

 

Country of
Incorporation

 

Current
Seller
Ownership of
Interests (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granite Shipping Co. Ltd.

 

Front Granite

 

Bahamas

 

100

 

Golden Current Limited

 

Opalia

 

Isle of Man

 

100

 

Oscilla Shipping Limited

 

Oscilla

 

Isle of Man

 

100

(i)

Bonfield Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Driver

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Fourways Marine Limited

 

Front Spirit

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Ardenne Inc.

 

Front Ardenne

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Brabant Inc.

 

Front Brabant

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Falcon Corp.

 

Front Falcon

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Glory Shipping Inc.

 

Front Glory

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Pride Shipping Inc.

 

Front Pride

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Saga Inc.

 

Front Page

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Serenade Inc.

 

Front Serenade

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Splendour Shipping Inc.

 

Front Splendour

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Front Stratus Inc.

 

Front Stratus

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation

 

Navix Astral

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Golden Estuary Corporation

 

Front Comanche

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Golden Fjord Corporation

 

Front Commerce

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Golden Seaway Corporation

 

New Vanguard

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Golden Sound Corporation

 

New Vista

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Golden Tide Corporation

 

New Circassia

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Katong Investments Ltd.

 

Front Breaker

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Langkawi Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Birch

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Patrio Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Hunter

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Rakis Maritime S.A.

 

Front Fighter

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Sea Ace Corporation

 

Front Ace

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Sibu Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Maple

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Southwest Tankers Inc.

 

Front Sunda

 

Liberia

 

100

 

West Tankers Inc.

 

Front Comor

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Ariake Transport Corporation *

 

Ariake

 

Liberia

 

50.1

 

Dundee Navigation S.A.*

 

Dundee

 

Liberia

 

50.1

 

Edinburgh Navigation S.A.*

 

Edinburgh

 

Liberia

 

50.1

 

Hitachi Hull #4983 Corporation *

 

Hakata

 

Liberia

 

50.1

 

Sakura Transport Corporation *

 

Sakura I

 

Liberia

 

50.1

 

Tokyo Transport Corporation *

 

Tanabe

 

Liberia

 

50.1

 

Madeira International Corp.

 

Holding Company

 

Liberia

 

100

 

 



 

Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.

 

Front Lillo

 

Panama

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(1)

 

Front Viewer

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(2)

 

Front Rider

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(3)

 

Mindanao

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(4)

 

Front Vanadis

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(5)

 

Front Sabang

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(6)

 

Front Duchess

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(7)

 

Front Highness

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(8)

 

Front Lord

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(9)

 

Front Climber

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(10)

 

Front Lady

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(11)

 

Front Duke

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(12)

 

Front Emperor

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(13)

 

Front Leader

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(14)

 

Front Striver

 

Liberia

 

100

 

Madeira International Corp.(15)

 

Front Guider

 

Liberia

 

100

 

 


(i)  Seller owns the Vessel Owning Subsidiary and intends to acquire and exercise an option to purchase the Oscilla.

 

*  Seller is a partial owner of each of these companies, with the remaining Interests in each company owned by a third party.  Seller will acquire the remaining Interests in three of these companies and then transfer 100% of such Interests, including their respective vessels, to Buyer.  The remaining companies and their respective vessels will not be sold to Buyer.

 

(1) Owns 100% of Aspinall Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(2) Owns 100% of Blizana Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(3) Owns 100% of Bolzano Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(4) Owns 100% of Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(5) Owns 100% of Fox Maritime Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(6) Owns 100% of Front Dua Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(7) Owns 100% of Front Empat Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(8) Owns 100% of Front Enam Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(9) Owns 100% of Front Lapan Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(10) Owns 100% of Front Lima Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(11) Owns 100% of Front Tiga Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(12) Owns 100% of Front Tujuh Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(13) Owns 100% of Front Sembilan Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(14) Owns 100% of Rettie Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

(15) Owns 100% of Transcorp Pte Ltd., the Vessel Owning Subsidiary

 



 

SCHEDULE 3.7
UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES/VESSEL INDEBTEDNESS

 

Purchased Company

 

Vessel

 

Estimated
Outstanding Debt as
of 12/31/03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granite Shipping Co. Ltd.

 

Front Granite

 

$10,855,385

 

Golden Current Limited

 

Opalia

 

42,000,000

 

Oscilla Shipping Limited

 

Oscilla

 

42,994,002

 

Bonfield Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Driver

 

16,819,494

 

Fourways Marine Limited

 

Front Spirit

 

14,300,000

 

Front Ardenne Inc.

 

Front Ardenne

 

24,420,000

 

Front Brabant Inc.

 

Front Brabant

 

25,320,000

 

Front Falcon Inc.

 

Front Falcon

 

45,625,962

 

Front Glory Shipping Inc.

 

Front Glory

 

19,720,000

 

Front Pride Shipping Inc.

 

Front Pride

 

18,560,000

 

Front Saga Inc.

 

Front Page

 

43,384,357

 

Front Serenade Inc.

 

Front Serenade

 

45,052,083

 

Front Splendour Shipping Inc.

 

Front Splendour

 

19,720,000

 

Front Stratus Inc.

 

Front Stratus

 

45,918,750

 

Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation

 

Navix Astral

 

41,855,187

 

Golden Estuary Corporation

 

Front Comanche

 

48,779,950

 

Golden Fjord Corporation

 

Front Commerce

 

41,100,000

 

Golden Seaway Corporation

 

New Vanguard

 

42,978,141

 

Golden Sound Corporation

 

New Vista

 

49,796,724

 

Golden Tide Corporation

 

New Circassia

 

54,821,319

 

Katong Investments Ltd.

 

Front Breaker

 

16,812,539

 

Langkawi Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Birch

 

11,409,232

 

Patrio Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Hunter

 

21,375,000

 

Rakis Maritime S.A.

 

Front Fighter

 

21,125,000

 

Sea Ace Corporation

 

Front Ace

 

18,260,000

 

Sibu Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Maple

 

11,409,232

 

Southwest Tankers Inc.

 

Front Sunda

 

11,409,232

 

West Tankers Inc.

 

Front Comor

 

11,963,078

 

Sakura Transport Corp.

 

Sakura I

 

39,978,771

 

Ariake Transport Corp.

 

Ariake

 

 

*

Edinburgh Navigation S.A.

 

Edinburgh

 

18,141,226

 

Dundee Navigation S.A.

 

Dundee

 

 

**

Tokyo Transport Corp.

 

Tanabe

 

40,794,436

 

Hitatchi Hull # 4983 Corp.

 

Hakata

 

 

***

Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.

 

Front Lillo

 

13,000,000

 

Madeira International Corp.(1)

 

Front Viewer

 

12,608,400

 

Madeira International Corp.(2)

 

Front Rider

 

20,659,634

 

Madeira International Corp.(3)

 

Mindanao

 

22,750,000

 

Madeira International Corp.(4)

 

Front Vanadis

 

14,953,844

 

Madeira International Corp.(5)

 

Front Sabang

 

13,133,336

 

 



 

Purchased Company

 

Vessel

 

Estimated
Outstanding Debt as
of 12/31/03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madeira International Corp.(6)

 

Front Duchess

 

16,258,200

 

Madeira International Corp.(7)

 

Front Highness

 

16,258,200

 

Madeira International Corp.(8)

 

Front Lord

 

16,258,200

 

Madeira International Corp.(9)

 

Front Climber

 

12,608,400

 

Madeira International Corp.(10)

 

Front Lady

 

16,258,200

 

Madeira International Corp.(11)

 

Front Duke

 

16,258,200

 

Madeira International Corp.(12)

 

Front Emperor

 

10,783,500

 

Madeira International Corp.(13)

 

Front Leader

 

12,608,400

 

Madeira International Corp.(14)

 

Front Striver

 

12,608,400

 

Madeira International Corp.(15)

 

Front Guider

 

12,608,400

 

 


*                                          This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Sakura Transport Corp.

**                                   This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Edinburgh Navigation S.A.

***                            This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Tokyo Transport Corp.

 



 

SCHEDULE 3.19

VESSELS

 

Name of Vessel

 

Type

 

Vessel Owning Subsidiary

 

Flag

 

Dwt.

 

Year
Built

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Granite

 

Suezmax

 

Granite Shipping Co. Ltd.

 

Norway

 

142,000

 

1991

 

Opalia (i)

 

VLCC

 

Golden Current Limited

 

Isle of Man

 

302,000

 

1999

 

Oscilla (ii)

 

VLCC

 

Oscilla Shipping Limited(a)

 

Isle of Man

 

302,000

 

2000

 

Front Driver (iii)

 

Suezmax / OBO

 

Bonfield Shipping Ltd.

 

Norway

 

169,000

 

1991

 

Front Spirit

 

Suezmax

 

Fourways Marine Limited

 

Norway

 

147,000

 

1993

 

Front Ardenne

 

Suezmax

 

Front Ardenne Inc.

 

Norway

 

153,000

 

1997

 

Front Brabant (iv)

 

Suezmax

 

Front Brabant Inc.

 

Norway

 

153,000

 

1998

 

Front Falcon

 

VLCC

 

Front Falcon Corp.

 

Bahamas

 

308,000

 

2002

 

Front Glory

 

Suezmax

 

Front Glory Shipping Inc.

 

Norway

 

150,000

 

1995

 

Front Pride

 

Suezmax

 

Front Pride Shipping Inc.

 

Norway

 

150,000

 

1993

 

Front Page

 

VLCC

 

Front Saga Inc.

 

Liberia

 

299,000

 

2002

 

Front Serenade

 

VLCC

 

Front Serenade Inc.

 

Liberia

 

299,000

 

2002

 

Front Splendour

 

Suezmax

 

Front Splendour Shipping Inc.

 

Norway

 

150,000

 

1995

 

Front Stratus

 

VLCC

 

Front Stratus Inc.

 

Bahamas

 

299,000

 

2002

 

Navix Astral (v)

 

VLCC

 

Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation

 

Panama

 

276,000

 

1996

 

Front Comanche (vi)

 

VLCC

 

Golden Estuary Corporation

 

France

 

300,000

 

1999

 

Front Commerce

 

VLCC

 

Golden Fjord Corporation

 

Liberia

 

300,000

 

1999

 

New Vanguard (vii)

 

VLCC

 

Golden Seaway Corporation

 

Hong Kong

 

300,000

 

1998

 

New Vista (viii)

 

VLCC

 

Golden Sound Corporation

 

Hong Kong

 

300,000

 

1998

 

New Circassia

 

VLCC

 

Golden Tide Corporation

 

Panama

 

306,000

 

1999

 

Front Breaker (ix)

 

Suezmax / OBO

 

Katong Investments Ltd.

 

Norway

 

169,000

 

1991

 

Front Birch

 

Suezmax

 

Langkawi Shipping Ltd.

 

Norway

 

152,000

 

1991

 

Front Hunter

 

Suezmax

 

Patrio Shipping Ltd.

 

Norway

 

153,000

 

1998

 

 


(i)             charter expires in February of 2004

(ii)            charter expires in April of 2005

(iii)           charter expires in July of 2004 with option extending to October of 2006

(iv)           charter expires in July of 2004 with option extending to October of 2004

(v)            charter expires in March of 2011

(vi)           charter expires in December of 2007

(vii)          charter expires in March of 2008

(viii)         charter expires in March of 2008

(ix)            charter expires in July of 2004 with option extending to October of 2004

 



 

Front Fighter

 

Suezmax

 

Rakis Maritime S.A.

 

Norway

 

153,000

 

1998

 

Front Ace

 

VLCC

 

Sea Ace Corporation

 

Liberia

 

276,000

 

1993

 

Front Maple

 

Suezmax

 

Sibu Shipping Ltd.

 

Norway

 

152,000

 

1991

 

Front Sunda

 

Suezmax

 

Southwest Tankers Inc.

 

Norway

 

142,000

 

1992

 

Front Comor

 

Suezmax

 

West Tankers Inc.

 

Norway

 

142,000

 

1993

 

Sakura I

 

VLCC

 

Sakura Transport Corporation(1)

 

Bahamas

 

298,530

 

2001

 

Ariake *

 

VLCC

 

Ariake Transport Corporation(1)

 

Bahamas

 

298,000

 

2001

 

Edinburgh

 

VLCC

 

Edinburgh Navigation S.A.(1)

 

Liberia

 

302,000

 

1993

 

Dundee**

 

VLCC

 

Dundee Navigation S.A.(1)

 

Liberia

 

302,432

 

1993

 

Tanabe

 

VLCC

 

Tokyo Transport Corp.(1)

 

Bahamas

 

296,000

 

2002

 

Hakata***

 

VLCC

 

Hitachi Hull #4983 Corporation(1)

 

Bahamas

 

296,000

 

2002

 

Front Lillo

 

Suezmax

 

Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.

 

Norway

 

147,000

 

1991

 

Front Viewer (x)

 

Suezmax / OBO

 

Aspinall Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

169,000

 

1992

 

Front Rider (xi)

 

Suezmax / OBO

 

Blizana Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

169,000

 

1992

 

Mindanao

 

Suezmax

 

Bolzano Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

158,000

 

1998

 

Front Vanadis

 

VLCC

 

Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

286,000

 

1990

 

Front Sabang

 

VLCC

 

Fox Maritime Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

286,000

 

1990

 

Front Duchess

 

VLCC

 

Front Dua Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

284,000

 

1993

 

Front Highness

 

VLCC

 

Front Empat Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

284,000

 

1991

 

Front Lord

 

VLCC

 

Front Enam Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

284,000

 

1991

 

Front Climber (xii)

 

Suezmax / OBO

 

Front Lapan Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

169,000

 

1991

 

Front Lady

 

VLCC

 

Front Lima Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

284,000

 

1991

 

Front Duke

 

VLCC

 

Front Tiga Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

284,000

 

1992

 

Front Emperor

 

Suezmax

 

Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

147,000

 

1992

 

Front Leader (xiii)

 

Suezmax / OBO

 

Front Sembilan Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

169,000

 

1991

 

Front Striver (xiv)

 

Suezmax / OBO

 

Rettie Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

169,000

 

1992

 

Front Guider (xv)

 

Suezmax / OBO

 

Transcorp Pte Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

169,000

 

1991

 

 


(x)             charter expires in October of 2004 with option extending to December of 2004

(xi)            charter expires in August of 2004 with option extending to November of 2004

(xii)           charter expires in July of 2004 with option extending to October of 2004

(xiii)          charter expires in March of 2006

(xiv)         charter expires in November of 2006 with option extending to April of 2007

(xv)         charter expires in April of 2006 with option extending to October of 2006

 



 

(a)  Seller owns the Vessel Owning Subsidiary and intends to acquire and exercise an option to purchase the Oscilla.

 

*  This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Sakura Transport Corp.

**  This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Edinburgh Navigation S.A.

***  This vessel owning subsidiary may replace Tokyo Transport Corp.

 

(1)  Seller is a partial owner of each of these companies, with the remaining Interests in each company owned by a third party.  Seller will acquire the remaining Interests in three of these companies and then transfer 100% of such Interests, including their respective vessels, to Buyer.  The remaining companies and their respective vessels will not be sold to Buyer.

 



 

EXHIBIT A
[Form of Charter is Attached]

 

Vessel-specific information required for each Charter can be found in the attached data sheets.

 

All performance specifications for Clause 24 of the Charters are included in the attached data sheets or will be agreed upon by the Charterer and the Company.

 




Exhibit 10.3

 

Date 1 January 2004

 

 

FRONTLINE LTD

as Guarantor

 

- and -

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
AND THE OWNERS (AS DEFINED IN THE GUARANTEE)

as Beneficiaries

 

 

PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE

 

relating to Frontline Shipping Limited
and Frontline Management (Bermuda) Limited

 

 

WATSON, FARLEY & WILLIAMS

London

 



 

INDEX

 

Clause

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

INTERPRETATION

 

 

 

 

2

GUARANTEE

 

 

 

 

3

GUARANTOR’S COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

4

LIABILITY AS PRINCIPAL AND INDEPENDENT DEBTOR

 

 

 

 

5

ADJUSTMENT OF TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

6

PAYMENTS

 

 

 

 

7

ENFORCEMENT

 

 

 

 

8

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

 

 

 

9

SUPPLEMENTAL

 

 

 

 

10

ASSIGNMENT

 

 

 

 

11

NOTICES

 

 

 

 

12

INVALIDITY OF RELEVANT DOCUMENT

 

 

 

 

13

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

 

 

 

EXECUTION PAGE

 

 



 

THIS PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE (this “Guarantee” ) is made by way of deed as of the 1 st of January 2004

 

BETWEEN

 

(1)                                   FRONTLINE LTD , a company incorporated in Bermuda whose registered office is at Par-La-Ville Place, 14 Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda (the “Guarantor” );

 

(2)                                   SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED , a company incorporated in Bermuda whose registered office is at Par-La-Ville Place, 14 Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda (the “Company” , which expression includes its successors and assigns);and

 

(3)                                   Each of the Owners as defined in the Charter Ancillary Agreement referred to in the Recitals below ( “Owners” , and individually, “Owner” which expression includes their successors and assigns);

 

BACKGROUND

 

(A)                               WHEREAS,  Frontline Shipping Limited, a Bermuda company (the “Charterer” ), and each of the owners have entered or will enter into certain time charters (the “Charters” ) pursuant to which the Charterer has agreed or will agree to time charter each of the Vessels (as defined in the Charter Ancillary Agreement) from its respective Owner;

 

(B)                                 WHEREAS, each of the Owners is a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;

 

(C)                                 WHEREAS, the Charterer, the Guarantor, the Company and each of the Owners have entered or will enter into an agreement (the “Charter Ancillary Agreement” ) with respect to, inter alia, the Charter Service Reserve, the Bonus Payments, certain deferral rights under the Charters and certain financial covenants of the Guarantor and the Company.

 

(D)                                WHEREAS, Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd., a Bermuda company ( “Frontline Management” ), and each of the Owners have entered or will enter into certain management agreements (the “Management Agreements” ) pursuant to which Frontline Management has agreed or will agree to provide certain services with respect to, inter alia, the management and operation of each of the Vessels;

 

(E)                                  WHEREAS, Frontline Management, the Company and each of the Owners have entered or will enter into an administrative services agreement (the “Administrative Services Agreement” ) pursuant to which Frontline Management has agreed or will agree to provide certain non-vessel administrative and other support services;

 

(F)                                  WHEREAS, the Charterer and Frontline Management are both wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Guarantor;

 

(G)                                 WHEREAS, in order to induce the Company to enter into the Charter Ancillary Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement and in order to induce the Owners to enter into the Charters, the Charter Ancillary Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement, the Guarantor is willing to guarantee (i) certain obligations of the Charterer under the Charters, (ii) the obligations of the Charterer under the Charter Ancillary Agreement, (iii) the obligations of Frontline

 



 

Management under the Management Agreements and (iv) the obligations of Frontline Management as service provider under the Administrative Services Agreement;

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1                                          INTERPRETATION

 

1.1                                Defined expressions.  Words and expressions defined in the Charter Ancillary Agreement shall have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee unless the context otherwise requires.

 

1.2                                Construction of certain terms.   In this Guarantee:

 

“bankruptcy” includes a liquidation, receivership or administration and any form of suspension of payments, arrangement with creditors or reorganisation under any corporate or insolvency law of any country;

 

“Beneficiaries” means, together, each of the Company, the Owners and any Substitute Owner together as beneficiaries of this Guarantee and “Beneficiary” means any one of them;

 

“Charter Hire” means any amount of charter hire payable by the Charterer to an Owner under clause 44 (Charter Hire) of a Charter;

 

“Greenwich Holdings Ltd” means a company incorporated and existing under the laws of Bermuda;

 

“Guaranteed Obligations” means each of those obligations of the Charterers and Frontline Management set out in Clause 2.1 (a), (b) and (c) below;

 

“Relevant Documents” means each of the Charters, the Charter Ancillary Agreement, the Management Agreements and the Administrative Services Agreement;

 

“Subsidiaries” means each of the Charterer and Frontline Management;

 

“Substitute Owner” means any Substitute Owner as defined in the Charter Ancillary Agreement.

 

2                                          GUARANTEE

 

2.1                                Guarantee and indemnity.   The Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably:

 

(a)                                   guarantees to each Beneficiary the full and punctual performance of the obligations of the Charterer under the Charters and the Charter Ancillary Agreement and the due payment of all amounts payable by the Charterers under the Charters and the Charter Ancillary Agreement; provided, however, that this Guarantee shall not extend to the payment of Charter Hire;

 

(b)                                  guarantees to each Beneficiary the full and punctual performance of the obligations of Frontline Management under the Management Agreements and the due payment of all amounts payable by Frontline Management under the Management Agreements, including, but not limited to, any amount payable under the off-hire indemnity given by

 

2



 

Frontline Management under clause 27 (off-hire) of each of the Management Agreements; provided, however, that the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee with respect to indemnification for environmental matters shall not extend beyond the protection and indemnity insurance coverage with respect to any Vessel required by the Owners under the Management Agreements;

 

(c)                                   guarantees to each Beneficiary the full and punctual performance of the obligations of Frontline Management under the Administrative Services Agreement and the due payment of all amounts payable by Frontline Management under the Administrative Services Agreement;

 

(d)                                  undertakes to pay to each Beneficiary, on such Beneficiary’s first demand, any amount arising in respect of or relating to the Guaranteed Obligations or any other amount arising due to losses, damages or claims arising from non performance by a Subsidiary of the Guaranteed Obligations, which is not paid by the Subsidiary when payable; and

 

(e)                                   fully indemnifies each Beneficiary on its first demand in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities and losses which are made or brought against or incurred by such Beneficiary as a result of or in connection with any obligation or liability guaranteed by the Guarantor being or becoming unenforceable, invalid, void or illegal; and the amount recoverable under this indemnity shall be equal to the amount which such Beneficiary would otherwise have been entitled to recover.

 

2.2                                No limit on number of demands.   A Beneficiary may serve more than one demand under Clause 2.1.

 

2.3                                Effectiveness.   The Guarantor’s obligations under Clause 2.1 with respect to any Relevant Document shall be effective as of the effective date of such Relevant Document notwithstanding the execution and delivery of such Relevant Document after the date of this Guarantee.

 

3                                          GUARANTOR’S COVENANTS

 

3.1                                Certain Covenants.   The Guarantor hereby covenants and undertakes with each Beneficiary that the Guarantor will:

 

(a)                                   procure that the Charterer use its commercial best efforts to charter the Vessels on market terms (including, without limitation, ensuring that preferential treatment is not given to any other vessels owned, managed by or under the control of the Guarantor or any of its affiliates (including, without limitation, Greenwich Holdings Ltd and any affiliates thereof) when marketing any of the Vessels);

 

(b)                                  cause the Charterer not to declare or make any dividend or distribution of any kind whatsoever to its shareholders (including through a buyback, redemption or repurchase of its securities) or loan, place deposits, repay or make any other payment in respect of Indebtedness of the Charterer or any affiliate thereof (other than the Company and the Subsidiaries) unless (i) the Charterer is then in compliance with all of its obligations and covenants under the Charter Ancillary Agreement; (ii) after giving effect to the declaration or payment of any such dividend or distribution or loan or payment in respect of such Indebtedness, (A) the Charterer will continue to be in compliance with all of its obligations and covenants under the Charter Ancillary Agreement, (B) the Charter Service Reserve equals at least the then applicable Minimum Reserve and (C) the chief

 

3



 

financial officer of the Charterer certifies to the Company that the amount of the Charter Service Reserve will equal or exceed the then applicable Minimum Reserve for at least 30 days after the date of any such payment (each, a “Payment Date” ), taking into consideration the Charterer’s reasonably expected payment obligations during such 30-day period; (iii) any charter payments deferred pursuant to Article III of the Charter Ancillary Agreement have been paid to the Company prior to any such Payment Date; and (iv) any Bonus Payments deferred pursuant to Article IV of the Charter Ancillary Agreement have been paid to the Company prior to any such Payment Date; and

 

(c)                                   not pledge any of its equity interests in the Charterer or Frontline Management other than in favour of the Company as contemplated under the Charter Ancillary Agreement.

 

4                                          LIABILITY AS PRINCIPAL AND INDEPENDENT DEBTOR

 

4.1                                Principal and independent debtor.   The Guarantor shall be liable under this Guarantee as a principal and independent debtor and accordingly it shall not have, as regards this Guarantee, any of the rights or defences of a surety.

 

4.2                                Waiver of rights and defences.   Without limiting the generality of Clause 4.1, the Guarantor shall neither be discharged by, nor have any claim against a Beneficiary in respect of:

 

(a)                                   any amendment or supplement being made to the Relevant Documents;

 

(b)                                  any arrangement or concession (including a rescheduling or acceptance of partial payments) relating to, or affecting, the Relevant Documents;

 

(c)                                   any release or loss (event though negligent) of any right or interest created by the Relevant Documents;

 

(d)                                  any failure (even though negligent) promptly or properly to exercise or enforce any right or interest created by the Relevant Documents; or

 

(e)                                   any other Relevant Document or any right or interest in a Relevant Document now being or later becoming void, unenforceable, illegal or invalid or otherwise defective for any reason.

 

5                                          ADJUSTMENT OF TRANSACTIONS

 

5.1                                Reinstatement of obligation to pay.   The Guarantor shall pay to each Beneficiary on its first demand any amount which the Beneficiary is required, or agrees, to pay pursuant to any claim by, or settlement with, a trustee in bankruptcy (or similar) of a Subsidiary on the ground that the Relevant Document, or a payment by a Subsidiary, was invalid or on any similar ground.

 

6                                          PAYMENTS

 

6.1                                Method of payments.   Any amount due under this Guarantee shall be paid:

 

(a)                                   in immediately available funds;

 

(b)                                  to such account as the Beneficiaries may from time to time notify to the Guarantor;

 

4



 

(c)                                   without any form of set-off, cross-claim or condition; and

 

(d)                                  free and clear of any tax deduction except a tax deduction which the Guarantor is required by law to make.

 

7                                          ENFORCEMENT

 

7.1                                No requirement to commence proceedings against Subsidiary.   No Beneficiary will be required to commence any proceedings under, or enforce any Lien created by, a Relevant Document or any other related document before claiming or commencing proceedings under this Guarantee.

 

8                                          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

8.1                                General.   The Guarantor represents and warrants to each Beneficiary as follows.

 

8.2                                Status.   The Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Bermuda.

 

8.3                                Corporate power.   The Guarantor has the corporate capacity, and has taken all corporate action and obtained all consents necessary for it:

 

(a)                                   to execute this Guarantee; and

 

(b)                                  to make all the payments contemplated by, and to comply with, this Guarantee.

 

8.4                                Legal Validity.   This Guarantee constitutes the Guarantor’s legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms subject to any relevant insolvency laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

 

9                                          SUPPLEMENTAL

 

9.1                                Continuing guarantee.   This Guarantee shall remain in force as a continuing security at all times until the Guaranteed Obligations and the covenants of the Guarantor under this Guarantee have been performed in full to the satisfaction of the Beneficiaries.

 

9.2                                Rights cumulative, non-exclusive.   Each Beneficiary’s rights under and in connection with this Guarantee are cumulative, may be exercised as often as appears expedient and shall not be taken to exclude or limit any right or remedy conferred by law.

 

9.3                                No impairment of rights under Guarantee.   If a Beneficiary omits to exercise, delays in exercising or invalidly exercises any of its rights under this Guarantee, that shall not impair that or any other right of such Beneficiary under this Guarantee.

 

9.4                                Severability of provisions.   If any provision of this Guarantee is or subsequently becomes void, illegal, unenforceable or otherwise invalid, that shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of its other provisions.

 

5



 

9.5                                Guarantee not affected by other security.   This Guarantee shall not impair, nor be impaired by, any other guarantee, any Lien or any right of set-off or netting which the Beneficiary may now or later hold in connection with the Relevant Documents.

 

9.6                                Third party rights.   A person who is not a party to this Guarantee has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Guarantee except as the parties may otherwise agree in writing.

 

9.7                                Release.   If the Guarantor shall have discharged all of its actual or contingent obligations under this Guarantee to the satisfaction of the Beneficiaries, the Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under this Guarantee.

 

9.8                                Waiver of Immunity.   To the extent that the Guarantor may in any jurisdiction claim for itself or its assets or revenues immunity from suit, execution, attachment (whether in aid of execution, before judgment or otherwise) or other legal process and to the extent that in any such jurisdiction there may be attributed to itself, its assets or revenues such immunity (whether or not claimed), the Guarantor irrevocably agrees not to claim, and irrevocably waives, such immunity to the full extent permitted by the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

10           ASSIGNMENT

 

10.1                         Assignment by Beneficiary.   Each Beneficiary may assign its rights under and in connection with this Guarantee to a bank or financial institution.

 

11           NOTICES

 

11.1                         Notices to Guarantor.   Any notice or demand to the Guarantor under or in connection with this Guarantee shall be given by letter, fax or telex at:

 

Frontline Ltd.
Par-La-Ville Place
14 Par-La-Ville Road
Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08
Attention: Finance Department
Facsimile: +1 (441) 295-3494

 

or to such other address which the Guarantor may notify to each Beneficiary.

 

12           INVALIDITY OF RELEVANT DOCUMENT

 

12.1        Invalidity of Relevant Documents.  In the event of:

 

(a)                                   a Relevant Document now being or later becoming, with immediate or retrospective effect, void, illegal, unenforceable or otherwise invalid for any other reason whatsoever, whether of a similar kind or not; or

 

(b)                                  without limiting the scope of paragraph (a), a bankruptcy of the Subsidiary, the introduction of any law or any other matter resulting in the Subsidiary being discharged from liability under a Relevant Document, or a Relevant Document ceasing to operate ;

 

6



 

this Guarantee shall cover any amount which would have been or become payable under or in connection with a Relevant Document if a Relevant Document had been and remained entirely valid, legal and enforceable, or the Subsidiary had not suffered bankruptcy, or any combination of such events or circumstances, as the case may be, and the Subsidiary had remained fully liable under it for liabilities whether invalidly incurred or validly incurred but subsequently retrospectively invalidated; and references in this Guarantee to amounts payable by the Subsidiary under or in connection with a Relevant Document shall include references to any amount which would have so been or become payable as aforesaid.

 

13           GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

13.1        English law.   This Guarantee shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.

 

13.2                         Arbitration.   Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996, or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force save to the extent necessary to give effect to this provisions of this Section. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) on terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced. The reference shall be to three arbitrators: one to be appointed by the Company and the Owners, one to be appointed by the Guarantor and the third to be appointed by the two arbitrators so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final. Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator. In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

13.3                         English proceedings.   The Guarantor shall not commence any proceedings in any country other than England in relation to a matter which arises out of or in connection with this Guarantee.

 

13.4                         Beneficiary’ rights unaffected.   Nothing in this Clause 13 shall exclude or limit any right which the Beneficiary may have (whether under the law of any country, an international convention or otherwise) with regard to the bringing of proceedings, the recognition or enforcement of a judgment or any similar or related matter in any jurisdiction.

 

13.5                         Meaning of “proceedings”.   In this Clause 13, “proceedings” means proceedings of any kind, including an application for a provisional or protective measure.

 

THIS GUARANTEE has been duly executed as a deed on the date stated at the beginning of this Guarantee.

 

7



 

EXECUTION PAGE

 

GUARANTOR

 

 

 

EXECUTED as a deed by

)

 

for and on behalf of

)

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

)

 

in the presence of:

)

 

 

 

 

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

 

 

 

 

8




Exhibit 10.4

 

Code word for this Charter Party

“SHELLTIME 4”

Issued December 1984

 

Time Charter Party

 

Hamilton, Bermuda LONDON  1 January 2004

 

IT IS THIS DAY AGREED between

GRANITE SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED. (hereinafter referred to as “Owners”), being owners of  the

 

good Motor Tanker                                                          called  FRONT GRANITE

(hereinafter referred to as “the vessel”) described as per Clause in Annex 1 hereof and

Frontline Shipping Limited , a Bermuda company  (hereinafter referred to as “Charterers”)

 

Description and Condition of Vessel

 

1.             At the date of delivery of the vessel under this charter

 

(a) she shall be classed: DNV – Tanker for oil 1A1 ESP EO

 

(b) she shall be in every way fit to carry crude petroleum and/or products:

 

(c) she shall be tight, staunch, strong, in good order and condition, and in every way fit for the service, with her machinery, boilers, hull and other equipment (including but not limited to hull stress calculator and radar) in a good and efficient state:

 

(d) her  tanks, valves and pipelines shall be oil-tight;

 

(e) she shall be in every way fitted for burning  at sea – fueloil as per RMG 35 specification with a maximum 380 CST viscosity for main propulsion and auxiliary engines  at 50 degrees Centigrade/any   commercial grade of fueloil (“ACGFO”) for main propulsion, marine diesel oil/ACGFO for auxiliaries . in port or water described by IMO and/or EC with fuel oil or marine diesel which complies with specifications required to meet the rules/regulations now existing or which may be imposed in the future – marine diesel oil/ACGFO for auxiliaries:

 

(f) she shall comply with the regulations in force so as to enable her to pass through the Suez and Panama Canal s by day and night without delay;

 

(g) she shall have on board all certificates, documents and equipment required from time to time by any applicable law to enable her to perform the charter service without delay;

 

(h) she shall comply with the description in Form B Annex 1 appended hereto, provided however  that if there is any conflict between the provisions of Form B Annex 1 and any other provision, including this Clause 1, of this charter such other provision shall govern.

 

Shipboard Personnel vessel and their Duties

 

2.             (a) At the date of delivery of the vessel under this charter

 

(i)   she shall have a full and efficient complement of master, officers and crew for a  vessel of her tonnage, who shall in any event be not less than the number required by the laws of the flag state and who shall be trained to operate the vessel and her equipment competently and safely;

 

(ii)  all shipboard personnel shall hold valid certificates of competence in accordance with the requirements of the law of the flag state;

 

(iii) all shipboard personnel shall be trained in accordance with the relevant provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1995 1978 as amended from time to time;

 

(iv) there shall be on board sufficient personnel with a good working knowledge of the English language to enable cargo operations at loading and discharging places to be carried out efficiently and safely and to enable communications between the vessel and those loading the vessel or accepting discharge therefrom to be carried out quickly and efficiently.

 

(b) Owners guarantee that throughout the charter service the master shall with the vessel’s officers and crew, unless otherwise ordered by Charterers:

 

(i)   prosecute all voyages with the utmost despatch:

 

(ii)  render all customary assistance: and

 

(iii) load and discharge cargo as rapidly as possible when required by Charterers or their agents to do so, by night or by day, but always in accordance with the laws of the place of loading or discharging (as the case may be) and in each case in accordance with any applicable laws of the flag state.

 

Duty to or any Maintain

 

3.             (i) Subject to Clause 51, throughout the charter service Owners shall, whenever the passage of time, wear and tear event (whether or not coming within Clause 27 hereof) requires steps to be taken to maintain or restore the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 and 2(a), exercise due diligence so to maintain or restore the vessel.

 

(ii) If at any time whilst the vessel is on hire under this charter the vessel fails to comply with the requirements of Clauses 1, 2(a) or 10 then hire shall be reduced to the extent necessary to indemnify Charterers for such failure.  If and to the extent that such failure affects the time taken by the vessel to perform any services under this charter, hire shall be reduced by an amount equal to the value, calculated at the rate of hire, of the time so lost.

 

Any reduction of hire under this sub-Clause (ii) shall be without prejudice to any other remedy

 



 

available to Charterers, but where such reduction of hire is in respect of time lost, such time shall be excluded from any calculation under Clause 24 .

 

( iii) If Owners are in breach of their obligation under Clause 3(i) Charterers may so notify Owners in writing: and if, after the expiry of 30 days following the receipt by Owners of any such notice.  Owners have failed to demonstrate to Charterers reasonable satisfaction the exercise of due diligence as required in Clause 3(i), the vessel shall be off-hire, and no further hire payments shall be due, until Owners have so demonstrated that they are exercising such due diligence .

 

Furthermore, at any time while the vessel is off-hire this Clause 3 Charterers have the option to terminate this charter by giving notice in writing with effect from the date on which such notice of termination is received by Owners from any later date stated in such notice.  This sub-Clause (iii) is without prejudice to any rights of Charterers or obligations of Owners under this charter or otherwise (including without limitation Charterers rights under Clause 21 hereof).

 

Period Trading Limits

 

4.             Owners agree to let and Charterers agree to hire the vessel for a period of ending December 31, 2014 and

commencing as of January 1, 2004 for the purpose of carrying all lawful merchandise (subject always to Clause 28) including in particular within the trading limits agreed in Clause 43. in any part of the world, as Charterers shall direct, subject to the limits of the current British Institute Warranties and any subsequent amendments thereof .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Clause 35, Charterers may order the vessel to ice-bound waters or to any part of the world outside such limits provided that Owners consent thereto  and that Charterers pay for any insurance premium required by the vessel’s underwriters as a consequence of such order.

 

Charterers shall use due diligence to ensure that the vessel is only employed between and at safe places (which expression when used in this charter shall include ports, berths, wharves, docks, fairways, anchorage’s, submarine lines, alongside vessels or lighters, and other locations including locations at sea) where she can safely lie always afloat.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this or any other clause of this charter, Charterers do not warrant the safety of any place to which they order the vessel and shall be under no liability in respect thereof except for loss or damage caused by their failure to exercise due diligence as aforesaid.  Subject as above, the vessel shall be loaded and discharged at any places as Charterers may direct, provided that Charterers shall exercise due diligence to ensure that any ship-to-ship transfer operation shall conform to standards not less than those set out in the latest published edition of the ICS/OCIMF Ship-to-Ship Transfer Guide, as may be amended from time to time.

 

The vessel shall be delivered by Owners at a port in or at sea world-wide at Owner’s Charterer ’s option and redelivered to Owners at a major oil port in world-wide at Charterer’s option.

 

Laydays/ Cancelling

 

5.             The vessel shall not be delivered to Charterers before                                           and Charterers shall

have the option of cancelling this charter if the vessel is not ready and at their disposal on or before

 

The delivery of the Vessel under this Charter shall be deemed to have occurred and this Charter shall be effective (the “Effective Date”) as of January 1, 2004.

 

Owners to Provide

 

6.             Owners undertake to provide and to pay for all provisions, wages, and shipping and discharging fees and all other expenses of the master, officers and crew, also, except as provided in Clauses 4 and 34 hereof, for all insurance on the vessel, for all deck, cabin and engine-room stores, and for water: for all drydocking, overhaul maintenance and repairs to the vessel: and for all fumigation expenses and de-rat certificates.  Owners obligations under  this Clause 6 extend to all liabilities for customs or import duties arising at any time during the performance of this charter in relation to the personal effects of the master, officers and crew, and in relation to the stores, provisions and other matters aforesaid which Owners are to provide and pay for and Owners shall refund to Charterers any sums Charterers or their agents may have paid or been compelled to pay in respect of any such liability.  Any amounts allowable in general average for wages and provisions and store shall be credited to Charterers insofar as such amounts are in respect of a period when the vessel is on-hire.

 

Charterers to Provide

 

7.             Charterers shall provide and pay for all fuel (except fuel used for domestic services), towage and pilotage and shall pay agency fees, port charges, commissions, expenses of loading and unloading cargoes, canal dues and all charges other than those payable by Owners in accordance with Clause 6 hereof, provided that all charges for the said items shall be for Owners’ account when such items are consumed, employed or incurred for Owners’ purposes or while the vessel is off-hire (unless such items reasonably relate to any service given or distance made good and taken into account under Clause 21 or 22): and provided further that any fuel used in connection with a general average sacrifice or expenditure shall be paid for by Owners.

 

Rate of Hire

 

8.             Subject as herein provided, Charterers shall pay for the use and hire of the vessel at the rate of agreed in Clause 44 per day, and pro rata for any part of a day, from the time and date of her delivery ( local Time UTC ) until the time and date of her re-delivery ( local time UTC ) to Owners.

 

Payment of Hire

 

9.             Subject to Clause 3(iii), Payments of hire shall be made in immediately available funds to: a bank and bank account as nominated by the Owners Account in in equal monthly payments of 30 days hire (adjusted for leap years) in advance, less:

 

(i)  any hire paid which Charterers reasonably estimate to relate to off-hire periods, and

 

(ii ) any amounts disbursed on Owners’ behalf, any advances and commission thereon, and charges which are for Owners’ account pursuant to any provision hereof, and

 



 

(iii) any amounts due or reasonably estimated to become due to Charterers under Clause 3(ii) or 24 hereof. any such adjustments to be made at the due date for the next monthly payment after the facts have been ascertained .  Charterers shall not be responsible for any delay or error caused by Owners’ bank in crediting Owner’s account provided that Charterers have made proper and timely payment.

 

In default of such proper and timely payment

 

(a) Owners shall notify Charterers of such default and Charterers shall within seven days of receipt of such notice pay to Owners the amount due including interest, failing which Owners may terminate this Charter Party or withdraw the vessel from the service of Charterers without prejudice to any other rights Owners may have under this charter or otherwise and Charterers shall ensure that in such case the Owners will be entitled to assume Charterer’s position as disponent owner under any sub-charter of the Vessel.

 

(b) Interest on any amount due but not paid on the due date shall accrue from the day after that date up to and including the day when payment is made, at a rate per annum which shall be 1% above the U.S. Prime Interest Rate as published by  JP MorganChase in New York time at 12.00 New York time on the due date, or, if no such interest rate is published on that day, the interest rate published on the next proceeding day on which such a  rate was so published, computed on the basis of a 360 day year of twelve 30 day months, compounded semi annually.

 

Space Available to Charterers

 

10.           The whole reach, burthen and decks of the vessel and any passenger accommodation (including Owners’ suite) shall be at Charterers’ disposal, reserving only proper and sufficient space for the vessel’s master, officers, crew, tackle, apparel, furniture, provisions and stores. provided that the weight of stores on board shall not, unless specially agreed, exceed                     tonnes at any time during the charter period .

 

Overtime

 

11.           Overtime pay of the master, officers and crew in accordance with ship’s articles shall be for Charterers’ account  when incurred, as a result of complying with the request of Charterers or their agents, for loading, discharging, heating of cargo, bunkering or tank cleaning.

 

Instructions and Logs

 

12.           Charterers shall from time to time give the master all requisite instructions and sailing directions, and he shall keep a full and correct log of the voyage or voyages.  Which Charterers or their agents may inspect as required.  The master shall when required furnish Charterers or  their agents with a true copy of such log and with properly completed loading and discharging port sheets and voyage reports for each voyage and other returns as Charterers may require.  Charterers shall be entitled to take copies at Owners’ their expense of any such documents which are not provided by the master. All reports are to be made in English .

 

Bill of Lading

 

13.           (a) The master (although appointed by Owners) shall be under the orders and direction of Charterers as regards employment of  the vessel, agency and other arrangements, and shall sign bills of lading as Charterers or their agents may direct (subject always to Clauses 35(a) and 40) without prejudice to this charter. Charterers hereby indemnify Owners against all consequences or liabilities that may arise

 

(i) from signing bills of lading in accordance with the directions of Charterers or their agents, to the extent that the terms of such bills of lading fail to conform to the requirements of this charter, or (except as provided in Clause 13(b) from the master otherwise complying with Charterers’ or  their agents’ orders:

 

(ii) from any irregularities in papers supplied by Charterers or their agents,

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Owners shall not be obliged to comply with any orders from Charterers to discharge all or part of the cargo.

 

(i)  at any place other than shown on the bill of lading and/or

 

(ii) without presentation of an original bill of lading unless they have received from Charterers both written confirmation of such orders and an indemnity in a form acceptable to Owners (See Clause 52)

 

Conduct of Vessel’s Personnel

 

14.           If Charterers complain of the conduct of the master or any of the officers or crew, Owners shall immediately investigate the complaint.  If the complaint proves to be well founded , Owners shall, without delay, make a change in the appointments and Owners shall in any event communicate the result of their investigation to Charterers as soon as possible.

 

Bunkers at Delivery and Redelivery

 

15.           Owners acknowledge that b unkers on board at delivery are the property of Charterers. . Charterers shall accept and pay for all bunkers on board at the time of delivery, and Owners shall on redelivery (whether it occurs at the end of the charter period or on the earlier termination of this charter) accept and pay the Charterers for all bunkers remaining on board, at the then-current market prices at the port of delivery or redelivery , as the case may be, or if such prices are not available payment shall be at the then-current market prices at the nearest port at which such prices are available: provided that if delivery or redelivery does not take place in a port payment shall be at the price paid at the vessel’s last port of bunkering before delivery or redelivery. as the case may be.  Owners shall give Charterers the use and benefit of any fuel contracts they may have in force from time to time, if so required by Charterers, provided suppliers agree .

 

Stevedores, Pilots, Tugs

 

16.           Stevedores when required shall be employed and paid by Charterers but this shall not relieve Owners from responsibility at all times for proper stowage, which must be controlled by the master who shall keep a strict account of all cargo loaded and discharged.  Owners hereby indemnify Charterers, their servants and agents against all losses, claims, responsibilities and liabilities arising in any way whatsoever from the employment of pilots, tugboats or stevedores who although employed by Charterers shall be deemed to be the servants of and in the service of Owners and under their instructions (even if such pilots, tugboat personnel or stevedores are in fact the servants of Charterers their agents or any affiliated company): provided, however that

 



 

(i) the foregoing indemnity shall not exceed the amount to which Owners would have been entitled to limit their liability if they had themselves employed such pilots, tugboats or stevedores, and

 

(ii) Charterers shall be liable for any damage to the vessel caused by or arising out of the use of stevedores, fair wear and tear excepted, and any loss of time resulting from such damage shall not be considered off-hire,  to the extent that Owners are unable by the exercise of due diligence to obtain redress therefor from stevedores.

 

Supernumeraries

 

17.           Charterers may send representatives in the vessel’s available accommodation upon any voyage made under this charter.  Owners finding provisions and all requisites as supplied to officers, except liquors.  Charterers paying at the rate of                             per day for each representative while on board the vessel .

 

Sub-letting

 

18.           Charterers may sub-let the vessel, but shall always remain responsible to Owners for due fulfilment of this charter. (See Clause 56)

 

Final Voyage

 

19.           If when a payment of hire is due hereunder Charterers reasonably expect to redeliver the vessel before the next payment of hire would fall due, the hire to be paid shall be assessed on Charterers’ reasonable estimate of the time necessary to complete Charterers’ programme up to redelivery, and from which estimate Charterers may deduct amounts due or reasonably expected to become due for

 

(i) disbursements on Owners’ behalf or charges for Owners’ account pursuant to any provision hereof, and

 

(ii) bunkers on board at redelivery pursuant to Clause 15. promptly after redelivery any overpayment shall be refunded by Owners or any underpayment made good by Charterers

 

If at the time this charter would otherwise terminate in accordance with Clause 4 the vessel is on a ballast voyage to a port of redelivery or is upon a laden voyage, Charterers shall continue to have the use of the vessel at the same rate and conditions as stand herein for as long as necessary to complete such ballast voyage, or to complete such laden voyage and return to a port of redelivery as provided by this charter, as the case may be.

 

Loss of Vessel

 

20.           Should the vessel be lost, this charter shall terminate and hire shall cease at noon UTC on the day of her loss. Should the vessel be a constructive total loss, this charter shall terminate and hire shall cease at noon on the day on which the vessel’s underwriters agree that the vessel is a constructive total loss.  Should the vessel be missing, this charter shall terminate and hire shall cease at noon UTC on the day on which she was last heard of.  Upon the receipt of any insurance proceeds by the Owners with respect to any loss or constructive total loss, any hire paid in advance and not earned shall be returned to Charterers and Owners shall reimburse Charterers for the value of the estimate quantity of bunkers on board at the time of termination, at the price paid by Charterers at the last bunkering port.

 

Off-hire

 

21.           (a) On each and every occasion that there is loss of time (whether by way of interruption in the vessel’s service or, from reduction in the vessel’s performance, or in any other manner)

 

(i) due to deficiency of personnel or stores (except any loss of time resulting from  the provision of inadequate or poor fuel by the Charterers pursuant to Clauses 7 and 29);  repairs;  time in and waiting to enter dry dock for repairs; breakdown (whether partial or  total) of machinery, boilers or other parts of the vessel or her equipment (including without limitation tank coatings); maintenance or survey; collision, stranding, accident or damage to the vessel; or any other similar cause preventing the efficient working of the vessel; and such loss continues for more than three consecutive hours (if resulting from interruption in the vessel’s service); or

 

(ii) due to industrial action, refusal to sail, breach of orders or neglect of duty on the part of the master, officers or crew; or

 

(iii) for the purpose of obtaining medical advice or treatment for or landing any sick or injured person (other than a Charterers’ representative carried under Clause 17 hereof) or for the purpose of landing the body of any person (other than a Charterers’ representative),  and such loss continues for more than three consecutive hours; or

 

(iv) due to any delay in quarantine arising from the master, officers or crew having had communication with the shore at any infected area without the written consent or instructions of Charterers or their agents, or to any detention by customs or other authorities caused by smuggling or other infraction of local law on the part of the master, officers, or crew; or

 

(v) due to detention of the vessel by authorities at home or abroad attributable to legal action against or breach of regulations by the vessel, the vessel’s owners, or Owners (unless brought about by the act or neglect of Charterers); then

 

Without prejudice to Charterers’ rights under Clause 3 or to any other rights of Charterers hereunder or otherwise the vessel shall be off-hire from the commencement of such loss of time until she is again ready and in an efficient state to resume her service from a position not less favourable to Charterers than that at which such loss of time commenced; provided, however, that any service given or distance made good by the vessel whilst off-hire shall be taken into account in assessing the amount to be deducted from hire.

 

(b) Further and without prejudice to the foregoing, in the event of the vessel deviating (which expression includes without limitation putting back, or putting into any port other than that to which she is bound under the instructions of Charterers) for any cause or purpose mentioned in Clause 21(a), the vessel shall be off-hire from the commencement of such deviation until the time when she is again ready and in an efficient state to resume her service from a position not less favourable to Charterers than that at which the deviation commenced, provided, however, that any service given or distance made good by the vessel whilst so off-hire shall be taken into account in assessing the amount to be deducted from hire.  If the vessel, for any cause or purpose mentioned in Clause 21(a), puts into any port other than the port to which she is bound on the instructions of Charterers, the port charges, pilotage and other expenses at such port shall be borne by Owners.  Should the vessel be driven into any port or anchorage by stress of weather hire shall continue to be due and

 



 

payable during any time lost thereby.

 

(c) If the vessel’s flag state becomes engaged in hostilities, and Charterers in consequence of such hostilities find it commercially impracticable to employ the vessel and have given Owners written notice thereof then from the date of receipt by Owners of such notice until the termination of such commercial impracticability the vessel shall be off-hire and Owners shall have the right to employ the vessel on their own account.

 

(d) Time during which the vessel is off-hire under  this charter shall count as part of the charter period .

 

Periodical Drydocking

 

22.           (a) Owners have the right and obligation to drydock the vessel at regular intervals of as agreed by Charterers. On each occasion Owners shall propose to Charterers a date on which they wish to drydock the vessel, not less than two months before such date, and Charterers shall offer a port for such periodical drydocking and shall take all reasonable steps to make the vessel available as near to such date as practicable.

 

Owners shall put the vessel in drydock at their expense as soon as practicable after Charterers place the vessel at Owners’ disposal clear of cargo sediments and gasfree. other than tank washings and residues.  Owners shall be

 

Charterers shall be

 

responsible for and pay for the disposal into reception facilities of such tanks washings and tank residues and shall have the right to retain any monies received therefor, without prejudice to any claim for loss or cargo under any bill of lading or this charter.

 

(b) If a periodical drydocking is carried out in the port offered by Charterers (which must have suitable accommodation for the purpose and reception facilities for tank washings and residues), the vessel shall be off-hire from the time she arrives at such port until drydocking is completed and she is in every  way ready to resume Charterers’ service and is at the position at which she went off-hire or a position no less favourable to Charterers, whichever she first attains. However

 

(i) provided that Owners exercise due diligence in gas-freeing, any time lost in gas-freeing to the standard required for entry into drydocking for cleaning and painting the hull shall not count as off-hire, whether lost on passage to the drydocking port or after arrival there (notwithstanding Clause 21), and

 

(ii) any additional time lost in further gas-freeing to meet the standard required for hot work or entry to cargo tanks shall count as off-hire, whether lost on passage to the drydocking port or after arrival there,

 

Any time which, but for sub-Clause (i) above, would be off-hire, shall not be included in any calculation under Clause 24 .

 

The expenses of gas-freeing, including without limitation the cost of bunkers, shall be for Charterers’ Owners account.

 

(c) If  Owners require the vessel, instead of proceeding to the offered port, to carry out periodical drydocking at a special port selected by them, the vessel shall be off-hire from the time when she is released to proceed to the special port until she next presents for loading in accordance with Charterers’ instructions , provided, however, that Charterers shall credit Owners with the time which would have been taken on passage at the service speed had the vessel not proceeded to drydock.  All fuel consumed shall be paid for by Owners but Charterers shall credit Owners with the value of  the fuel which would have been used on such notional passage calculated at the guaranteed daily consumption for  the service speed, and shall further credit Owners with any benefit they may gain in purchasing bunkers at the special port.

 

(d ) Charterers shall, insofar as cleaning for periodical drydocking may have reduced the amount of tank-cleaning necessary to meet Charterers’ requirements, credit Owners with the value of any bunkers which Charterers calculate to have been saved thereby, whether the vessel drydocks at an offered or a special port .

 

Ship Inspection

 

23.           Charterers shall have the right at any time during the charter period to make such inspection of the vessel as they may consider necessary.  This right may be exercised as often and at such intervals as Charterers in their absolute discretion may determine and whether the vessel is in port or on passage.  Owners affording all necessary co-operation and accommodation on board provided, however,

 

(i)      that neither the exercise nor the non exercise, nor anything done or not done in the exercise or  non exercise, by Charterers of such right shall in any way reduce the master’s or Owners’ authority over, or responsibility  to Charterers or  third parties for, the vessel and every aspect of her operation, or increase  Charterers  responsibilities to Owners or third parties for the same

 

(ii) that Charterers shall not be liable for any act, neglect or default by themselves, their servants or agents in the exercise or non-exercise of the aforesaid right .

 

Detailed Description and Performance

 

24.           (a) Owners guarantee that the speed and consumption of the vessel shall be as follows:-

 

Average speed

 

 

 

Maximum average bunker consumption

 

in knots

 

 

 

main propulsion

auxiliaries

 

 

 

 

 

fuel oil/diesel oil

 

fuel oil/diesel oil

 

Laden

 

13,25

 

50

 tonnes 

3

tonnes

Ballast

 

14,25

 

47

 

 

 

 

The foregoing bunker consumption are for all purposes except cargo heating, inerting and tank cleaning and shall be pro-rated between the speeds shown.

 

The service speed of the vessel is knots laden and knots in ballast and in the absence of Charterers’ orders to the contrary the vessel shall proceed at the service speed.  However, if more than one laden and one ballast speed are shown in the table above Charterers shall have the right to order the vessel to steam at any speed within the range set out in the table (the “ordered speed”).

 

If the vessel is ordered to proceed at any speed other than the highest speed shown in the table, and the average speed actually attained by the vessel during the currency of such order exceeds such ordered

 



 

speed plus 0.5 knots (the “maximum recognised speed”), then for the purpose of calculating any increase or decrease of hire under  this Clause 24 the maximum recognised speed shall be used in place of the average speed actually attained.

 

For the purpose of this charter the “guaranteed speed” at any  time shall be the then-current ordered speed or the service speed, as the case may be

 

The average speeds and bunker consumption shall for the purposes of this Clause 24 be calculated by reference to the observed distance from pilot station to pilot station on all sea passages during each period stipulated in Clause 24 (c), but excluding any time during which the vessel is (or but for Clause 26 (b) (i) would be) off-hire and also excluding “Adverse Weather Periods”, being (i) any periods during which reduction of speed is necessary for safety in congested waters, for navigational reasons or in poor visibility (ii) any days, noon to noon, when winds exceed force 5 on the Beaufort Scale.

 

(b) If during any year from the date on which the vessel enters service (anniversary to anniversary) the vessel falls below or exceeds the performance guaranteed in Clause 24(a) then if such shortfall or excess results:

 

(i) from a reduction or an increase in the average speed of the vessel, compared to the speed guaranteed in Clause 24(a), then an amount equal to the value at the hire rate of the time so lost or gained, as the case may be, shall be deducted from or added to the hire paid.

 

(ii) from an increase or a decrease in the total bunkers consumed, compared to the total bunkers which would have been consumed had the vessel performed as guaranteed in Clause 24(a), an amount equivalent to the value of the additional bunkers consumed or the bunkers saved, as the case may be, based on the average price paid by Charterers for the vessel’s bunkers in such  period, shall be deducted from or added to the hire paid.

 

The addition to or deduction from hire so calculated for laden and ballast mileage respectively shall be adjusted to take into account the mileage steamed in each such condition during Adverse Weather Periods, by dividing such addition or deduction by the number of miles over which the performance has been calculated and multiplying by the same number of miles plus the miles steamed during the Adverse Weather Periods, in order to establish the total addition to or deduction from hire to be made for such period.

 

Reduction of hire under the foregoing sub-Clause (b) shall be without prejudice to any other remedy available to Charterers.

 

(c) Calculations under  this Clause 24 shall be made for the yearly periods terminating on each successive anniversary of the date on which the vessel enters service, and for  the period between the last such anniversary and the date of termination of this charter if less than a year.  Claims in respect of reduction of hire arising under this Clause during the final year or part year of the charter period shall in the first instance be settled in accordance with Charterers’ estimate made two months before the end of the charter period.  Any necessary adjustment after this charter terminates shall be made by payment by Owners to Charterers or by Charterers to Owners as the case may require.

 

      Payments in respect of increase of hire arising under this Clause shall be made promptly after receipt by Charterers of all the information necessary to calculate such increase.

 

Salvage

 

25.           Subject to the provisions of Clause 21 hereof, all loss of time and all expenses (excluding any damage to or loss of the vessel or tortuous liabilities to third parties) incurred in saving or attempting to save life or in successful or unsuccessful attempts at salvage shall be borne equally by Owners and Charterers provided that Charterers shall not be liable to contribute towards any salvage payable to Owners arising in any way out of services rendered under this Clause 25.

 

All salvage and all proceeds from derelicts shall be divided equally between Owners and Charterers after deducting the master’s officers’ and crew’s share.

 

Lien

 

26.           Owners shall have a lien upon all cargoes and all freights, sub-freights and demurrage for any amounts due under this charter and Charterers shall have a lien on the vessel for all monies paid in advance and not earned, and for all claims for damage arising from any breach by Owners of this charter.

 

Exceptions

 

27.           (a) The vessel, her master and Owners shall not, unless otherwise in this charter expressly provided, be liable for any loss or damage or delay or failure arising or resulting from any act, neglect or default of the master, pilots, mariners or other servants of Owners in the navigation or management of the vessel: fire, unless caused by the actual fault or privity of Owners: collision or stranding: dangers and accidents of the sea: explosion, bursting of boilers, breakage of shafts or any latent defect in hull, equipment or machinery: provided, however, that Clauses 1,2,3 and 24 hereof shall be unaffected by the foregoing.  Further, neither the vessel, her master or Owners, nor Charterers shall, unless otherwise in this charter expressly provided, be liable for any loss or damage or delay or failure in performance hereunder arising or resulting from act of God, act of war, seizure under legal process, quarantine restrictions, strikes, lock-outs, riots, restraints of labour, civil commotion’s or arrest or restraint of princes, rulers or people.

 

(b) The vessel shall have liberty to sail with or without pilots, to tow or go to the assistance of vessels in distress and to deviate for the purpose of saving life or property.

 

(c) Clause 27(a) shall not apply to or effect any liability of Owners or the vessel or any other relevant person in respect of

 

(i) loss or damage caused to any berth, jetty, dolphin, buoy, mooring line, pipe or crane or other works or equipment whatsoever at or near any place to which  the vessel may proceed under this charter whether or not such works or equipment belong to Charterers, or

 

(ii) any claim (whether brought by Charterers or any other person) arising out of any loss of or damage to or in connection with cargo.  All such claims shall be subject to the Hague-Visby Rules or the Hague Rules, as the case may be, which ought pursuant to Clause 54 hereof to have been incorporated in the relevant bill of lading (whether or not such Rules were so incorporated) or, if no such bill of lading is issued, to the Hague-Visby Rules.

 

(d) In particular and without limitation, the foregoing subsection (a) and (b) of this Clause shall not

 



 

apply to or in any way affect any provision in this charter relating to off-hire or to reduction of hire.

 

Injurious Cargoes

 

28.           No acids, explosives or cargo injurious to the vessel shall be shipped and without prejudice to the foregoing any damage to the vessel caused by the shipment of any such cargo, and the time taken to repair such damage, shall be for Charterers’ account.  No voyage shall be undertaken, nor any goods or cargoes loaded, that would expose the vessel to capture or seizure by rulers or governments.

 

Grade of Bunkers

 

29.           Charterers shall supply marine diesel oil/fuel oil with a maximum of            Centistokes at 50 at sea – fuel oil as per RMG 35 specification with maximum 380 CST viscosity for main propulsion and auxiliary engines in port or water described by IMO and/or EU with fuel oil or marine diesel oil which complies with specifications required to meet the rules/regulations now existing or which may be imposed in the future degrees Centigrade/ACGFO for main propulsion and diesel oil/ACGFO for the auxiliaries. If Owners require the vessel to be supplied with more expensive bunkers they shall be liable for the extra cost thereof.

 

Charterers warrant that all  bunkers provided by them are in accordance herewith shall be of a quality complying with the International Marine Bunker Supply Terms and Conditions of Shell International Trading Company and with its specification for marine fuels as amended from time to time .

 

Disbursements

 

30.           Should the master require advances for ordinary disbursements at any port, Charterers or their agents shall make such advances to him, in consideration of which Owners shall pay a commission of two and a half per cent, and all such advances and commission shall be deducted from hire.

 

Laying-up

 

31.           Charterers shall have the option, after consultation with Owners, of requiring Owners to lay up the vessel at a safe place nominated by Charterers, in which case the hire provided for under this charter shall be adjusted to reflect any net increases in expenditure reasonably incurred or any net saving which should reasonably be made by Owners as a result of such lay-up.   Charterers may exercise the said option any number of times during the charter period.

 

Requisition

 

32.           Should the vessel be requisitioned by any government, de facto or de jure, during the period of this charter, the vessel shall be off-hire during the period of such requisition, and any hire paid by such government in respect of such requisition period shall be for Owners’ account. Any such requisition period shall count as part of the charter period. Should the Vessel be requisitioned for title by any government the Charter shall be terminated.

 

Outbreak of War

 

33.           If war or hostilities break out between any two or more of the following countries: U.S.A., U.S.S.R., P.R.C., U.K., Netherlands-both Owners and Charterers shall have the right to cancel this charter.

 

Additional War

 

34.           If the vessel is ordered to trade in areas where there is war (de facto or de jure) or threat of war, Charterers shall reimburse Owners for any additional insurance premia, crew bonuses and other expenses which are reasonably incurred by Owners as a consequence, of such orders, provided that Charterers are given notice of such expenses as soon as practicable and in any event before such expenses are incurred, and provided further that Owners obtain from their insurers a  waiver of any subrogated rights against Charterers in respect of any claims by Owners under their war risk insurance arising out of compliance with such orders.

 

War Risks

 

35.           (a) The master shall not be required or bound to sign bills of lading for any place which in his reasonable opinion is dangerous or impossible for the vessel to enter or reach owing to any blockade, war, hostilities, warlike operations, civil war, civil commotions or revolutions.

 

(b) If in the reasonable opinion of the master it becomes, for any of the reasons set out in Clause 35(a) or by the operation of international law, dangerous, impossible of prohibited for the vessel to reach or enter, or to load or discharge cargo at, any place to which the vessel has been ordered pursuant to this charter (a “place of peril”), then Charterers or their agents shall be immediately notified by telex or radio message, and Charterers shall thereupon have the right to order the cargo, or such part of it as may be affected, to be loaded or discharged, as the case may be, at any other place within the trading limits of this charter (provided such other) place is not itself a place of peril).  If any place of discharge is or becomes a place of peril, and no orders have been received from Charterers or their agents within 48 hours after dispatch of such messages, then Owners shall be at liberty to discharge the cargo or such part of it as may be affected at any place which they or the master may in their or his discretion select within the trading limits of this charter and such discharge shall be deemed to be due fulfilment of Owners’ obligation under this charter so far as cargo so discharged is concerned.

 

(c) The vessel shall have liberty to comply with any directions or recommendations as to departure, arrival, routes, ports of call, stoppages, destinations, zones, waters, delivery or in any other wise whatsoever given by the government of the state under whose flag the vessel sails or any other government or local authority or by any person or body acting or purporting to act as or with the authority of any such government or local authority including any de facto government or local authority or by any person or body acting or purporting to act as or with the authority of any such government or local authority or by any committee or person having under the terms of the war risks insurance on the vessel the right to give any such directions or recommendations. If by reason of or in compliance with any such direction or recommendations anything is done or is not done, such shall not be deemed a deviation.

 

If by reason of or in compliance with any such direction or recommendation the vessel does not proceed to any place of discharge to which she has been ordered pursuant to this charter, the vessel may proceed to any place which the master or Owners or his or their discretion select and there discharge the cargo or such part of it as may be affected.  Such discharge shall be deemed to be due fulfilment of Owners’ obligations under this charter so far as cargo so discharged is concerned.

 

Charterers shall procure that all bills of lading issued under this charter shall contain the Chamber of Shipping War Risks Clause 1952.

 

Both to Blame Collision Clause

 

36.           If the liability for any collision in which the vessel is involved while performing this charter fails to be determined in accordance with the laws of the United States of America, the following provision shall apply:

 



 

“If the ship comes into collision with another ship as a result of the negligence of the other ship and any act, neglect or default of the master, mariner, pilot or the servants of the carrier in the navigation or in the management of the ship, the Owners of the cargo carried hereunder will indemnify the carrier against all loss, or liability to the other or non-carrying ship or her owners in so far as such loss or liability represents loss of, or damage to, or any claim whatsoever of the owners of the said cargo, paid or payable by the other or non-carrying ship or her owners to the owners of the said cargo and set off, recouped or recovered by the other or non-carrying ship or her owners as part of their claim against the carrying ship or carrier.”

 

“The foregoing provisions shall also apply where the owners, operators or those in charge of any ship or ships or objects other than, or in addition to the colliding ships or objects are at fault in respect of a collision or contact.”

 

Charterers shall procure that all bills of lading issued under this charter shall contain a provision in the foregoing terms to be applicable where the liability for any collision in which the vessel is involved fails to be determined in accordance with the laws of the United States of America.

 

New Jason Clause

 

37.                                  General average contributions shall be payable according to the York/Antwerp Rules, 1974 as amended in 1994 , and shall be adjusted in London in accordance with English law and practice but should adjustment be made in accordance with the law and practice of the United States of America, the following provisions shall apply:

 

“In the event of accident, danger, damage or disaster before or after the commencement of the voyage, resulting from any cause whatsoever, whether due to negligence or not, for which, or for the consequence of which, the carrier is not responsible by statute, contract or otherwise, the cargo, shippers, consignees or owners of the cargo shall contribute with the carrier in general average to the payment of any sacrifices, losses or expenses of a general average nature that may be made or incurred and shall pay salvage and special charges incurred in respect of the cargo.”

 

“If a salving ship is owned or operated by the carrier, salvage shall be paid for as fully as if the said salving ship or ships belonged to strangers.  Such deposit as the carrier or his agents may deem sufficient to cover the estimated contribution of the cargo and any salvage and special charges thereon shall, if required, be made by the cargo, shippers, consignees or owners of the cargo to the carrier before delivery.

 

Charterers shall procure that all bills of lading issued under this charter shall contain a provision in the foregoing terms, to be applicable where adjustment of general average is made in accordance with the laws and practice of the United States of America.

 

Clause Paramount

 

38.                                  Charterers shall procure that all bills of lading issued pursuant to this charter shall contain the following clause : See Clause 54

 

“(1) Subject to sub-clause (2) hereof, this bill of lading shall be governed by, and have effect subject to the rules contained in the International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules relating to Bills of Lading signed at Brussels on 25 th August 1924 (hereafter the “Hague Rules”) as amended by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 23 rd February 1968 (hereafter the “Hague-Visby Rules”).  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be either a surrender by the carrier of any of his rights or immunities or any increase of any of his responsibilities or liabilities under the Hague-Visby Rules.”

 

“(2) If there is governing legislation which applies the Hague Rules compulsorily to this bill of lading , to the exclusion of the Hague-Visby Rules, then this bill of lading shall have effect subject to the Hague Rules Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to be either a surrender by the carrier of any of his rights or immunities or an increase of any of his responsibilities or liabilities under the Hague Rules.”

 

“(3) If any term of this bill of lading is repugnant to the Hague-Visby Rules, or Hague Rules if applicable, such term shall be void to that extent but no further.”

 

“(4) Nothing in this bill of lading shall be construed as in any way restricting, excluding or waiving the right of any relevant party or person to limit his liability under any available legislation and/or law.”

 

TOVALOP

 

39.                                  Owners warrant that the vessel is:

 

(i) a tanker in TOVALOP and

 

(ii) properly entered in                      a                                                                   P & I Club who is
a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs

 

and will so remain during the currency of this charter.

 

When an escape or discharge of Oil occurs from the vessel and causes or threatens to cause Pollution Damage, or when there is the threat of an escape or discharge of Oil (i.e. a grave and imminent danger of the escape or discharge of Oil which, if it occurred, would create a serious danger of Pollution Damage, whether or not an escape or discharge in fact subsequently occurs), then Charterers may, at their option upon notice to Owners or master, undertake such measures as are reasonably necessary to prevent or minimise such Pollution Damage or to remove the Threat, unless Owners promptly undertake the same.  Charterers shall keep Owners advised of the nature and result of any such measures taken by them and, if time permits, the nature of the measures intended to be taken by them. Any of the aforementioned measures taken by Charterers shall be deemed taken on Owners’ authority as Owners’ agent, and shall be at Owners’ expense except to the extent that :

 

(1) any such escape or discharge or Threat was caused or contributed to by Charterers, or

 

(2) by reason of the exceptions set out in Article 111, paragraph 2, of the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, Owner are or, had the said Convention applied to such escape or discharge or to the Threat, would have been exempt from liability for the same, or

 

(3) the cost to such measures together with all other liabilities, costs and expenses of Owners arising out of or in connection with such escape or discharge or Threat exceeds one hundred and sixty United States Dollars (US $160) per ton of the vessel’s Tonnage or sixteen million eight hundred thousand United States Dollars (US $16.800.000), whichever is the lesser, save and insofar as Owners shall be entitled to recover such excess under either the 1971 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage or under CRISTAL ;

 

PROVIDED ALWAYS that if Owners in their absolute discretion consider said measures

 



 

should be discontinued, Owners shall so notify Charterers and thereafter Charterers shall have no right to continue said measures under the provisions of this Clause 39 and all further liability to Charterers under this Clause 39 shall thereupon cease.

 

The above provisions are not in derogation of such other rights as Charterers or Owners may have under this charter or may otherwise have or acquire by law or any International Convention or TOVALOP.

 

The term “TOVALOP” means the Tanker Owners’ Voluntary Agreement Concerning Liability for Oil Pollution dated 7 th January 1969, as amended from time to time, and the term “CRISTAL” means the Contract Regarding an Interim Supplement to Tanker Liability for Oil Pollution dated 14 th January 1971, as amended from time to time.  The term “Oil” , “Pollution Damage”, and “Tonnage” shall for the purpose of this Clause 39 have the meanings ascribed to them in TOVALOP .

 

Export Restrictions

 

40.           The master shall not be required or bound to sign bills of lading for the carriage of cargo to any place to which export of such cargo is prohibited under the laws, rules or regulations of the country in which the cargo was produced and/or shipped.

 

Charterers shall procure that all bills of lading issued under this charter shall contain the following clause:

 

“If any laws rules or regulations applied by the government of the country in which the cargo was produced and/or shipped, or any relevant agency thereof, impose a prohibition of export of the cargo to the place of discharge designated in or ordered under this bills of lading, carriers shall be entitled to require cargo owners forthwith to nominate an alternative discharge place for the discharge of the cargo, or such part of it as may be affected, which alternative place shall not be subject to the prohibition, and carriers shall be entitled to accept orders from cargo owners to proceed to and discharge at such alternative place.  If cargo owners fail to nominate an alternative place within 72 hours after they or their agents have received from carriers notice of such prohibition, carriers shall be at liberty to discharge the cargo or such part of it as may be affected by the prohibition at any safe place on which they or the master may in their or his absolute discretion decide and which is not subject to the prohibition, and such discharge shall constitute due performance of the contract contained in this bill of lading so far as the cargo so discharged is concerned”.  The foregoing provision shall apply mutatis mutandis to this charter, the references to a bill of lading being deemed to be references to this charter.

 

Laws and Litigation

 

41.           (a) This charter shall be construed and the relations between the parties determined in accordance with the laws of England.

 

(b) Any dispute arising under this charter shall be referred to the arbitration in London in accordance with the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996, or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force save to the extent necessary to give effect to this provisions of this Clause.  The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA).  Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

The reference shall be to three arbitrators; one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third to be appointed by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so with in the 14 days specified the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.

 

Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.

 

In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

 (ii) The parties hereby agree that either party may-

 

(a) appeal to the High Court on any question of law arising out of an award:

 

(b) apply to the High Court for an order that the arbitrator state the reasons for his award:

 

(c) give notice to the arbitrator that a reasoned award is required; and

 

(d) apply to the High Court to determine any question of law arising in the course of the reference.

 

(d) It shall be a condition precedent to the right of any party to a stay of any legal proceedings in which maritime property has been, or may be, arrested in connection with a dispute under this charter, that that party furnishes to the other party security to which that other party would have been entitled in such legal proceedings in the absence of a stay.

 



 

Construction

 

42.           The side headings have been included in this charter for convenience of reference and shall in no way  affect the construction thereof. Rider Clauses 43 to 67 as attached and Annex 1 to form an integral part of   this Charter Party.

 



 

SHELLTIME 4 RIDER CLAUSES

 

“FRONT GRANITE”

 

43.                      TRADING LIMITS CLAUSE

 

World-wide within the British Institute Warranty Limits, as may be revised from time to time, or within the limits applying in Owners’ insurances in effect from time to time, however excluding any war zones and any other areas to which restrictions may be imposed by the United Nations or the flag state. The Charterers may be allowed to breach the trading limits as described above subject to the Charterers paying any extra insurance premium supported by vouchers from Owners’ underwriters.

 

44.                      RATE OF HIRE

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Charter Ancillary Agreement, the Charterers shall pay for the use of the Vessel in accordance with the terms of this Charter Party a daily rate in US Dollars as per the following schedule:

 

Basic Charter Period (Clause 4)

 

1 st year to end December 31, 2004

 

$

21,100

 per day/rate

2 nd year to end December 31, 2005

 

$

21,100

  per day/rate

3 rd year to end December 31, 2006

 

$

21,100

  per day/rate

4 th year to end December 31, 2007

 

$

20,700

  per day/rate

5 th year to end December 31, 2008

 

$

20,700

  per day/rate

6 th year to June 30, 2009

 

$

20,700

  per day/rate

July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009

 

$

15,348

  per day/rate

7 th year to end December 31, 2010

 

$

15,348

  per day/rate

8 th year to end December 31, 2011

 

$

7,500

  per day/rate

9 th year to end December 31, 2012

 

$

7,500

  per day/rate

10 th year to end December 31, 2013

 

$

7,500

  per day/rate

11 th year to end December 31, 2014

 

$

7,500

  per day/rate

 

provided , however , that regardless of the actual number of days on-hire in any calendar year the Charterers shall not be obligated to pay to the Owners more than 360 days of charter hire in any calendar year or 361 days of charter hire in any leap year.  Any off-hire days shall count against the allotted 360 or 361 days, as the case may be.

 

45.                      OPTIONS

 

Non-applicable

 



 

46.                      CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP CLAUSE

 

The Owners agree not to sell the Vessel during the currency of this Time Charter without the written approval of the Charterers which approval may withheld in the Charterers’ sole discretion.  For purposes of this Clause 46, any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or disposition of the shares of the Owners, directly or indirectly through intermediate holding companies, by its sole shareholder, Ship Finance International Limited, to any third party not controlled by Ship Finance International Limited shall be deemed a sale of the Vessel.

 

47.                      CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY

 

The Owners shall have the right to change the Vessel’s classification society to another classification society being a member of the IACS, subject to obtaining the prior written approval of the Charterers which approval may be withheld in the Charterers’ sole discretion.

 

48.                   HOUSE FLAG

 

The Charterers and any subcharterers shall be allowed to fly their house flag and to paint the Vessel’s funnel with their own colours if desired at Charterers’ expense.

 

49.                   FLAG CLAUSE

 

The Vessel will fly the flag of Norway with the right of the Owners to have title to the Vessel registered in an other register at any time at Owners’ cost and expense also with regard to higher operating costs incurred thereby. A change of flag must be approved by the Charterers, Charterers’ approval not to be unreasonably withheld. The same right to have the Vessel’s register changed shall apply to the Charterers at Charterers’ costs and expenses, also with regard to higher operating costs incurred thereby.

 

50.                   ADDITIONAL SMALL EQUIPMENT CLAUSE

 

The Charterers shall be at liberty to supplement lines and mooring wires, to fit any additional pumps and/or other vessel gear beyond what is on board at the commencement of the Charter, and to make the necessary connections with hydraulic, steam or water pipes, such work to be done at their expenses, and such pumps and/or gear so fitted to be considered their property, and the Charterers shall be at liberty to remove it at their expense and time during or at the expiry of this Charter, with the Vessel to be left in her original condition. Such additions to be always subject to class approval. The Owners shall however have the option to take over such additional equipment at a price to be agreed between Charterers and Owners.

 



 

51.                 CHANGES/IMPROVEMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VESSEL OR IMPOSED BY LEGISLATION OR CLASS

 

51.1              In the event any improvement, structural change or the installation of new equipment is imposed by compulsory legislation and/or class rules, Charterers shall have the right at their own cost to effect such improvement, changes or installation, without the Owners’ consent.

 

51.2              In the event any improvement, structural change or the installation of new equipment is deemed necessary by the Charterers for the continued operation of the Vessel, Charterers shall have the right at their own cost to effect such improvement, changes or installation, with the Owners’ consent which shall not unreasonably be withheld.

 

51.3              The Owners have to be notified in writing in advance by the Charterers about any changes and/or improvements as per Clauses 51.1 and 51.2.

 

51.4              Any change, improvement or installation made pursuant to this Clause 51 shall become the property of Owners.

 

51.5              Nothing in this Clause 51 shall be construed as to impose any obligation on the Owners to effect any improvement or structural change with respect to or install new equipment on the Vessel.

 

52.                   UNDERTAKING OF CHARTERERS TO INDEMNIFY

 

In the event, at the time during the period of this Charter Party and any extension thereto, that Bill(s) of Lading are not available at any discharge port(s) and/or actual discharge port(s) is/are different from destination appearing on the Bill(s) of Lading, the Owners shall nevertheless discharge the cargo carried by the Vessel in compliance with Charterers’ instructions to the consignee(s) nominated by the Charterers presenting reasonable identification to the Master, in consideration of which the following undertaking shall be deemed to have been agreed by the Charterers and to be in full force and effect on each occasion when discharge as aforesaid takes place.

 

Undertaking:

 

The Charterers hereby agree as follows :-

 

1.                To indemnify you the Owners, your servants and agents and to hold all of you harmless in respect of any liability, loss, damage or expense of whatsoever nature which you may sustain by reason of delivering the cargo in accordance with our request.

 

2.                In the event of any proceedings being commenced against you or any of your servants or agents in connection with the delivery of the cargo as aforesaid, to provide you or them on demand with sufficient funds to defend the same.

 

3.                If, in connection with the delivery of the cargo as aforesaid, the Vessel, or any other ship or property in the same or associated ownership, management or control, should be arrested or detained or should the arrest or detention thereof be threatened, or should there be any interference in the use or trading of the Vessel (whether by virtue of a caveat being entered on the ship’s registry or otherwise howsoever), to provide on demand such bail or other security as may be required to prevent such arrest or detention or to secure the release of such Vessel, other ship or property or to remove such interference and to indemnify you in respect of any liability, loss, damage or expense caused by such arrest or detention or threatened arrest or detention or such interference , whether or not such arrest or detention or threatened arrest or detention or such interference may be justified.

 



 

4.                If the place at which we have asked you to make delivery is a bulk liquid or gas terminal or facility, or another ship, lighter or barge, then delivery to such terminal, facility, ship, lighter or barge shall be deemed to be delivery to the party to whom we have requested you to make such delivery.

 

5.                As soon as all original bills of lading for the above cargo shall have come into our possession, to deliver the same to you, or otherwise to cause all original bills of lading to be delivered to you, whereupon our liability hereunder shall cease.

 

53.                   LIGHTERAGE

 

If the Charterers opt to load and/or discharge by lighterage operations the following provisions shall apply:

 

In the event lighterage is required by Charterers, it shall be at Charterers’ risk and expense and Charterers shall provide a safe area for the conduct of such lighterage operation where the vessel can safely proceed to, lie and depart from, always afloat and which shall be subject to Master’s approval.

 

Charterers shall ensure that adequate fendering and hoses to the satisfaction of the Master are provided. As far as possible such operations shall be carried out in conformity with the provisions of the latest edition issued by OCIMF Ship to Ship Transfer Guide, as may be amended from time to time, but in any case lighterage operations are to be at the discretion of the Master at all time and if the Master at any time considers that lighterage operations are about to become unsafe, then he may order that they be discontinued. Whether or not operations are discontinued, all time will be considered as on hire. If Owners are obliged to extend their existing insurance policies to cover lighterage operations, Charterers shall reimburse Owners for additional premium incurred. Charterers shall obtain permission from appropriate authorities to perform lighterage and all expenses in this connection shall be for Charterers’ account.

 

54.                   NEW CLAUSE PARAMOUNT

 

The Charterers warrant to include following clauses in all Bills of Lading issued pursuant to this Time Charter by them or any subcharterer:

 

(i)                             Subject to subclauses (2) or (3) hereof, this Bill of Lading shall be governed by, and have effect subject to, the rules contained in the International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules relating to Bills of Lading signed at Brussels on 25th August 1924 (hereafter the “Hague Rules”) as amended by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 23 rd February 1968 (hereafter the “Hague-Visby Rules”). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be either a surrender by the carrier of any rights or immunities or any increase of any of his responsibilities or liabilities under the Hague-Visby Rules.

 

(ii)                        If there is governing legislation which applies the Hague Rules compulsory to this Bill of Lading, to the exclusion of the Hague-Visby Rules, then this Bill of Lading shall have effect subject to the Hague Rules. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to be either a surrender

 



 

by the carrier of any of his rights or immunities or an increase of any of his responsibilities or liabilities under the Hague Rules.

 

(iii)                     If there is governing legislation which applies the Hamburg Rules compulsory to this Bill of Lading to the exclusion of the Hague-Visby Rules, then this Bill of Lading shall have effect subject to the Hamburg Rules. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to be either a surrender by the carrier of any of his rights or immunities or an increase of any of his responsibilities or liabilities under the Hamburg Rules.

 

(iv)                    If any term of this Bill of Lading is repugnant to the Hague-Visby Rules, or Hague Rules or Hamburg Rules, if applicable, such term shall be void to that extent but no further.

 

55.                 TIME CHARTER ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION (COFR) CLAUSE

 

If Charterers advise Owners that the Vessel is to call at any port where environmental legislation has been enacted that requires the procurement of financial guarantees, special certificates or special permits, all related costs payable per call related to compliance with such legislation (including obtaining a Certificate of Financial Responsibility and other requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended from time to time, with respect to any U.S. port) shall be paid by Charterers. Owners shall supply any relevant documents to Charterers, and Charterers shall have the benefit of any eventual discount on the above.

 

56.                   ASSIGNMENT CLAUSE

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Time Charter Party, the Charterers may assign all of their rights and obligations under this Time Charter Party to any affiliate. But the Charterers to remain fully responsible for the fulfilment of the Charter Party.

 

57.                   NOTICE CLAUSE

 

The Charterers to give 30 days approximate and 5 days definite notice of redelivery to the Owners.

 

58.                   ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLAUSE

 

The Owners undertake to have fluent English speaking officers available on board and ashore to ensure appropriate communications between Charterers/ Owners/Managers/Agents/Authorities/Terminal Officials.

 

59.                   CLEANING CLAUSE

 

The Owners/Master to be at Charterers’ disposal for all tank cleaning making full use of the Vessel’s crew and equipment. The Owners, the Master and crew to use best endeavours to minimise cleaning time and expenses.

 



 

60.                   [INTENTIONALLY DELETED]

 

61.                   [ INTENTIONALLY DELETED]

 

62.                   OWNERS’ INDEMNITY CLAUSE FOR ARREST

 

Owners shall indemnify and hold harmless Charterers from and against any harmful consequences, damages and/or losses of whatever nature suffered by Charterers as a consequence of any arrest or detention of the Vessel or other action against the Vessel, depriving Charterers from the use thereof and resulting from Owners’ failure, for whatever reason, to comply with its obligations under this Charter or otherwise towards third parties and/or public authorities.

 

63.                   CHARTER ANCILLARY AGREEMENT

 

The Owners and the Charterers have entered into a Charter Ancillary Agreement with, inter alia, Ship Finance International Limited and Frontline Ltd. This Time Charter Party is subject to certain provisions contained in and should be read together with such Charter Ancillary Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between the provisions hereunder and the provisions of the Charter Ancillary Agreement, the provisions of the Charter Ancillary Agreement shall prevail.

 

64.                   TERMINATION PROVISIONS

 

In addition to the provisions with respect to termination set forth in clauses 9, 20 and 32 [and 67, if applicable] hereof, certain termination provisions with respect to this Agreement/Charter are set forth in the Charter Ancillary Agreement.

 

65.                   THIRD PARTY CLAUSE

 

Except as may be otherwise agreed in writing by the parties with any third party, a person who is not party to this Agreement/Charter may not enforce, or otherwise have the benefit of, any provision of this Agreement/Charter under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties Act 1999), but this provision does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.

 

66.                   CHARTERERS OPTION TO DIRECT BAREBOAT OF VESSEL

 

The Charterers shall have the right to direct the Owners to bareboat charter the Vessel to an unrelated third party.  In the event that the Owners enter into a bareboat charter (the “Bareboat Charter”) with such unrelated third party with respect to the Vessel at the Charterers’ direction, the parties hereby agree that this Agreement/Charter shall remain in full force and effect and until such time as the Vessel is redelivered under the Bareboat Charter and physically delivered to the Charterers hereunder: (i) the Charterers will (A) continue to make all payments of Charter Hire set forth in Clause 44 (less $6500 per day), (B) guarantee the performance of the charterer under the Bareboat Charter and (C) assume and undertake to perform (at their own cost) the obligations of the Owners under the Bareboat Charter in accordance with sound commercial practices; and (ii) the Owners shall (A) remit to the Charterers any and all payments of charter hire under the Bareboat Charter and (B) assign their rights under the Bareboat Charter to the Charterers.  The Charterers hereby agree to automatically accept

 



 

delivery of the Vessel upon redelivery of the Vessel under the Bareboat Charter .   In order to give effect to this Clause 66, the parties agree that Owners may set off any amounts received from the third party bareboat charterer pursuant to the Bareboat Charter against amounts due from the Charterers pursuant to this Clause 66.

 

67.                   TERMINATION AFTER 2010

 

The Charterers shall have the option to terminate this Agreement/Charter after December 31, 2010 upon 30 days’ prior notice.

 



 

For the Owners:

 

For the Charterers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

ANNEX 1
DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL

 




Exhibit 10.5

 

 

 

 

 

[LOGO]

 

 

 

 

 

1.

 

Date of Agreement

 

THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)

 

 

Jan .1, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98”

 

 

 

 

Part I

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )

 

3.

 

Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )

 

 

Granite Shipping company Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

Name

 

 

Monrovia, Liberia

 

 

 

Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd.

 

 

Place of registered office

 

 

 

Place of registered office

 

 

Liberia

 

 

 

Hamilton, Bermuda

 

 

Law of registry

 

 

 

Law of registry

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )

 

 

 

 

See Clauses 2 and 17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

 

Crew Management (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
Yes

 

6.

 

Technical Management (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

 

Commercial Management (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )

 

8.

 

Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )

 

 

No

 

 

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

 

Accounting Services (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
Yes

 

10.

 

Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.6 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.

 

Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )

 

12.

 

Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )

 

 

Yes

 

 

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.

 

Chartering Services Period (only to be filled in if “yes” stated in Box 7) (Cl. 3.3(i))

 

14.

 

Owners’ Insurance (state alternative (i) , (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.3 (i), (ii) and (iii)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.

 

Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )

 

16.

 

Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )

 

 

See Clause 21.1 and 21.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.

 

Day and year of termination of Agreement ( Cl. 17)
See Clause 17

 

18.

 

Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 ; if 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.

 

Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 20 )

 

20.

 

Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )

 

 

c/o Ship Finance International Limited

 

 

 

Par-La-ville Place

 

 

Par-La-Ville Place

 

 

 

14 Par-La-Ville Road

 

 

14 Par-La-Ville Road

 

 

 

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

 

 

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

 

 

 

Attention: Managing Director

 

 

Attention: Managing Director

 

 

 

Facsimile: +1 441 295 3494

 

 

Facsimile: +1 441 295 3494

 

 

 

 

It is mutually agreed between the party stated ins Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annex es “A” (Details of Vessel), “B” (Detail of Crew), “C” (Budget) and “D” (Associated vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annex es “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no further..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s) (Owners)

 

Signature(s) (Managers)

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] (POA)

 

/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] / (POA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved by

 

 

 

 

the Documentary Committee of The

 

Approved  by

Printed by BIMCO’s Idea

 

Japan Shipping Exchange Inc., Tokyo

 

the International Ship Managers’ Association (ISMA)

 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which in not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

 



 

 

ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98”

 

 

Date of Agreement:

      , 2004

Name of Vessel(s):

 

Particulars of Vessel(s):

See description Annex 1

 



 

ANNEX 1
DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL

 



 

 

Sent by:: Wallem Shipmanagement, Inc.

 

954 725 009;

 

12/09/03 3:15PM; JetFax #416;Page 17/28

Received at: 9h 41m, 12/9/2003

 

 

 

FRONT GRANITE

 

 

 

 

P 002

12/09/03    14:29     FAX NO.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ILLEGIBLE]

 

 

 

 

 

[LOGO]

 

KONGERIKET NORGE

 

 

 

 

(NORWAY)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNASJONALT MALEBREY (1969)

 

 

 

 

International Tonnage Certificate 1969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ILLEGIBLE]

 

 

 



 

PART II

“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement

 

1.               Definitions

 

In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings, hereby assigned to them.

 

Owners ” means the party identified in Box 2 .

 

Managers ” means the party identified in Box 3 .

 

Vessel ” means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annnex “A” attached hereto.

 

Crew ” means the Master, officers and ratings of the Vessel numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “8” attached hereto .

 

Crew Support Costs ” means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, study pay, recruitment and interviews.

 

Severance Costs ” means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.

 

Crew Insurances ” means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not be limited to death, sickness, repetriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.

 

Management Services ” means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12 .

 

ISM Code ” means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.

 

STCW 95 ”means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.

 

“Time Charter” means the time charterparty between Owners as owners and Frontline Shipping Limited (the “Time Charterers”) as charterers effective as of January 1, 2004.

 

“Charters Ancilliary Agreement” means that certain agreement by and among, inter alia, Ship Finance International Limited, Frontline Ltd., the Time Charterers, the Owners and certain of Ship Finance International Limited’s other vessel-owning subsidiaries with respect to, inter alia, theTime Charter.

 

“Agreement” means Part I, Part II, including Rider Clauses 21 to 37, as well as Annex A.

 

2.               Appointment of Managers

 

With effect from the effective date of the Time Charter day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners herby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.

 

[FOR VESSELS CURRENTLY UNDER BAREBOAT TO 3 RD PARTIES, THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM THE DATE OF ACTUAL PHYSICAL DELIVERY UNDER THE TIME CHARTER – THIS CLAUSE WILL BE MODIFIED AS NECESSARY TO REFLECT SUCH STATUS]

 

3.               Basis of Agreement

 

Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners. The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.

 

3.1 Crew Management

(only applicable if agreed according to Box 5 )

 

The Managers shall provide at their own cost suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 Requirements and the Time Charter, provision of which includes but is not limited to the following functions:

 

(i)              selecting and engaging the Vessel’s Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6;

(ii)           ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew’s tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;

(iii)        ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements. In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;

(iv)       ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;

(v)          arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;

(vi)       training of the Crew and supervising their efficiency;

(vii)    conducting union negotiations;

(viii) operating the Managers’ drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed;

(ix)         ensuring that any compliants from the Time Charterers with respect to the conduct of the Crew are immediately investigated, communicating the results of such investigation to the Time Charterers and if such complaints are well founded ensuring that changes in the appointments are made without delay.

 

3.2        Technical Management

(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )

 

Subject to the limitations set forth in Clause 25.6. The Managers shall provide at their own cost technical management which shall include the performance of each and all of the Owners’ obligations to the Time Charaters in accordance with the terms of the Time Charter and meeting all liabilities and obligations of the Owner arising under the Time Charter to the Time charterers or any third party which also includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:

 

(i)              provision of competent personnel to supervise the Maintenance, and general efficiency and, if necessary, restoration of the Vessel in accordance with the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 and 2(a) of the Time Charter;

(ii)           arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the [ILLEGIBLE] (including, if necessary, [ILLEGIBLE]) of the Vessel to the standards required by of the Owners by class and provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades (including, if required, the provision of [ILLEGIBLE] certificates), and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;

(iii)        arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;

(iv)       appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;

(v)          development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4.2 and 5.3 ).

(vi)       Functions as per (iv) and (v) above to be effected after due consultation with Owners and Time Charterers.

 

3.3        Commercial Management

(only applicable if agreed according to Box 7 )

 



 

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The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:

 

(i)    providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, cooking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds the period stated in Box 13 , consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.

(ii)   arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever nature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.

(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;

(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;

(v)   appointing agents;

(vi)  appointing stevedores;

(vii) arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.

 

3.4  Insurance Arrangements

(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )

 

The Managers shall arrange at their own cost insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions, insured values, deductibles and franchises.

 

3.5  Accounting Services

(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )

 

The Managers shall at their own cost:

(i)    establish an accounting system with respect to the management, operation and maintenance of the Vessel (including accounting for insurance costs, deductibles, claims and collections) which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,

(ii)           maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.

 

3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel

(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10)

 

The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ Instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.

 

3.7  Provisions (only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )

 

The Managers shall at their own cost arrange for the supply of provisions.  The Owners acknowledge that all provisions, stores, lubricating oil and other consumables on board on the date when this Agreement takes effect are the property of the Managers.  Upon redelivery, the Owners shall pay the Managers for all provisions on board at cost.

 

3.8  [ILLEGIBLE] (Only applicable if agreed according to Box 12)

 

The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunkar fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.

 

4.     Managers’ Obligations

 

4.1 The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners .  In accordance with the terms of the Time Charter and sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.

 

Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.

 

4.2 Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.

 

5.     Owners’ Obligations

 

5.1 The Owners shall pay the Warranted Amounts referred to in Clause 21 all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

5.2 Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:

(i)    procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;

(ii)    instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety management system.

 

5.3 Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.

 

6.     Insurance Policies

 

The Owners Managers shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement including during any off-hire time:

 

6.1 at the Owners’ Managers’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:

(i)              usual ?? and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities according to Norwegian or similar standard;

(ii)           protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew insurances) with a P & I Club that is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs; and

(iii)        war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (“the Owners’ Insurances”);

 

6.2 all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,

 

6.3 the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers Owners, the Time Charterers and the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers Owners, the Time Charterers and/or the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners Managers obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 ;

(i)              on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or

 



 

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(ii)           if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Mangers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or

(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing between the Manager and the Owners, but in all cases subject to the terms and conditions that the Owners shall have agreed with the mortgages of the Vessel.

Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 , if Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.

 

6.4 written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers Owners, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.

 

7.               Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners

 

7.1 All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and ony interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.

 

7.2 All expense incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub clause 7.1 but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.

 

8.               Management ChargeFee

 

8.1 The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers and for the provision of all Management Services under this Agreement the on Warranted Amounts annual management fee referenced in Clauses 21.1 and 21.2 as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable by equal monthly instalments in advance, the first instalment being payable on the effective date commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent instalments being payable every month.

 

8.2 The management chargefee shall be fixed and final for the entire duration of this Agreement.  subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub- clause 9.1 .

 

8.3 The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generally of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of the Management Services.

 

8.4 In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clause 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub-clause 8.1 , shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months are from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1:

 

(i)              the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and

(ii)           the Owners shall pay on equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .

 

8.5 If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months , an appropriate reduction of the management charge specified in this Clause 8 shall be made subject to (i) adjustments to reflect any net increase in expenditure reasonably incurred or any net saving which would be reasonably made by the Managers as a result of such lay-up and (ii) the agreement of the Time Charterers fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessels is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.

 

8.6 Unless otherwise agreed in writing off discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.

 

9.               Budgets and Management of Funds

 

9.1 The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause ? and Box 4 ).

 

9.2 The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.

 

9.3 Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month up-date this estimate.  Based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ongoing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, [ILLEGIBLE] or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.

 

9.4 The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.

 

9.5 Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use of commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.

 

10.        Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract

 

The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder, including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 and 4.2, without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld, in the event of such a sub-contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.

 

11.        Responsibilities

 

11.1 Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations hereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature of kind beyond their reasonable control.

 

11.2 Liability to Owners —(i) Save as otherwise provided for in the Rider Clauses and without prejudice Without prejudice to sub-clause

 

11.1 and Clause 27, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel ) and howsoever arising that is outside of the

 



 

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scope in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted solely from the negligence, gross negligence or wilful default of the Managers or their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for each incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual management fee payable hereunder.

 

(ii) Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew, even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or wilful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure by the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-clause 3.1 , in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11.

 

11.3  Indemnity - To the extent that they are caused by any act or omission of the Owners Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the Managers would be liable under sub clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.

 

11.4  “Himalaya” - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his part while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.

 

12.  Documentation

 

Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1 , they shall make available, upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.

 

13.  General Administration

 

13.1         The Managers shall at their own cost handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.

 

13.2         The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.

 

13.3         The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.

 

13.4         The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.

 

13.5         Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.

 

14.  Auditing

 

The Managers shall at their own cost at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts in compliance with Clause 3.5(i) above and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement, the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals where possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.

 

15.  Inspection of Vessel

 

The Owners and the Time Charterers shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel at their own expense for any reason they consider necessary.

 

16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations

 

The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessels [ILLEGIBLE] or of the places where she trades.

 

17.  Duration of the Agreement

 

This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue, subject to Clause 24, until December 31, 20 14 . the date stated in Box 17.

Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by other party giving to the other notice in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two months from the date upon which such notice was given.

 

18.  Termination

 

18.1 Owners’ default

(i)              The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D , shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.

(ii)           If the Owners:

(a)           fail to meet their obligations under sub-clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or

(b)          proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, or

(c )        default in any obligation that (i) has not been

 



 

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specifically delegated to the Managers hereunder as part of the Management Services and (ii) results in or is substantially likely to result in the arrest and/or detention of the Vessel, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within 30 days after a reasonable time to the satisfaction of written notice to the Owners from the Managers, the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.

 

18.2  Managers’ Default

 

If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within 30 days after written notice to the Managers from a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners, the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing without prejudice to any rights of Owners at such time.

 

18.3  Extraordinary Termination

 

This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.

 

18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof

 

(i)              the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed of shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;

(ii)           the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred;

(iii)        any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or disposition of the shares of the Owner, directly or indirectly through intermediate holding companies, by its sole shareholder, Ship Finance International Limited, to any third party not controlled by Ship Finance International Limited shall be deemed a sale of the Vessel;

 

18.5 This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or if it suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.

 

18.6   The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.

 

19.  Law and Arbitration

 

19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.

 

The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

The reference shall be to three arbitrators; one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto and the third by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.

 

Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.

 

In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

19.2  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title [ILLEGIBLE] of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen, their decision or that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgement may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.

 

In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. current of the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.

 

19.4  If Box18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub-clause 1[ILLEGIBLE].1 of this Clause shall apply.

 

Note: 19.1, 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .

 

20.  Notices

 

20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.

 

20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20, respectively.

 



 

Management Agreement Rider Clauses

 

[VESSEL NAME] ”FRONT GRANITE”

 

21.                                Management Charge

 

21.1                             The Owners shall fund the Managers as provided hereinafter:

 

i.                                           The Managers warrant to the Owners that the operating costs of the Vessel in performing the Time Charter do not exceed the Warranted Amounts as stated in Clause 21.2. The Owners shall remit to the Managers funds for the operating costs of the Vessel by monthly advance payments in an amount equal to the aggregate Warranted Amounts for the relevant period.  With respect to the Managers’ services to be provided under this Agreement in connection with the Vessel, including the obligations of the Owners which the Managers have specifically undertaken to perform under the Time Charter pursuant to Clause 24, the Manager agrees to be liable for the cost of all such services, provided that with respect to environmental liabilities, the Managers shall not be liable for any amounts in excess of applicable protection and indemnity association coverage.

 

ii.                                        Owners shall fund the Managers 365 days per year (366 days per leap year) in accordance with the Warranted Amounts.

 

21.2                            Warranted Amounts

 

The Warranted Amounts, referred to in Clause 21.1 (i) including but not limited to insurance premiums, annual taxes and registration fees and dry-docking reserves are as follows:

 

Year

 

Warranted Amount per day in US$

 

2004

 

6,500

 

2005

 

6,500

 

2006

 

6,500

 

2007

 

6,500

 

2008

 

6,500

 

2009

 

6,500

 

2010

 

6,500

 

2011

 

6,500

 

2012

 

6,500

 

2013

 

6,500

 

2014

 

6,500

 

2015

 

6,500

 

 

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The Owners warrant that they will remit promptly but under no circumstances later than within four (4) banking days after the scheduled payment of any Charter hire under the Time Charter the aggregate of the Warranted Amounts to the Managers for the relevant period.

 

 

22.                                Drug and Alcohol Policy

 

The Managers shall have a policy on drug and alcohol abuse (“Policy”) applicable to the Vessel which meets or exceeds the standards in the Oil International Marine Forum Guidelines for the control of Drug and Alcohol onboard Ship, as may be amended from time to time.

 

 

23.                                Financial Responsibility in Respect of Pollution Clause

 

23.1.                        The Managers warrant that throughout the currency of this Agreement they will provide the Vessel with all trading certificates.

 

23.2                           Notwithstanding anything whether printed or typed herein to the contrary, the Owners shall not be required to establish or maintain financial security or responsibility in respect of oil or other pollution damage to enable the Vessel lawfully to enter, remain or leave any port, place, territorial or contiguous waters of any country, state, territory in performance of the Time Charter.

 

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24.                                Acknowledgement of Time Charter

 

The Managers have read and are familiar with the terms of the Time Charter, and acknowledge that the Owners’ ability to perform under the Time Charter is dependent on the Managers’ due performance of their obligations hereunder.  Accordingly, the Managers undertake to perform as part of its Management Services the duties and obligations of the Owners under the Time Charter as if such duties and obligations were specifically set forth herein as duties and obligations of the Managers.

 

The Managers further undertake (without limitation to the generality of the foregoing) to meet each and all of the Owner’s liabilities and obligations under the Time Charter in accordance with the terms, conditions and requirements of the Time Charter including: delivery of the Vessel; maintenance of the Vessel; payment of insurance premiums and calls; payment of insurance deductibles; the discharging of liens and third party claims on the Vessel; payment for provisions, wages and stores etc.; carrying out repairs; ensuring proper storage; drydocking the Vessel; meeting the cost of salvage expenses; meeting any claims from cargo owners; and, releasing the Vessel from arrest.

 

In the event that the Time Charter is terminated for any reason, either party may terminate this Agreement upon notice to the other.

 

 

25.                                Eligibility Clause

 

25.1                          The Managers warrant that the Vessel will be at all times and in all respects eligible under applicable conventions, laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, decrees and international conventions. The Owners have the right at any time to audit the Mangers’ office system in this respect. The Managers warrant that the Vessel at all times will have onboard for inspection by the appropriate authorities, all certificates including trading certificates, records, compliance letters, contingency plans including SOPEP and other documents required for its service, including but not limited to the US Coast Guard Certificate of Financial Responsibility and certificates, records and other documentation required by US Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

 

25.2                           The Managers warrant that the Vessel does, and will fully comply with all applicable conventions, laws, regulations and ordinances of any international, national states or

 

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local government entity having jurisdiction including but not limited to the US Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 1973) as amended together with 1978 Protocol and 1984 (SOLAS 1974) as amended together with 1978 Protocol and 1981/1983 amendment thereto, IMO Regulations.

 

25.3                          The Managers shall make available, upon the Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.

 

25.4                          The Managers are furthermore to ensure that:

 

i.                   the Vessel is inspected semi-annually by the Managers’ technical superintendent who physically verifies the condition of the Vessel, the planned maintenance programmes performance, and reviews the Vessel’s maintenance planning for the next six months, and

 

ii.                the Vessel’s maintenance is monitored through analysis of planned maintenance records, requisitions and reports, and

 

The Managers shall indemnify the Owners for any delays, losses, expenses or damages arising as a result of failure to comply with this Clause at the agreed Time Charter hire rate.

 

25.5                           The Managers will exercise due diligence in making the Vessel seaworthy and maintaining her in that condition during the entire period of this Agreement.

 

25.6                           Nothing in this Clause 25 or in this Agreement shall be construed so as to impose an obligation on the Managers to convert any non-double hull vessel into a double hull vessel.

 

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26.                               VRP Requirement Clause

 

The Managers warrant that

 

i.                   the Vessel will have whenever necessary an approved response plan for the Vessel (“VRP”) which meets in full the requirements of any environmental legislation that has been enacted and any regulations issued pursuant thereto in any jurisdiction where the Vessel is to call (including, without limitation O.P.A. 1990, the governmental regulations issued thereunder and any change, rule or regulation in substitution of, or supplementary to, such regulations) (collectively “VRP Requirements”), and

 

ii.                the VRP shall be approved and the Vessel operated in compliance therewith, when and as required by the VRP Requirements, and

 

iii.             the Manager and the Vessel fully meet all VRP Requirements.

 

27.                                Managers’ Responsibility for Off-Hire

 

The Managers agree to indemnify the Owners for any days of off-hire (pursuant to Clause 21 of the Time Charter and Clause 6.1 of the Charter Ancillary Agreement) or reduced hire (pursuant to Clause 24 of the Time Charter) with respect to the Vessel under the Time Charter such that in any given calendar year (or leap year) the Owners shall have received from the Time Charterers and the Managers, on a combined basis, a total of 360 (or 361) days of charter hire at the rate applicable to such Vessel pursuant to Clause 44 of the Time Charter or Section 3.1 of the Charter Ancillary Agreement, as the case may be; provided , however , that any amounts paid by the Managers in respect of off-hire or reduced hire under this Clause 27 shall be in accordance with the applicable rate set forth in Clause 44 of the Time Charter such that even if the Time Charterers defer payments of charter hire pursuant to Article III of the Charter Ancillary Agreement the Managers shall reimburse for off-hire (pursuant to Clause 21 of the Time Charter and Clause 6.1 of the Charter Ancillary Agreement) or reduced hire (pursuant to Clause 24 of the Time Charter) at the rate set forth in Clause 44 of the Time Charter rather than the deferred rate; provided ,

 

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further , that nothing in this Clause 27 shall be construed so as to impose an obligation on the Managers to indemnify the Owners for the payment of charter hire by the Time Charterers under the Time Charter other than off-hire (pursuant to Clause 21 of the Time Charter and Clause 6.1 of the Charter Ancillary Agreement) or reduced hire (pursuant to Clause 24 of the Time Charter).

 

28.                                SCAC Code Clause

 

The Managers warrant that, in accordance with 19 CFR 4.7a and 178.2 as amended, it has a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) which will prefix a Bill of Lading serial number and forms the “Unique Identifier” to be entered on all Bills of Lading, cargo manifest, cargo declaration and other cargo documents relating to carriage of goods to the United States as may be provided for hereunder. The Managers shall indemnify the Owners for any losses or delays due to the failure to comply with the foregoing.

 

29.                                Communications

 

All communications under this agreement shall be in the English language.

 

31.                               O.C.I.M.F. Clause

 

Managers shall ensure that the Vessel fully complies and will so remain throughout the period of this Agreement with OCIMF Standards and Recommendations for Oil Tankers, 1981 International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals, Standards for Oil Tankers Manifold Associated Equipment (latest editions), Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum) (latest edition) and Recommendation for Equipment Employed in the mooring of the ship at single point moorings (latest editions) and any amendment thereto.

 

32.                               Assignment Clause

 

The Owners may assign all of their rights this Agreement to any mortgagee of the Vessel on the following conditions: (i) all of the vessel-owning subsidiaries of Ship Finance International Limited that are party to the Charter Ancillary Agreement shall have similarly assigned or agreed to assign their rights and obligations under the management agreements with the Managers to which each is a party and (ii) such assignment shall not otherwise prejudice the rights of the Managers to terminate this

 

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Agreement in the event that the Time Charter is cancelled in accordance with Clause 24.  Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth above, Managers hereby agree to enter into an acknowledgement of such assignment in such form as such mortgagee may reasonably require.

 

33.                               Flag Clause

 

The Managers shall have the right to have title of the Vessel registered in another jurisdiction identified on the United Nation’s White List, as may be amended from time to time, at any time at the Managers’ cost and expense (including any higher operating costs incurred thereby).  A change of flag shall be subject to the consent of the Owners which shall be withheld only if any mortgagees with a security interest in the Vessel withhold consent.

 

34.                               Third party rights

 

Except as may be otherwise agreed in writing by the parties with any third party, a person who is not a party to this Agreement may not enforce, or otherwise have the benefit of, any provisions of this Agreement under The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, and, without limitation, no consent of any such person shall be required for the rescission or amendment of this Agreement, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.

 

35.                               Owners’ right to bareboat charter the Vessel; Suspension of Agreement

 

Owners’ shall have the right to bareboat charter the Vessel to an unrelated third party if so requested by the Time Charterer under the Time Charter.  In the event that the Owners enter into a bareboat charter (the “Bareboat Charter”) with an unrelated third party with respect to the Vessel, the obligations of the both the Owners and the Managers under this Agreement shall be suspended until such time as the Vessel has been redelivered pursuant to the terms of the Bareboat Charter. The Managers and Owners hereby agree that the obligations of both the Owners and the Managers under this Agreement shall be automatically reinstated at such time as the Vessel has been redelivered under the Bareboat Charter.  For the avoidance of doubt, during such time as any Bareboat Charter is in effect, the Owners shall not be required to

 

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pay to the Managers the Warranted Amounts set forth in Clause 21 and the Managers shall not be required to provide any services with respect to the Vessel.

 

36.                               Indemnification

 

The Managers hereby indemnify the Owners against the consequences of any failure by the Managers to comply with the requirements of this Agreement and related documentation including (without limitation) any claims made by the Time Charterer against the Owners resulting from a failure of the Managers to perform their obligations under this Agreement; provided that Managers’ indemnification for environmental matters shall not extend beyond the protection and indemnity coverage with respect to the Vessel required hereunder.

 

The Managers also agree to indemnify the Owners against the consequences of any insurer with respect to the Vessel failing to pay out any claim in full; provided that the Managers’ indemnification for environmental matters shall not extend beyond the protection and indemnity coverage with respect to the Vessel required hereunder.

 

37.                               Changes/Improvements Necessary for the Operation of the Vessel or Imposed by Legislation or Class

 

37.1.                       In the event any improvement, structural change or the installation of new equipment is imposed by compulsory legislation and/or class rules, Manager shall at their own cost effect such improvement, changes or installation, except to the extent the Time Charterers elect to do so in accordance with the terms of the Time Charter.

 

37.2                          In the event any improvement, structural change or the installation of new equipment is deemed necessary by the Managers for the continued operation of the Vessel, Managers shall have the right at their own cost to effect such improvement, changes or installation, with the Owners’ consent which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

37.3                          The Owners have to be notified in writing in advance by the Managers about any changes and/or improvements as per Clauses 37.1 and 37.2.

 

37.4                            Any change, improvement or installation made pursuant to this Clause 37 shall become the property of the owners.

 

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37.5                            Nothing in this Clause 37 or in this Agreement shall be construed so as to impose an obligation on the Managers to convert any non-double hull vessel into a double hull vessel.

 

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ANNEX A

DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL

 

10




Exhibit 10.6

 

 

CHARTER ANCILLARY AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED,

 

THE VESSEL OWNING SUBSIDIARIES NAMED HEREIN,

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

 

AND

 

FRONTLINE SHIPPING LIMITED

 

 



 

CHARTER ANCILLARY AGREEMENT

 

THIS CHARTER ANCILLARY AGREEMENT is entered into as of January 1, 2004 by and among Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the “Company”), the vessel owning subsidiaries named on Schedule A hereto (the “Owners”), Frontline Ltd., a Bermuda corporation (“Frontline”), and Frontline Shipping Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the “Charterer”).  The Company, the Owners, Frontline and the Charterer and any Substitute Owners that execute counterpart signature pages pursuant to Section 8.6(b) are collectively referred to herein as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Owners are the owners of those vessels (the “Vessels”) set forth opposite their names on Schedule A hereto;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Fleet Purchase Agreement, Frontline has agreed to sell to the Company, and the Company has agreed to purchase from Frontline, either directly or indirectly through intermediate holding companies, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Owners on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Charters, each of the Owners has agreed to charter its Vessel to the Charterer, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Management Agreements, Frontline Management has agreed to provide to the Owners certain technical and operational management services with respect to the Vessels, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, Frontline Management has agreed to provide to the Company certain administrative support services, including corporate compliance, payroll, tax, regulatory compliance, legal and other administrative services, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Performance Guarantee, Frontline has agreed to guarantee the performance of the obligations of the Charterer under the Charters (other than the payment of charter hire) and this Agreement and the obligations of Frontline Management under the Management Agreements and the Administrative Services Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to evidence the Parties’ understanding with respect to, among other things, the Charter Service Reserve, the deferral of certain payments owing by the Charterer to the Owners under the Charters in certain circumstances, the payment by the Charterer to the Company of certain profit sharing bonus amounts and certain collateral arrangements with respect to the Charterer’s obligations under this Agreement and the Charters;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION; EFFECTIVE DATE

 

1.1                                Definitions.

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below.  Capitalized terms that are used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Fleet Purchase Agreement.

 

“A ccumulated Off Hire Allowance” means, with respect to a Vessel, the aggregate Off Hire Allowance for such Vessel giving effect to the Off Hire Allowance for the calendar year in which such determination is made and for all prior years from inception of its respective Charter until any date of determination.

 

“A ccumulated Off Hire Amount” means, with respect to a Vessel, the aggregate Off Hire Amount for such Vessel from inception of its respective Charter until any date of determination.

 

Administrative Services Agreement ” means that certain Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2004, among Frontline Management, the Company and the Owners.

 

Affiliate ” of a Person means any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person.

 

“Agreement” means this Charter Ancillary Agreement, as it may be amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time.

 

Annual Financial Statements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c).

 

Bonus Deferral ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b).

 

Bonus Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

Bonus Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a).

 

Bonus Payment Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

 

Business Day ” means any day other than (a) Saturday or Sunday or (b) any other day on which banks in New York, New York or Oslo, Norway are permitted or required to be closed.

 

Cash ” means United States currency on hand and on deposit and demand deposits.

 

“Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(1)                                   securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States (provided that

 

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the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof), having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

 

(2)                                   marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, having a credit rating of “A” or better from either Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.;

 

(3)                                   certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank or financial institution the long-term debt of which is rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A” or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, or “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million;

 

(4)                                   repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

 

(5)                                   commercial paper rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or “P-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of investments, and in any case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition thereof; and

 

(6)                                   interests in any investment company or money market fund which invests primarily in instruments of the type specified in clauses (1) through (5) above.

 

“Charter Service Reserve ” means, at any time of determination, all Cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Charterer, except for any such Cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of the then applicable Minimum Reserve.

 

“Charters” means those certain Time Charters, dated as of January 1, 2004, between the Charterer and the Owners, in each case with respect to the Vessel owned by each such Owner, as set forth on Schedule A.

 

“Earnings Account”  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

 

“Event of Default” means:

 

(a)                                   any material breach by the Charterer of any provision of any Charter (including the failure to make charter payments thereunder when due; provided, however, that the exercise by the Charterer of its rights under Article III of this Agreement shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default);

 

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(b)                                  any material breach by the Charterer or Frontline of any provision of this Agreement or the Performance Guarantee;

 

(c)                                   any material breach by Frontline Management of any provision of any Management Agreement; or

 

(d)                                  the failure of the Charterer at any time to hold at least $55,000,000 in Cash or Cash Equivalents.

 

Fleet Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

 

Fleet Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Fleet Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2003, between Frontline and the Company.

 

“Frontline Management” means Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd., a Bermuda corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline.

 

“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

 

Indebtedness ” means at a particular time, without duplication, (i) any indebtedness for borrowed money or issued in substitution for or exchange of indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) any indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond, debenture or other debt security, (iii) any indebtedness for the deferred purchase price of property or services with respect to which a Person is liable, contingently or otherwise, as obligor or otherwise, (iv) any commitment by which a Person assures a creditor against loss (including, without limitation, contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit), (v) any indebtedness guaranteed in any manner by a Person (including, without limitation, guarantees in the form of an agreement to repurchase or reimburse), (vi) any obligations under capitalized leases with respect to which a Person is liable, contingently or otherwise as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or with respect to which obligations a Person assures a creditor against loss, and (vii) any indebtedness secured by a lien on a Person’s assets; provided, however, that the obligations of the Charterer under the Charters shall not be deemed to be Indebtedness.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and the filing of or agreement to give any financing statement or like instrument under the laws of any jurisdiction).

 

Management Agreements ” means those certain Management Agreements entered into or to be entered into  between Frontline Management and the Owners, in each case with respect to the Vessel owned by each such Owner, as set forth on Schedule A.

 

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Minimum Reserve ” means US$250,000,000 (provided, however, that the Minimum Reserve shall be decreased by an amount equal to US$5,300,000 upon the termination of any Charter after the date hereof other than by reason of default by the Charterer under this Agreement or the Charters).

 

“Off Hire Allowance” means, for any calendar year with respect to a Vessel , an amount equal to 5 multiplied by the charter hire rate (set forth in Clause 44 of the applicable Charter) applicable to such Vessel under its respective Charter.

 

“Off Hire Amount” means, with respect to a Vessel, an amount equal to the number of days of actual off-hire for such Vessel multiplied by the charter hire rate (set forth in Clause 44 of the applicable Charter) applicable to such Vessel under its respective Charter.

 

 “Organizational Documents” means, with respect to a particular Person (other than an individual), the certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or similar organizational document or agreement, as applicable, of such person.

 

“Payment Date”  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(i).

 

Performance Guarantee ” means that certain Performance Guarantee, dated as of the date hereof, issued by Frontline in favor of the Company and the Owners.

 

Permitted Liens ” means:

 

(a)                                   Liens for taxes or assessments that are not yet delinquent or, if delinquent, are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and for which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as required by GAAP, have been established;

 

(b)                                  materialmen’s, mechanic’s, repairman’s, employee’s, contractor’s, operator’s and other similar Liens or charges arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts that are not yet delinquent (including any amounts being withheld as provided by law), or if delinquent, are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and for which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as required by GAAP, have been established;

 

(c)                                   vessel chartering, drydocking or maintenance, the furnishing of supplies and bunkers to vessels, repairs and improvements to vessels, crews’ wages and other maritime Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                                  Liens for salvage and general average; and

 

(e)                                   easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other rights in respect of surface operations arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business.

 

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

 

Quarterly Financial Statements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b).

 

Security Interests ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

 

“Subsidiaries” means the Owners and any other current or future direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company.

 

“Substitute Owner ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Successful Public Listing” means the completion of one or more transactions that result in at least 20% of the then outstanding common stock of the Company being listed or quoted for public trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq National Market System or other United States national securities exchange.

 

Suezmax ” means each of the Vessels that is classified as a Suezmax tanker vessel (between 120,000 and 200,000 dwt).

 

“Suezmax Bonus Amount” means the portion of a Bonus Payment for any period of determination attributable to the Suezmaxes and shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

 

Suezmax Bonus Amount = 0.20 x (TCE revenues of Suezmaxes – ($21,100 x number of days during the period of determination x Number of Suezmaxes))

 

where (i) “TCE revenues of Suezmaxes” means the revenues of the Charterer on a time charter equivalent basis attributable to the Suezmaxes during such period of determination (calculated in a manner consistent with that used in Frontline’s public reports) and (ii) “Number of Suezmaxes” means the weighted average number of Suezmaxes during such period of determination; and provided that (x) for purposes of calculating bareboat revenues on a time charter equivalent basis, expenses shall be assumed to equal $6,500 per day and (y) no non-double-hulled Vessels shall be included in the calculation of the Suezmax Bonus Amount for any period after 2010.

 

  “Vessels” has the meaning set forth in the first recital.

 

VLCC ” means each of the Vessels that is classified as a VLCC tanker vessel (between 200,000 and 320,000 dwt).

 

“VLCC Bonus Amount” means the portion of a Bonus Payment for any period of determination attributable to the VLCCs and shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

 

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VLCC Bonus Amount = 0.20 x (TCE revenues of VLCCs – ($25,575 x number of days during the period of determination x Number of VLCCs))

 

,

 

where (i) “TCE revenues of VLCCs” means the revenues of the Charterer on a time charter equivalent basis attributable to the VLCCs during such period of determination (calculated in a manner consistent with that used in Frontline’s public reports) and (ii) “Number of VLCCs” means the weighted average number of VLCCs during such period of determination; and provided that (x) for purposes of calculating bareboat revenues on a time charter equivalent basis, expenses shall be assumed to equal $6,500 per day and (y) no non-double-hulled Vessels shall be included in the calculation of the VLCC Bonus Amount for any period after 2010.

 

1.2 References; Headings; Interpretation .   All references in this Agreement to Annexes, Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions refer to the corresponding Annexes, Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions of or to this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise.  Titles appearing at the beginning of any Articles, Sections, subsections or other subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of this Agreement, and shall be disregarded in construing the language hereof.  The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and “hereof” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.  The words “this Article,” “this Section” and “this subsection” and words of similar import refer only to the Article, Section or subsection hereof in which such words occur.  The word “or” is not exclusive, and the word “including” (in its various forms) means including without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine or neuter genders shall be construed to state and include any other gender, and words, terms and titles (including terms defined herein) in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

1.3 Effective Date .   This Agreement shall be effective as of the date ( the “Fleet Closing Date”) on which the Company has completed the purchase from Frontline of the Interests (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement), directly or indirectly through intermediate holding companies, in at least 45 of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 3.19 to the Fleet Purchase Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II
COVENANTS

 

2.1 Charter Service Reserve

 

(a)                                   On or prior to the Fleet Closing Date, Frontline will make a capital contribution to the Charterer of Cash or Cash Equivalents in an amount equal to at least US$250,000,000 to initially fund the Charter Service Reserve.

 

(b)                                  The Charterer shall be entitled to use the Charter Service Reserve only (i) to make charter payments to the Company under any Charter or (ii) for reasonable working capital purposes to meet short-term voyage expenses.

 

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2.2                                Negative Covenants of the Charterer .  The Charterer hereby covenants and undertakes with the Company and each of the Owners that the Charterer will not, without the consent of the Company:

 

(a)                                   amend its Organizational Documents in a manner that would adversely affect the Company;

 

(b)                                  take any action, or omit to take any action, which could reasonably be expected to result in a violation of its Organizational Documents;

 

(c)                                   fail at any time to have at least one independent director in accordance with its Organizational Documents;

 

(d)                                  engage in any business other than the operation and chartering of the Vessels and the activities incidental thereto;

 

(e)                                   incur any Indebtedness, other than trade payables and other current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(f)                                     enter into any transaction that involves (i) a sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Charterer and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) a sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any subsidiary of the Charterer or (iii) any merger, consolidation or business combination of the Charterer or any of its subsidiaries with another Person (other than a merger, consolidation or business combination among two or more of such subsidiaries);

 

(g)                                  enter into any transaction with any Affiliate (other than the Company or any Subsidiary), except for any such transaction entered into on an arm’s-length basis and on terms no less favorable to the Charterer than would be available from a disinterested or unconnected third party;

 

(h)                                  permit the incurrence of any Lien on any of its assets, other than Permitted Liens and other than as contemplated by Article V (Collateral Arrangements);

 

(i)                                      declare or make any dividend or distribution of any kind whatsoever to its shareholders (including through a buyback, redemption or repurchase of its securities) or loan, repay or make any other payment in respect of Indebtedness of the Charterer or any affiliate thereof (other than the Company and the Subsidiaries) unless (i) the Charterer is then in compliance with all of its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) after giving effect to the declaration or payment of any such dividend or distribution or loan or payment in respect of such Indebtedness, (A) the Charterer will continue to be in compliance with all of its obligations under this Agreement, (B) the Charter Service Reserve equals at least the then applicable Minimum Reserve and (C) the chief financial officer of the Charterer certifies to the Company that he reasonably believes that the amount of the Charter Service Reserve will equal or exceed the then applicable Minimum Reserve for at least 30 days after the date of any such payment (each, a “Payment Date”), taking into consideration the Charterer’s reasonably expected payment obligations during such 30-day period, (iii) any charter payments deferred pursuant to Article III have been paid to

 

8



 

the Company prior to any such Payment Date and (iv) any Bonus Payments deferred pursuant to Article IV have been paid to the Company prior to any such Payment Date;

 

(j)                                      issue or grant to any Person other than Frontline any shares of capital stock or other ownership interests in the Charterer or any warrants, options, convertible or exchangeable securities or indebtedness, or any other rights to purchase or acquire, or exercisable for or convertible into or exchangeable into, any such shares of capital stock or such other ownership interests; and

 

(k)                                   make any investment in, acquire or purchase any stock, partnership or joint venture interest or other security of, or loan, advance or contribute capital to, or grant a financial guaranty or other similar assurance for the benefit of, another Person, other than investments in short-term interest bearing marketable securities;

 

2.3 Covenants of Frontline .   Frontline hereby covenants and undertakes with the Company and each of the Owners that:

 

(a)                                   the Charterer will at all times be a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline; and

 

(b)                                  except as contemplated by Article V, Frontline will not sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of legal or beneficial ownership of any securities of the Charterer held by Frontline.

 

2.4 Financial Statements and Other Information .   The Charterer hereby covenants and undertakes with the Company that it will deliver to the Company:

 

(a)                                   as soon as practicable and in any event within (i) 10 days after the end of each month in each fiscal year or (ii) two Business Days after request by the Company, a certificate executed by its chief financial officer which (1) sets forth the balance of the Charter Service Reserve as of the beginning and end of such month, (2) sets forth in reasonable detail all payments into and from the Charter Service Reserve during such month and (3) provides that no Event of Default is then occurring or, if there is an Event of Default then occurring, describes in reasonable detail such Event of Default;

 

(b)                                  following a Successful Public Listing, as soon as practicable and in any event within 45 days after the end of each quarterly period (other than the last quarterly period) in each fiscal year, consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and changes in financial position of the Charterer for such quarterly period and for the period from the beginning of the current fiscal year to the end of such quarterly period, and a consolidated balance sheet of the Charterer as at the end of such quarterly period, all unaudited but prepared in accordance with GAAP on a basis consistent with past practice (collectively, the “Quarterly Financial Statements”); and

 

(c)                                   following a Successful Public Listing, as soon as practicable and in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and changes in financial position of the Charterer for such year, and a consolidated balance sheet of the Charterer as at the end of such year, in each case audited for the Charterer by independent public accountants of

 

9



 

recognized standing selected by the Charterer, whose report shall state that such consolidated financial statements present fairly the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of the Charterer in accordance with GAAP on a basis consistent with prior periods except as noted therein and that the examination by such accountants has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (collectively, the “Annual Financial Statements”).

 

2.5                                                                                Earnings Account.  The Charterer shall cause all of its revenues to be deposited into an earnings account (the “Earnings Account”).

 

ARTICLE III
DEFERRAL OF CHARTER PAYMENTS

 

3.1 Deferral of Charter Payments .   For any period during which the Cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Charterer is less than $75,000,000, each Owner agrees that the Charterer shall be entitled to defer from the monthly payments due under each Charter up to $4,600 per day for each VLCC and up to $3,400 per day for each Suezmax; provided, however, that in no event shall any such deferral with respect to any particular Charter be outstanding with respect to more than one year at any given time.  The Charterer shall immediately use all charter payments received by the Charterer from third parties under any subcharters with respect to the Vessels that are in excess of the then applicable fixed daily charter rates for such Vessels payable to the Company under the applicable Charters to pay any amounts so deferred at such time as the Cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Charterer are greater than $75,000,000; provided, however, that the Charterer shall not be obligated to make any such payment (x) if the chief financial officer of the Charterer reasonably believes that the amount of Cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Charterer will not equal or exceed $75,000,000 for at least 30 days after the date of such payment taking into consideration the Charterer’s reasonably expected payment obligations during such 30-day period and (y) until such payment would be at least $2,000,000.  The Charterer shall not be obligated to pay any interest on any amounts so deferred.

 

3.2 Notice of Deferral .   The Charterer shall promptly notify the Company in accordance with Section 7.6 of its decision to exercise its right to defer payments under Section 3.1 and shall provide the Company with a certificate executed by the chief financial officer of the Charterer, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for such deferral.

 

ARTICLE IV
BONUS PAYMENTS

 

4.1 Bonus Payments.   The Charterer shall pay to the Company periodic profit sharing bonus payments (each, a “Bonus Payment”) equal to (a) the VLCC Bonus Amount for the applicable period plus (b) the Suezmax Bonus Amount for the applicable period (provided, however, that in no event shall such Bonus Payment be less than $0), as determined in accordance with the terms of this Article IV.

 

4.2 Preparation and Delivery of Bonus Payment Schedules.

 

(a)                                   No later than March 1, 2005, the Charterer shall prepare or cause to be prepared, and shall deliver to the Company, a schedule (each, a “Bonus Payment

 

10



 

Schedule”) with respect to the period from February 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004.  Such Bonus Payment Schedule shall set forth, in each case with respect to such period, (i) the TCE revenues of the VLCCs, (ii) the TCE revenues of the Suezmaxes and (iii) the Charterer’s calculation of the VLCC Bonus Amount, the Suezmax Bonus Amount and the Bonus Payment, if any.  The Charterer shall thereafter provide to the Company such supporting work papers or other supporting information as may be reasonably requested by the Company.  Such Bonus Payment Schedule shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistent with the preparation of Frontline’s accounts, and shall be certified by the chief financial officer of the Charterer and, if requested by the Company, the Charterer’s independent accountants.

 

(b)                                  No later than March 1 of each calendar year after 2005, the Charterer shall prepare or cause to be prepared, and shall deliver to the Company, a Bonus Payment Schedule with respect to the preceding calendar year.  Each Bonus Payment Schedule shall set forth, in each case with respect to the preceding calendar year, (i) the TCE revenues of the VLCCs, (ii) the TCE revenues of the Suezmaxes and (iii) the Charterer’s calculation of the VLCC Bonus Amount, the Suezmax Bonus Amount and the Bonus Payment, if any.  The Charterer shall thereafter provide to the Company such supporting work papers or other supporting information as may be reasonably requested by the Company.  Such Bonus Payment Schedule shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistent with the preparation of Frontline’s accounts,  and shall be certified by the chief financial officer of the Charterer and, if requested by the Company, the Charterer’s independent accountants.

 

4.3 Delivery of Bonus Payment.

 

(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Section 4.3, any Bonus Payments determined to be payable by the Charterer to the Company shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the wire transfer address of the Company no later than five Business Days following the date on which the Charterer is required to deliver the corresponding Bonus Payment Schedule (each, a “Bonus Payment Date”), which wire transfer address shall be designated by the Company by notice to the Charterer on or before the second Business Day prior to such Bonus Payment Date; provided that if no such notice is delivered by the Company, the Charterer shall make payment to the wire transfer address previously designated by the Company.

 

(b)                                  If (i) the amount of the Charter Service Reserve on any Bonus Payment Date is less than the then applicable Minimum Reserve or (ii) the payment of any Bonus Payment on any such Bonus Payment Date would cause the amount of the Charter Service Reserve to fall below the then applicable Minimum Reserve, then the Charterer shall be entitled to defer without interest the payment of (x) in the case of clause (i) above, all or any portion of such Bonus Payment and (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, all or any portion of an amount equal to (1) the amount of such Bonus Payment minus (2) the difference between (A) the amount of the Charter Service Reserve on such Bonus Payment Date prior to any such payment minus (B) the then applicable Minimum Reserve (each, a “Bonus Deferral”).

 

11



 

(c)                                   The Charterer shall immediately use all charter payments received by the Charterer from third parties under any subcharters with respect to the Vessels that are in excess of the then applicable fixed daily charter rates for such Vessels payable to the Company under the applicable Charters to pay any Bonus Payment amounts so deferred at such time as the Charter Service Reserve equals or exceeds the Minimum Reserve; provided, however, that the Charterer shall not be obligated to make any such payment (x) if the chief financial officer of the Charterer reasonably believes that the amount of the Charter Service Reserve will not equal or exceed the Minimum Reserve for at least 30 days after the date of such payment taking into consideration the Charterer’s reasonably expected payment obligations during such 30-day period and (y) until such payment would be at least $2,000,000.

 

(d)                                  Prior to any such deferral of any Bonus Payment, the Charterer shall provide the Company with a certificate executed by the chief financial officer of the Charterer, setting forth the amount of the Charter Service Reserve on such Bonus Payment Date.

 

4.4 Marketing; Preferential Treatment.   During the term of this Agreement, the Charterer shall use its commercial best efforts to charter the Vessels on market terms (including, without limitation, ensuring that preferential treatment is not given to any other vessels owned, managed by or under control of Frontline or any of its affiliates (including, without limitation, Greenwich Holdings Ltd and any affiliates thereof) when marketing any of the Vessels).

 

ARTICLE V
COLLATERAL ARRANGEMENTS

 

5.1 .Collateral.   The Charterer, the Company and Frontline covenant and agree that the Charterer’s obligations under this Agreement and the Charters shall be secured by (a) a first priority floating charge over all of the undertaking and all of the assets and rights (including the Earnings Account and Charter Service Reserve) of the Charterer whatsoever and wheresoever both present and future and (b) a first priority fixed charge over all outstanding capital stock of the Charterer (collectively, the “Security Interests”).  The Charterer and Frontline agree that they shall execute such documents and do such things as may reasonably be required by the Company’s lenders in order to give full effect to their covenants in this Section 5.1.

 

ARTICLE VI
OFF-HIRE

 

6.1 Off-Hire.   Irrespective of the actual number of days off-hire for any one Vessel under its respective Charter, the Charterer agrees to continue to pay the agreed charter hire payments under the Charter to the Owner of such Vessel, and will not deduct for any off-hire, as long as the aggregate Accumulated Off Hire Amount for all Vessels then in the fleet is less than or equal to the aggregate Accumulated Off Hire Allowance for all such Vessels.

 

12



 

6.2 Off-Hire Certifications.

 

(a)                                   In any month in which the Charterer makes any deductions for off-hire from any charter hire payments due under any Charter, the Charterer shall, concurrently with such monthly charter hire payment, provide the Company with a certificate executed by an officer of the Charterer, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for such deduction.

 

(b)                                  No later than February 1 of each calendar year, the Charterer shall promptly provide the Company with a certificate executed by the chief financial officer of the Charterer, setting forth in reasonable detail (i) the aggregate Accumulated Off Hire Allowance for all Vessels in the fleet and (ii) the aggregate Accumulated Off Hire Amount for all Vessels in the fleet, in each case as of the end of the preceding calendar year.

 

ARTICLE VII
DEFAULTS

 

7.1 Defaults.   Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default that remains uncorrected for a period of 30 days following notice thereof by the Company to the Charterer, then the Company shall have the option to declare such Event of Default to be a breach by the Charterer of any or all of the Charters, in which case the Company or the Owners may (a) terminate any or all of the Charters by delivery of notice to the Charterer in accordance with Section 8.7, (b) foreclose upon any or all of the Security Interests or (c) exercise any or all other rights and remedies available to the Company or the Owners at law or in equity.

 

ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.1 Term.   Following effectiveness in accordance with Section 1.3, this Agreement shall terminate upon the termination of the last Charter then in effect; provided, however, that the termination of this Agreement shall not impair any rights or obligations of any Party arising hereunder prior to such termination.

 

8.2 Choice of Law.   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England.

 

8.3 Arbitration.   Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration in London in accordance with the provisions this Section 8.3 and the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996, or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Section 8.3.  The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) on terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.  The reference shall be to three arbitrators: one to be appointed by the Company and the Owners, one to be appointed by the Charterer and Frontline and the third to be appointed by the two arbitrators so chosen,  The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding on the Parties.  Nothing herein shall prevent the parties from agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.  In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may

 

13



 

agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

8.4 Entire Agreement.   This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.

 

8.5 Amendment or Modification.   This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all of the Parties.

 

8.6 Assignment; Joinder.

 

(a)  No Party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other Parties hereto.

 

(b).  Each of the Parties acknowledges that the Fleet Purchase Agreement provides for the purchase by the Company of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of one or more vessel-owning entities owned by Frontline (each, a “Substitute Owner”) in place of one or more of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 3.19 to the Fleet Purchase Agreement in certain circumstances.  In the event that the Company acquires any such Substitute Owner, Frontline and the Company agree that they shall cause such Substitute Owner (if it owns its vessel directly) or the subsidiary of such Substitute Owner that owns such vessel directly (if such Substitute Owner does not own its vessel directly) to become an Owner hereunder by executing a counterpart signature page to this Agreement, in the form attached hereto, prior to the closing under the Fleet Purchase Agreement of the acquisition of such Substitute Owner.  The Parties agree that such Substitute Owner or such Substitute Owner’s subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be a Party and that the vessel owned by such Substitute Owner or such Substitute Owner’s subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be a Vessel for all purposes under this Agreement.  The Parties further agree that the Owner for which such Substitute Owner or such Substitute Owner’s subsidiary, as the case may be, was substituted shall no longer be deemed to be a Party and that the vessel owned by such Owner shall no longer be deemed to be a Vessel for any purpose under this Agreement.

 

8.7 Notices.   Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice, request, consent, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any Party to another Party shall be in writing and will be deemed given (a) when received if delivered personally or by courier; or (b) on the date receipt is acknowledged if delivered by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or (c) on the day of transmission if sent by facsimile transmission and receipt thereof is confirmed, as follows:

 

(a)                                   if to the Company, addressed to:

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-La-Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

 

14



 

Attention:  Finance Department

Facsimile: +1 (441) 295-3494

 

(b)                                  if to any Owner, c/o the Company at the Company’s address set forth above;

 

(c)                                   if to Frontline, addressed to:

 

Frontline Ltd.

Par-La-Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

Attention:  Finance Department

Facsimile: +1 (441) 295-3494

 

(d)                                  if to the Charterer, c/o Frontline at Frontline’s address set forth above;

 

or to such other place and with such other copies as any Party may designate as to itself by written notice to the others in accordance with this Section 7.6.

 

8.8 Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory parties had signed the same document.  All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

8.9 Severability.   If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

 

8.10                         U.S. Currency.   All sums and amounts payable to or to be payable pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be payable in coin or currency of the United States of America that, at the time of payment, is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the United States of America.

 

15



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

GRANITE SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

GOLDEN CURRENT LIMITED

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

BONFIELD SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FOURWAYS MARINE LIMITED

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT ARDENNE INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT BRABANT INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

16



 

 

FRONT FALCON INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT GLORY SHIPPING INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT PRIDE SHIPPING INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT SAGA INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT SERENADE INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT SPLENDOUR SHIPPING INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT STRATUS INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

17



 

 

GOLDEN BAYSHORE SHIPPING
CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

GOLDEN ESTUARY CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

GOLDEN FJORD CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

GOLDEN SEAWAY CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

GOLDEN SOUND CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

GOLDEN TIDE CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

KATONG INVESTMENTS LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

18



 

 

LANGKAWI SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

PATRIO SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

RAKIS MARITIME S.A.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

SEA ACE CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

SIBU SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

SOUTHWEST TANKERS INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

WEST TANKERS INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

19



 

 

PUERTO REINOSA SHIPPING CO S.A.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

ASPINALL PTD LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

BLIZANA PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

BOLZANO PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

CIREBON SHIPPING PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FOX MARITIME PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT DUA PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

20



 

 

FRONT EMPAT PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT ENAM PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT LAPAN PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT LIMA PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT TIGA PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT TUJUH PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONT SEMBILAN PTD LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

21



 

 

RETTIE PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

TRANSCORP PTE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

EDINBURGH NAVIGATION S.A.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

ARIAKE TRANSPORT CORP.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

HITATCHI HULL # 4983 CORP.]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

OSCILLA SHIPPING LIMITED

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

FRONTLINE SHIPPING LIMITED

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

22



 

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

02089.0022 #446530

 

23



 

Counterpart Signature Page for Substitute Owners pursuant to Section 8.6(b)

 

Pursuant to Section 8.6(b) hereof, the undersigned hereby executes and delivers and becomes an Owner under this Agreement as of the date set forth below.

 

 

 

[NAME OF SUBSTITUTE OWNER]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 



 

SCHEDULE A

OWNERS AND VESSELS

 

Owner

 

Vessel

Granite Shipping Company Limited.

 

Front Granite

Golden Current Limited

 

Opalia

Bonfield Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Driver

Fourways Marine Limited

 

Front Spirit

Front Ardenne Inc.

 

Front Ardenne

Front Brabant Inc.

 

Front Brabant

Front Falcon Inc

 

Front Falcon

Front Glory Shipping Inc.

 

Front Glory

Front Pride Shipping Inc.

 

Front Pride

Front Saga Inc

 

Front Page

Front Serenade Inc.

 

Front Serenade

Front Splendour Shipping Inc.

 

Front Splendour

Front Stratus Inc.

 

Front Stratus

Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation

 

Navix Astral

Golden Estuary Corporation

 

Front Comanche

Golden Fjord Corporation

 

Front Commerce

Golden Seaway Corporation

 

New Vanguard

Golden Sound Corporation

 

New Vista

Golden Tide Corporation

 

New Circassia

Katong Investments Ltd.

 

Front Breaker

Langkawi Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Birch

Patrio Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Hunter

Rakis Maritime S.A.

 

Front Fighter

Sea Ace Corporation

 

Front Ace

Sibu Shipping Ltd.

 

Front Maple

Southwest Tankers Inc

 

Front Sunda

West Tankers Inc.

 

Front Comor

Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co S.A.

 

Front Lillo

Aspinall Ptd Ltd.

 

Front Viewer

Blizana Pte Ltd.

 

Front Rider

Bolzano Pte Ltd.

 

Mindanao

Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd.

 

Front Vanadis

Fox Maritime Pte Ltd.

 

Front Sabang

Front Dua Pte Ltd.

 

Front Duchess

Front Empat Pte Ltd.

 

Front Highness

Front Enam Pte Ltd.

 

Front Lord

Front Lapan Pte Ltd.

 

Front Climber

Front Lima Pte Ltd.

 

Front Lady

Front Tiga Pte Ltd.

 

Front Duke

Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.

 

Front Emperor

Front Sembilan Ptd Ltd.

 

Front Leader

Rettie Pte Ltd.

 

Front Striver

Transcorp Pte Ltd.

 

Front Guider

Edinburgh Navigation S.A.

 

Edinburgh

Oscilla Shipping Limited

 

Oscilla

Ariake Transport Corp.

 

Ariake

Hitatchi Hull # 4983 Corp.

 

Hakata

 




Exhibit 10.7

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED,

 

THE VESSEL OWNING SUBSIDIARIES NAMED HEREIN,

 

and

 

FRONTLINE MANAGEMENT (BERMUDA) LTD.

 



 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

THIS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of the 1 st day of January, 2004 by and among (i)  Ship Finance International Limited, an exempted Bermuda company (the “ Company ”), (ii) each of the vessel owning subsidiaries identified on Schedule I attached hereto and any Substitute Owners that execute counterpart signature pages pursuant to Section 10(b) (each an “Owner” and collectively, the “Owners”) and (iii) Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd., an exempted Bermuda company (“ Frontline Management ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Fleet Purchase Agreement (the “Fleet Purchase Agreement”) dated as of December 11, 2003 between the Company and Frontline Ltd, an exempted Bermuda company (“Frontline”), Frontline has agreed to sell to the Company, and the Company has agreed to purchase, directly or indirectly through the purchase of intermediate holding companies, from Frontline, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Owners, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Owners (collectively, the “ Service Recipients ” and each a “ Service Recipient ”) desire to receive, and Frontline Management wishes to provide, certain non-vessel administrative, treasury, financial, control, cash management and other support services (collectively, “Administrative Support Services” or “Services”) as more particularly described herein;

 

WHEREAS, the Company, each Owner and Frontline Management now desire to set forth in this Agreement the terms of their business arrangements with respect to the Administrative Support Services provided by Frontline Management to the Company and each Owner;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which the parties hereby acknowledge, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.     Administrative Support Services .

 

(a)   Frontline Management shall provide to each Service Recipient such Administrative Support Services as may from time to time, to the extent applicable to such Service Recipient, be required or requested by the Service Recipient.  For these purposes and to the extent applicable to one or more Service Recipients, the term “Administrative Support Services” as used herein shall include:

 

(i)            maintenance of all such books and records of things done and transactions performed on behalf of the relevant Service Recipient as may be required or

 



 

requested by such Service Recipient from time to time, including liaising with the Service Recipient’s accountants, lawyers and other professionals;

 

(ii)           assistance in complying with the requirements of all applicable securities laws, including the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other relevant securities laws and in complying with relevant tax laws and preparation of tax returns, where required;

 

(iii)          provision of accounting services, maintenance of each Service Recipient’s general ledger, reconciliation of each Service Recipient’s bank accounts, preparation of each Service Recipient’s periodic financial statements, including those required by governmental and regulatory or self-regulatory agencies in the United States and the jurisdiction in which each Service Recipient is organized (together, “Governmental Compliance”), collection and provision of information for purposes of Governmental Compliance, and provision of related data processing services;

 

(iv)          assistance in obtaining such non-vessel related insurance, if any, as each Service Recipient determines to procure;

 

(v)           provision of payroll, treasury, bookkeeping and cash management services;

 

(vi)          maintenance of bank accounts and processing of payments to vendors and service providers;

 

(vii)         provision of corporate administration and related services;

 

(viii)        provision of administrative services related to financing and indebtedness of the Service Recipients;

 

(ix)           development and monitoring of internal audit controls, disclosure controls and information technology;

 

(x)            assistance in the preparation of all financial statements for each Service Recipient;

 

(xi)           furnishing any reports, reconciliations or financial information as may from time to time requested by a Service Recipient; and

 

(xii)          provision of such other services as each Service Recipient may request and Frontline Management may agree to provide from time to time.

 

(b)   In consideration for providing the Administrative Support Services to each Service Recipient, each Service Recipient shall pay an annual fee (the “Fee”) of $20,000 prorated (including force majeure under Section 11) for periods less than a year, each such payment to be

 

2



 

made in advance on the first business day of each year.  If this Agreement is terminated on a day that is not the last day of a year, a refund shall be made of the portion of the Fee paid in advance but not earned.  In addition to the Fee, each Service Recipient shall reimburse Frontline Management at cost for reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses of third parties incurred on behalf of such Service Recipient, including legal fees, independent auditors, printers, mailing costs, depositories, registrars, transfer agents, insurance, proxy solicitors, filing fees, self-regulatory agencies, listing fees, stock exchange maintenance fees, directors’ fees as set by the relevant Service Recipient, and the like; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1(b) shall obligate Frontline Management to advance such costs and expenses on behalf of such Service Recipient, and Frontline Management may direct third parties to bill such Service Recipient directly.

 

(c)   Frontline Management shall provide the services of such officers and other staff with suitable skills and experience as reasonably may be necessary in order to properly perform the Administrative Support Services referred to herein;

 

(d)   Frontline Management and its employees and agents shall have access to all records and books of each Service Recipient wherever located and whenever reasonably necessary or convenient to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

2.     Use of Office Space and Facilities of Frontline Management .

 

(a)   During the term of this Agreement, Frontline Management shall, at its own expense, provide all office accommodation, office equipment, office stationery and office staff as required to provide the Administrative Support Services in an efficient and economic manner.  Frontline Management agrees to provide each Service Recipient with office accommodation at its office at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda with the understanding that an allocable portion of the rent and any and all expenses incidental to the office accommodation including, but not limited to telephone, water and electricity, will be for the account of each Service Recipient, and will be payable by each Service Recipient to Frontline Management directly, said expenses to be determined by mutual agreement of the parties hereto.

 

(b)   While occupying the office accommodation under this Agreement, each Service Recipient will have access to certain facilities of Frontline Management, including Frontline Management’s computer and telephone service, server, internet connection, postage meter, facsimile and copying facilities at no extra charge.

 

3.     Legal Services .

 

(a)   Frontline Management shall make Legal Services available to each Service Recipient.

 

(b)   As used in this Section 3, “ Legal Services ” means providing the services of Frontline Management’s in-house counsel to offer legal assistance and advice to each Service Recipient in connection with any aspect of its respective business.  If for any reason Frontline Management’s in-house legal staff, in its sole discretion, determines that it is not capable of responding properly to the request for legal assistance or advice, it shall, with each Service Recipient’s consent, retain for and on behalf of each Service Recipient outside lawyers whom it

 

3



 

believes can respond properly and any costs, fees and charges of such outside lawyers shall be paid by each Service Recipient.

 

(c)   In the event of a conflict of interest between any Service Recipient and Frontline Management, Frontline Management may decline to provide Legal Services to such Service Recipient with respect to such event.

 

4.     Services Limited to Administrative Support Services, Use of Office Space and Facilities and Legal Services .  Services provided by Frontline Management to the Service Recipients under this Agreement are limited to those described in this Agreement.

 

5.     Standard of Performance .

 

(a)           Frontline Management shall provide the Administrative Support Services to each Service Recipient in accordance with sound commercial practices.

 

(b)           In the exercise of its duties hereunder, Frontline Management shall act fully in accordance with the policies, guidelines and instructions from time to time communicated to it by each Service Recipient and serve each Service Recipient faithfully and diligently, at all times maintaining confidentiality in respect of business secrets.

 

6.     No Partnership/Joint Venture .  This Agreement shall not create a partnership, joint venture, association or other agency relationship between Frontline Management and any Service Recipient.  Frontline Management shall not have authority to conclude any binding obligations on behalf of any Service Recipient.

 

7.     Indemnification .

 

(a)           Each Service Recipient hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Frontline Management and its directors, officers, shareholders and employees (together “Frontline Management Indemnitees”) from and against any and all claims, courses of action, liabilities, damages, costs, charges, fees, expenses, suits, judgments and losses of any nature (together, “Damages”) against or incurred by such Frontline Management Indemnitees arising from or relating to of the performance of the Administrative Support Services under this Agreement exclusively; provided , however that a Frontline Management Indemnitee shall not be indemnified for any Damages resulting from or attributable to its own gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct.

 

(b)           Frontline Management hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Service Recipient and its directors, officers, shareholders and employees (together, “Service Recipient Indemnitees”) from and against any and all Damages against or incurred by such Service Recipient Indemnitees arising from or relating to Frontline Management’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct.

 

8.     Term .

 

(a)           This Agreement shall be effective (i) with respect to the Company, on the

 

4



 

date hereof (the “ Effective Date ”) and (ii) with respect to each Owner on the date of its acquisition by the Company under the Fleet Purchase Agreement and shall continue in effect until terminated as provided in this Section 8; provided , however , that this Agreement may not be terminated by any party without cause prior to the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the Effective Date or (ii) that date of the completion of one or more transactions that result in at least 20% of the then outstanding common stock of the Company being listed or quoted for public trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq National Market System or other United States national securities exchange.

 

(b)           Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 8(a), this Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Service Recipient (the “ Terminating Service Recipient ”) for any reason without cause by the Terminating Service Recipient or by Frontline Management upon the giving of one hundred eighty (180) days’ prior written notice to the other parties or upon mutual written consent; provided , however , that this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect with respect to each Service Recipient that is not a Terminating Service Recipient.

 

(c)           This Agreement may be terminated by Frontline Management with respect to any Service Recipient by giving notice to such Service Recipient upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i)            there is a material breach of a material term of this Agreement by such Service Recipient which is not remedied within ten (10) days after notice and demand for remedy has been given by Frontline Management to such Service Recipient; or

 

(ii)           any proceedings are commenced in, or any order or judgment is given by, any court for the liquidation, winding-up, bankruptcy, reorganization or reconstruction of such Service Recipient or for the appointment of a receive or liquidator or similar officer of such Service Recipient or of all or any part of its assets and is not vacated or stayed within thirty (30) days.

 

(d)           This Agreement may be terminated by any Service Recipient with respect to such Service Recipient by giving notice to Frontline Management upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

5



 

(i)            there is a material breach of a material term of this Agreement with respect to such Service Recipient by Frontline Management which is not remedied within ten (10) days after notice and demand for remedy has been given by such Service Recipient to Frontline Management; or

 

(ii)           any proceedings are commenced in, or any order or judgment is given by, any court for the liquidation, winding-up, bankruptcy, reorganization or reconstruction of Frontline Management or for the appointment of a receive or liquidator or similar officer of Frontline Management or of all or any part of its assets and is not vacated or stayed within thirty (30) days.

 

(e)           Any termination of the Agreement shall be without prejudice to the rights of any party hereunder with respect to periods prior to such termination.

 

(f)            If this Agreement is terminated with respect to any Service Recipient prior to December 31 of any year, Frontline Management shall reimburse a prorated amount of the Fee paid by such Service Recipient for such year based on the number of days during the year for which this Agreement was in effect with respect to the Service Recipient.

 

9.     Modification .  This Agreement may be altered, modified or amended only with the prior written consent of each party hereto.  No act or omission shall constitute a waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement unless specified in writing, and a waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other term or condition or of such term or condition on any other occasion.

 

10.   Assignment; Delegation; Joinder .

 

(a)           This Agreement may not be assigned by any party in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the other parties; provided, however, that Frontline Management may subcontract or delegate its obligations hereunder; provided further, however, that Frontline Management shall remain responsible for its performance under this Agreement notwithstanding any such subcontracting or delegation.

 

(b)           Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that the Fleet Purchase Agreement provides for the purchase by the Company of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of one or more vessel-owning entities owned by Frontline (each, a “Substitute Owner”) in place of one or more of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) set forth on Schedule 3.19 to the Fleet Purchase Agreement in certain circumstances.  In the event that the Company acquires any such Substitute Owner, the Company agrees that it shall cause such Substitute Owner (if it owns a vessel directly) or the subsidiary of such Substitute Owner that owns such vessel directly (if such Substitute Owner does not own its vessel directly) to become an Owner hereunder by executing a counterpart signature page to this Agreement, in the form attached hereto, immediately after the closing under the Fleet Purchase Agreement of the acquisition of such Substitute Owner.  The parties hereto agree that such Substitute Owner or such Substitute Owner’s subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be a party for all purposes under this Agreement.  The parties hereto further agree that the Owner for which such Substitute Owner or such Substitute Owner’s subsidiary, as the case may be, was

 

6



 

substituted shall no longer be deemed to be a party hereto for any purpose under this Agreement.

 

11.   Force Majeure

 

(a)           No party shall be liable to the other for loss or damage resulting from delay or failure to perform this Agreement, or any contract hereunder, either in whole or in part, when any such delay or failure shall be due to causes beyond its control or is not occasioned by its fault or negligence, including, but not limited to, civil war, insurrections, strikes, riots, fires, floods, explosions, earthquakes, serious accidents, or any act of government, governmental priorities, allocations, regulations or orders affecting materials, facilities, acts of God or failure of transportation, epidemics, quarantine restrictions or labor trouble causing cessation, slowdown or interruption of work.

 

(b)           In the event that a situation gives rise to force majeure which prevents Frontline Management from performing under this Agreement, the parties agree that Frontline Management may in good faith obtain substitute performance; provided, however, if such situation continues for a period longer than three (3) months, then any Service Recipient shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement by giving one (1) month prior notice in writing to Frontline Management.

 

12.   Entire Agreement .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.

 

13.   Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts or choice of laws provisions. Any legal action or proceeding in connection with this Agreement or the performance hereof may be brought in the state and federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for the purpose of any such action or proceeding.

 

14.   Notices .  Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice, request, consent, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party to another party shall be in writing and will be deemed given (a) when received if delivered personally or by courier; or (b) on the date receipt is acknowledged if delivered by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or (c) on the day of transmission if sent by facsimile transmission and receipt thereof is confirmed, as follows:

 

(a)           if to a Service Recipient, addressed to:

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-La-Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

Attention:  Finance Department

Facsimile: +1 (441) 295-3494

 

7



 

(b)           if to Frontline Management, addressed to:

 

Frontline Management Ltd.

Par-La-Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

Attention:  Finance Department

Facsimile: +1 (441) 295-3494

 

or to such other place and with such other copies as any party may designate as to itself by written notice to the others in accordance with this Section 14.

 

15.   Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

 

16.   Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

17.   U.S. Currency .  All sums and amounts payable to or to be payable pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be payable in coin or currency of the United States of America that, at the time of payment, is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the United States of America.

 

8



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered by the undersigned on the day and year first above written by their respective officers or agents thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

GRANITE SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDEN CURRENT LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

BONFIELD SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FOURWAYS MARINE LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

9



 

 

FRONT ARDENNE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT BRABANT INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT FALCON INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT GLORY SHIPPING INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT PRIDE SHIPPING INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

10



 

 

FRONT SAGA INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT SERENADE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT SPLENDOUR SHIPPING INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT STRATUS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDEN BAYSHORE SHIPPING CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

11



 

 

GOLDEN ESTUARY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDEN FJORD CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDEN SEAWAY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDEN SOUND CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDEN TIDE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

12



 

 

KATONG INVESTMENTS LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

LANGKAWI SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

PATRIO SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

RAKIS MARITIME S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

SEA ACE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

13



 

 

SIBU SHIPPING LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTHWEST TANKERS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WEST TANKERS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

PUERTO REINOSA SHIPPING CO S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

ASPINALL PTD LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

14



 

 

BLIZANA PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

BOLZANO PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

CIREBON SHIPPING PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FOX MARITIME PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT DUA PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

15



 

 

FRONT EMPAT PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT ENAM PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT LAPAN PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT LIMA PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:  Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT TIGA PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

16



 

 

FRONT TUJUH PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONT SEMBILAN PTD LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

RETTIE PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSCORP PTE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EDINBURGH NAVIGATION S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

17



 

 

ARIAKE TRANSPORT CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

HITATCHI HULL # 4983 CORP

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

OSCILLA SHIPPING LIMITED.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

FRONTLINE MANAGEMENT (BERMUDA) LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

18



 

Counterpart Signature Page for Substitute Owners pursuant to Section 10(b)

 

Pursuant to Section 10(b) hereof, the undersigned hereby executes and delivers this counterpart signature page and becomes an Owner as of the date set forth below.

 

 

 

[NAME OF SUBSTITUTE OWNER]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

19



 

SCHEDULE I

OWNERS

 

Owner

Granite Shipping Co. Ltd.

Golden Current Limited

Bonfield Shipping Ltd.

Fourways Marine Limited

Front Ardenne Inc.

Front Brabant Inc.

Front Falcon Inc

Front Glory Shipping Inc.

Front Pride Shipping Inc.

Front Saga Inc

Front Serenade Inc.

Front Splendour Shipping Inc.

Front Stratus Inc.

Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation

Golden Estuary Corporation

Golden Fjord Corporation

Golden Seaway Corporation

Golden Sound Corporation

Golden Tide Corporation

Katong Investments Ltd.

Langkawi Shipping Ltd.

Patrio Shipping Ltd.

Rakis Maritime S.A.

Sea Ace Corporation

Sibu Shipping Ltd.

Southwest Tankers Inc

West Tankers Inc.

Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co S.A.

Aspinall Ptd Ltd.

Blizana Pte Ltd.

Bolzano Pte Ltd.

Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd.

Fox Maritime Pte Ltd.

Front Dua Pte Ltd.

Front Empat Pte Ltd.

Front Enam Pte Ltd.

Front Lapan Pte Ltd.

Front Lima Pte Ltd.

Front Tiga Pte Ltd.

Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.

Front Sembilan Ptd Ltd.

Rettie Pte Ltd.

Transcorp Pte Ltd.

Edinburgh Navigation S.A.

Oscilla Shipping Limited

Ariake Transport Corp.

Hitatchi Hull # 4983 Corp.

 




Exhibit 10.11

 

Execution Copy

 

ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

This Escrow Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2003 (this “Agreement”), is by and among Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as the initial purchasers under the Purchase Agreement (together, the “Depositors”), Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, both in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture (“Trustee”) and as Escrow Agent under this Agreement (“Escrow Agent”), Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda exempted company (the “Company”), and Frontline Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“Frontline”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , this Agreement is being entered into in connection with (a) the Purchase Agreement dated December 11, 2003, between the Company, Frontline and the Depositors (the “Purchase Agreement”), and (b) the Indenture dated as of December 18, 2003 (the “Indenture”), between the Trustee and the Company, governing the Company’s 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2013 (the “Securities”); and

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is being entered into for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Securities; and

 

WHEREAS , the Escrow Funds (as defined herein) will be released at the direction of Trustee either to the Company upon satisfaction of the conditions specified herein or to Trustee to fund a Special Mandatory Redemption of the Securities, each as provided in Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT

 

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                        Definitions .

 

(a)                                   The following terms have the following meanings when used in this Agreement.  Capitalized terms that are used but not defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

“Escrow Funds” means the net proceeds of the offering of the Securities of $565,500,000, which will be deposited by the Depositors with Escrow Agent in the Escrow Account (as defined below) under this Agreement, together with any interest and other income thereon, all investments therefrom, and all proceeds of the foregoing, all of which shall be credited to and carried in the Escrow Account by the Escrow Agent, and such term shall also include all security entitlements and financial assets carried in or credited to the Escrow Account from time to time.

 

“Federal Book Entry Regulations” means (a) the federal regulations contained in Subpart B (“Treasury/Reserve Automated Debt Entry System (TRADES)”) governing

 

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book-entry securities consisting of U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and bills and Subpart D of 31 C.F.R. Part 357, 31 C.F.R. §357.2, §357.10 through §357.14 and §357.41  through §357.44 and (b) to the extent substantially identical to the federal regulations referred to in clause (a) above (as in effect from time to time), the federal regulations governing other book-entry securities.

 

“New York UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP substantially in the form of Exhibit B to this Agreement.

 

“Release Certificate” means an officers’ certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement, signed by two officers of the Company (one of whom shall be the Chief Executive Officer or the President and one of whom shall be the Chief Financial Officer or the Chief Accounting Officer), the contents and delivery of which shall have been approved by a duly adopted resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, certifying to Trustee as to the matters specified in Exhibit A .

 

“Special Mandatory Redemption” means the mandatory redemption of the Securities contemplated by Section 5.9 of the Indenture.

 

(b)  Other terms that are defined in Article 8 or Article 9 of the New York UCC and/or the Federal Book Entry Regulations (including, without limitation, as applicable, “securities account,” “securities intermediary,” “security entitlement,” “financial asset,” “entitlement holder,” “entitlement order” and “control”) have the same meaning when used herein unless the context otherwise requires.

 

2.                                        Appointment of and Acceptance by Escrow Agent .  Trustee hereby appoints Escrow Agent to serve as escrow agent hereunder.  Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and, upon receipt by wire transfer of the initial Escrow Funds in accordance with Section 3 below, agrees to hold, invest and disburse the Escrow Funds in accordance with this Agreement.  Escrow Agent undertakes to perform only such duties expressly set forth herein and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against Escrow Agent.  In acting hereunder, Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any act done, or omitted to be done, by it in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

3.                                        Creation of Escrow Account .

 

(a)                                   On December 18, 2003, the Depositors will transfer the sum of $565,500,000, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to the following account (the “Escrow Account”):

 

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Wilmington Trust Company, as Escrow Agent

 

for Ship Finance Limited Notes

 

ABA No. 031100092

 

Account No. 64626-0

 

Account Name:  Ship Finance International Limited 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes

 

Attention:  Mary St. Amand

 

Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges and agrees that it has established, on the books and records of its office in Wilmington, Delaware, the Escrow Account in the name of the Trustee on behalf of the holders of the Securities and that the Escrow Account is under the sole dominion and control of the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything in this agreement to the contrary, the parties hereto hereby agree that:

 

(i)                                      the Escrow Account is and shall be maintained by Escrow Agent as a securities account;

 

(ii)                                   Escrow Agent shall be and at all times shall act as a securities intermediary in maintaining the Escrow Account and shall by appropriate book entry credit to the Escrow Account each financial asset to be held in or credited to the Escrow Account pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(iii)                                the Escrow Agent’s jurisdiction, as securities intermediary, for purposes of this Agreement, the Escrow Account and Article 8 of the New York UCC is the State of New York;

 

(iv)                               all property in the Escrow Account from time to time, including cash, will be treated by Escrow Agent as a financial asset;

 

(v)                                  the entitlement holder with respect to the Escrow Account and each security entitlement credited thereto or carried therein shall be the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Securities;

 

(vi)                               any financial asset in registered form or payable to or to the order of a person and credited to Escrow Account shall be registered in the name of, payable to or to the order or, or specially indorsed to, Trustee or carried in or credited to another securities account in the name of Escrow Agent as securities intermediary; and

 

(vii)                            Escrow Agent shall not change the name or account number of the Escrow Account without the prior written consent of the Trustee and shall not change the entitlement holder.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything in this agreement to the contrary, Escrow Agent agrees that it shall comply with entitlement orders and instructions originated by the Trustee and relating to the Escrow Account and all securities entitlements and financial

 

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assets carried in or credited to the Escrow Account, including any entitlement order or instructions contemplated by Section 5 , without further consent by the Company, Frontline or any other person or entity so long as this Agreement is in effect.  Escrow Agent hereby represents that it has not, and it hereby agrees that it will not, enter into any agreement or take any action which gives any person or entity other than the Trustee control over the Escrow Account or any security entitlement or financial asset carried therein or credited thereto.  The parties hereto agree that Trustee shall have exclusive control, and sole dominion and control, over the Escrow Account and each security entitlement and financial asset carried therein or credited thereto, and Escrow Agent shall not accept or comply with instructions or entitlement orders given by any person other than Trustee.

 

(d)                                  The parties hereto acknowledge that, until the release of the Escrow Funds to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (subject to Trustee’s rights and remedies set forth in Section 5 ), the Escrow Funds shall be held by Trustee as entitlement holder of the Escrow Account for the benefit of the holders of the Securities and do not constitute property or an asset of the Company, and the Company shall have only a contingent right to receive payment of the Escrow Funds at the direction of Trustee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(e)                                   In the event that Escrow Agent has or subsequently obtains by agreement, operation of law or otherwise a security interest in the Escrow Account, or any financial asset carried therein or credited thereto, or any securities entitlement with respect thereto, Escrow Agent hereby agrees that such security interest shall be subordinate to the security interest of Trustee.  Except as contemplated by Sections 8, 10 and 11 with respect to the reimbursement of Escrow Agent’s indemnification, fees and expenses, the financial assets or any securities entitlement with respect thereto standing to the credit of the Escrow Account will not be subject to deduction, set-off, banker’s lien or any other right in favor of any person or entity other than Trustee.

 

(f)                                     There are no other agreements entered into among the parties hereto with respect to the Escrow Account.  Except as expressly set forth in this Section 3, in the event of any conflict between this Section 3 or any portion hereof, any other provision of this Agreement or any other agreement now existing or hereafter entered into, the terms of this Section 3 shall prevail.

 

4.                                        Recharacterization .  In the event this Agreement is ever determined to constitute a security agreement or other pledge or security arrangement, or if it is ever determined that the Company has any right, title or interest in the Escrow Account or the Escrow Funds, the Company hereby grants to Trustee a present and continuing first priority security interest in the Escrow Account, the Escrow Funds and any proceeds therefrom (subject only to Escrow Agent’s right of reimbursement of indemnification, fees and expenses from the Escrow Funds, as contemplated by Sections 8 , 10 and 11 ) to secure the Company’s obligations under the Indenture (including without limitation its obligation to pay the redemption price and premium and any accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities to the redemption date with respect to the Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Section 5.9 of the Indenture).  The Company agrees that it shall do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, file and register any and all such acts, deeds,

 

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certificates, assurances, agreements and other instruments (including without limitation security agreements, collateral agreements, financing statements, and lien and pledge instruments) as are in the opinion of Trustee reasonably necessary to give effect to the foregoing sentence.  Without limitation to the foregoing, the Company hereby authorizes Trustee, without the signature of or further authorization or consent from the Company, to file such financing statements in such jurisdictions as are in the opinion of Trustee reasonably necessary to further perfect the security interests granted herein.  Upon the disbursement of the Escrow Funds in accordance with Section 5(a) , Trustee and the Company shall file such termination statements in such jurisdictions as are in the opinion of the Company reasonably necessary to terminate the security interests granted herein.

 

5.                                        Disbursement of Escrow Funds .  Trustee and the Company agree (solely as between themselves) that Trustee shall direct Escrow Agent to disburse the Escrow Funds only in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(a)                                   Completion of Fleet Acquisition .  If, at or prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on March 17, 2004 (the “Completion Deadline”), the Company delivers to Trustee a Release Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, Trustee will direct Escrow Agent to disburse the Escrow Funds to the Company according to the payment instructions contained in the Release Certificate.

 

(b)                                  Special Mandatory Redemption .  If (i) Trustee has not received a Release Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel or (ii) Trustee has not delivered a Default Instruction (as defined below), in each case at or prior to the Completion Deadline, then Trustee will direct Escrow Agent to disburse all the Escrow Funds directly to Trustee for use in completing the Special Mandatory Redemption on or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for the Special Mandatory Redemption specified in the notice of such Special Mandatory Redemption given pursuant to Section 5.9 of the Indenture.  The Company shall deliver to Trustee and Escrow Agent a copy of such notice when it is mailed.

 

(c)                                   Event of Default under the Indenture .  If, at any time prior to the Completion Deadline, there is an Event of Default under the Indenture, Trustee will direct Escrow Agent to disburse all the Escrow Funds directly to Trustee for use in accordance with the Indenture (a “Default Instruction”).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5 , if (i) Trustee has not received a Release Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel or (ii) Trustee has not delivered a Default Instruction, in each case at or prior to the Completion Deadline and if the provisions of Section 4 become operative, Trustee shall have, and is hereby presently granted, in addition to any other rights and remedies specified herein, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the New York UCC.  The foregoing provisions of this Section 5 are between Trustee and the Company and shall in no way limit Escrow Agent’s obligation to follow entitlement orders of Trustee with respect to the Escrow Account and any security entitlements and financial assets carried therein or credited thereto, without the consent of the Company, Frontline or any other person.

 

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6.                                        Frontline Payment Obligation .  If the Escrow Funds are disbursed to the Trustee in accordance with, or pursuant to instructions or directions received under, Section 5(b) above, and the amount of such Escrow Funds shall be insufficient to fully fund the redemption price and premium and any accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities to the redemption date with respect to the Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Section 5.9 of the Indenture, then Frontline shall promptly provide to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Escrow Account, cash in U.S. dollars in an amount that, taken together with the Escrow Funds, shall be sufficient to fully fund the redemption price and premium and any accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities to the redemption date with respect to the Special Mandatory Redemption.

 

7.                                        Investment of Funds .

 

(a)                                   Escrow Agent will hold in, and credit by appropriate book entry to, the Escrow Account the initial deposit and all subsequent deposits to the Escrow Account, together with all investments thereof and all interest accumulated thereon and proceeds from the foregoing, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Escrow Agreement and shall not disburse funds from the Escrow Account except as provided herein.  Trustee hereby directs Escrow Agent to invest the funds in the Escrow Account initially in the Service class shares of the U.S. Government Portfolio of the Wilmington Funds, a mutual fund managed by Rodney Square Management Corporation, a subsidiary of Escrow Agent.  The parties acknowledge that (i) shares in this mutual fund are not obligations of Wilmington Trust Company, are not deposits and are not insured by the FDIC, (ii) Escrow Agent or its affiliates are compensated by this mutual fund for services rendered in its capacity as investment advisor, custodian and/or transfer agent, (iii) Wilmington Trust Company, or its affiliates, are also compensated by these mutual funds for providing shareholder services and (iv) such compensation is both described in detail in the prospectus for the fund, and is in addition to the compensation, if any, paid to Wilmington Trust Company in its capacity as Escrow Agent hereunder.

 

(b)                                  Trustee and the Company agree (solely as between themselves) that, unless and until an Event of Default has occurred under the Indenture, the Company shall be entitled to direct Trustee in writing to instruct Escrow Agent to invest the funds in the Escrow Account in any other Cash Equivalent, and Trustee shall instruct Escrow Agent accordingly.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company agrees that Trustee may, even if no Event of Default has occurred under the Indenture, without notice to any person, direct Escrow Agent to sell or liquidate any of the foregoing investments at any time if the proceeds thereof are required for any release of funds permitted or required hereunder, and Escrow Agent will not be liable or responsible for any loss, cost or penalty resulting from any such sale or liquidation.

 

(d)                                  The provisions of Section 7(b) and Section 7(c) are between Trustee and the Company and shall in no way limit Escrow Agent’s obligation to follow entitlement orders of Trustee with respect to the Escrow Account and any security entitlements and

 

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financial assets carried therein or credited thereto, without the consent of the Company, Frontline or any other person.

 

8.                                        Resignation of Escrow Agent .  Escrow Agent may resign from the performance of its duties hereunder at any time by giving ten days’ prior written notice to Trustee and Frontline.  Such resignation will take effect upon the appointment of a successor Escrow Agent as provided below.  Upon any such notice of resignation, Frontline will appoint a successor Escrow Agent hereunder, which shall be a commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution with a combined capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000, and which shall have the legal capacity to act as, and which shall act as, a securities intermediary hereunder.  On the acceptance in writing of any appointment as Escrow Agent hereunder by a successor Escrow Agent, such successor Escrow Agent will succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Escrow Agent, and the retiring Escrow Agent will be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement, but will not be discharged from any liability for actions taken as Escrow Agent hereunder prior to such succession.  After any retiring Escrow Agent’s resignation, the provisions of this Agreement will inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Escrow Agent under this Agreement.  The retiring Escrow Agent will transmit all records pertaining to the Escrow Funds and will pay the Escrow Funds to the successor Escrow Agent, after making copies of such records as the retiring Escrow Agent deems advisable.  In the event Frontline shall not have delivered to Escrow Agent a written designation of a successor Escrow Agent within a thirty (30) day period, together with the consent to such designation by the successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Escrow Agent, and the costs of obtaining such appointment shall be reimbursable by Frontline and from the Escrow Funds.

 

9.                                        Liability of Escrow Agent .

 

(a)                                   Escrow Agent will have no liability or obligation with respect to the Escrow Funds except for Escrow Agent’s willful misconduct or gross negligence, and Escrow Agent will be fully protected in acting upon the directions of Trustee given in accordance with this Agreement.  In no event shall Escrow Agent be liable to the Company, Frontline or any other person for acting on instructions or entitlement orders given by Trustee.  Escrow Agent’s sole responsibility will be for the safekeeping, investment and disbursement of the Escrow Funds in accordance with Trustee’s directions and the other terms of this Agreement.  Escrow Agent will have no implied duties or obligations and will not be charged with knowledge or notice of any fact or circumstance not specifically set forth herein.  Escrow Agent may rely upon any instrument, not only as to its due execution, validity and effectiveness, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein, which Escrow Agent shall in good faith believe to be genuine, to have been signed or presented by the person or parties purporting to sign the same and to conform to the provisions of this Agreement, and Escrow Agent may assume that any person purporting to give any writing, notice, advice or instruction on behalf of Trustee in connection with the provisions hereof has been duly authorized to do so.  In no event will Escrow Agent be liable for incidental, indirect, special, consequential or punitive damages.  Escrow Agent will not be obligated to take any legal action or commence any proceeding in connection with the Escrow Funds, any account in which Escrow Funds are deposited or this Agreement, or to appear

 

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in, prosecute or defend any such legal action or proceeding.  Escrow Agent may consult legal counsel selected by it in connection with the construction of any of the provisions hereof or of any of its duties as Escrow Agent and securities intermediary hereunder and will incur no liability in acting in accordance with the opinion or instruction of such counsel.

 

(b)                                  Escrow Agent is authorized, in its sole discretion, to comply with orders issued or process entered by any court with respect to the Escrow Funds, without determination by Escrow Agent of such court’s jurisdiction in the matter.  If any portion of the Escrow Funds is at any time attached, garnished or levied upon under any court order, or in case the payment, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of any of the Escrow Funds shall be stayed or enjoined by any court order, or in case any order, judgment or decree shall be made or entered by any court affecting the Escrow Funds or any part thereof, then and in any such event, Escrow Agent is authorized, in its sole discretion, to rely upon and comply with any such order, writ, judgment or decree which it is advised by legal counsel selected by it is binding upon it without the need for appeal or other action; and if Escrow Agent complies with any such order, writ, judgment or decree, it will not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person or entity by reason of such compliance even though such order, writ, judgment or decree may be subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside or vacated.

 

(c)                                   Escrow Agent shall not be required to use its own funds in the performance of any of its obligations or duties or the exercise of any of its rights or powers, and shall not be required to take any action which, in Escrow Agent’s sole and absolute judgment, could involve it in expense or liability unless furnished with security and indemnity which it deems, in its sole and absolute discretion, to be satisfactory.

 

(d)                                  Escrow Agent shall be authorized (but not required) to seek confirmation of all funds transfer instructions by telephone callback, and Escrow Agent may rely upon such confirmation of anyone purporting to be the person designated in the instructions.  The parties acknowledge that such security procedure is commercially reasonable.  The Escrow Agent may, however, disburse any funds in the Escrow Fund without any separate instructions, if such disbursements are in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement.

 

10.                                  Indemnification of Escrow Agent .  From and at all times after the date of this Agreement, Frontline and the Company (together, the “Indemnifying Parties”) shall, on a joint and several basis, to the fullest extent permitted by law and to the extent provided in this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each of Escrow Agent and Trustee and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents and affiliates (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) against any and all actions, claims (whether or not valid), losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses) incurred by or asserted against any of the Indemnified Parties from and after the date of this Agreement, whether direct, indirect or consequential (collectively, “Damages”), as a result of or arising from or in any way relating to any claim, demand, suit, action or proceeding (including any inquiry or investigation) by any person, including without limitation Frontline or the Company, whether threatened or initiated,

 

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asserting a claim for any legal or equitable remedy against any person under any statute or regulation, including, but not limited to, any federal or state securities laws, or under any common law or equitable cause or otherwise, arising from or in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, performance or failure of performance of this Agreement or any transactions contemplated hereby, whether or not any such Indemnified Party is a party to any such action, proceeding, suit or the target of any such inquiry or investigation; provided, however , that no Indemnified Party shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for any liability finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, subject to no further appeal, to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party; provided further, however , that no Indemnified Party shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for any Damages to the extent that such Damages are a result of, arise from or are related to any act or omission by any Indemnified Party that causes Escrow Agent not to be a securities intermediary under Article 8 of the New York UCC for purposes of this Agreement, the Escrow Account and the Escrow Funds.  If any such action or claim shall be brought or asserted against any Indemnified Party, such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Parties in writing, and the Indemnifying Parties shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all expenses.  Such Indemnified Party shall, in its sole discretion, have the right to employ separate counsel (who may be selected by such Indemnified Party in its sole discretion) in any such action and to participate in the defense thereof, and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by such Indemnified Party, except that the Indemnifying Parties shall be required to pay such fees and expenses if (a) the Indemnifying Parties agree to pay such fees and expenses, (b) the Indemnifying Parties shall fail to assume the defense of such action or proceeding, (c) either of the Indemnifying Parties is the plaintiff in any such action or proceeding or (d) the named or potential parties to any such action or proceeding (including any potentially impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and either of the Indemnifying Parties, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Parties.  The Indemnifying Parties shall be liable to pay fees and expenses of counsel pursuant to the preceding sentence. All such fees and expenses payable by the Indemnifying Parties pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be paid from time to time as incurred, both in advance of and after the final disposition of such action or claim.  All of the foregoing losses, damages, costs and expenses of the Indemnified Parties shall be payable by the Indemnifying Parties upon demand by such Indemnified Party.   If the Indemnifying Parties shall fail to pay such losses, damages, costs and expenses within 10 days of such demand, such losses, damages, costs and expenses shall be reimbursable from the Escrow Funds unless such amounts shall not have been paid when the Escrow Funds are to be disbursed in accordance with Section 5 , in which case any such unpaid amounts shall then be reimbursable from the Escrow Funds.  The obligations of the Indemnifying Parties under this Section 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement, and any resignation of Escrow Agent under this Agreement.

 

11.                                  Fees and Expenses of Escrow Agent .  Frontline shall pay to Escrow Agent compensation for its services hereunder in accordance with the terms of a separate fee agreement between the parties.  In the event Escrow Agent renders any extraordinary services in connection with the Escrow Account at the request of the parties, Escrow Agent shall be entitled to additional compensation therefor to be agreed upon by Escrow Agent and Frontline.  In addition, Frontline shall reimburse Escrow Agent for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred

 

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in its capacity as Escrow Agent under this Agreement, including attorneys’ fees, travel expenses, telephone and facsimile transmission costs, postage (including express mail and overnight delivery charges), copying charges and the like.  All of the compensation and reimbursement obligations set forth in this Section 11 shall be payable by Frontline upon demand by the Escrow Agent.  If Frontline shall fail to pay any portion of such compensation or out-of-pocket expenses within 10 days of demand by the Escrow Agent, such unpaid portion shall be reimbursable from the Escrow Funds unless such amounts shall not have been paid when the Escrow Funds are to be disbursed in accordance with Section 5 , in which case any such unpaid amounts shall then be reimbursable from the Escrow Funds.  The obligations of Frontline under this Section 11 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and any resignation of Escrow Agent under this Agreement.

 

12.                                  Notice .  Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice, request, consent, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party hereto to another party hereto shall be in writing and will be deemed given (a) when received if delivered personally or by courier; or (b) on the date receipt is acknowledged if delivered by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or (c) on the day of transmission if sent by facsimile transmission and receipt thereof is confirmed, as follows:

 

If to Trustee, addressed to:

 

Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attention:

Mary St. Amand

 

Assistant Vice President

Facsimile: (302) 636-4145

 

If to Escrow Agent, addressed to:

 

Wilmington Trust Company,

as Escrow Agent

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attention:

Mary St. Amand

 

Assistant Vice President

Facsimile:  (302) 636-4145

 

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If to the Company, addressed to:

 

Ship Finance International Limited

Par-La-Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

Attention:  Finance Department

Facsimile:  +1 (441) 295-3494

 

With a copy to:

 

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, New York 10004

Attention:  Gary Wolfe

Facsimile:  (212) 480-8421

 

If to Frontline, addressed to:

 

Frontline Ltd.

Par-La-Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08

Attention:  Finance Department

Facsimile:  +1 (441) 295-3494

 

With a copy to:

 

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, New York 10004

Attention:  Gary Wolfe

Facsimile:  (212) 480-8421

 

or to such other place and with such other copies as any party hereto may designate as to itself by written notice to the others in accordance with this Section 12 .

 

13.                                  No Third-Party Beneficiaries; Amendment or Waiver .  This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim, either express or implied, to any other entity or person whatsoever.  This Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto; provided , that any amendment to Section 5 or Section 6 also will require the consent of Holders of all the then outstanding Securities.  No delay or omission by any party in exercising any right with respect to this Agreement will operate as a waiver.  A waiver on any one occasion will not be construed as a bar to, or waiver of, any right or remedy on any future occasion.

 

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14.                                  Severability .  To the extent any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

15.                                  Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed, enforced and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.  The Company and Frontline hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction of and each agrees that all proceedings relating hereto shall be brought in courts located within the City and State of New York.  The Company and Frontline hereby waive the right to trial by jury in any such proceedings.  To the extent that in any jurisdiction the Company or Frontline may be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (whether before or after judgment) or other legal process, each hereby irrevocably agrees not to claim, and hereby waives, such immunity.  The Company and Frontline waive personal service of process and consent to service of process by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to them c/o Seward & Kissel LLP, One Battery Park Plaza, New York, New York 10004, the authorized agent of each of the Company and Frontline, and such service shall be deemed completed 10 calendar days after the same is so mailed.

 

16.                                  Entire Agreement .  Except as set forth in the first sentence of Section 11 , this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.

 

17.                                  Binding Effect .  All of the terms of this Agreement, as amended from time to time, shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

18.                                  Execution in Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, which when so executed shall constitute one and the same agreement or direction.

 

19.                                  Termination .  Upon the disbursement of all amounts in the Escrow Funds under Section 5 of this Agreement, this Agreement will terminate (other than Section 6 and Section 9 through Section 21 ) and Escrow Agent will have no further obligation or liability whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or the Escrow Funds (provided, however, that the termination of this Agreement shall not impair or affect any rights or obligations of any party hereto arising hereunder prior to such termination).

 

20.                                  Dealings .  Escrow Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of Escrow Agent may buy, sell, and deal in any of the securities of the Company or Frontline and become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company or Frontline may be interested, and contract and lend money to the Company or Frontline and otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Escrow Agent under this Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement will preclude Escrow Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company, Frontline or for any other entity.

 

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21.                                  No Depositor Liability or Further Obligation .  The Company, Frontline, Escrow Agent and Trustee acknowledge and agree that depositing the Escrow Funds with Escrow Agent is the only obligation of the Depositors under this Agreement.  Frontline and the Company agree, on a joint and several basis, to hold the Depositors harmless with respect to any claim, liability or cause of action under this Agreement.

 

13



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

DEPOSITORS

 

 

 

 

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John W. Sinders Jr

 

 

Name:

John W. Sinders Jr

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Rhodes

 

 

Name:

Mark Rhodes

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President & Counsel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James J. McGinley

 

 

Name:

James J. McGinley

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESCROW AGENT

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James J. McGinley

 

 

Name:

James J. McGinley

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE COMPANY

 

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kate Blankenship

 

 

Name:

Kate Blankenship

 

 

Title:

Director, Secretary and Attorny-in-Fact

 

 

14



 

 

FRONTLINE

 

 

 

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kate Blankenship

 

 

Name:

KATE BLANKENSHIP

 

 

Title:

DIRECTOR

 

 

15



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE

 

This Officers’ Certificate is being delivered to Trustee under Section 5(a) of the Escrow Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of December 18, 2003, by and among Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as Depositors, Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as trustee under the Indenture (“Trustee”) and as escrow agent under the Agreement (“Escrow Agent”), Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda exempted company (the “Company”), and Frontline Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“Frontline”).  This Officers’ Certificate is being delivered concurrently to Trustee.  Capitalized terms that are used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.

 

The undersigned officers of the Company hereby certify that each of the following statements is true and correct or will be true and correct simultaneously with the release of the Escrow Funds contemplated hereby:

 

(1)                                   the Company has completed the purchase, directly or indirectly, of at least 45 of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement dated as of December 11, 2003 between the Company and Frontline (the “Fleet Purchase Agreement”)) set forth in Schedule 3.19 to the Fleet Purchase Agreement, as contemplated by the Fleet Purchase Agreement or, in the event there was a Total Loss (as defined in the Indenture) of a Vessel (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) prior to the acquisition by the Company of the Vessel Owning Subsidiary that owns that Vessel, Frontline has either (a) irrevocably transferred to the Company its right to receive all insurance proceeds, damages, indemnities or other amounts it has received or may receive in connection with such Total Loss or (b) substituted a vessel of similar age, size and classification and the Company has completed the purchase of the entity that owns such substituted vessel for a similar purchase price, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Fleet Purchase Agreement in all material respects;

 

(2)                                   the Charter Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto and is in full force and effect;

 

(3)                                   Frontline has complied with its obligations under the Charter Ancillary Agreement in all material respects, including without limitation its obligation to capitalize the Charterer (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) with at least U.S. $250 million in cash in accordance with the terms thereof, and there are no defaults thereunder that are continuing;

 

(4)                                   the Charters and the Management Agreements (each as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) with respect to the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries that have been acquired have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto and are in full force and effect (subject to any exceptions expressly contemplated by the

 

A-1



 

Fleet Purchase Agreement), on substantially the terms described in the Offering Circular for the offering of the Securities dated December 11, 2003 (the “Offering Circular”), and there are no defaults thereunder that are continuing;

 

(5)                                   the Frontline Performance Guarantee (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto and is in full force and effect;

 

(6)                                   all of the Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) that have been acquired by the Company have executed and delivered Subsidiary Guarantees (as defined in the Indenture) in accordance with the Indenture, and such Subsidiary Guarantees are in full force and effect; and

 

(7)                                   the terms of the transactions entered into and the operations and assets and liabilities acquired and assumed in connection with the foregoing conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Offering Circular, subject to any changes provided for, discussed or contemplated in the Offering Circular.

 

The undersigned officers of the Company hereby further certify that (a) the Company will use the Escrow Funds as described in the Offering Circular under the caption “Use of Proceeds,” (b) no Default or Event of Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing or will occur as a result of the foregoing transactions and (c) attached to this Officers’ Certificate as Annex I is a true and correct copy, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company, of resolutions duly adopted unanimously by the Board of Directors of the Company on                         , 2004, approving the contents and delivery of this Officers’ Certificate, which resolutions have not since been amended or rescinded in any respect and remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

 

In accordance with Section 5(a) of the Agreement, Trustee is hereby instructed to direct Escrow Agent to disburse immediately all Escrow Funds to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to the following account:

 

[ insert wire transfer instructions ]

 

A-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officers have signed this Officers’ Certificate this            day of                                   , 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

A-3



 

ANNEX I

TO OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE

 

CERTIFIED RESOLUTIONS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

A-4



 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF OPINION OF SEWARD & KISSEL LLP

 

                          , 2004

 

Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890

 

Re:                              Ship Finance International Limited

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda exempted company (the “ Company ”), Frontline Shipping Limited, a Bermuda exempted company (the “ Charterer ”), Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“ Frontline Management ”), Frontline Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“ Frontline ” and together with the Company, the Charterer and Frontline Management, collectively, the “ Frontline Parties ”) on matters of the laws of the State of New York and the laws of the United States of America, in relation to, among other things, the Company’s offering of an aggregate of up to $580,000,000 of Senior Notes due 2013 (the “ Securities ”), and the negotiation, execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents (as defined below) to which the Company and the other Frontline Parties are parties.  We are delivering this opinion pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Escrow Agreement (the “ Escrow Agreement ”), dated as of December 18, 2003, by and among the Company, Frontline and Wilmington Trust Company, as Escrow Agent (in such capacity, the “ Escrow Agent ”).  Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Escrow Agreement unless the context otherwise requires.

 

In rendering this opinion, we have examined and relied on originals or copies of the following:

 

(i)                                      the Company’s Offering Circular, dated December 11, 2003, relating to the offering of the Securities (the “ Offering Circular ”);

 

(ii)                                   the Indenture, dated as of December 18, 2003, by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (the “ Indenture ”);

 

(iv)                               the guarantees by each of the Subsidiaries under the Indenture (the “ Guarantees ”);

 

(v)                                  the Escrow Agreement;

 

B-1



 

(vi)                               the Fleet Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2003, by and between the Company and Frontline (the “ Fleet Purchase Agreement ”);

 

(vii)                            the Charter Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement);

 

(viii)                         the Charters (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement);

 

(ix)                                 the Management Agreements (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement);

 

(x)                                    the Performance Guarantee (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) (and together with the Indenture, the Guarantees, the Escrow Agreement, the Fleet Purchase Agreement, the Charter Ancillary Agreement, the Charters and the Management Agreements, collectively, the “ Transaction Documents ”); and

 

(xi)                                 the constitutive documents of each Frontline Party.

 

We have also examined and relied, as to factual matters, upon originals, or copies certified to our satisfaction, of such records, documents, certificates of officers of the Frontline Parties and of public officials and other instruments, and made such other inquiries, as, in our judgment, are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below.  As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have, with your approval, where relevant facts were not independently established, relied without investigation upon, among other things, the representations made in the Transaction Documents and certificates of officers of the Frontline Parties.  Insofar as our opinions pertain to matters of Bermuda law, Bahamian law, the law of the Isle of Man, Singapore law or English law, we have relied exclusively and without independent investigation upon the opinions of various local counsel to the Frontline Parties.

 

For the purpose of this opinion, we have further assumed:

 

(a)                                   the power, authority and legal right of all parties to the Transaction Documents (other than the Frontline Parties) to enter into and to perform their respective obligations thereunder and that the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto (other than the Frontline Parties);

 

(b)                                  the genuineness of all signatures on all documents and the completeness, and the conformity to original documents, of all copies submitted to us;

 

(c)                                   due compliance of the Transaction Documents with all matters of, and the validity and enforceability thereof under, all such laws as govern or relate to them (other than the laws of the jurisdictions as to which we are opining);

 

(d)                                  that each of the parties to the Transaction Documents (other than the

 

B-2



 

Frontline Parties) has complied with all legal requirements pertaining to its status as such status relates to its rights to enforce the Transaction Documents against any of the Frontline Parties; and

 

(e)                                   that any required consents, licenses, permits, approvals, exemptions or authorizations of or by, and any required registrations or filings with, any governmental authority or regulatory body of any jurisdiction (other than the jurisdictions as to which we are opining) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly obtained or made.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and to the qualifications and limitations expressed herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.                                        All conditions necessary for the Company to complete the purchase of at least 45 of the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement), as contemplated by the Fleet Purchase Agreement, have been satisfied or waived (other than the release of the Escrow Funds to the Company).  [In the event there was a Total Loss (as defined in the Indenture) of a Vessel (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) prior to the acquisition by the Company of the Vessel Owning Subsidiary that owns that Vessel, Frontline has either (a) irrevocably transferred to the Company its right to receive all insurance proceeds, damages, indemnities or other amounts it has received or may receive in connection with such Total Loss or (b) substituted a vessel of similar age, size and classification and the Company has completed the purchase of the entity that owns such substituted vessel for a similar purchase price, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Fleet Purchase Agreement in all material respects.]

 

2.                                        The Charter Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto and is in full force and effect.

 

3.                                        To our knowledge (a) Frontline has complied with its obligations under the Charter Ancillary Agreement in all material respects, including its obligation to capitalize the Charterer (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) with at least U.S. $250 million in cash in accordance with the terms thereof and (b) there are no defaults thereunder that are continuing.

 

4.                                        The Charters and the Management Agreements (each as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) with respect to the Vessel Owning Subsidiaries that have been acquired have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto and are in full force and effect (subject to any exceptions expressly contemplated by the Fleet Purchase Agreement), on substantially the terms described in the Offering Circular and, to our knowledge, there are no defaults thereunder that are continuing.

 

5.                                        The Frontline Performance Guarantee (as defined in the Fleet Purchase Agreement) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Frontline and is in full force and effect.

 

B-3



 

6.                                        All of the Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) that have been acquired by the Company have executed and delivered Subsidiary Guarantees (as defined in the Indenture) in accordance with the Indenture, and such Subsidiary Guarantees are in full force and effect.

 

The above opinions are subject to the following additional limitations, qualifications and exceptions:

 

(a)                                   the enforceability of the rights and remedies provided for in the Transaction Documents is subject to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and other similar laws affecting generally the enforceability of creditors’ rights from time to time in effect;

 

(b)                                  the enforceability of the Transaction Documents may be limited by application of the principles of good faith, fair dealing, commercial reasonableness, materiality and unconscionability;

 

(c)                                   the enforceability of the Transaction Documents is subject to general principles of equity with respect to the enforceability of any of the remedies, covenants or other provisions of the Transaction Documents and to the availability of specific performance or injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

 

(d)                                  any provision in the Transaction Documents specifying that the provisions thereof may only be waived in writing may not be enforceable to the extent that an oral agreement or agreement implied by trade practice or course of conduct is created modifying provisions of the Transaction Documents;

 

(e)                                   we express no opinion as to the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any provisions of the Transaction Documents relating to indemnification, contribution or exculpation (i) in connection with violations of any applicable laws, statutory duties or public policy by the indemnified or exculpated party, or (ii) in connection with willful, reckless or unlawful acts or gross negligence of the indemnified or exculpated party or the party receiving contribution, or (iii) under circumstances involving the negligence of the indemnified or exculpated party or the party receiving contribution in which a court might determine the provision to be unfair or insufficiently explicit;

 

(f)                                     we express no opinion as to the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any provision of the Transaction Documents related to choice of governing law to the extent that the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any such provision is to be determined by any court other than a court of the State of New York or a federal district court sitting in the State of New York applying the choice of law principles of the State of New York;

 

B-4



 

(g)                                  with respect to the submission to the jurisdiction of the United States District Courts contained in the Transaction Documents, we note the limitations of 28 U.S.C. §1332 on federal court jurisdiction in cases where diversity of citizenship is lacking, and we also note that such submissions and the waivers contained in such sections cannot supersede those courts’ discretion in determining whether to transfer an action from one federal court to another under 28 U.S.C.§1404(a); and

 

(h)                                  the opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to supplement this letter if any applicable laws change after the date hereof or if we become aware of any facts that might change the opinions expressed herein after the date hereof or for any other reason.

 

Whenever we have asserted above that a matter is “to our knowledge” or “known to us”, our knowledge is limited to actual knowledge of those attorneys in our office who have participated in the representation of the Frontline Parties.

 

This opinion is limited to matters of law of the State of New York and the United States of America.  We express no opinion with respect to the law of any other jurisdiction.

 

The opinions in this letter are rendered only to the Trustee with respect to the above-referenced transaction.  The opinions may not be relied upon for any other purpose, or relied upon by any other person, firm or entity for any purpose.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

B-5




Exhibit 12.1

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the 12-month periods ending December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and for the three month periods ending June 30, 2003 and 2002.

 

 

 

Unaudited
Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

Year Ended December 31,   31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands, except ratios

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

add back:

 

228,958

 

(15,754

)

18,024

 

212,010

 

212,144

 

Share in results from associated companies

 

(15,538

)

7,539

 

10,125

 

(14,259

)

(5,536

)

Pre-tax income from continuing subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

add:

 

213,420

 

(8,215

)

28,149

 

197,751

 

206,608

 

Fixed charges

 

18,931

 

21,082

 

43,062

 

59,763

 

61,080

 

Amortization of capitalized interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributed income from equity method investees

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share of pre-tax losses of equity investees for which charges arising from guarantees are included in fixed charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

subtract:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest capitalized

 

 

(955

)

(936

)

(871

)

 

Preference dividends of consolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges. .:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

232,351

 

11,912

 

70,275

 

256,643

 

267,688

 

Fixed Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expensed

 

18,444

 

19,793

 

41,312

 

58,117

 

60,602

 

Interest capitalized

 

 

955

 

936

 

871

 

 

Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and expenses

 

487

 

334

 

814

 

775

 

478

 

Interest included in rental expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preference dividends of consolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,931

 

21,082.

 

43,062

 

59,763

 

61,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

 

12.27

 

0.57

 

1.63

 

4.29

 

4.38

 

 




Exhibit 21.1

 

Item 21.1 – List of Subsidiaries

 

Granite Shipping Company Limited

Golden Current Limited

Bonfield Shipping Ltd.

Fourways Marine Limited

Front Ardenne Inc.

Front Brabant Inc.

Front Falcon Corp.

Front Glory Shipping Inc.

Front Pride Shipping Inc.

Front Saga Inc.

Front Serenade Inc.

Front Splendour Shipping Inc.

Front Stratus Inc.

Golden Bayshore Shipping Corporation

Golden Estuary Corporation

Golden Fjord Corporation

Golden Seaway Corporation

Golden Sound Corporation

Golden Tide Corporation

Katong Investments Ltd.

Langkawi Shipping Ltd.

Patrio Shipping Ltd.

Rakis Maritime S.A.

Sea Ace Corporation

Sibu Shipping Ltd.

Southwest Tankers Inc.

West Tankers Inc.

Puerto Reinosa Shipping Co. S.A.

Aspinall Pte Ltd.

Blizana Pte Ltd.

Bolzano Pte Ltd.

Cirebon Shipping Pte Ltd.

Fox Maritime Pte Ltd.

Front Dua Pte Ltd.

Front Empat Pte Ltd.

Front Enam Pte Ltd.

Front Lapan Pte Ltd.

Front Lima Pte Ltd.

Front Tiga Pte Ltd.

Front Tujuh Pte Ltd.

Front Sembilan Pte Ltd.

Rettie Pte Ltd.

 



 

Transcorp Pte Ltd.

Oscilla Shipping Limited

Ariake Transport Corporation

Edinburgh Navigation  SA

Hitachi Hull #4983 Ltd.

 




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Exhibit 23.1


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-4 or our reports dated March 22, 2004 and November 28, 2003 relating to the financial statements of Ship Finance International Limited, which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.

  

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers DA



PricewaterhouseCoopers DA
Oslo, Norway
May 13, 2004




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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

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Exhibit 23.2

[PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LETTERHEAD]


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

        We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-4 of our report, dated November 28, 2003, relating to the financial statements of Ship Finance International Limited, which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.

  

  

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Hamilton, Bermuda
May 13, 2004





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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER

THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of
a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)

 


 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

51-0055023

(State or other jurisdiction or incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware  19890

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Cynthia L. Corliss

Vice President and Trust Counsel

Wilmington Trust Company

Rodney Square North

Wilmington, Delaware  19890

(302) 651-8516

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent of service)

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 (Exact name of registrants as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda

 

Inapplicable

(State or other jurisdiction or incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

Par-la-Ville Place

14 Par-la-Ville Road

Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

(441) 295-9500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants’ principal executive offices)

 

Gary J. Wolfe, Esq.

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, New York  10004

(212) 574-1200

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent of service)

 

8½% Senior Notes due 2013

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

 

 



 

ITEM 1.       GENERAL INFORMATION.

 

Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

(a)                           Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Co.                State Bank Commissioner

Five Penn Center                                       Dover, Delaware

Suite #2901

Philadelphia, PA

 

(b)                          Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

ITEM 2.       AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.

 

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:

 

Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.

 

ITEM 16.     LIST OF EXHIBITS.

 

List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.

 

A.                            Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes the certificate of authority of Wilmington Trust Company to commence business and the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers.

B.                              Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.

C.                              Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of Trust Indenture Act.

D.                             Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the           day of May, 2004.

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

 

 

[SEAL]

 

 

 

Attest:

/s/ W. T. Morris II

 

By:

/s/ Mary St. Amand

 

 

Assistant Secretary

Name:  Mary St. Amand

 

 

Title:  Vice President

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED CHARTER

 

Wilmington Trust Company

 

Wilmington, Delaware

 

As existing on May 9, 1987

 



 

Amended Charter

or

Act of Incorporation

of

Wilmington Trust Company

 

Wilmington Trust Company , originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company”, approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to “ Wilmington Trust Company ” by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:

 

First: - The name of this corporation is Wilmington Trust Company .

 

Second: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is Wilmington Trust Company whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City.  In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.

 

Third: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:

 

(1)  To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell

 



 

bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.

 

(2)  To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.

 

(3)  To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.

 

(4)  To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.

 

(5)  To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.

 

(6)  To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.

 

(7)  To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.

 

(8)  To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like

 

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manner become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.

 

(9)  To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.

 

(10)  And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.

 

(11)  To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the

 

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Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law, to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.

 

(b)  In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:

 

(1)  To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.

 

(2)  To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.

 

(3)  To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.

 

(4)  To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount,  execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.

 

(5)  To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.

 

(6)  It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes

 

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and powers.

 

Fourth: - (a)  The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:

 

(1)  One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Preferred Stock”); and

 

(2)  Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock”).

 

(b)  Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated.  All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative.  The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article Fourth , the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:

 

(1)  The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;

 

(2)  The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;

 

(3)  The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;

 

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(4)  Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.

 

(5)  The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.

 

(6)  The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and

 

(7)  The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.

 

(c)  (1)  After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth ), if any, shall have been met and after the Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth ), and subject further to any conditions which may be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth , then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

(2)  After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth ), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.

 

(3)  Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth , each holder of Common Stock shall have

 

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one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.

 

(d)  No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.

 

(e)  The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article Fourth and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.

 

(f)  Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

(g)  Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

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(h)  The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

 

Fifth: - (a)  The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors.  The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.

 

(b)  The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year.  At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting.  Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors.  At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified.  No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

(c)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.

 

(d)  Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors.  Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor

 

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more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders.  Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.

 

(e)  Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.

 

(f)  The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

(g)  No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.

 

Sixth: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.

 

Seventh: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled “An Act Providing a General Corporation Law”, approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.

 

Eighth: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.

 

Ninth: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

Tenth: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

 

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Eleventh: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.

 

Twelfth: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.

 

Thirteenth: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board.  The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).

 

Fourteenth: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.

 

Fifteenth: - (a) (1)  In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this Article Fifteenth:

 

(A)  any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or

 

(B)  any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or

 

(C)  the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or

 

(D)  the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or

 

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(E)  any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,

 

shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article Fifteenth as one class (“Voting Shares”).  Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

 

(2)  The term “business combination” as used in this Article Fifteenth shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).

 

(b)  The provisions of section (a) of this Article Fifteenth shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.

 

(c)  For the purposes of this Article Fifteenth :

 

(1)  A “person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.

 

(2)  “Interested Stockholder” shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:

 

(A)  is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or

 

(B)  is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or

 

(C)  is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock

 

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of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

(3)  A person shall be the “beneficial owner” of any Voting Shares:

 

(A)  which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or

 

(B)  which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or

 

(C)  which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

(4)  The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.

 

(5)  “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.

 

(6)  “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term “Subsidiary” shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.

 

(d)  majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article Fifteenth on the basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by any person (2)

 

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whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.

 

(e)  Nothing contained in this Article Fifteenth shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.

 

Sixteenth:    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles Fifth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth or Sixteenth of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.

 

Seventeenth: (a)  a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.

 

(b)  Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.”

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

BY-LAWS

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

 

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE

 

As existing on January 16, 2003

 



 

BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

 

ARTICLE I

Stockholders’ Meetings

 

Section 1.  Annual Meeting .  The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.  Special Meetings .  Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

 

Section 3.  Notice .  Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.

 

Section 4.  Quorum .  A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured.  At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder’s name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.

 

ARTICLE 2

Directors

 

Section 1.  Management .  The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.  Number .  The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.

 

Section 3.  Qualification .  In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

 



 

The Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.

 

Section 4.  Meetings .  The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

 

Section 5.  Special Meetings .  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.

 

Section 6.  Quorum .  A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.  Notice .  Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.

 

Section 8.  Vacancies .  In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

Section 9.  Organization Meeting .  The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board,  a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person.  The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable.  The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors.  The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or another committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.

 

Section 10.  Removal .  The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.

 

2



 

Section 11.  Responsibility of Officers .  The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.

 

Section 12.  Participation in Meetings .  The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.

 

ARTICLE 3

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Section 1.  Executive Committee.

 

(A)          The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine (9) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

(B)           The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all of the powers of the Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and on behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.

 

(C)           The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.  The majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time when a quorum is present.

 

(D)          Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.

 

(E)           In the event of an emergency of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by its directors and officers as contemplated by these Bylaws, any two available members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such emergency shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of these Bylaws.  In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the Executive Committee, any three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and

 

3



 

business of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section.  This Bylaw shall be subject to implementation by resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementing resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other provisions of these Bylaws.

 

Section 2.  Audit Committee.

 

(A)          The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board.

 

(B)           The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.

 

(C)           The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business.  A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

 

Section 3.  Compensation Committee.

 

(A)          The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

(B)           The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.

 

(C)           The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business.  A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

4



 

The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

 

Section 4.  Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

(A)   The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

(B)   The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company’s executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.

 

(C)   The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business.  A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

 

Section 5.               Other Committees .  The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.

 

Section 6.  Associate Directors.

 

(A)          Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

(B)           Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.

 

Section 7.  Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee.   In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

5



 

ARTICLE 4

Officers

 

Section 1.  Chairman of the Board .  The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.

 

Section 2.  Chief Executive Officer .  The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.  In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.

 

Section 3.  President .  The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.  In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.

 

Section 4.  Duties .  The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.

 

Section 5.  Vice Presidents .  There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.

 

Section 6.  Secretary .  The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis.  In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting.  He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.

 

6



 

Section 7.  Chief Financial Officer .  The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company.  He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company.  He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.

 

Section 8.  Controller .  There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.

 

There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.

 

Section 9.  Audit Officers .  The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.

 

There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.

 

Section 10.  Other Officers .  There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.

 

Section 11.  Powers and Duties of Other Officers .  The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.

 

Section 12.             Number of Offices .  Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).

 

7



 

ARTICLE 5

Stock and Stock Certificates

 

Section 1.  Transfer .  Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.

 

Section 2.  Certificates .  Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company.  The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.  Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

 

Section 3.  Record Date .  The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.

 

ARTICLE 6

Seal

 

The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:

 

Between two concentric circles the words “Wilmington Trust Company” within the inner circle the words “Wilmington, Delaware.”

 

8



 

ARTICLE 7

Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.

 

ARTICLE 8

Execution of Instruments of the Company

 

The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.

 

ARTICLE 9

Compensation of Directors and Members of Committees

 

Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE 10

Indemnification

 

Section 1. Persons Covered .  The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”)

 

9



 

by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person.  The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person.  The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.  Advance of Expenses .  The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.

 

Section 3.  Certain Rights .  If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director or person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

 

Section 4.  Non-Exclusive .  The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

10



 

Section 5.  Reduction of Amount .  The Company’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.

 

Section 6.  Effect of Modification .  Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE 11

Amendments to the Bylaws

 

These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.

 

ARTICLE 12

Miscellaneous

 

Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.

 

11



 

EXHIBIT C

 

Section 321(b) Consent

 

Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: May     , 2004

 

By:

  /s/ Mary St. Amand

 

 

 

Name:  Mary St. Amand

 

 

Title:  Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT D

 

NOTICE

 

This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements.  It has not been approved by any state banking authorities.  Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.

 

R E P O R T   O F   C O N D I T I O N

 

Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

of

WILMINGTON

Name of Bank

 

City

 

in the State of   DELAWARE  , at the close of business on December 31, 2003.

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

Thousands of dollars

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins

 

188,755

 

Interest-bearing balances

 

0

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

3,413

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

1,561,625

 

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

 

326,000

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

0

 

Loans and lease financing receivables:

 

 

 

Loans and leases held for sale

 

0

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

 

5,734,103

 

LESS:  Allowance for loan and lease losses

 

80,374

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve

 

5,653,729

 

Assets held in trading accounts

 

0

 

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

 

142,064

 

Other real estate owned

 

1,421

 

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

 

1,902

 

Customers’ liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding

 

0

 

Intangible assets:

 

 

 

a.  Goodwill

 

157

 

b.  Other intangible assets

 

11,765

 

Other assets

 

160,798

 

Total assets

 

8,051,629

 

 



 

LIABILITIES

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

In domestic offices

 

6,461,335

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

1,037,313

 

Interest-bearing

 

5,424,022

 

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

 

134,202

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

237,757

 

Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)

 

0

 

Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases:

 

448,499

 

Bank’s liability on acceptances executed and outstanding

 

0

 

Subordinated notes and debentures

 

0

 

Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)

 

121,149

 

Total liabilities

 

7,402,942

 

 

EQUITY CAPITAL

 

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

 

0

 

Common Stock

 

500

 

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

 

112,358

 

a.  Retained earnings

 

552,711

 

b.  Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

(16,882

)

Total equity capital

 

648,687

 

Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital

 

8,051,629

 

 

14




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Exhibit 99.1



TENDERS OF OUTSTANDING NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.


SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013

By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier:   Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
Attention: Mary St. Amand
Assistant Vice President

Facsimile (for eligible institutions only):
confirm facsimile by telephone ONLY:

 

Fax: (302) 636-4145
Ph: (302) 636-6436

        Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above (or transmission of instructions via a facsimile number other than the one listed above) will not constitute a valid delivery. The instructions accompanying this Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is completed.

HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY'S OUTSTANDING NOTES ("HOLDERS") WHO WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE EXCHANGE NOTES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING NOTES UNDER THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST VALIDLY TENDER (AND NOT WITHDRAW) THEIR OUTSTANDING NOTES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.

        The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer.

        The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated                        , 2003 (the "Prospectus") of Ship Finance International Limited (the "Company") and the attachments thereto, which, together with this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), constitutes the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000 principal amount of its 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 2013 (the "Exchange Notes"), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), under a Registration Statement of which the prospectus is a part, for each $1,000 principal amount of its outstanding 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 2013 (the "Outstanding Notes"), of which $580,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus. Other capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.

        This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by Holders if: (i) certificates representing Outstanding Notes are to be physically delivered to the Exchange Agent herewith by Holders; or (ii) tender of Outstanding Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes," by any financial institution that is a participant in DTC and whose name appears on a security position listing maintained by DTC as the owner of Outstanding Notes; or (iii) tender of Outstanding Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes."

        DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

        The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be followed. Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent. See Instruction 10 herein.

HOLDERS WHO WISH TO ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND TENDER
THEIR OUTSTANDING NOTES MUST COMPLETE THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL IN ITS ENTIRETY OR AN AGENT'S MESSAGE.


PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW.



DESCRIPTION OF 8 1 / 2 % SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2013 (OUTSTANDING NOTES)



Name(s) and Address(es) of
Registered Holder(s)
(Please fill in, if blank)

  Certificate
Number(s)*

  Aggregate
Principal Amount
Represented
By Certificate(s)

  Principal Amount
Tendered (if less
than all)**



        
        
        
        
    Total        

*
Need not be completed by Holders tendering by book-entry transfer.

**
Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount Tendered," any tendering Holders of Outstanding Notes will be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate principal amount represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s)."


If the space provided above is inadequate, list the certificate numbers and principal amounts on a separate signed schedule and affix the list to this Letter of Transmittal.


The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Outstanding Notes. All other tenders must be integral multiples of $1,000.



SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 4, 5 and 6)

        To be completed ONLY if certificates for Outstanding Notes in a principal amount not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned, or if the Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for purchase or Exchange Notes issued in exchange for Outstanding Notes accepted for exchange are not to be credited to the undersigned's account maintained by DTC.

Issue certificate(s) to:

Name:       
(Please Print)

Address:

 

    


    

(Include Zip Code)

    

(Tax Identification or Social Security No.)


SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 4, 5 and 6)

        To be completed ONLY if certificates for Outstanding Notes in a principal amount not tendered or not purchased are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned, or to the undersigned at an address other than shown above. This section should not be completed if such Outstanding Notes are to be delivered to DTC for credit to the undersigned's account or to an account specified under "Special Issuance Instructions."

Mail to:

Name:       
(Please Print)

Address:

 

    


    

(Include Zip Code)

    

(Tax Identification or Social Security No.)

2



o
CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

  Name of Delivering Institution:       

 

Book Entry-DTC Account Number:

 

    


 

Transaction Code Number:

 

    

o
CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

  Name:       

 

Address:

 

    


 

 

 

    

3


Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby irrevocably delivers to the Company the number of Outstanding Notes indicated above. Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the principal amount of Outstanding Notes tendered in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in and to the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Company and as Trustee under the Indenture for the Outstanding Notes and Exchange Notes) with respect to the tendered Outstanding Notes with full power of substitution to (i) deliver certificates for such Outstanding Notes to the Company, or transfer ownership of such Outstanding Notes on the account books maintained by DTC, and deliver all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company and (ii) present such Outstanding Notes for transfer on the books of the Company and receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Outstanding Notes, all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

        The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim when the same are acquired by the Company. The undersigned hereby further represents that any Exchange Notes acquired in exchange for Outstanding Notes tendered hereby will have been acquired in the ordinary course of business of the beneficial owner receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the undersigned, that neither the beneficial owner nor the undersigned has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes and that neither the beneficial owner nor the undersigned is an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer the undersigned represents that neither it nor the beneficial owner is engaged in, or intends to engage in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for the Outstanding Notes that were acquired as a result of market making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a Prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the assignment, transfer and purchase of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby.

        For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Outstanding Notes when, as and if the Company has given oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.

        If any tendered Outstanding Notes are not accepted for exchange under the Exchange Offer for any reason, certificates for any such unaccepted Outstanding Notes will be returned (except with respect to tenders through DTC), without expense, to the undersigned at the address shown below or at a different address as may be indicated in the "Special Delivery Instructions" promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer in accordance with Rule 14(e)-1(c) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

        All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned under this

4



Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and other legal representatives of the undersigned.

        The undersigned understands that tenders of Outstanding Notes under the procedures described under the caption "Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

        Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions," please return any Outstanding Notes not tendered or not exchanged in the name(s) of the undersigned (or in the case of the Outstanding Notes tendered by DTC, by credit to the undersigned's account at DTC). Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions," please credit the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Outstanding Notes accepted for exchange by credit to the undersigned's account at DTC. The undersigned recognizes that Exchange Notes will be issued in the form issued to DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and/or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, as nominee(s) of DTC. Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please send any certificates for Outstanding Notes not tendered or not exchanged and accompanying documents, as appropriate to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature(s), unless tender is being made through DTC. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation under the "Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer any Outstanding Notes from the name of the registered Holders(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for exchange any of the Outstanding Notes so tendered.

        Holders who wish to tender their Outstanding Notes and (i) whose Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Outstanding Notes, this Letter of Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent, or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer, prior to the Expiration Date, may tender their Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes." See Instruction 1 regarding the completion of the Letter of Transmittal printed below.

5


PLEASE SIGN HERE WHETHER OR NOT
OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY

X
   
    Date
X
   
Signature(s) of Registered Holder(s) or Authorized Signatory   Date

Area Code and Telephone Number:

 

    

        The above lines must be signed by the registered Holder(s) of Outstanding Notes as their name(s) appear(s) on the Outstanding Notes or, if the Outstanding Notes are delivered by a participant in DTC, as such participant's name appears on a security position listing maintained by DTC as the owner of Outstanding Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered Holder(s) by a properly completed Assignment from the registered Holder(s), a copy of which must be transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal. If Outstanding Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates are held of record by two or more joint Holders, then all such Holders must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact or other person acting in a fiduciary capacity, such person must (i) set forth his or her full title below and (ii) unless waived by the Company and the Exchange Agent, submit evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Exchange Agent of such person's authority so to act. See Instruction 4 regarding the completion of this Letter of Transmittal below.

Name(s):       
(Please Print)

Capacity:

 

    


Address:

 

    

(Include Zip Code)

Signature(s) Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution:
(If required by Instruction 4)

    

(Authorized Signature)

    

(Title)

    

(Name of Firm)

Date:

 

    


 , 2003

6


INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

         1.    Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Outstanding Notes.     The Outstanding Notes (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC of all Outstanding Notes delivered electronically), a properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof or an Agent's Message and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The method of delivery of the tendered Outstanding Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of the Holder and, except as otherwise provided below, the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that the Holder use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or Outstanding Notes should be sent to the Company.

        Holders who wish to tender their Outstanding Notes and (i) whose Outstanding Notes are not immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Outstanding Notes, this Letter of Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent, or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer, prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, must tender the Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus. Under such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or through a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (an "Eligible Institution"); (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the Eligible Institution a properly completed an duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and address of the Holder of the Outstanding Notes, the certificate number or numbers of such Outstanding Notes and the principal amount of Outstanding Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being under made thereby and guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof together with the certificate(s) representing the Outstanding Notes (or a confirmation of electronic delivery of book-entry delivery into the exchange Agent's account at DTC), must be received by the Exchange Agent, all as provided in the Prospectus. Any Holder of Outstanding Notes who wishes to tender his or her Outstanding Notes under the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be sent to Holders who wish to tender their Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.

        All questions as to the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of tendered Outstanding Notes will be determined by the Company and the Exchange Agent in their sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. The Company and the Exchange Agent reserve the absolute right to reject any and all Outstanding Notes not properly exercised or any Outstanding Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent, receipt of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or the Exchange Agent, be unlawful. The Company and the Exchange Agent also reserve the right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the Exchange Offer and/or any particular Outstanding Notes. Any waiver of a defect or irregularity of a Note or of a term of the Exchange Offer will be applicable to all Outstanding Notes. The interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) by the Company and the Exchange Agent shall be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects

7



or irregularities in connection with deliveries of Outstanding Notes must be cured within such time as the Company and the Exchange Agent shall determine. Although the Company intends to request the Exchange Agent notify Holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Notes, neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Notes, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Outstanding Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Outstanding Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived, will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the related Holders, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable.

         2.    Tender by Holder.     Any beneficial holder of Outstanding Notes who is not the registered Holder and who wishes to tender should arrange with the registered Holder or DTC participant whose name appears on a security position listing maintained by DTC or the owner of the Outstanding Notes to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on his or her behalf or must, prior to completing and executing this Letter of Transmittal and delivering his or her Outstanding Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Outstanding Notes in such holder's name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered Holder.

         3.    Partial Tender.     Tenders of Outstanding Notes will be accepted only in multiples of $1,000. If less than the entire principal amount of any Outstanding Notes is tendered, the tendering Holder should fill in principal amount tendered in the fourth column under the heading "Principal Amount Tendered (if less than all)" of the box entitled "Description of 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2013 (Outstanding Notes)" above. The entire principal amount of Outstanding Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. Exchange Notes will be issued in the form of one or more global notes in registered form issued to DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and/or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, as nominee(s) of DTC.

         4.    Signatures on the Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signature.     If this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof is signed by the record Holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Outstanding Notes or, if the Outstanding Notes are tendered by a participant in DTC, as such participant's name appears on a security position listing maintained by DTC listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes, without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

        If a Holder other than DTC is tendering Outstanding Notes in exchange for Exchange Notes, such Holder must either properly endorse the Exchange Notes tendered or transmit a properly completed separate bond power with this Letter of Transmittal, with the signatures on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

        If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by a person other than the registered Holder or Holders of any Outstanding Notes listed, such Outstanding Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers signed as the name of the Registered Holder or Holders appears on the Outstanding Notes.

        If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any Outstanding Notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons would so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, must submit evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act with this Letter of Transmittal.

        Endorsements on Outstanding Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this Instruction 4 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

8



        Except as otherwise instructed below, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed if: (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes tendered herewith (including any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing maintained by DTC as the owner of Outstanding Notes) and such person(s) has (have) not completed the box set forth herein entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the box set forth herein entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" or (ii) such Outstanding Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.

         5.    Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions.     Tendering Holders should indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address to which Notes are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal (or in the case of tender of Outstanding Notes through DTC, if different from DTC). In the case of issuance in a different name, the taxpayer identification or social security number of the person named must also be indicated.

         6.    Tax Identification Number.     United States federal income tax law requires that a Holder whose Outstanding Notes are accepted for exchange must provide the Company (as payer) with such Holder's correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN"), which, in the case of a Holder who is an individual, is his or her social security number. If the Company is not provided with the correct TIN or an adequate basis for exemption, such Holder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), and payments made with respect to Outstanding Notes purchased may be subject to backup withholding at the applicable rate. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained. Exempt Holders are not subject to these backup (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) withholding and reporting requirements. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9."

        To prevent backup withholding, each exchanging Holder must provide such Holder's correct TIN by completing the Substitute Form W-9 enclosed herewith, certifying that the TIN provided is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (i) the Holder is exempt from backup withholding, (ii) the Holder has not been notified by the IRS that such Holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS has notified the Holder that such Holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. In order to satisfy the Exchange Agent that a foreign individual qualifies as an exempt recipient, such Holder must submit a statement signed under penalty of perjury attesting to such exempt status. Such statements may be obtained from the Exchange Agent. If the Outstanding Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the Substitute Form W-9 for information on which TIN to report. If you do not provide your TIN to the Company within 10 days, backup withholding will begin and continue until you furnish your TIN to the Company.

         7.    Transfer Taxes.     The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Outstanding Notes. If, however, certificates representing Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered Holder of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Outstanding Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Exchange Notes for Outstanding Notes under the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered Holder or on any other persons) will be payable by the tendering Holder.

        Except as provided in this Instruction 7, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Outstanding Notes listed in this Letter of Transmittal.

         8.    Waiver of Conditions.     The Company reserves the absolute right to amend, waive or modify specified conditions of the Exchange Offer in the case of any Outstanding Notes tendered. Any waiver

9



of a defect or irregularity of a Note or of a term of the Exchange Offer will be applicable to all Outstanding Notes.

         9.    Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Outstanding Notes.     Any delivering Holder whose Outstanding Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further instructions.

         10.    Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.     Questions and requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address specified on the front of this Letter of Transmittal. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.

10


(DO NOT WRITE IN SPACE BELOW)



Certificate
Surrendered

  Outstanding
Notes Tendered

  Outstanding
Notes Accepted



    
    
    
    
    

Delivery Prepared by

 

    


 

Checked by

 

    


 

Date

 

    

11



PAYER'S NAME:

  
SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9
  Name (if joint names, list first and circle the name of the persons or entity whose number you enter in Part I below. See instructions if your name has changed).
   
    Address
   
    City, state and Zip code
   
    List account number(s) here (optional)
   
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
  Part 1— PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ("TIN") IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.   Social security
number or TIN
   
    Part 2— Check the box if you are NOT subject to backup withholding under the provisions of section 3408(a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code because (1) you have not been notified that you are subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends or (2) the Internal Revenue Service has notified you that you are no longer subject to backup withholding.
   
Payer's Request for TIN   CERTIFICATION—UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM IS TRUE, CORRECT AND COMPLETE.   PART 3—
AWAITING TIN
o


Signature:

 

    


 

Date:

 

    



NOTE:

 

FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING ON ANY DISTRIBUTIONS PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU BY THE COMPANY. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

12


GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payer .—Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e. 000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e. 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payer.

For this type of account
  Give the SOCIAL SECURITY number of—
  For this type of account:
  Give the EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION number of—
1.   An individual's account   The individual   9.   A valid trust, estate, or pension trust   The legal entity (Do not furnish the identifying number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.(5)

2.

 

Two or more individuals (joint account)

 

The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, any one of the individuals(1)

 

10.

 

Corporate account

 

The corporation

3.

 

Husband and wife (joint account)

 

The actual owner of the account or, if joint funds, either person(1)

 

11.

 

Religious, charitable or educational organization account

 

The organization

4.

 

Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)

 

The minor(2)

 

12.

 

Partnership account held in the name of the business

 

The partnership

5.

 

Adult and minor (joint account)

 

The adult or, if the minor is the only contributor, the minor(1)

 

13.

 

Association, club, or other tax-exempt organization

 

The organization

6.

 

Account in the name of guardian or committee for a designated ward, minor, or incompetent person

 

The ward, minor or incompetent person(3)

 

14.

 

A broker or registered nominee

 

The broker or nominee

7.

 

(a)

 

The usual revocable savings trust account (grantor is also trustee)

 

The grantor-trustee

 

15.

 

Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a State or local government, school district, or prison) that received agricultural program payments

 

The public entity

 

 

(b)

 

So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under State law

 

The actual owner(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

 

Sole proprietorship account

 

The owner(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)
List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.

(2)
Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.

(3)
Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish such person's social security number.

(4)
Show the name of the owner.

(5)
List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust.

Note: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.

13


Obtaining a Number

        If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and apply for a number.

Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding

        Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include the following:

        Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:

        Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:

        Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER. FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM,AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.

        Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041(a), 6045 and 6050A.

         Privacy Act Notice— Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Beginning January 1, 1994, payers must generally withhold 20% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.

Penalties

(1)
Penalty for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number—If you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

(2)
Failure to Report Certain Dividend and Interest Payments—If you fail to include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends, or patronage dividends in gross income, such failure will be treated as being due to negligence and will be subject to a penalty of 5% on any portion of an underpayment attributable to that failure unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.

(3)
Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding—If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.

(4)
Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information—Falsifying certificates or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

        FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

14




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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

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Exhibit 99.2


NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

for 8 1 / 2 % SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2013

of

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

        As set forth in the Prospectus dated                        , 2004 (the "Prospectus") of Ship Finance International Limited (the "Company") and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal and instructions thereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"), this form or one substantially equivalent hereto is to be used to accept the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange up to $580,000,000 of its outstanding 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013 (the "Outstanding Notes") for its 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if certificates for the Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or if the Outstanding Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or any other documents required thereby cannot be delivered to the Exchange Agent, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed, prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on                        , 2004 (the "Expiration Date"). This form may be delivered by an Eligible Institution by hand, overnight courier or mail to the Exchange Agent as set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.



THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                        , 2004, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS OF OUTSTANDING NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.


By Mail, Hand or Overnight Delivery:   Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
Attention: Mary St. Amand
Assistant Vice President
Facsimile (for eligible institutions only): (302) 636-4145
Confirm Facsimile by phone ONLY: (302) 636-6436

         Delivery of this instrument to an address, or transmission of instruction via facsimile, other than as set forth above, does not constitute a valid delivery.

        This form is not to be used to guarantee signatures. The signature on the Letter of Transmittal to be used to deliver Outstanding Notes required to be guaranteed by an "Eligible Institution" under the instructions thereto, must appear in the applicable space provided in the Letter of Transmittal.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

        The undersigned hereby delivers to the Exchange Agent, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,                        Outstanding Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Instruction 1 of the Letter of Transmittal.

        The undersigned understands that tenders of Outstanding Notes will be accepted only in principal amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. The undersigned understands that tenders of Outstanding Notes under the Exchange Offer may not be withdrawn after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the last business day prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders of Outstanding Notes may also be withdrawn if the Exchange Offer is terminated without any such Outstanding Notes being purchased thereunder or as otherwise provided in the Prospectus.

        All authority thereto conferred or agreed to be conferred by Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned under this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and other legal representatives of the undersigned.

NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED WHERE INDICATED BELOW.

Certificate No(s). for
Outstanding Notes (if available)

    


    


Principal Amount of
Outstanding Notes

    


Name(s) of Record Holder(s)

    


    

Please Print or Type

Address

    


    


Area Code and Telephone No.

    


Signature(s)

 

    


    


Dated:

    


If Outstanding Notes will be delivered by book-
entry transfer at the Depository Trust Company,
Depository Account No.       

2


        This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be signed by (i) the registered Holder(s) of Outstanding Notes exactly as its (their) name(s) appear on certificates for Outstanding Notes or on a security position listing maintained by DTC as the owner of Outstanding Notes or (ii) by person(s) authorized to become registered Holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must provide the following information:

Please print name(s) and address(es) of person signing above.

Name(s)       

Capacity:

 

    


Address(es)

 

    


 

 

    

3


GUARANTEE

(Not to be used for signature guarantee)

        The undersigned, a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") including without limitation any financial institution that is a participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program, hereby (a) represents that the above named person(s) "own(s)" the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act, (b) represents that such tender of Outstanding Notes complies with Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act and (c) guarantees that delivery to the Exchange Agent of certificates for the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer (or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Outstanding Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the Depository Trust Company, pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus), with delivery of a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile thereof) with any required signatures and any other required documents, will be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above on or prior to the Expiration Date.

        The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter of Transmittal and Outstanding Notes tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent within the time period set forth therein and that failure to do so could result in financial loss to the undersigned.

Name of Firm:       

Address:

 

    


City/State:

 

    



Zip Code:


 


    


Area Code and Telephone No.

    


Dated:

 

    


 , 2004
    
Authorized Signature

Name:

 

    

Please Print or Type

Title:

 

    


Dated:

 

    


 , 2004
NOTE:   DO NOT SEND OUTSTANDING NOTES WITH THIS FORM. OUTSTANDING NOTES SHOULD BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SO THAT THEY ARE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITHIN THREE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE TRADING DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE.

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NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

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Exhibit 99.3

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS OUTSTANDING 8 1 / 2 % SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2013,
FOR 8 1 / 2 % SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2013, WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

May [    ], 2004

To Securities Brokers and Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees:

        Ship Finance International Limited (the "Company") is making an offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange its 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013 (the "Exchange Notes") for any or all of its outstanding 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013 (the "Outstanding Notes"), as described in the enclosed prospectus dated                        , 2004 (the "Prospectus"), and the enclosed letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal").

        We are asking you to contact your clients for whom you hold Outstanding Notes registered in your name or in the name of your nominee or who hold Outstanding Notes registered in their own names.

        You will be reimbursed for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in forwarding any of the enclosed materials to your clients. The Company will pay any transfer taxes applicable to the exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer, except as otherwise provided in the Instructions in the Letter of Transmittal.

        Enclosed are copies of the following documents:

        To participate in this Exchange Offer, the exchange agent must receive, prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer, either (1) book-entry confirmation of a valid book-entry transfer, or (2) certificates for Outstanding Notes and a duly executed and properly completed Letter of Transmittal, together with any other required documents described in the Letter of Transmittal and the Prospectus.

        You may obtain additional copies of the enclosed material from Wilmington Trust Company, the exchange agent ((302) 636-6436).

Nothing in the Letter of Transmittal or in the enclosed documents will make you or any person an agent of Ship Finance International Limited or the exchange agent, or authorize you or any other person to make any statements on behalf of either of them with respect to this Exchange Offer, except for statements expressly made in the Prospectus or the Letter of Transmittal.




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BROKER/DEALER LETTER

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Exhibit 99.4

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS OUTSTANDING 8 1 / 2 % SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2013,
FOR 8 1 / 2 % SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2013, WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

May [    ], 2004

To Our Clients:

        Enclosed for your consideration is a prospectus dated                        , 2004 (the "Prospectus"), and the related letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), relating to the offer (the "Exchange Offer") of Ship Finance International Limited, a Bahamas corporation (the "Company"), to exchange its 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) (the "Exchange Notes"), for any or all of its outstanding 8 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due December 15, 2013 (the "Outstanding Notes") issued on December 18, 2003, upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal.

        This material is being forwarded to you as the beneficial owner of Outstanding Notes held by us for your account but not registered in your name. A tender of such Outstanding Notes may only be made by us as the holder of record and pursuant to your instructions.

        Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender on your behalf the Outstanding Notes held by us for your account, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the enclosed Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal.

        Your attention is directed to the following:

        If you wish to have us tender any or all of your Outstanding Notes, please so instruct us by completing and returning to us the instruction form attached hereto. Forward your instructions to us in ample time to permit us to submit a tender on your behalf by the expiration date of the exchange offer. The Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for information only and may not be used directly by you to tender Outstanding Notes.

        None of the Outstanding Notes held by us for your account will be tendered unless we receive written instructions from you to do so. If you authorize a tender of your Outstanding Notes, we will tender the entire principal amount of Outstanding Notes held for your account unless you otherwise specify in the instruction form.

        The Company is not making this exchange offer to, nor will it accept tenders from or on behalf of, holders of the Outstanding Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making of this Exchange Offer or acceptance of tenders would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction or would otherwise not be in compliance with any provision of any applicable security law.


SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER

        The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed material referred to therein relating to the Exchange Offer made by Ship Finance International Limited with respect to its Outstanding Notes.

        This will instruct you to tender the principal amount of Outstanding Notes indicated below which you hold for the account of the undersigned, upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal. I understand that my signature below is the equivalent of my executing and delivering to Ship Finance International Limited the Letter of Transmittal, and thus I agree to be bound by all the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and make all the representations and warranties of a tendering holder set forth in it.

        The aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned is (fill in amounts, as applicable):

        With respect to the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby instructs you (check appropriate box):


        If the undersigned instructs you to tender Outstanding Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned, it is understood that you are authorized to make, on behalf of the undersigned (and the undersigned, by its signature below, hereby makes to you), the representations and warranties contained in the Letter of Transmittal that are to be made with respect to the undersigned as a beneficial owner, including but not limited to the representations that (i) the Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving the Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the undersigned, (ii) neither the undersigned nor any such other person is participating in, intends to participate in or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of Outstanding Notes or Exchange Notes, (iii) neither the undersigned nor any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company, and (iv) neither the undersigned nor any such other person is acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully make the foregoing representations and warranties. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes, it represents that the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

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SIGN HERE

Dated:       
 

Signature(s):

 

    


Print name(s) here:

 

    


Print Address(es):

 

    


Area Code and Telephone Number(s):

 

    


Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s)

 

    

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CLIENT LETTER