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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2022
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended             
OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report: Not applicable
For the transition period from       to      
Commission file number: [  ]
United Maritime Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(Not Applicable)
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
Republic of the Marshall Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
154 Vouliagmenis Avenue
166 74 Glyfada
Greece
(Address of principal executive offices)
Stamatios Tsantanis, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
United Maritime Corporation
154 Vouliagmenis Avenue
166 74 Glyfada
Greece
Telephone: +30 2130181507
Facsimile: +30 2109638404
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of exchange on which
registered
Shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, including the Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
USEA
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: Not applicable.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ☐ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☐ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☐ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer ☒
 
 
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ☒
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
Other
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17
Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
No

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This registration statement on Form 20-F contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and other statements that are other than statements of historical fact. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements in this registration statement are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements.
Many of these statements are based on our assumptions about factors that are beyond our ability to control or predict and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are described more fully in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.” Any of these factors or a combination of these factors could materially affect our future results of operations and the ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. In addition to these important factors, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include among other things:
changes in shipping industry trends, including charter rates, vessel values and factors affecting vessel supply and demand;
changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns;
changes in the supply of or demand for dry bulk commodities, including dry bulk commodities carried by sea, generally or in particular regions;
changes in the number of newbuildings under construction in the dry bulk shipping industry;
changes in the useful lives and the value of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire and the related impact on our compliance with loan covenants;
the aging of our fleet and increases in operating costs;
changes in our ability to complete future, pending or recent acquisitions or dispositions;
our ability to achieve successful utilization of our expanded fleet;
changes to our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to pay amounts that we owe and obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities;
risks related to our business strategy, areas of possible expansion or expected capital spending or operating expenses;
our dependence on our Parent, Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. and our third-party managers to operate our business;
changes in the availability of crew, number of off-hire days, classification survey requirements and insurance costs for the vessel initially comprising our fleet and other vessels we may acquire;
changes in our relationships with our contract counterparties, including the failure of any of our contract counterparties to comply with their agreements with us;
loss of our customers, charters or vessel and other vessels we may acquire;
damage to our vessel and other vessels we may acquire;
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potential liability from future litigation and incidents involving our vessel and other vessels we may acquire;
our future operating or financial results;
acts of terrorism and other hostilities, pandemics or other calamities (including, without limitation, the worldwide novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak);
risks associated with the length and severity of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, including its effects on demand for dry bulk products, crew changes and the transportation thereof;
changes in global and regional economic and political conditions;
general domestic and international political conditions or events, including “trade wars” and the war between Russia and Ukraine;
changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, particularly with respect to the marine transportation industry; and
other factors discussed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.”
Should one or more of the foregoing risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects, on us. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable laws. If one or more forward-looking statements are updated, no inference should be drawn that additional updates will be made with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Spin-Off
We are currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (the “Parent”), a public company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Parent will contribute one of its vessel-owning subsidiaries (the “United Maritime Predecessor”), together with $5.0 million in working capital, to us and will distribute all of our issued and outstanding common shares, par value $0.0001 (including the related preferred stock purchase rights, the “Common Shares”), to the Parent’s shareholders (the “Spin-Off”).
The Spin-Off will be pro rata to the shareholders of the Parent, including holders of the Parent’s outstanding common shares and Series B preferred shares, so that such holders will maintain the same proportionate interest in the Parent and in us both immediately before and immediately after the Spin-Off. In connection with the Spin-Off, the Parent will therefore distribute 40,000 of our Series B preferred shares, par value $0.0001 (the “Series B Preferred Shares”) to the holder of all of the Parent’s issued and outstanding Series B preferred shares, who is our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Stamatios Tsantanis. The Series B Preferred Shares will have substantially the same terms, including voting rights, as the Parent’s Series B preferred shares. While the Common Shares hold one vote per share, the Series B Preferred Shares hold 25,000 votes per share, subject to the limitation that no holder of Series B Preferred Shares may exercise voting rights pursuant to any Series B Preferred Shares that would result in the total number of votes such holder is entitled to vote on any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders to exceed 49.99% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on such matter. The Series B Preferred Shares will have no substantial economic rights but will, immediately following the Spin-Off, entitle our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to exercise voting power equal to 49.99% of the total number of votes entitled to vote on any matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders. Please see “Item 10.A. Share Capital – Series B Preferred Stock.” The Parent will not distribute the Series B Preferred Shares to its common shareholders in connection with the Spin-Off and the Series B Preferred Shares are not transferable without the prior approval of our board of directors.
Immediately prior to the Spin-Off, in exchange for the contribution of the United Maritime Predecessor and working capital to us, the Parent will receive all of our issued and outstanding Common Shares and 5,000 of our Series C Convertible Preferred Shares (the “Series C Preferred Shares”), which will have a cumulative preferred dividend accruing at the rate of 6.5% per annum which may be paid in cash or, at our election, in kind, and will contain a liquidation preference equal to their stated value of $1,000 per share and will be convertible into common shares at the holder’s option commencing upon the first anniversary of the original issue date, at a conversion price equal to the lesser of $9.00 and the 10-trading-day trailing VWAP of our common shares, subject to certain anti-dilution and other customary adjustments. We do not intend to list the Series C Preferred Shares on any securities exchange or other trading market, and therefore do not expect an established trading market for the Series C Preferred Shares to develop. Additionally, we have entered into an agreement with the Parent pursuant to which the Parent will have a right of first refusal with respect to any opportunity available to us to sell, acquire or charter-in any Capesize vessel as well as with respect to chartering opportunities, other than short-term charters available to us for Capesize vessels. In addition, we will have a right of first offer with respect to any vessel sales by the Parent.
United Maritime Corporation (“the Company”) was incorporated by the Parent under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on January 20, 2022 to serve as the holding company of the United Maritime Predecessor in connection with the Spin-Off. The Parent will contribute the United Maritime Predecessor to us prior to the Spin-Off, and, as the sole shareholder of the Company, intends to distribute all of the Company's common shares to its shareholders on a pro rata basis as soon as practicable after the effectiveness of this registration statement.
Holders of common shares of the Parent will receive one of our common shares for every 118 shares of Parent’s common stock owned at the close of business on the record date for the distribution declared by the Parent’s board of directors. Fractional common shares will not be distributed. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate fractional common shares into whole shares, sell such whole shares in the open market at prevailing rates promptly after our common shares commence trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and distribute the net cash proceeds from the sales pro rata to each holder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive fractional common shares in the distribution.
Under this registration statement on Form 20-F, the Company is applying to register its common shares under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We have applied to have our common shares listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “USEA”. Upon consummation of the Spin-Off and the successful listing of our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we and Parent will be
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independent publicly traded companies with separate boards of directors and management, although, at the time of the Spin-Off, certain of the directors and officers of the Parent will hold similar positions at the Company.
The financial statements presented in this registration statement are carve-out financial statements of the Parent’s consolidated historical financial statements. The carve-out financial statements in this registration statement include audited carve-out financial statements of the United Maritime Predecessor for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Unless otherwise indicated or required by the context in this registration statement, the Company’s disclosure assumes that the consummation of the Spin-Off has occurred. Although we may not acquire the United Maritime Predecessor until shortly before the Spin-Off, the operating and other statistical information with respect to our business is presented as of and for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, unless otherwise indicated, as if the Company owned such businesses as of such date.
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PART I
Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this registration statement, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to United Maritime Corporation and any or all of its subsidiaries, and “United Maritime Corporation” refers only to United Maritime Corporation and not to its subsidiaries. References in this registration statement to “Parent” refer to Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.
We use the term deadweight tons, or “dwt,” in describing the size of vessels. Dwt, expressed in metric tons, each of which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, refers to the maximum weight of cargo and supplies that a vessel can carry. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “U.S. $” and “$” in this registration statement are to the lawful currency of the United States of America.
ITEM 1.
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
A. Directors and Senior Management
For information regarding our directors and senior management, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—A. Directors and Senior Management.”
B. Advisers
Our U.S. and Marshall Islands legal counsel is Watson Farley & Williams LLP. 250 West 55th Street, New York, New York 10019.
C. Auditors
Our auditors are Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A.
ITEM 2.
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3.
KEY INFORMATION
A. [Reserved]
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
The following table sets forth our capitalization and indebtedness as of December 31, 2021:
on an actual basis; and
on an as adjusted basis, to give effect to the repayment of two installments totaling $550,000 under our New EnTrust Facility.
There have been no significant changes since December 31, 2021 through June 3, 2022, other than the adjustments described above. The financial data included herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This table should be read in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, the annual audited carve-out financial statements and other information provided in this registration statement.
(All figures in U.S. dollars, except for share amounts)
As of December 31,
2021
(audited)
As Adjusted
(unaudited)
Debt
 
 
Secured long-term debt, (net of deferred finance costs of $119,256)
$5,380,744
$4,830,744
Total debt
$5,380,744
$4,830,744
 
 
 
Parent equity
 
 
Parent investment
$7,868,678
$7,868,678
Accumulated deficit
$(828,300)
$(828,300)
Parent equity, net
$7,040,378
$7,040,378
 
 
 
Total capitalization
$12,421,122
$11,871,122
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C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D. Risk Factors
Some of the following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and others relate to our business in general or our common stock. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be materially adversely affected and the trading price of our securities could decline.
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Summary of Risk Factors
Below is a summary of the principal factors that make an investment in our common stock speculative or risky. This summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussion of the risks summarized in this risk factor summary, and other risks that we face, can be found below under the headings “Risks Relating to Our Industry,” “Risks Relating to Our Company”, “Risks Relating to Our Common Shares” and “Risks Relating to the Spin-Off” should be carefully considered, together with other information in this Registration Statement on Form 20-F and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, before making an investment decision regarding our common stock.
Risks Relating to Our Industry
Charter hire rates for dry bulk vessels are cyclical and volatile and the dry bulk market remains significantly below its historic high. This may adversely affect our earnings, revenue and profitability and our ability to comply with our loan covenants or covenants in other financing agreements.
Outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic diseases, including COVID-19, and any relevant governmental responses thereto could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We anticipate that our fleet will be mostly dependent on spot or index-linked charters and any decrease in spot charter rates or indexes in the future may adversely affect our earnings.
An over-supply of dry bulk vessel capacity may depress the current charter rates and, in turn, adversely affect our profitability.
If economic conditions throughout the world decline, it will negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and could cause the market price of our common shares to decline.
Terrorist attacks and international hostilities could affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Risks associated with operating ocean-going vessels could affect our business and reputation, which could adversely affect our revenues and expenses.
Rising fuel prices may adversely affect our profits.
Our revenues are subject to seasonal fluctuations, which could affect our operating results and ability to service our debt or pay dividends.
Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may be imposed.
Increased scrutiny of environmental, social and governance matters may impact our business and reputation.
Our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may call on ports located in or may operate in countries that are subject to restrictions or sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union or other governments that could result in fines or other penalties imposed on us and may adversely affect our reputation and the market price of our common stock.
Sulfur regulations to reduce air pollution from ships have required retrofitting of vessels and may cause us to incur significant costs.
We are subject to regulation and liability under environmental laws that could require significant expenditures and affect our cash flows and net income.
Regulations relating to ballast water discharge may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Increased inspection procedures, tighter import and export controls and new security regulations could increase costs and disrupt our business.
Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have increased in frequency, which could adversely affect our business.
The operation of dry bulk vessels has particular operational risks.
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If our vessel and other vessels we may acquire fail to maintain its class certification or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, or special survey, or if any scheduled class survey takes longer or is more expensive than anticipated, this could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Because seafaring employees we employ are covered by industry-wide collective bargaining agreements, failure of industry groups to renew those agreements may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our earnings.
Maritime claimants could arrest or attach our vessel and other vessels we may acquire, which could interrupt our cash flows.
Governments could requisition our vessel and other vessels we may acquire during a period of war or emergency, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and available cash.
The shipping industry has inherent operational risks that may not be adequately covered by our insurances. Further, because we obtain some of our insurances through protection and indemnity associations, we may also be retrospectively subject to calls or premiums in amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also on the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations.
Risks Relating to Our Company
The market values of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may decrease, which could limit the amount of funds that we can borrow in the future, trigger breaches of certain financial covenants under any future loan agreements and other financing agreements, and we may incur an impairment or, if we sell vessels following a decline in their market value, a loss.
Our current fleet consists of one Capesize drybulk vessel. Any limitation in the availability or operation of this vessel could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If we fail to manage our planned growth properly, we may not be able to successfully expand our fleet.
Newbuilding projects are subject to risks that could cause delays.
We may acquire additional vessels in the future, and if those vessels are not delivered on time or are delivered with significant defects, our earnings and financial condition could suffer.
Substantial debt levels could limit our flexibility to obtain additional financing and pursue other business opportunities.
Our loan agreement contains, and we expect that other future loan agreements and financing arrangements will contain, restrictive covenants that may limit our liquidity and corporate activities, which could limit our operational flexibility and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We will depend on officers and directors who are associated with the Parent, which may create conflicts of interest.
Purchasing and operating secondhand vessels, such as our current vessel and other vessels we may acquire, may result in increased operating costs and vessel off-hire, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Increased regulatory oversight, uncertainty relating to the London InterBank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, calculation process and phasing out of LIBOR may adversely affect the amounts of interest we pay under future debt obligations.
The failure of future counterparties to meet their obligations under future charter agreements could cause us to suffer losses or otherwise adversely affect our business.
Rising crew costs may adversely affect our profits.
We may not be able to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees in the shipping industry, which may negatively affect the effectiveness of our management and our results of operations.
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Our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may suffer damage, and we may face unexpected repair costs, which could adversely affect our cash flow and financial condition.
We are exposed to U.S. dollar and foreign currency fluctuations and devaluations that could harm our reported revenue and results of operations.
We maintain cash with a limited number of financial institutions including financial institutions that may be located in Greece, which will subject us to credit risk.
In the highly competitive international shipping industry, we may not be able to compete for charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources, which may adversely affect our results of operations.
Due to our lack of fleet diversification, adverse developments in the maritime dry bulk shipping industry would adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
We may be subject to litigation that, if not resolved in our favor and not sufficiently insured against, could have a material adverse effect on us.
Because we obtain some of our insurances through protection and indemnity associations, we may also be retrospectively subject to calls or premiums in amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also on the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations.
Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or FCPA, could result in fines, criminal penalties, and an adverse effect on our business.
We depend on the Parent and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent, Seanergy Shipmanagement Corp., or Seanergy Shipmanagement, to operate our business and our business could be harmed if the Parent or Seanergy Shipmanagement fail to perform such services satisfactorily.
Management fees will be payable to the Parent regardless of our profitability, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our common stock.
We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings.
We may be subject to tax in the jurisdictions in which we or our vessel-owning subsidiaries are incorporated or operate.
We plan to take the position that the Spin-Off will not qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.
We are a “foreign private issuer,” which could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
Our corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and as such we are entitled to exemption from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards. As a result, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements.
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board inspection of our independent accounting firm could lead to adverse findings in our auditors' reports and challenges to the accuracy of our published audited financial statements.
Changing laws and evolving reporting requirements could have an adverse effect on our business.
A cyber-attack could materially disrupt our business.
The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may lead to governmental claims against us.
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Risks Relating to Our Common Shares
There is no existing market for our common shares, and a trading market that will provide you with adequate liquidity may not develop. The price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
The market price of our common shares may in the future be subject to significant fluctuations. Further, there is no guarantee of a continuing public market to resell our common shares.
A possible “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand of our common stock that largely exceeds supply may lead to further price volatility in our common shares.
As a newly-incorporated company, we may not have the surplus or net profits required by law to pay dividends. The declaration and payment of dividends will always be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors. Our board of directors may not declare dividends in the future.
If we do not have sufficient cash to pay dividends on our Series C Preferred Shares when due, we may suffer adverse consequences.
The superior voting rights of our Series B Preferred Shares may limit the ability of our common shareholders to control or influence corporate matters and the interests of the holder of such shares could conflict with the interests of common shareholders.
Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult for our shareholders to replace or remove our current board of directors or could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
We may issue additional common shares or other equity securities without your approval, which could dilute your ownership interests and may depress the market price of our common shares.
Issuance of preferred shares, such as our Series B Preferred Shares, may adversely affect the voting power of our common shareholders and have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our Common Stock less attractive to investors.
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law, which may negatively affect the ability of shareholders to protect their interests.
As a Marshall Islands corporation with principal executive offices in Greece, and also having a subsidiary in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, our operations may be subject to economic substance requirements.
It may not be possible for investors to serve process on or enforce U.S. judgments against us.
Risks Relating to the Spin-Off
We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Spin-Off.
We may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as a publicly-traded company, and we may experience increased costs after the Spin-Off.
We have no operating history as a publicly-traded company, and our historical financial information is not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as a publicly-traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.
We may not be able to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed on acceptable terms.
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Risks Relating to Our Industry
Charter hire rates for dry bulk vessels are cyclical and volatile and the dry bulk market remains significantly below its historic high. This may adversely affect our earnings, revenue and profitability and our ability to comply with our loan covenants or covenants in other financing agreements.
The volatility in the dry bulk charter market, from which we derive substantially all of our revenues, has affected the dry bulk shipping industry and has harmed our business. The Baltic Dry Index, or the BDI, a daily average of charter rates for key dry bulk routes published by the Baltic Exchange Limited, has long been viewed as the main benchmark to monitor the movements of the dry bulk vessel charter market and the performance of the entire dry bulk shipping market and has been very volatile in recent years. The BDI, declined from a high of 11,793 in May 2008 to a low of 290 on February 10, 2016, which represents a decline of 98%. In the following years volatility was also apparent, albeit less extreme. In 2021, the BDI ranged from a low of 1,303 on February 10, 2021 and a high of 5,650 on October 7, 2021. During 2022, the BDI has ranged from 1,296 to 3,369.
The decline from historic highs and volatility in charter rates following 2008 has been due to various factors, including the over-supply of dry bulk vessels, the lack of trade financing for purchases of commodities carried by sea, which resulted in a significant decline in cargo shipments, and trade disruptions caused by natural or other disasters, such as those that resulted from the dam collapse in Brazil in 2019 and the outbreak of the coronavirus infection in China. More recently, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S., the EU, the UK and other countries have announced sanctions against Russia. The sanctions announced by the U.S. and other countries against Russia include, among others, restrictions on selling or importing goods, services or technology in or from affected regions, travel bans and asset freezes impacting connected individuals and political, military, business and financial organizations in Russia, severing large Russian banks from U.S. and/or other financial systems, and barring some Russian enterprises from raising money in the U.S. market. The U.S., EU and other countries could impose wider sanctions and take other actions. This has resulted in higher freight market volatility and while the initial effect on the dry bulk freight market has been positive, the long-term effects are uncertain. These circumstances have had adverse consequences from time to time for dry bulk shipping, including, among other developments:
decrease in available financing for vessels;
no active secondhand market for the sale of vessels;
charterers seeking to renegotiate the rates for existing time charters;
widespread loan covenant defaults in the dry bulk shipping industry due to the substantial decrease in vessel values; and
declaration of bankruptcy by some operators, charterers and vessel owners.
The degree of charter hire rate volatility among different types of dry bulk vessels has varied widely. If we enter into a charter when charter hire rates are low, our revenues and earnings will be adversely affected and we may not be able to successfully charter our vessel and other vessels we may acquire at rates sufficient to allow us to operate our business profitably or meet our obligations. Further, if low charter rates in the dry bulk market decline further for any significant period, this could have an adverse effect on our vessel values and ability to comply with the financial covenants in our future loan agreements or other financing agreements. In such a situation, unless our future lenders are willing to provide waivers of covenant compliance or modifications to our covenants, our future lenders could accelerate our debt and we could face the loss of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire. We expect continued volatility in market rates for our vessel and other vessels we may acquire in the foreseeable future with a consequent effect on our short and medium-term liquidity.
Outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic diseases, including COVID-19, and any relevant governmental responses thereto could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Global public health threats, such as the novel coronavirus first identified in China in the end of 2019, COVID-19, influenza and other highly communicable diseases or viruses, outbreaks of which have from time to time occurred in various parts of the world in which we operate, including China, could adversely impact our operations, as well as the operations of our customers. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has, among other things, caused factory closures and restrictions on travel, as well as labor shortages or lack of berths, delays and uncertainties relating to newbuildings, drydockings, vessel inspections, shortages or a lack of access to required spare parts and other functions of shipyards.
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The ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 has already caused severe global disruptions and may continue to negatively impact the economic conditions regionally as well as globally and otherwise impact our operations and the operations of our customers and suppliers. Governments in affected countries continue to impose travel bans, quarantines and other emergency public health measures. Companies are also taking precautions, such as requiring employees to work remotely, imposing travel restrictions and temporarily closing businesses. These restrictions, and future prevention and mitigation measures, are likely to continue to have an adverse impact on global economic conditions, which could materially and adversely affect our future operations. Uncertainties regarding the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to result in sustained market turmoil, which could also negatively impact our business, financial condition and cash flows. As a result of these measures, our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may not be able to call on ports, or may be restricted from disembarking from ports, located in regions affected by the outbreak. In addition we may experience severe operational disruptions and delays, unavailability of normal port infrastructure and services including limited access to equipment, critical goods and personnel, disruptions to crew changes, quarantine of ships and/or crew, counterparty solidity, closure of ports and custom offices, as well as disruptions in the supply chain and industrial production, which may lead to reduced cargo demand, amongst other potential consequences attendant to epidemic and pandemic diseases.
COVID-19 and measures to contain its spread have negatively impacted regional and global economies and trade patterns in markets in which we operate, the way we operate our business, and the businesses of our charterers and suppliers. These negative impacts could continue or worsen, even after the pandemic itself diminishes or ends. Companies, including us, have also taken precautions, such as requiring employees to work remotely and imposing travel restrictions, while some other businesses have been required to close entirely. Moreover, we face significant risks to our personnel and operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our crews face risk of exposure to COVID-19 as a result of travel to ports in which cases of COVID-19 have been reported. Our shore-based personnel likewise face risk of such exposure, as we maintain offices in areas that have been impacted by the spread of COVID-19.
Measures against COVID-19 in a number of countries have restricted crew rotations on our vessel and other vessels we may acquire, which may continue or become more severe. As a result, in 2021, vessel operators experienced and may continue to experience disruptions to normal vessel operations caused by increased deviation time associated with positioning vessels to countries in which they can undertake a crew rotation in compliance with such measures. Our crews generally work on a rotation basis, relying exclusively on international air transport for crew changes plan fulfillment. Any such disruptions could impact the cost of rotating our crew further, and possibly impact our ability to maintain a full crew synthesis onboard our vessel and other vessels we may acquire at any given time. Delays in crew rotations have furthermore led to issues with crew fatigue and may continue to do so, which may result in delays or other operational issues. Additionally, we are particularly vulnerable to our crew members getting sick, as if even one of our crew members gets sick, local authorities could require us to detain and quarantine the vessel and its crew for an unspecified amount of time, disinfect and fumigate the vessel and cargo onboard, or take similar precautions, which would add costs, decrease our utilization, and substantially disrupt our cargo operations. We expect to incur increased expenses due to incremental fuel consumption and days in which our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are unable to earn revenue in order to deviate to certain ports on which we would ordinarily not call during a typical voyage. We may also incur additional expenses associated with testing, personal protective equipment, quarantines, and travel expenses such as airfare costs in order to perform crew rotations in the current environment.
COVID-19 and measures in place against the spread of the virus have led to a more difficult environment with regards to the disposal of vessels given the challenges presented for the physical inspection of vessels. The initial outbreak of COVID-19 has also resulted in reduced industrial activity in China, with temporary closures of factories and other facilities, labor shortages and restrictions on travel, which rebounded following the gradual easing of the restrictions. The recent lockdowns in certain cities in China have resulted in port congestion, delays, temporary closures of shipyards and further continuation or expansion of these lockdowns may cause disruptions in the global economy, including increased volatility in the market for dry bulk commodities, with uncertain impacts on the Capesize sector.
Epidemics may also affect personnel operating payment systems through which we receive revenues from the chartering of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire or pay for our expenses, resulting in delays in payments.
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Organizations across industries, including ours, are rightly focusing on their employees’ well-being, while making sure that their operations continue undisrupted and at the same time, adapting to the new ways of operating. As such employees are encouraged or even required to operate remotely which significantly increases the risk of cyber security attacks.
Effects of the current pandemic may also in the future result in reduced access to capital, including the ability to refinance any existing obligations, as a result of any credit tightening generally or due to continued declines in global financial markets, including to the prices of publicly-traded securities of us, our peers and of listed companies generally. We note that future impacts cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, may take some time to materialize and may not be fully reflected in the results for the year ended December 31, 2021.
At present, it is not possible to ascertain the overall impact of COVID-19 on our business. However, the occurrence of any of the foregoing events or other epidemics or an increase in the severity or duration of the COVID-19 or other epidemics could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, value of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire, and ability to pay dividends.
The extent of the COVID-19 outbreak’s effect on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the duration, spread and intensity of the outbreak, any resurgence or mutation of the virus, the continued availability of vaccines and their global deployment, the development of effective treatments, the imposition of effective public safety and other protective measures and the public’s response to such measures. There continues to be a high level of uncertainty relating to how the pandemic will evolve, how governments and consumers will react and progress on the approval and distribution of vaccines, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict considering the rapidly evolving landscape. As a result, the ultimate severity of the COVID-19 outbreak is uncertain at this time and therefore we cannot predict the impact it may have on our future operations, which impact could be material and adverse, particularly if the pandemic continues to evolve into a severe worldwide health crisis.
We anticipate that our fleet will be mostly dependent on spot or index-linked charters and any decrease in spot charter rates or indexes in the future may adversely affect our earnings.
We currently operate our vessel on a time charter whose daily rate is linked to the Baltic Capesize Index, or BCI. Furthermore, we may employ our current vessel and other vessels we may acquire in the spot market or on index-linked time charters.
Although the number of vessels in our fleet that participate in the spot market or have index-linked charters will vary from time to time, we anticipate that a significant portion of our fleet will be affected by the spot market or the BCI. As a result, our financial performance will be significantly affected by conditions in the dry bulk spot market or the BCI and only our vessel and other vessels we may acquire that would operate under fixed-rate time charters would, during the period in which such vessels operate under such time charters, provide a fixed source of revenue to us.
Historically, spot charter rates and dry bulk charter indexes have been volatile as a result of the many conditions and factors that can affect the price, supply of and demand for dry bulk capacity. The successful operation of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire in the competitive spot charter market depends upon, among other things, obtaining profitable spot charters and minimizing, to the extent possible, time spent waiting for charters and time spent traveling unladen to pick up cargo. The spot market is very volatile, and, in the past, there have been periods when spot rates have declined below the operating cost of vessels. If future spot charter rates or the BCI decline, then we may be unable to operate our vessel and other vessels we may acquire that are trading in the spot market or on BCI-linked charters profitably or to meet our other obligations, including payments on indebtedness. Furthermore, as charter rates for spot charters are fixed for a single voyage, which may last up to several weeks, during periods in which spot charter rates are rising, we will generally experience delays in realizing the benefits from such increases.
An over-supply of dry bulk vessel capacity may depress the current charter rates and, in turn, adversely affect our profitability.
The market supply of dry bulk vessels had increased due to the high level of new deliveries in recent years. Dry bulk newbuildings were delivered in significant numbers starting at the beginning of 2006 and continued to be delivered in significant numbers through 2017. In addition, the dry bulk newbuilding orderbook, extending up to 2024, was approximately 6.62% of the existing world dry bulk fleet as of May 31, 2022, according to Clarksons
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Research, and the orderbook may increase further in proportion to the existing fleet. Even though the overall level of the orderbook has declined over the past years, an over-supply of dry bulk vessel capacity could depress the current charter rates. Factors that influence the supply of vessel capacity include:
number of new vessel deliveries;
scrapping rate of older vessels;
vessel casualties;
price of steel;
number of vessels that are out of service;
vessels’ average speed;
changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful life of vessels; and
port or canal congestion.
If dry bulk vessel capacity increases but the demand for vessel capacity does not increase or increases at a slower rate, charter rates could materially decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If economic conditions throughout the world decline, it will negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and could cause the market price of our common shares to decline.
The world economy is facing a number of actual and potential challenges, including the war between Ukraine and Russia, current trade tension between the United States and China, political instability in the Middle East and the South China Sea region and other geographic countries and areas, terrorist or other attacks, war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, such as those between the United States and North Korea or Iran, and epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. For example, due in part to fears associated with the spread of COVID-19 (as more fully described above), global financial markets experienced significant volatility which may continue as the pandemic evolves or a new COVID-19 variant emerges. The recent lockdowns in certain cities in China have resulted in port congestion, delays, temporary closures of shipyards and further continuation or expansion of these lockdowns may cause disruptions in the global economy, including increased volatility in the market for dry bulk commodities, with uncertain long term impacts on the Capesize sector. In addition, the continuing war in Ukraine led to increased economic uncertainty amidst fears of a more generalized military conflict or significant inflationary pressures, due to the increases in fuel and grain prices following the sanctions imposed on Russia. Whether the present dislocation in the markets and resultant inflationary pressures will transition to a long-term inflationary environment is uncertain, and the effects of such a development on charter rates, vessel demand and operating expenses in the sector in which we operate are uncertain. The initial effect of the invasion in Ukraine on the dry bulk freight market ranged from neutral to positive, despite the short-term volatility in charter rates and increases on specific items of operating costs, mainly in the context of increased crew costs. If these conditions are sustained, the longer-term net impact on the dry bulk freight market and our business would be difficult to predict with any degree of accuracy. Such events may have unpredictable consequences, and contribute to instability in the global economy, a decrease in supply or cause a decrease in worldwide demand for certain goods and, thus, shipping. We cannot predict how long current market conditions will last.
The European Union, or EU, and other parts of the world were recently in a recession and uncertainty surrounds the potential for continued economic growth. Moreover, there is uncertainty related to certain European member countries' ability to refinance their sovereign debt, including Greece, despite the country's return to the sovereign debt markets in 2019. As a result, the credit markets in the United States and Europe have recently experienced significant contraction, deleveraging and reduced liquidity, and the U.S. federal and state governments and European authorities have implemented a broad variety of governmental action and new regulation of the financial markets and may implement additional regulations in the future. As a result, global economic conditions and global financial markets have been, and continue to be, volatile. Further, credit markets and the debt and equity capital markets have been distressed and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the global credit markets has resulted in reduced access to credit worldwide.
In Europe, large sovereign debts and fiscal deficits, low growth prospects and high unemployment rates in a number of countries have contributed to the rise of Euroskeptic parties, which would like their countries to leave the
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Euro. The withdrawal of the U.K. from the European Union, or Brexit, further increases the risk of additional trade protectionism. Brexit, or similar events in other jurisdictions, could continue to impact global markets, including foreign exchange and securities markets; any resulting changes in currency exchange rates, tariffs, treaties and other regulatory matters could in turn adversely impact our business, cash flows and operations.
In addition, the recent economic slowdown in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China, may exacerbate the effect of the weak economic trends in the rest of the world. Before the global economic financial crisis that began in 2008, China had one of the world's fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product, or GDP, which had a significant impact on shipping demand. The quarterly year-over-year growth rate of China's GDP was approximately 8.1% for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2.3% for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 6.0% for the year ended December 31, 2019. It is possible that China and other countries in the Asia Pacific region will continue to experience volatile, slowed or even negative economic growth in the near future. Changes in the economic conditions of China, and changes in laws or policies adopted by its government or the implementation of these laws and policies by local authorities, including with regards to tax matters and environmental concerns (such as achieving carbon neutrality), could affect our vessels that are either chartered to Chinese customers or that call to Chinese ports, our vessels that undergo dry docking at Chinese shipyards and the financial institutions with whom we have entered into financing agreements, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Furthermore, governments may turn to trade barriers to protect their domestic industries against foreign imports, thereby depressing shipping demand. In particular, as indicated, the United States has sought to implement more protective trade measures. There is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States, China, and other exporting countries, including with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations, and tariffs. Protectionist developments, or the perception that they may occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions, and may significantly reduce global trade. Moreover, increasing trade protectionism may cause an increase in (i) the cost of goods exported from regions globally, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region, (ii) the length of time required to transport goods and (iii) the risks associated with exporting goods. Such increases may further reduce the quantity of goods to be shipped, shipping time schedules, voyage costs and other associated costs, which could have an adverse impact on our charterers' business, operating results and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We face risks attendant to the trends in the global economy, such as changes in interest rates, instability in the banking and securities markets around the world, the risk of sovereign defaults, reduced levels of growth, and trade protectionism, among other factors. Major market disruptions and the current adverse changes in market conditions and regulatory climate worldwide may adversely affect our business or impair our ability to borrow under our loan agreements or any future financial arrangements. We cannot predict how long the current market conditions will last. However, these recent and developing economic and governmental factors, together with depressed charter rates and vessel values, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and the trading price of our common stock. In the absence of available financing, we may also be unable to complete vessel acquisitions, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures.
Terrorist attacks and international hostilities could affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Continuing war and recent developments in Ukraine, the Middle East, including tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as other geographic countries and areas, terrorist or other attacks, and war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, such as the ones currently in progress between Russia and Ukraine, China and Taiwan, or the U.S. and North Korea, have recently and may in the future lead to armed conflict or acts of terrorism around the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets and international commerce.
The war between Russia and Ukraine may lead to further regional and international conflicts or armed action at an international level. This war has disrupted supply chains and cause instability in the energy markets and the global economy, with effects on shipping freight rates, which have experienced volatility. The United States and the European Union, among other countries, have announced various economic sanctions against Russia. The ongoing war could result in the imposition of further economic sanctions by the United States and the European Union or other countries against Russia, trade tariffs or embargoes with uncertain impacts on the markets in which we operate. While
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much uncertainty remains regarding the global impact of the war in Ukraine, it is possible that such tensions could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. Since we employ Ukrainian and Russian seafarers, we may face problems in relation to their employment, repatriation, salary payments and be subject to claims to this respect. Moreover, we will be subject to additional insurance premiums in case we transit through or call to any port or area designated as listed areas by the Joint War Committee or other organizations. Furthermore, it is possible that third parties with whom we have charter contracts may be impacted by events in Russia and Ukraine, which could adversely affect our operations.
These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. In the past, political conflicts have also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in missile attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea, the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia, and in particular, the Gulf of Guinea region off Nigeria, which experienced increased incidents of piracy in recent years. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our operating results.
Risks associated with operating ocean-going vessels could affect our business and reputation, which could adversely affect our revenues and expenses.
The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. These risks include the possibility of:
crew strikes and/or boycotts;
the damage or destruction of vessels due to marine disaster;
piracy or other detentions;
environmental accidents;
cargo and property losses or damage; and
business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, war, terrorism, political action in various countries, labor strikes or adverse weather conditions.
Any of these circumstances or events could increase our costs or lower our revenues. Such circumstances could result in death or injury to persons, loss of property or environmental damage, delays in the delivery of cargo, loss of revenues from or termination of charter contracts, governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business, litigation with our employees, customers or third parties, higher insurance rates, and damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally. Although we maintain hull and machinery and war risks insurance, as well as protection and indemnity insurance, which may cover certain risks of loss resulting from such occurrences, our insurance coverage may be subject to deductibles, caps or not cover such losses and any of these circumstances or events could increase our costs or lower our revenues. The involvement of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire in an environmental disaster may harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator. Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as our cash flows.
Rising fuel prices may adversely affect our profits.
The cost of fuel is a significant factor in negotiating charter rates. As a result, an increase in the price of fuel may adversely affect our profitability. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns and regulations. Furthermore, fuel has and may become much more expensive in the future, including as a result of the developments in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia, the imposition of sulfur oxide emissions limits in January 2020 and reductions of carbon emissions from January 2023 under new regulations adopted by the International Maritime Organization, or the IMO, which may reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business versus other forms of transportation, such as truck or rail.
Upon redelivery of vessels at the end of a period of time or voyage time charter, we may be obligated to repurchase bunkers on board at prevailing market prices, which could be materially higher than fuel prices at the
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inception of the charter period. However, given the current time charter agreement of our vessel and our chartering strategy, this cost is projected to be immaterial in the short to medium term. Our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may be chartered on the spot charter market in the future, either through trip charter contracts or voyage charter contracts and the vessels we have agreed to acquire may be chartered on the spot charter market. Voyage charter contracts generally provide that the vessel owner bears the cost of fuel in the form of bunkers, which is a material operating expense. We currently cannot guarantee that we will hedge our fuel costs on any prospective future voyage charters, and, therefore, an increase in the price of fuel may affect in a negative way our profitability and our cash flows.
Our revenues are subject to seasonal fluctuations, which could affect our operating results and ability to service our debt or pay dividends.
We operate our vessel in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, as a result, in charter hire rates. This seasonality may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our operating results. The dry bulk shipping market is typically stronger in the fall and winter months in anticipation of increased consumption of coal and other raw materials in the northern hemisphere during the winter months. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns in these months tend to disrupt vessel schedules and supplies of certain commodities. As a result, our revenues may be weaker during the fiscal quarters ending March 31 and June 30, and, conversely, our revenues may be stronger in fiscal quarters ending September 30 and December 31. This seasonality should not affect our operating results if our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are employed on period time charters, but because our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are employed in the spot market or on index-linked charters, seasonality may materially affect our operating results and our ability to pay dividends, if any, in the future.
Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may be imposed.
Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries and the IMO have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory measures may include, among others, the adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. For instance, the IMO imposed a global 0.5% sulfur cap on marine fuels which came into force on January 1, 2020. In addition, the IMO has adopted an initial strategy which identifies “levels of ambition” toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including (1) decreasing the carbon intensity from ships; (2) reducing carbon dioxide emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 emission levels; and (3) reducing the total annual greenhouse emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 while pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely. These regulations and any additional regulations addressing similar goals could cause us to incur additional substantial expenses. See “Business Overview—Environmental and Other Regulations” for a discussion of these and other environmental regulations applicable to our operations.
In addition, although the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping currently are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (this task was delegated under the Kyoto Protocol to the IMO for action), which required adopting countries to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, a new treaty may be adopted in the future that includes restrictions on shipping emissions. Compliance with changes in laws, regulations and obligations relating to climate change could increase our costs related to operating and maintaining our vessel and other vessels we may acquire and require us to install new emission controls, acquire allowances or pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions, or administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program. Revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities may also be adversely affected.
Adverse consequences of climate change, including growing public concern about the environmental impact of climate change, may also adversely affect demand for our services. For example, increased regulation of greenhouse gases or other concerns relating to climate change may reduce the demand for coal in the future, one of the primary cargoes carried by our vessel and other vessels we may acquire. In addition, the physical effects of climate change, including changes in weather patterns, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and scarcity of water resources, may negatively impact our operations. Any long-term economic consequences of climate change could have a significant financial and operational adverse impact on our business that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.
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Increased scrutiny of environmental, social and governance matters may impact our business and reputation.
In addition to the importance of their financial performance, companies are increasingly being judged by their performance on a variety of environmental, social and governance matters, or ESG, which are considered to contribute to the long-term sustainability of companies' performance.
A variety of organizations measure the performance of companies on such ESG topics, and the results of these assessments are widely publicized. In addition, investment in funds that specialize in companies that perform well in such assessments are increasingly popular, and major institutional investors have publicly emphasized the importance of such ESG measures to their investment decisions. Topics taken into account in such assessments include, among others, the company's efforts and impacts on climate change and human rights, ethics and compliance with law, and the role of the company's board of directors in supervising various sustainability issues.
In light of investors' increased focus on ESG matters, there can be no certainty that we will manage such issues successfully, or that we will successfully meet society's expectations as to our proper role. Any failure or perceived failure by us in this regard could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and on our business, share price, financial condition, or results of operations, including the sustainability of our business over time.
Our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may call on ports located in or may operate in countries that are subject to restrictions or sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union or other governments that could result in fines or other penalties imposed on us and may adversely affect our reputation and the market price of our common stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, our vessel did not call on ports located in countries subject to comprehensive sanctions and embargoes imposed by the U.S. government or countries identified by the U.S. government or other authorities as state sponsors of terrorism; however, our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may call on ports in these countries from time to time in the future on our charterers’ instructions. The U.S. sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended or strengthened over time.
We believe that we are currently in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations. In order to maintain compliance, we monitor and review the movement of our vessel on a daily basis.
We endeavor to provide that all or most of our future charters include provisions and trade exclusion clauses prohibiting the vessels from calling on ports where there is an existing U.S. embargo. Furthermore, as of the date hereof, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries have entered into or have any plans to enter into, directly or indirectly, any contracts, agreements or other arrangements with the governments of Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba or any entities controlled by the governments of these countries.
Due to the nature of our business and the evolving nature of the foregoing sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance at all times in the future, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. Any such violation could result in fines, penalties or other sanctions that could severely impact our ability to access U.S. capital markets and conduct our business, and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or refrain from investing, in us. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment policies or restrictions that prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contracts with countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. The determination by these investors not to invest in, or to divest from, our common stock may adversely affect the price at which our common stock trades. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or our vessel and other vessels we may acquire, and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. In addition, our reputation and the market for our securities may be adversely affected if we engage in certain other activities, such as entering into charters with individuals or entities in countries subject to U.S. sanctions and embargo laws that are not controlled by the governments of those countries, or engaging in operations associated with those countries pursuant to contracts with third parties that are unrelated to those countries or entities controlled by their governments.
Sulfur regulations to reduce air pollution from ships have required retrofitting of vessels and may cause us to incur significant costs.
Since January 1, 2020, IMO regulations have required vessels to comply with a global cap on the sulfur in fuel oil used on board of 0.5%, down from the previous cap of 3.5%. The interpretation of “fuel oil used on board”
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includes use in main engine, auxiliary engines and boilers. Compliance with this regulation is achieved by (i) using 0.5% sulfur fuels on board, which are available at a higher cost; (ii) installing “scrubbers” for cleaning of the exhaust gas; or (iii) retrofitting vessels to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which may not yet be an economically viable option due to the lack of supply network and high costs involved in this process. The Capesize vessel comprising our initial fleet complies by burning low sulfur fuel (0.5% or 0.1%). All engineering officers, engineering crew and deck officers employed on our vessel since January 1, 2020 have been required to undergo training and complete a certain e-module regarding the use of low sulfur fuels. We have further developed ship specific implementation plans for safeguarding the smooth transition with the usage of compliant fuels for vessels we may acquire that will not be equipped with scrubbers. Costs of ongoing compliance may have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position. See Item 4. “Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Environmental and Other Regulations—The International Maritime Organization.”
We are subject to regulation and liability under environmental laws that could require significant expenditures and affect our cash flows and net income.
Our business and the operation of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are materially affected by government regulation in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which the vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration, including those governing oil spills, discharges to air and water, ballast water management, and the handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. These requirements include, but are not limited to, EU regulations, the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or CERCLA, the U.S. Clean Air Act, including its amendments of 1977 and 1990, or the CAA, the U.S. Clean Water Act, or the CWA, the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or the MTSA, and regulations of the IMO, including, but not limited to, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as from time to time amended and generally referred to as CLC, the IMO International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973, as from time to time amended and generally referred to as MARPOL, including the designation of emission control areas, or ECAs, thereunder, the IMO International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, as from time to time amended and generally referred to as SOLAS, the IMO International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, as from time to time amended and generally referred to as the LL Convention, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, generally referred to as the Bunker Convention, the IMO’s International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, generally referred to as the ISM Code, the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, generally referred to as the BWM Convention, and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, or ISPS.
We may also incur additional costs in order to comply with other existing and future regulatory obligations, including, but not limited to, costs relating to the 0.5% sulfur cap on marine fuels, air emissions including greenhouse gases, the management of ballast water, maintenance and inspection, development and implementation of emergency procedures and insurance coverage or other financial assurance of our ability to address pollution incidents. These costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our available cash. Because such conventions, laws and regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with such conventions, laws and regulations or the impact thereof on the resale price or useful life of vessels we may acquire in the future. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our operations.
Regulations relating to ballast water discharge may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
The IMO has imposed updated guidelines for ballast water management systems specifying the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged from a vessel’s ballast water. Depending on the date of the IOPP renewal survey, existing vessels constructed before September 8, 2017 must comply with the updated D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For most vessels, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. Ships constructed on or after September 8, 2017 are to comply with the D-2 standards on or after September 8, 2017. Vessels are required to meet the discharge standard D-2 by installing an approved Ballast Water Management System (or BWMS). Pursuant to the BWM Convention amendments that entered into force in October 2019, BWMSs installed on or after October 28, 2020 shall be
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approved in accordance with BWMS Code, while BWMSs installed before October 23, 2020 must be approved taking into account guidelines developed by the IMO or the BWMS Code. Ships sailing in U.S. waters are required to employ a type-approved BWMS which is compliant with USCG regulations. The USCG has approved a number of BWMS. Amendments to the BWM Convention will enter into force in June 2022 concerning commissioning testing of BWMS and the form of the International Ballast Water Management Certificate. The Capesize vessel that will comprise our initial fleet was drydocked during mid-April 2022 where a Ballast Water Treatment System was installed ensuring compliance with the new environmental regulations.
Furthermore, United States regulations are currently changing. Although the 2013 Vessel General Permit, or VGP, program and U.S. National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, are currently in effect to regulate ballast discharge, exchange and installation, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, or VIDA, which was signed into law on December 4, 2018, requires that the U.S. Coast Guard develop implementation, compliance, and enforcement regulations regarding ballast water. On October 26, 2020, the EPA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance under VIDA, and in November 2020, held virtual public meetings. The new regulations could require the installation of new equipment, which may cause us to incur substantial costs. Under VIDA, all provisions of the 2013 VGP and USCG ballast water regulations remain in force and effect as currently written until the EPA publishes standards and the corresponding Coast Guard regulations are published.
Increased inspection procedures, tighter import and export controls and new security regulations could increase costs and disrupt our business.
International shipping is subject to security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin, destination and trans-shipment points. Since the events of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security, such as the MTSA. These security procedures can result in delays in the loading, discharging or trans-shipment and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against exporters or importers and, in some cases, vessels. Future changes to the existing security procedures may be implemented that could affect the dry bulk sector. These changes have the potential to impose additional financial and legal obligations on vessels and, in certain cases, to render the shipment of certain types of goods uneconomical or impractical. These additional costs could reduce the volume of goods shipped, resulting in a decreased demand for vessels and have a negative impact on our business, revenues and customer relations.
Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have increased in frequency, which could adversely affect our business.
Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, Strait of Malacca, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Guinea. Sea piracy incidents continue to occur, particularly in the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, in the Gulf of Guinea and the Strait of Malacca, with dry bulk vessels particularly vulnerable to such attacks. Although the frequency of sea piracy worldwide has generally decreased since 2013, sea piracy incidents continue to occur. Acts of piracy could result in harm or danger to the crews that man our vessel and other vessels we may acquire. Additionally, if piracy attacks result in regions in which our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are deployed being characterized as “war risk” zones by insurers or if our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are deployed in Joint War Committee “war and strikes” listed areas, premiums payable for insurance coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew and security equipment costs, including costs which may be incurred to employ onboard security armed guards, could increase in such circumstances. Furthermore, while we believe the charterer remains liable for charter payments when a vessel is seized by pirates, the charterer may dispute this and withhold charter hire until the vessel is released. A charterer may also claim that a vessel seized by pirates was not “on-hire” for a certain number of days and is therefore entitled to cancel the charterparty, a claim that we would dispute. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, any detention hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessel and other vessels we may acquire, or an increase in cost, or unavailability, of insurance for our vessel and other vessels we may acquire could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The operation of dry bulk vessels has particular operational risks.
The operation of dry bulk vessels has certain unique risks. With a dry bulk vessel, the cargo itself and its interaction with the vessel can be an operational risk. By their nature, dry bulk cargoes are often heavy, dense, easily shifted, and react badly to water exposure. In addition, dry bulk vessels are often subjected to battering treatment
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during discharging operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the hold) and small bulldozers. This treatment may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during discharging procedures may affect a vessel's seaworthiness while at sea. Hull fractures in dry bulk vessels may lead to the flooding of the vessels' holds. If a dry bulk vessel suffers flooding in its forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so dense and waterlogged that its pressure may buckle the vessel's bulkheads, leading to the loss of a vessel. If we are unable to adequately maintain our vessel and other vessels we may acquire, we may be unable to prevent these events. Any of these circumstances or events could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If our vessel and other vessels we may acquire fail to maintain its class certification or fail any annual survey, intermediate survey, or special survey, or if any scheduled class survey takes longer or is more expensive than anticipated, this could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be certified by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the SOLAS.
A vessel must undergo annual, intermediate and special surveys. The vessel's machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. At the beginning, in between and in the end of this cycle, every vessel is required to undergo inspection of her underwater parts that usually includes dry-docking. These surveys and dry-dockings can be costly and can result in delays in returning a vessel to operation.
If any vessel does not maintain its class, the vessel will not be allowed to carry cargo between ports and cannot be employed or insured. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any related violation of the covenants under our loans or other financing agreements, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Because seafaring employees we employ are covered by industry-wide collective bargaining agreements, failure of industry groups to renew those agreements may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our earnings.
We employ a large number of seafarers. All the seafarers employed on the initial vessel comprising our fleet and other vessels we may acquire are covered by industry-wide collective bargaining agreements that set minimum standards in wages and labor conditions. We cannot assure you that these agreements will be renewed as necessary or will prevent labor interruptions. Any labor interruptions could disrupt our operations and harm our financial performance.
Maritime claimants could arrest or attach our vessel and other vessels we may acquire, which could interrupt our cash flows.
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire could interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums of funds to have the arrest lifted, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert “sister ship” liability against our vessel and other vessels we may acquire for claims relating to another vessel we may acquire.
Governments could requisition our vessel and other vessels we may acquire during a period of war or emergency, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and available cash.
A government could requisition for title or hire our vessel and other vessels we may acquire. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. Also, a government could requisition a vessel for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government requisition of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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Risks Relating to Our Company
The market values of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may decrease, which could limit the amount of funds that we can borrow in the future, trigger breaches of certain financial covenants under any future loan agreements and other financing agreements, and we may incur an impairment or, if we sell vessels following a decline in their market value, a loss.
The fair market values of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are related to prevailing freight charter rates. While the fair market value of vessels and the freight charter market have a very close relationship as the charter market moves from trough to peak, the time lag between the effect of charter rates on market values of ships can vary. A decrease in the market value of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire could require us to raise additional capital in order to remain compliant with our loan covenants or the covenants in the other financing agreements and could result in the loss of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire (including, through foreclosure by our lenders and lessors) and adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.
The fair market value of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire is dependent on other factors as well including:
general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry, including changes in global dry cargo commodity supply;
types and sizes of vessels;
number of newbuilding deliveries;
number of vessels scrapped or otherwise removed from the world fleet;
changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful life of vessels;
decreased costs and increases in use of other modes of transportation;
cost of newbuildings or secondhand vessel acquisitions;
governmental and other regulations;
technological advances; and
the cost of retrofitting or modifying existing ships to respond to technological advances in vessel design or equipment, changes in applicable environmental or other regulations or standards, or otherwise.
In addition, as vessels grow older, they generally decline in value. If the fair market value of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire declines, we may not be in compliance with certain covenants in future loan agreements and other financing agreements, and our future lenders or lessors could accelerate our indebtedness or require us to pay down our indebtedness to a level where we are again in compliance with the covenants under our future loans and other financing agreements. If any of our future loans and other financing agreements are accelerated, we may not be able to refinance our debt or obtain additional funding. We expect that we will enter into future loan agreements and other financing agreements in connection with our future acquisitions of vessels.
In addition, if vessel values decline, we may have to record an impairment adjustment in our financial statements, which could adversely affect our financial results. Furthermore, if we sell our current vessel or one or more of the vessels we may acquire at a time when vessel prices have fallen, the sale price may be less than the vessel's carrying value on our carve-out financial statements, resulting in a loss on sale or an impairment loss being recognized, leading to a reduction in earnings.
Our current fleet consists of one Capesize drybulk vessel. Any limitation in the availability or operation of this vessel could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our current fleet consists of one Capesize drybulk vessel. Until we identify and acquire additional vessels, we will depend upon this one vessel for all of our revenue. If our vessel is unable to generate revenues as a result of off-hire time, early termination of the applicable time charter or otherwise, our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends could be materially adversely affected. Our vessel is employed on a time charter contract and until we identify and acquire additional vessels, we will rely upon one charterer for all of our revenue.
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If we fail to manage our planned growth properly, we may not be able to successfully expand our fleet.
Our fleet currently consists of one vessel and we may acquire additional vessels in the future. Further, we intend to expand our fleet into other seaborne transportation sectors depending on available opportunities. Our ability to manage our planned growth will primarily depend on our ability to:
generate excess cash flow so that we can invest without jeopardizing our ability to cover current and foreseeable working capital needs, including debt service;
finance our operations;
identify opportunities to enter other seaborne transportation sectors;
locate and acquire suitable vessels;
identify and consummate acquisitions or joint ventures;
integrate any acquired businesses or vessels, including those operating in sectors in which we do not currently operate, successfully with our existing operations;
hire, train and retain qualified personnel and crew to manage and operate our growing business and fleet; and
expand our customer base, including in new sectors.
Growing any business by acquisitions presents numerous risks such as obtaining acquisition financing on acceptable terms or at all, undisclosed liabilities and obligations, difficulty in obtaining additional qualified personnel, managing relationships with customers and suppliers and integrating newly acquired operations into existing infrastructures. We may not be successful in executing our growth plans and we may incur significant additional expenses and losses in connection therewith.
Newbuilding projects are subject to risks that could cause delays.
We may enter into newbuilding contracts in connection with our vessel acquisition strategy. Newbuilding construction projects are subject to risks of delay inherent in any large construction project from numerous factors, including shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor, unscheduled delays in the delivery of ordered materials and equipment or shipyard construction, failure of equipment to meet quality and/or performance standards, financial or operating difficulties experienced by equipment vendors or the shipyard, unanticipated actual or purported change orders, inability to obtain required permits or approvals, design or engineering changes and work stoppages and other labor disputes, adverse weather conditions or any other events of force majeure. A shipyard's failure to deliver a vessel on time may result in the delay of revenue from the vessel. Any such failure or delay could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We may acquire additional vessels in the future, and if those vessels are not delivered on time or are delivered with significant defects, our earnings and financial condition could suffer.
We may acquire vessels in the future. A delay in the delivery of any vessels to us, the failure of the contract counterparty to deliver a vessel at all, or us not taking delivery of a vessel could cause us to breach our obligations under a related time charter or could otherwise adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the delivery of any vessel with substantial defects could have similar consequences.
Substantial debt levels could limit our flexibility to obtain additional financing and pursue other business opportunities.
Following the Spin-Off, we will have $5.0 million of outstanding debt. Moreover, we anticipate that we will incur future indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of additional vessels, although there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying further vessels or securing such debt financing. Significant levels of debt could have important consequences to us, including the following:
our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be impaired, or such financing may be unavailable on favorable terms, or at all;
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we may need to use a substantial portion of our cash from operations to make principal and interest payments on our bank debt and financing liabilities, reducing the funds that would otherwise be available for operations, future business opportunities and any future dividends to our shareholders;
our debt level could make us more vulnerable to competitive pressures or a downturn in our business or the economy generally than our competitors with less debt; and
our debt level may limit our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions.
Our ability to service our indebtedness will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, as well as the interest rates applicable to our outstanding indebtedness. If our operating income is not sufficient to service our indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions, such as reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt or seeking additional equity capital. We may not be able to effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all. In addition, a lack of liquidity in the debt and equity markets could hinder our ability to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing on favorable terms in the future.
Our loan agreement contains, and we expect that other future loan agreements and financing arrangements will contain, restrictive covenants that may limit our liquidity and corporate activities, which could limit our operational flexibility and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our loan agreement contains, and we expect that other future loan agreements and financing arrangements will contain, customary covenants and event of default clauses, financial covenants, restrictive covenants and performance requirements, which may affect operational and financial flexibility. Such restrictions could affect, and in many respects limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness, create liens, sell assets, or engage in mergers or acquisitions. These restrictions could limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet extraordinary capital needs or otherwise restrict corporate activities. There can be no assurance that such restrictions will not adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs.
As a result of these restrictions, we may need to seek permission from our lenders and other financing counterparties in order to engage in some corporate actions. Our lenders' and other financing counterparties' interests may be different from ours and we may not be able to obtain their permission when needed. This may prevent us from taking actions that we believe are in our best interests, which may adversely impact our revenues, results of operations and financial condition.
A failure by us to meet our payment and other obligations, including our financial covenants and any security coverage requirements, could lead to defaults under our financing arrangements. Likewise, a decrease in vessel values or adverse market conditions could cause us to breach our financial covenants or security requirements (the market values of dry bulk vessels have generally experienced high volatility). In the event of a default that we cannot remedy, our lenders and other financing counterparties could then accelerate their indebtedness and foreclose on the respective initial vessel comprising our fleet and other vessels we may acquire. The loss of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Any loan agreements and financing arrangements we may enter into in the future are expected to contain cross-default provisions, pursuant to which a default by us under a loan and the refusal of any one lender or financing counterparty to grant or extend a waiver could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness under any other loans and financing agreements we have entered into.
There can be no assurance that we will obtain waivers, deferrals and amendments of certain financial covenants, payment obligations and events of default under our loan facilities with our lenders in the future, if needed.
We will depend on officers and directors who are associated with the Parent, which may create conflicts of interest.
Our officers and directors will have fiduciary duties to manage our business in a manner beneficial to us and our shareholders. However, Stamatios Tsantanis, who is expected to serve as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer upon the completion of the transactions, is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Parent. In addition, Stavros Gyftakis, who is expected to serve as our Chief Financial Officer and as a director upon the
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completion of the Spin-Off, is the Chief Financial Officer of the Parent, and Christina Anagnostara and Ioannis Kartsonas, who are expected to serve as independent directors upon the completion of the Spin-Off, also serve as directors of the Parent. These officers and directors have fiduciary duties and responsibilities to manage the business of the Parent in a manner beneficial to it and its shareholders and may have conflicts of interest in matters involving or affecting us and our customers or shareholders, or when faced with decisions that could have different implications for the Parent than they do for us. The resolution of these potential conflicts may not always be in our best interest or that of our shareholders and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Purchasing and operating secondhand vessels, such as our current vessel and other vessels we may acquire, may result in increased operating costs and vessel off-hire, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our current vessel is a secondhand vessel. Our inspection of this vessel or other secondhand vessels prior to purchase does not provide us with the same knowledge about their condition and the cost of any required or anticipated repairs that we would have had if these vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. We have not received in the past, and do not expect to receive in the future, the benefit of warranties on any secondhand vessels we acquire.
As our current vessel or other secondhand vessels we may acquire age, they may become less fuel efficient and costlier to maintain and will not be as advanced as recently constructed vessels due to improvements in design, technology and engineering, including improvements required to comply with government regulations. Rates for cargo insurance, paid by charterers, also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers.
In addition, charterers actively discriminate against hiring older vessels. Rightship, the ship vetting service founded by Rio Tinto and BHP-Billiton, has become a major vetting service in the dry bulk shipping industry, which ranks the suitability of vessels based on a scale of one to five stars. There are carriers that may not charter a vessel that Rightship has vetted with fewer than three stars. Therefore, a potentially deteriorated star rating for our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may affect their commercial operation and profitability and vessels in our fleet with lower ratings may experience challenges in securing charters. Effective as of January 1, 2018, Rightship's age trigger for a dry cargo inspection for vessels over 8,000 dwt changed from 18 years to 14 years, after which an annual acceptable Rightship inspection will be required. Rightship may downgrade any vessel over 18 years of age that has not completed a satisfactory inspection by Rightship, in the same manner as any other vessel over 14 years of age, to two stars, which significantly decreases its chances of entering into a charter.
Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age or condition of vessels may require expenditures for alterations, or the addition of new equipment, to our vessel and other vessels we may acquire and may restrict the type of activities in which the vessels may engage. As our vessel and other vessels we may acquire age, market conditions may not justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessel and other vessels we may acquire profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.
In addition, unless we maintain cash reserves for vessel replacement, we may be unable to replace the current vessel in our fleet and other vessels we may acquire upon the expiration of their useful lives. We estimate the useful life of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Our cash flows and income are dependent on the revenues we earn by chartering our vessel and other vessels we may acquire to customers. If we are unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected. Any reserves set aside for vessel replacement would not be available for other cash needs or dividends.
Increased regulatory oversight, uncertainty relating to the LIBOR calculation process and phasing out of LIBOR may adversely affect the amounts of interest we pay under future debt obligations.
The calculation of interest in most financing agreements in our industry has been based on published LIBOR rates. LIBOR has historically been volatile, with the spread between LIBOR and the prime lending rate widening significantly at times. These conditions are the result of the disruptions in the international credit markets. While the interest rate under our current loan agreement is fixed, the interest rates borne by the indebtedness we may incur in the future may fluctuate with changes in LIBOR, and if such volatility were to occur in the future, or if LIBOR is replaced as the reference rate under our debt obligations, it could affect the amount of interest payable on our debt which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our profitability, earnings and cash flow.
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On July 27, 2017, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced that it would phase-out LIBOR by the end of 2021. On November 30, 2020, ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”), the administrator of LIBOR, with the support of the United States Federal Reserve and the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, announced plans to consult on ceasing publication of U.S. Dollar LIBOR on December 31, 2021 for only the one-week and two-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR tenors, and on June 30, 2023 for all other U.S. Dollar LIBOR tenors. This announcement coincided with an announcement by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) that the IBA announcement was not a triggering event which would set the spread to be used in its derivative contracts as part of the risk-free rate determination process. As a result, lenders have insisted on fallback provisions that entitle the lenders, in their discretion, to replace published LIBOR as the basis for the interest calculation with successor benchmark rates, such as their cost-of-funds rate. Various alternative reference rates are being considered in the financial community. The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) has been proposed by the Alternative Reference Rate Committee (“ARRC”), a committee convened by the U.S. Federal Reserve that includes major market participants and on which regulators participate, as an alternative rate to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities in the repurchase agreement (repo) market. The daily transaction volumes underlying SOFR are approximately $1 trillion, giving the ARRC confidence that SOFR will be reliable through a wide range of market conditions. SOFR is being adopted by most lenders in our industry as replacement benchmark rate. However, it is not possible at this time to know the ultimate impact a phase-out of LIBOR and its potential replacement with SOFR may have, or how any such changes or alternative methods for calculating benchmark interest rates would be applied to any particular agreement containing terms based on LIBOR, which generally have alternative calculation provisions. If, however, these are implicated, the interest payable on these particular agreements could be subject to volatility and the underlying lending costs could increase, which would have an adverse effect on the borrowers’ profitability, earnings and cash flow. The Company’s loan agreement, which is secured by the Gloriuship, bears a fixed interest rate and therefore is not subject to such risks. However, we may enter in the future LIBOR based financing agreements which may include fallback provisions for the replacement of LIBOR by alternative reference rates such as the SOFR.
The failure of future counterparties to meet their obligations under future charter agreements could cause us to suffer losses or otherwise adversely affect our business.
The ability and willingness of each of our future counterparties to perform its obligations under future charter agreements with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of the dry bulk shipping industry and the industries in which our counterparties operate and the overall financial condition of the counterparties. From time to time, those counterparties may account for a significant amount of our chartering activity and revenues. In addition, in challenging market conditions, there have been reports of charterers renegotiating their charters or defaulting on their obligations under charter agreements, and so our customers may fail to pay charter hire or attempt to renegotiate charter rates. Should a counterparty fail to honor its obligations under agreements with us, it may be difficult to secure substitute employment for such vessel, and any new charter arrangements we secure in the spot market or on time charters could be at lower rates. If our charterers fail to meet their obligations to us or attempt to renegotiate our charter agreements, we could suffer significant losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Rising crew costs may adversely affect our profits.
Crew costs are expected to be a significant expense for us. Recently, the limited supply of and increased demand for highly skilled and qualified crew, due to the increase in the size of the global shipping fleet, has created upward pressure on crewing costs. Increases in crew costs may adversely affect our profitability if we are not able to increase our rates.
We may not be able to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees in the shipping industry, which may negatively affect the effectiveness of our management and our results of operations.
Our success will depend to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our management team, including our ability to retain key members of our management team and the ability of our management to recruit and hire suitable employees. The loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition. Difficulty in hiring and retaining personnel could adversely affect our results of operations.
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Our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may suffer damage, and we may face unexpected repair costs, which could adversely affect our cash flow and financial condition.
If our vessel and other vessels we may acquire suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a shipyard facility. The costs of repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. The loss of earnings while our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings and reduce the amount of any dividends in the future. We may not have insurance that is sufficient to cover all or any of these costs or losses and may have to pay repair costs not covered by our insurance.
We are exposed to U.S. dollar and foreign currency fluctuations and devaluations that could harm our reported revenue and results of operations.
We generate all of our revenues and incur the majority of our operating expenses in U.S. dollars, but we currently incur many of our general and administration expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the euro. Because such portion of our expenses is incurred in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, our expenses may from time to time increase relative to our revenues as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. dollar and the euro, which could affect the amount of net income that we report in future periods. We may use financial derivatives to operationally hedge some of our currency exposure. Our use of financial derivatives involves certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedged position could exceed the nominal amount invested in the instrument and the risk that the counterparty to the derivative transaction may be unable or unwilling to satisfy its contractual obligations, which could have an adverse effect on our results.
We maintain cash with a limited number of financial institutions including financial institutions that may be located in Greece, which will subject us to credit risk.
We maintain all of our cash with a limited number of financial institutions, including institutions that are located in Greece. These financial institutions located in Greece may be subsidiaries of international banks or Greek financial institutions. Economic conditions in Greece have been, and continue to be, uncertain as a result of recent sovereign weakness. Although Moody's Investor Services Inc. upgraded the bank financial strength ratings, as well as the deposit and debt ratings, of several Greek banks in September 2021 to reflect improving prospects, the stand-alone financial strength of the banks and the anticipated additional pressures stemming from the legacy of the country's multi-year debt crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic continue to create challenging economic prospects.
In the highly competitive international shipping industry, we may not be able to compete for charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources, which may adversely affect our results of operations.
We employ our vessel in a highly competitive market that is capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of whom may have substantially greater resources than we do. Competition for the transportation of dry bulk cargoes by sea is intense and depends on price, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of the vessel and its operators to the charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, competitors with greater resources could enter the dry bulk shipping industry and operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions and may be able to offer lower charter rates and higher quality vessels than we are able to offer. Although we believe that no single competitor has a dominant position in the markets in which we compete, we are aware that certain competitors may be able to devote greater financial and other resources to their activities than we can, resulting in a significant competitive threat to us. We cannot give assurances that we will continue to compete successfully with our competitors or that these factors will not erode our competitive position in the future.
Due to our lack of fleet diversification, adverse developments in the maritime dry bulk shipping industry would adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Our business currently depends on the transportation of dry bulk commodities, and our fleet consists exclusively of one Capesize vessel. Our current lack of diversification could make us vulnerable to adverse developments in the maritime dry bulk shipping industry and demand for Capesize vessels in particular, which would have a significantly greater impact on our business, financial condition and operating results than it would if we maintained more diverse assets or lines of business.
We may be subject to litigation that, if not resolved in our favor and not sufficiently insured against, could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may be, from time to time, involved in various litigation matters. These matters may include, among other things, contract disputes, personal injury claims, environmental claims or proceedings, asbestos and other toxic tort
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claims, employment matters, governmental claims for taxes or duties, and other litigation that arises in the ordinary course of our business. Although we intend to defend these matters vigorously, we cannot predict with certainty the outcome or effect of any claim or other litigation matter, and the ultimate outcome of any litigation or the potential costs to resolve them may have a material adverse effect on us. Insurance may not be applicable or sufficient in all cases or insurers may not remain solvent, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
The shipping industry has inherent operational risks that may not be adequately covered by our insurances. Further, because we obtain some of our insurances through protection and indemnity associations, we may also be retrospectively subject to calls or premiums in amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also on the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations.
We procure insurance for our fleet against risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and operators. Our current insurances include hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance, demurrage and defense insurance and protection and indemnity insurance (which includes environmental damage and pollution insurance). We do not expect to maintain for our vessel and other vessels we may acquire insurance against loss of hire, which covers business interruptions that result from the loss of use of a vessel, except in cases when our vessels transit through or call at high risk areas. We may not be adequately insured against all risks or our insurers may not pay a particular claim. Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be able to timely obtain a replacement vessel in the event of a loss. Furthermore, in the future, we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for our fleet. Our insurance policies also contain deductibles, limitations and exclusions which, although we believe are standard in the shipping industry, may nevertheless increase our costs. If our insurances are not enough to cover claims that may arise, the deficiency may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We may also be retrospectively subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only on our own claim records but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations through which we receive indemnity insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related liability. Our payment of these calls could result in significant expenses to us.
Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or FCPA, could result in fines, criminal penalties, and an adverse effect on our business.
We operate throughout the world, including countries with a reputation for corruption. We are committed to doing business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which is consistent and in full compliance with the FCPA. We are subject, however, to the risk that we, our affiliated entities or our or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents may take action determined to be in violation of such anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. Any such violation could result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating, and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of our senior management.
We depend on the Parent and its wholly-owned management subsidiaries to operate our business and our business could be harmed if they fail to perform such services satisfactorily.
We intend to enter into a master management agreement with the Parent for the provision of technical, administrative, commercial, brokerage and certain other services. Certain of these services may be subcontracted to or contracted directly with our Parent’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Seanergy Shipmanagement and Seanergy Management Corp. (“Seanergy Management”) (Seanergy Shipmanagement and Seanergy Management, together with the Parent, the “Managers”). Our operational success depends significantly upon the Managers’ satisfactory performance of these services. Our business would be harmed if the Managers failed to perform these services satisfactorily. In addition, if our management agreements with the Managers were to be terminated or if their terms were to be altered, our business could be adversely affected, as we may not be able to immediately replace such services, and even if replacement services were immediately available, the terms offered could be less favorable than those under our existing management agreements.
We may depend on third party managers to manage part of our fleet.
The Managers may subcontract or arrange certain aspects of the technical, such as crewing, or commercial management for our current vessel and the vessels we may acquire to third parties, including but not limited to, V.Ships Limited, V.Ships Greece Ltd., Fidelity Marine Inc., Anglo-Eastern Crew Management (Asia) Limited and
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Global Seaways S.A.. The loss of the services of such third parties or their failure to perform their obligations could materially and adversely affect the results of our operations. Although we may have rights against these managers if they default on their obligations, we may have no recourse against these parties. In addition, we might not be able to find replacement third party managers on terms as favorable as those currently in place.
Management fees will be payable to the Managers regardless of our profitability, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Pursuant to the management agreements, we expect to pay to Seanergy Shipmanagement a fixed management fee of $14,000 per vessel per month, and to the Parent a fixed administration fee of $325 per vessel per day. We expect to also pay to Seanergy Management a fee equal to 1.25% of the gross freight, demurrage and charter hire collected from the employment of our vessel and a fee equal to 1% of the contract price of vessels bought or sold on our behalf (not including any vessels bought or sold from or to the Parent). These management fees do not cover expenses such as voyage expenses, vessel operating expenses, maintenance expenses and crewing costs, for which we will reimburse the technical manager. These management fees are payable whether or not our vessels are employed and regardless of our profitability, and we have no ability to require the Managers to reduce these management fees if our profitability decreases, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our common stock.
A foreign corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income” or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation's assets produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.
Based upon our current and anticipated method of operations, we do not expect to be a PFIC in 2022 or any future taxable year. In this regard, we intend to treat our gross income from time charters as active services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, our income from our time chartering activities should not constitute “passive income,” and the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income should not constitute passive assets. There is substantial legal authority supporting this position, including case law and U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, it should be noted that there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept this position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if the nature and extent of our operations change.
If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. shareholders would face adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and certain information reporting requirements. Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders make an election available under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended, or the Code (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders), such shareholders would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax at the then prevailing income tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the disposition of their shares of our common stock, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder's holding period of the shares of our common stock. See “Item 10.E. Tax Considerations – United States Federal Income Tax Consequences – United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders – Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders if we are treated as a PFIC.
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We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings.
Under the Code, 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel-owning or chartering corporation, such as us and our subsidiaries, that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States, exclusive of certain U.S. territories and possessions, or “U.S. source gross shipping income” may be subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
Our subsidiary earned no U.S. source gross shipping income in 2021, and therefore did not owe any U.S. federal income tax thereon. If we were to earn U.S. source gross shipping income, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us not to have the benefit of the tax exemption under Section 883 in 2022 or future years and thereby cause us to become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. source shipping income. For example, there is a risk that we could fail to qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code for a particular taxable year if “non-qualified” shareholders with a five percent or greater interest in our stock were, in combination with each other, to own 50% or more of the outstanding shares of our stock on more than half the days during the taxable year. See the description of the ownership tests which must be satisfied to qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code in “Item 10.E. Tax Considerations – United States Federal Income Tax Consequences – Exemption of Operating Income from United States Federal Income Taxation.”
Because the availability of the exemption depends on factual circumstances beyond our control, we can give no assurances on the tax-exempt status of ourselves or that of any of our subsidiaries for our 2022 or subsequent taxable years. If we or our subsidiaries are not entitled to exemption under Section 883, we or our subsidiaries will be subject to the 4% U.S. federal income tax on 50% of any shipping income such companies derive that is attributable to the transport of cargoes to or from the United States. This tax is a cost, which, if unreimbursed, has a negative effect on our business and results in decreased earnings available for distribution to our shareholders.
We plan to take the position that the Spin-Off will not qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, if a corporate division, such as the Spin-Off qualifies for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code, the distribution of our common shares to Parent’s shareholders would generally not be taxable as a distribution and shareholders would allocate a portion of their tax basis in their shares of the Parent received in the Spin-Off. We intend to take the position that the Spin-Off will not satisfy all of the requirements of Section 355 of the Code, and as such that the Spin-Off will not be treated as a tax-free corporate division for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Based on this treatment, the distribution of our common shares to Parent’s shareholders will be taxable as a distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The tax treatment of the Spin-Off is discussed below at “Tax Considerations – United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders.”
We are a “foreign private issuer,” which could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
We are a “foreign private issuer,” as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. As a “foreign private issuer” the rules governing the information that we disclose differ from those governing U.S. corporations pursuant to the Exchange Act. We are not required to file quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or provide current reports on Form 8-K disclosing significant events within four days of their occurrence. In addition, our officers and directors are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and related rules with respect to their purchase and sales of our securities. Our exemption from the rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act regarding sales of common stock by insiders means that you will have less data in this regard than shareholders of U.S. companies that are subject to the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are exempt from the proxy rules, and proxy statements that we distribute will not be subject to review by the Commission. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for other U.S. public companies that are not foreign private issuers. These exemptions and scaled disclosure requirements are not related to our status as an emerging growth company, and will continue to be available to us even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, but remain a foreign private issuer. These factors could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
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Our corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and as such we are entitled to exemption from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards. As a result, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements.
Our Company's corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Therefore, we are exempt from many of Nasdaq's corporate governance practices other than the requirements regarding the disclosure of a going concern audit opinion, submission of a listing agreement, notification of material non-compliance with Nasdaq corporate governance practices, and the establishment and composition of an audit committee and a formal written audit committee charter. For a list of the practices followed by us in lieu of Nasdaq's corporate governance rules, we refer you to “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” in this registration statement.
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board inspection of our independent accounting firm could lead to adverse findings in our auditors' reports and challenges to the accuracy of our published audited financial statements.
Auditors of U.S. public companies are required by law to undergo periodic Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, inspections that assess their compliance with U.S. law and professional standards in connection with performance of audits of financial statements filed with the SEC. For several years certain European Union countries, including Greece, did not permit the PCAOB to conduct inspections of accounting firms established and operating in such European Union countries, even if they were part of major international firms. Accordingly, unlike for most U.S. public companies, the PCAOB was prevented from evaluating our auditor's performance of audits and its quality control procedures, and, unlike stockholders of most U.S. public companies, we and our stockholders were deprived of the possible benefits of such inspections. Since 2015, Greece agreed to allow the PCAOB to conduct inspections of accounting firms operating in Greece. In the future, such PCAOB inspections could result in findings in our auditors' quality control procedures, question the validity of the auditor's reports on our published financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and cast doubt upon the accuracy of our published audited financial statements.
Changing laws and evolving reporting requirements could have an adverse effect on our business.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to reporting requirements, including the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, may create additional compliance requirements for us. To maintain high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure, we have invested in, and continue to invest in, reasonably necessary resources to comply with evolving standards.
GDPR broadens the scope of personal privacy laws to protect the rights of European Union citizens and requires organizations to report on data breaches within 72 hours and be bound by more stringent rules for obtaining the consent of individuals on how their data can be used. Non-compliance with GDPR may expose entities to significant fines or other regulatory claims which could have an adverse effect on our business, and results of operations.
A cyber-attack could materially disrupt our business.
We rely on information technology systems and networks in our operations and administration of our business. Our business operations could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking to sabotage or disrupt our information technology systems and networks, or to steal data. A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our operations, including the safety of our operations, or lead to unauthorized release of information or alteration of information in our systems. Any such attack or other breach of our information technology systems could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, the unavailability of the information systems or the failure of these systems to perform as anticipated for any reason could disrupt our business and could result in decreased performance and increased operating costs, causing our business and results of operations to suffer. Any significant interruption or failure of our information systems or any significant breach of security could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Additionally, any changes in the nature of cyber threats might require us to adopt additional procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require additional expenses and/or capital expenditures. The war between Russia and Ukraine has been accompanied by cyber-attacks against the Ukrainian government and other countries in the region. It is possible that these attacks could have collateral effects on additional critical infrastructure and financial institutions globally, which could adversely affect our operations. It is difficult to assess the likelihood of such threat and any potential impact at this time.
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The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may lead to governmental claims against us.
We expect that our vessel and other vessels we may acquire will call in ports in South America and other areas where smugglers attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. Under some jurisdictions, vessels used for the conveyance of illegal drugs could subject the vessels to forfeiture to the government of such jurisdiction. To the extent our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the knowledge of any member of our crew, we may face reputational damage and governmental or other regulatory claims or penalties which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, as well as our ability to maintain cash flows, including cash available for distributions to pay dividends to our unitholders. Under some jurisdictions, vessels used for the conveyance of illegal drugs could subject result in forfeiture of the vessel to forfeiture to the government of such jurisdiction.
Risks Relating to Our Common Shares
There is no existing market for our common shares, and a trading market that will provide you with adequate liquidity may not develop. The price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Prior to the Spin-Off, there has been no public market for our common shares. We do not know the extent to which investor interest will lead to the development of a trading market or how liquid that market might be. You may not be able to resell your common shares at or above the initial trading price. Additionally, the lack of liquidity may result in wide bid-ask spreads, contribute to significant fluctuations in the market price of the common shares and limit the number of investors who are able to buy the common shares.
The market price of our common shares may in the future be subject to significant fluctuations. Further, there is no guarantee of a continuing public market to resell our common shares.
The market price of our common shares may in the future be subject to significant fluctuations as a result of many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Among the factors that could in the future affect our stock price are:
quarterly variations in our results of operations;
changes in market valuations of similar companies and stock market price and volume fluctuations generally;
changes in earnings estimates or the publication of research reports by analysts;
speculation in the press or investment community about our business or the shipping industry generally;
strategic actions by us or our competitors such as acquisitions or restructurings;
the thin trading market for our common shares, which makes it somewhat illiquid;
regulatory developments;
additions or departures of key personnel;
general market conditions; and
domestic and international economic, market and currency factors unrelated to our performance.
The stock markets in general, and the markets for dry bulk shipping and shipping stocks in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that has sometimes been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
Additionally, there is no guarantee of a continuing public market to resell our common shares. We cannot assure you that an active and liquid public market for our common shares will continue.
A possible “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand of our common stock that largely exceeds supply may lead to further price volatility in our common shares.
Investors may purchase our common shares to hedge existing exposure in our common shares or to speculate on the price of our common shares. Speculation on the price of our common shares may involve long and short
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exposures. To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of common shares available for purchase in the open market, investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to repurchase our common shares for delivery to lenders of our common shares. Those repurchases may in turn, dramatically increase the price of our common shares until investors with short exposure are able to purchase additional common shares to cover their short position. This is often referred to as a “short squeeze.” Following such a short squeeze, once investors purchase the shares necessary to cover their short position, the price of our common shares may rapidly decline. A short squeeze could lead to volatile price movements in our shares that are not directly correlated to the performance or prospects of our company.
As a newly-incorporated company, we may not have the surplus or net profits required by law to pay dividends. The declaration and payment of dividends will always be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors. Our board of directors may not declare dividends in the future.
The declaration, timing and amount of any dividend is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our earnings, financial condition, market prospects, capital expenditure requirements, investment opportunities, restrictions in our loan agreements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends to shareholders, overall market conditions and other factors. Our board of directors may not declare dividends in the future.
Further, Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends if the company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent upon payment of such dividend, and dividends may be declared and paid out of our operating surplus. Dividends may also be declared or paid out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and for the preceding fiscal year. As a newly-incorporated company, we may not have the required surplus or net profits to pay dividends, and we may be unable to pay dividends in any anticipated amount or at all.
In addition, our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common shares will be subject to the rights of holders of our Series C Preferred Shares, which rank prior to our common shares with respect to dividends, distributions and payments upon liquidation. No cash dividend may be paid on our common stock unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares for all prior and the then-ending dividend periods. Cumulative dividends on our Series C Preferred Shares will accrue at a rate of 6.5% per annum per $1,000 stated liquidation preference per Series C Preferred Share and are payable in cash or, at our election, in kind, quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing October 15, 2022, or, if any such dividend payment date otherwise would fall on a date that is not a business day, the immediately succeeding business day.
If we do not have sufficient cash to pay dividends on our Series C Preferred Shares when due, we may suffer adverse consequences.
Dividends to holders of our Series C Preferred Shares will be paid in cash or, at our election, in kind. If we do not have sufficient cash to pay dividends to holders of our Series C Preferred Shares or otherwise elect to pay dividends on the Series C Preferred Shares in kind, then such additional Series C Preferred Shares issuance will result in additional dividend payment obligations of the Company going forward. In addition, a failure to pay dividends on our Series C Preferred Shares when due will adversely affect our ability to utilize shelf registration statements to sell our securities, which may be an important fund-raising avenue for us in the future.
The superior voting rights of our Series B Preferred Shares may limit the ability of our common shareholders to control or influence corporate matters and the interests of the holder of such shares could conflict with the interests of common shareholders
While our common shares have one vote per share, each of our 40,000 Series B Preferred Shares presently outstanding has 25,000 votes per share; however, the voting power of the Series B Preferred Shares is limited such that no holder of Series B Preferred Shares may exercise voting rights pursuant to any Series B Preferred Shares that would result in the total number of votes a holder is entitled to vote on any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company to exceed 49.99% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on such matter. The Series B Preferred Shares, however, have no dividend rights or distribution rights, other than the right upon dissolution to receive a payment equal to $0.0001 per share.
Following the Spin-Off, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer can therefore control 49.99% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer will have substantial control and
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influence over our management and affairs and over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, even though he owns significantly less than 50% of the Company economically.
The superior voting rights of our Series B Preferred Shares may limit our common shareholders’ ability to influence corporate matters. The interests of the holder of the Series B Preferred Shares may conflict with the interests of our common shareholders, and as a result, the holders of our capital stock may approve actions that our common shareholders do not view as beneficial. Any such conflicts of interest could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and the trading price of our common shares.
Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult for our shareholders to replace or remove our current board of directors or could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
Several provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws which we will adopt prior to the Spin-Off may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of our board to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire our company. However, these anti-take-over provisions could make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of our board of directors in any one year, preventing them from changing the composition of our management. In addition, the same provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that some shareholders may consider favorable.
These provisions:
authorize our board of directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock without shareholder approval, including preferred shares with superior voting rights, such as the Series B Preferred Shares;
provide for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms;
permit the removal of any director only for cause;
prohibiting shareholder action by written consent unless the written consent is signed by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action;
limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders; and
establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at meetings of shareholders.
These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of our shareholders to impose a change in control and, as a result, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares and your ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
We may issue additional common shares or other equity securities without your approval, which could dilute your ownership interests and may depress the market price of our common shares.
We may issue additional common shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other things, future vessel acquisitions, repayment of outstanding indebtedness or our equity incentive plan, without shareholder approval, in a number of circumstances.
Our issuance of additional common shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:
our existing shareholders' proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease;
the amount of cash available for dividends payable on our common shares may decrease;
the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding common share may be diminished; and
the market price of our common shares may decline.
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Issuance of preferred shares, such as our Series B Preferred Shares, may adversely affect the voting power of our common shareholders and have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, with respect to, among other things, dividends, conversion, voting, redemption, liquidation and the number of shares constituting any series without shareholders' approval. Our board of directors will issue prior to the Spin-Off, and may in the future issue, preferred shares with voting rights superior to those of the common shares, such as the Series B Preferred Shares. If our board of directors determines to issue preferred shares, such issuance may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that shareholders may consider favorable. The issuance of preferred shares with voting and conversion rights may also adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common shares. This could substantially impede the ability of public shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares and our shareholders' ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our Common Stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. While we have elected to take advantage of some of the reduced reporting obligations, we are choosing to “opt-out” of the extended transition period relating to the exemption from new or revised financial accounting standards. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Stock and our share price may be more volatile.
In addition, under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley, for so long as we are an emerging growth company. For as long as we take advantage of the reduced reporting obligations, the information that we provide shareholders may be different from information provided by other public companies.
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law, which may negatively affect the ability of shareholders to protect their interests.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our bylaws and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or the BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. However, there have been few judicial cases in the Republic of the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in certain U.S. jurisdictions. Shareholder rights may differ as well. While the BCA does specifically incorporate the non-statutory law, or judicial case law, of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction.
Additionally, the Republic of the Marshall Islands does not have a legal provision for bankruptcy or a general statutory mechanism for insolvency proceedings. As such, in the event of a future insolvency or bankruptcy, our shareholders and creditors may experience delays in their ability to recover for their claims after any such insolvency or bankruptcy. Further, in the event of any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding involving us or any of our subsidiaries, bankruptcy laws other than those of the United States could apply. If we become a debtor under U.S. bankruptcy law, bankruptcy courts in the United States may seek to assert jurisdiction over all of our assets, wherever located, including property situated in other countries. There can be no assurance, however, that we would become a debtor in the United States, or that a U.S. bankruptcy court would be entitled to, or accept, jurisdiction over such a bankruptcy case, or that courts in other countries that have jurisdiction over us and our operations would recognize a U.S. bankruptcy court's jurisdiction if any other bankruptcy court would determine it had jurisdiction.
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As a Marshall Islands corporation with principal executive offices in Greece, and also having a subsidiary in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, our operations may be subject to economic substance requirements.
In March 2019, the Council of the European Union, or the Council, published a list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, the 2019 Conclusions. In the 2019 Conclusions, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, among others, was placed by the E.U. on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for failing to implement certain commitments previously made to the E.U. by the agreed deadline. However, it was announced by the Council in October 2019 that the Marshall Islands had been removed from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions. E.U. member states have agreed upon a set of measures, which they can choose to apply against the listed countries, including, inter alia, increased monitoring and audits, withholding taxes and non-deductibility of costs. The European Commission has stated it will continue to support member states' efforts to develop a more coordinated approach to sanctions for the listed countries. E.U. legislation prohibits E.U. funds from being channelled or transited through entities in non-cooperative jurisdictions.
We are a Marshall Islands corporation with principal executive offices in Greece. Our subsidiary is organized in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Marshall Islands have enacted economic substance regulations with which we are obligated to comply. The Marshall Islands economic substance regulations require certain entities that carry out particular activities to comply with a three-part economic substance test whereby the entity must show that it (i) is directed and managed in the Marshall Islands in relation to that relevant activity, (ii) carries out core income-generating activity in relation to that relevant activity in the Marshall Islands (although it is being understood and acknowledged by the regulators that income-generated activities for shipping companies will generally occur in international waters) and (iii) having regard to the level of relevant activity carried out in the Marshall Islands has (a) an adequate amount of expenditures in the Marshall Islands, (b) adequate physical presence in the Marshall Islands and (c) an adequate number of qualified employees in the Marshall Islands. Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands have enacted similar legislation.
If we fail to comply with our obligations under such legislation or any similar law applicable to us in any other jurisdictions, we could be subject to financial penalties and spontaneous disclosure of information to foreign tax officials, or could be struck from the register of companies, in related jurisdictions. Any of the foregoing could be disruptive to our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and operating results.
We do not know (i) if the E.U. will once again add the Marshall Islands to the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, (ii) how quickly the E.U. would react to any changes in legislation of the Marshall Islands, or (iii) how E.U. banks or other counterparties will react while we or our subsidiary remain as entities organized and existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands. The effect of the E.U. list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, and any noncompliance by us with any legislation adopted by applicable countries to achieve removal from the list, including economic substance regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and operating results.
It may not be possible for investors to serve process on or enforce U.S. judgments against us.
We and all of our subsidiaries are incorporated in jurisdictions outside the U.S. and substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiary are located outside the U.S. In addition, most of our directors and officers are non-residents of the U.S., and all or a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to serve process within the U.S. upon us, our subsidiary or our directors and officers or to enforce a judgment against us for civil liabilities in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that courts in the country in which we or our subsidiary are incorporated or where our assets or the assets of our subsidiary are located (1) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiary based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or (2) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or our subsidiary based on those laws.
Risks Relating to the Spin-Off
We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Spin-Off.
We believe that, as a publicly-traded company, we will be able to, among other things, better focus our financial and operational resources on our specific shipping business, implement and maintain a capital structure designed to meet our specific needs, design and implement corporate strategies and policies that are targeted to our business,
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more effectively respond to industry dynamics and create effective incentives for our management and employees that are more closely tied to our business performance. However, by separating from Parent, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and have less leverage with customers, and we may experience other adverse events. In addition, we may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve as a separate company in the time we expect, if at all. The completion of the Spin-Off will also require significant amounts of our management's time and effort, which may divert management's attention from operating and growing our business.
We may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as a publicly-traded company, and we may experience increased costs after the Spin-Off.
Following the Spin-Off, we will need to provide internally or obtain from unaffiliated third parties some of the services we currently receive from Parent. We may be unable to replace these services in a timely manner or on terms and conditions as favorable as those we receive from Parent. We may be unable to successfully establish the infrastructure or implement the changes necessary to operate independently or may incur additional costs. If we fail to obtain the services necessary to operate effectively or if we incur greater costs in obtaining these services, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We have no operating history as a publicly-traded company, and our historical financial information is not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as a publicly-traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.
We derived the historical financial information included in this prospectus in part from Parent’s consolidated financial statements, and this information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations and financial position we would have achieved as a separate publicly-traded company during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future. This is primarily because of the following factors:
Prior to the Spin-Off, we operated as part of Parent’s broader corporate organization, and Parent performed various corporate functions for us. Our historical financial information reflects allocations of corporate expenses from Parent for these and similar functions. These allocations may not reflect the costs we will incur for similar services in the future as a publicly-traded company.
Our historical financial information does not reflect changes that we expect to experience in the future as a result of our separation from Parent, including changes in our cost structure, personnel needs, tax structure, financing and business operations. As part of Parent, we enjoyed certain benefits from Parent’s operating diversity, size, borrowing leverage and available capital for investments, and we may lose these benefits after the Spin-Off. As a separate entity, we may be unable to purchase services and technologies or access capital markets on terms as favorable to us as those we obtained as part of Parent prior to the Spin-Off.
Following the Spin-Off, we will also be responsible for the additional costs associated with being a publicly-traded company, including costs related to corporate governance, investor and public relations and public reporting. In addition, certain costs incurred by Parent, including executive oversight, accounting, treasury, tax, legal, human resources, occupancy, procurement, information technology and other shared services, have historically been allocated to us by Parent; but these allocations may not reflect the future level of these costs to us as we begin to provide these services ourselves. Therefore, our historical financial statements may not be indicative of our future performance as a separate publicly-traded company. We cannot assure you that our operating results will continue at a similar level when we are a separate publicly-traded company. For additional information about our past financial performance and the basis of presentation of our financial statements, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our historical financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
We may not be able to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed on acceptable terms.
From time to time we may need to access the capital markets to obtain long-term and short-term financing. We have not previously accessed the capital markets as a separate public company, and our access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms and conditions in the future will be impacted by many factors, including our financial performance, our credit ratings or absence thereof, the liquidity of the overall capital markets and the state of the economy. We cannot assure you that we will have access to the capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed or on terms acceptable to us.
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ITEM 4.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A.
History and Development of the Company
Overview
We are an international shipping company currently specializing in worldwide seaborne transportation of dry bulk commodities. We currently own one Capesize drybulk vessel, with a cargo-carrying capacity of approximately 171,314 dwt and an age of 18.4 years. We intend to expand our fleet into other seaborne transportation sectors depending on available opportunities. However, we do not currently have any agreements or commitments to acquire additional vessels.
We were incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, pursuant to the BCA, on January 20, 2022. Our executive offices are located at 154 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 16674 Glyfada, Greece and our telephone number is +30 2130181507. Our website is www.usea.gr. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that we file electronically at www.sec.gov.
Reasons for the Spin-Off
The Parent currently owns and operates exclusively Capesize drybulk vessels and therefore represents a “pure play” investment opportunity in the Capesize sector. Following the Spin-Off, we will own and operate one Capesize drybulk vessel, but intend to pursue a more flexible acquisition strategy by opportunistically expanding our fleet into other seaborne transportation sectors. By providing a differentiated investment opportunity from the Parent’s “pure play” focus while leveraging our management’s track record of success in building a fleet, we and the Parent believe that the Spin-Off will maximize both the Parent’s and our shareholders’ returns, as investment value will be created by allowing investors to make independent investment decisions with respect to each of us and the Parent based on, among other factors, our different business models, strategies, risk exposures, valuation potential and shipping industries. Further, we believe that the Spin-Off will provide us greater strategic independence in considering sales, mergers and acquisitions, financing opportunities and our dividend policy.
In determining whether to effect the spin-off, the board of directors of the Parent also considered the costs and risks associated with the transaction, including those associated with preparing us to become a separate publicly traded company, the risk of volatility in our and the Parent’s stock price that may occur immediately following the Spin-Off, including the potential impact on the price of our common shares due to sales by our shareholders whose investment objectives may not be met by our Common Stock, the time that it may take for us to attract an appropriate shareholder base, and the resulting risk that the trading value of the two separate entities after the Spin-Off may be less than the trading value of Parent’s common shares before the Spin-Off. Notwithstanding these costs and risks, however, the Parent’s board of directors determined that a spin-off, in the form contemplated herein, and the combined but separate ownership of Parent common shares and our common shares is the best alternative to enhance long-term shareholder value relative to other strategic alternatives.
B.
Business Overview
We are an international shipping company specializing in the worldwide seaborne transportation of dry bulk commodities. We currently own one Capesize vessel, with a cargo-carrying capacity of approximately 171,314 dwt and an age of 18.4 years.
Our Current Fleet
The following table lists the vessel in our fleet as of the date of this registration statement:
Vessel Name
Year Built
Dwt
Flag
Yard
Type of Employment
Gloriuship
2004
171,314
Marshall Islands
Hyundai
T/C Index Linked(1)
(1)
This vessel is chartered by Pacbulk Shipping Pte. Ltd. Singapore, a dry bulk charter operator, and was delivered to the charterer on December 19, 2019 for an original period of about 4 to about 7 months, pursuant to the terms of the charterparty agreement dated December 6, 2019 entered into between the United Maritime Predecessor and the charterer. On April 16, 2020, the charter was extended for a period of about 10 to about 14 months. On December 22, 2020, a further extension period was agreed up to minimum January 2022 to maximum April 2022. On December 22, 2021 another extension period was agreed up to minimum December 2022 to maximum April 2023. The net daily charter hire is calculated at an index linked rate based on the five T/C routes of the BCI. In addition, the time charter provides the option to convert the index linked rate to a fixed rate for a period of minimum 3 to maximum 12 months based on the Capesize 5TC freight forward agreement for the selected period. The Company has exercised this option and the vessel currently earns a
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gross fixed charter rate of $28,060 per day for the period from April 1, 2022 until November 30, 2022. The Company had previously exercised this option for the periods of the second, third and fourth quarter of 2021 earning a gross daily rate of $11,270, $22,770 and $35,880 per respective quarter, respectively, and a gross daily rate of $19,780 during January of 2022. According to the provisions of the time charter, United Maritime Predecessor is entitled to terminate the charter in case of the charterer’s failure of punctual and regular payment of hire, while the charterer may cancel the charter if the vessel is placed off-hire for more than forty-five consecutive days. In addition, both parties have the option to terminate the charter in case of war outbreak between two or more of certain countries identified in the agreement (UK, United States, C.I.S., People’s Republic of China, Japan and Greece), which war directly affects the performance of the charter. The time charter is governed by English law.
Our Business Strategy
Competitive Strengths
Opportunity for growth. We believe we will be well positioned to opportunistically expand and maximize our current fleet due to competitive cost structure, strong customer relationships and experienced management team.
Demonstrated access to financing. We believe that we are well placed to take advantage of business opportunities due to the Parent’s operational platform, which we aim to leverage on, along with our management team’s demonstrated access to financing at the Parent. We believe that our ability to access financing will continue to allow us to capture additional market opportunities when they arise.
Experienced management team. We expect certain officers and directors of our Parent to serve on our board of directors and management team and as such we believe that our management team's reputation and track record in building shipping fleets should provide us with access to attractive acquisition, chartering and vessel financing opportunities.
Strategies
Opportunistic and sector-agnostic vessel acquisition strategy. Shipping markets are divided into various key sectors including the dry bulk, tanker, gas and container markets, with each of them further segregated to sub-sectors. We plan to exploit opportunities in any sector and sub-sector that provides an attractive demand and supply profile as well as a positive market outlook in the medium to long-term by acquiring vessels trading on this sector. The decision for entering a new sector will be based on robust fundamentals and thoughtful analysis of factors affecting both the demand side and the supply side, while the selection of the target vessel will be subject to strict qualitative criteria including the environmental performance and energy efficiency of the acquisition candidates.
Expand our fleet through accretive acquisitions. We intend to grow our current fleet through timely and selective acquisitions of additional vessels at attractive valuations. In evaluating acquisitions, we consider and analyze, among other things, our expectation of fundamental developments in the shipping industry, the level of liquidity in the resale and charter market, the vessel condition and technical specifications, the expected remaining useful life, as well as the overall strategic positioning of our fleet and customers. For vessels acquired with charters attached, we also consider the credit quality of the charterer and the duration and terms of the contracts in place. Based on our management team’s successful track record, commercial expertise and reputation in the marketplace as well as our transparent and public corporate structure, we believe that we are well-positioned to source off-market opportunities to acquire secondhand vessels. As a result, we may be able to acquire vessels on more favorable terms than what would be obtained without access to such opportunities.
Access to attractive chartering opportunities. Our senior management in combination with Fidelity, the Parent’s commercial manager, has established strong relationships with international miners, charterers and brokers. We believe that these relationships should provide us with access to attractive chartering opportunities. Furthermore, we aim to maintain our fleet at a level that meets or exceeds stringent industry standards as we believe that owning a modern and well-maintained fleet provides us with a competitive advantage in securing favorable employment.
Environmental, Social, Governance, or ESG, Practices: We actively manage a broad range of ESG initiatives, taking into consideration their expected impact on the sustainability of our business over time, and the potential impact of our business on society and the environment. Scrubber installations, Existing Vessel Design Index, or EVDI, upgrades, and Energy Saving Devices (“ESDs”) installations, weather routing, slow steaming, ballast and trim optimization during the ballast voyage legs and frequent propeller and hull cleaning policy constitute examples of the environmental practices our management team has deployed. The Capesize vessel that will comprise our initial fleet was drydocked in mid-April 2022, where a Ballast Water Treatment System and various ESDs were installed,
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that will ensure compliance with the new environmental regulations and that the vessel will remain competitive for the years to come. Moreover, we pay considerable attention to our human resources both on our vessels and ashore, proven by a variety of practices, including, gender discrimination elimination, performance KPIs, worldwide training and medical insurance.
Management of Our Fleet
We and our vessel-owning subsidiaries will, prior to the Spin-Off, enter into a master management agreement with the Parent, a technical management agreement with Seanergy Shipmanagement and a commercial management agreement with Seanergy Management, pursuant to which the Parent (directly or through Seanergy Management or Seanergy Shipmanagement), Seanergy Management and Seanergy Shipmanagement shall provide us with or arrange on our behalf (through unrelated third parties) administrative, accounting, finance, commercial management, technical management, brokerage and certain other services. In relation to the technical services, Seanergy Shipmanagement will be responsible for arranging (directly or by subcontracting) for the crewing of the vessels, the day-to-day operations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, drydocking, purchasing, insurance and claims handling. Administrative functions that will be performed by the Parent include but are not limited to investor relations, back-office, reporting, legal and secretarial services. In addition, the Parent will provide (directly or through Seanergy Management) services for the chartering of our vessels and monitoring thereof, freight collection, and sale and purchase. In providing these services, the Managers may subcontract and pay third parties and shall receive reimbursement from us or arrange for the appointment of third parties to provide these services in which cases such third parties may be paid directly by us. Seanergy Shipmanagement may subcontract the technical management and crew management for our current vessel and other vessels we may acquire to third parties or arrange for the appointment of such third parties, including V.Ships Limited, V.Ships Greece Ltd., Anglo-Eastern Crew Management (Asia) Limited and Global Seaways S.A.. The Parent may sub-contract certain commercial management services to Fidelity Marine Inc., an independent third party, which provides commercial management services for all of the vessels in the Parent’s fleet or any other third party. These third party-managers will be supervised by Seanergy Shipmanagement and Seanergy Management. We or our designated subsidiaries may enter into agreements relating to commercial or technical management services directly with such third party managers and may incur additional costs for technical management under such agreements.
The management agreements which will be entered into in conjunction with our separation from the Parent and the Spin-Off will provide for: a fixed management fee of $14,000 per vessel per month payable to Seanergy Shipmanagement and a fixed administration fee of $325 per vessel per day payable to the Parent. We expect to pay to Seanergy Management a fee equal to 1.25% of the gross freight, demurrage and charter hire collected from the employment of our vessel, except for any vessels that are chartered-out to the Parent. Seanergy Management will also earn a fee equal to 1% of the contract price of any vessel bought or sold by them on our behalf, except for any vessels bought or sold from or to the Parent, or in respect of any vessel sale relating to a sale leaseback transaction. Additional vessels that we may acquire in the future may be managed by the Managers or by other unaffiliated management companies.
The initial term of our master management agreement with the Parent will expire on December 31, 2024. Unless three months’ notice of non-renewal is given by either party prior to the end of the then current term, this agreement will automatically extend for additional 12-month periods. The master management agreement may be terminated immediately only for cause and at any time by either party with three months’ prior notice, and no termination fee will be payable.
We may enter into similar or new management agreements for the management of any additional vessels we may acquire in the future.
Employment of Our Fleet
As of the date of this registration statement, our current vessel is chartered on a time charter whose daily rate is linked to the BCI. A time charter is generally a contract to provide your ship for a predefined period to the charterer for an agreed daily US$ rate. This rate can be fixed or index-linked, with the latter mounting volatility of freight earnings, as shipping freight indices fluctuate on a seasonal and year-to-year basis. Fluctuations derive from imbalances in the availability of cargoes for shipment and the number of vessels available at any given time to transport these cargoes. Vessels operating in the time charter market ensure that there will be employment on the vessel for the defined period, while the index-linked hire rate may enable us to capture increased profit margins during periods of improvements in dry bulk vessel charter rates.
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The Dry Bulk Shipping Industry
The global dry bulk vessel fleet is divided into four categories based on a vessel's carrying capacity. These categories are:
Capesize. Capesize vessels have a carrying capacity of exceeding 100,000 dwt. Only the largest ports around the world possess the infrastructure to accommodate vessels of this size. Capesize vessels are primarily used to transport iron ore or coal and, to a much lesser extent, grains, primarily on long-haul routes.
Panamax. Panamax vessels have a carrying capacity of between 60,000 and 100,000 dwt. These vessels are designed to meet the physical restrictions of the Panama Canal locks (hence their name “Panamax” — the largest vessels able to transit the Panama Canal prior to its 2016 expansion, making them more versatile than larger vessels). These vessels carry coal, grains, and, to a lesser extent, minerals such as bauxite/alumina and phosphate rock.
Handymax/Supramax. Handymax vessels have a carrying capacity of between 30,000 and 60,000 dwt. These vessels operate on a large number of geographically dispersed global trade routes, carrying primarily grains and minor bulks. The standard vessels are usually built with 25-30 ton cargo gear, enabling them to discharge cargo where grabs are required (particularly industrial minerals), and to conduct cargo operations in countries and ports with limited infrastructure. This type of vessel offers good trading flexibility and can, therefore, be used in a wide variety of bulk and neobulk trades, such as steel products. Supramax are a sub-category of this category typically having a cargo carrying capacity of between 50,000 and 60,000 dwt.
Handysize. Handysize vessels have a carrying capacity of up to 30,000 dwt. These vessels are almost exclusively carry minor bulk cargo. Increasingly, vessels of this type operate on regional trading routes, and may serve as trans-shipment feeders for larger vessels. Handysize vessels are well suited for small ports with length and draft restrictions. Their cargo gear enables them to service ports lacking the infrastructure for cargo loading and discharging.
The supply of dry bulk vessels is dependent on the delivery of new vessels and the removal of vessels from the global fleet, either through scrapping or loss. The level of scrapping activity is generally a function of scrapping prices in relation to current and prospective charter market conditions, as well as operating, repair and survey costs.
The demand for dry bulk vessel capacity is determined by the underlying demand for commodities transported in dry bulk vessels, which in turn is influenced by trends in the global economy. Demand for dry bulk vessel capacity is also affected by the operating efficiency of the global fleet, with port congestion, which has been a feature of the market since 2004, absorbing tonnage and therefore leading to a tighter balance between supply and demand. In evaluating demand factors for dry bulk vessel capacity, we believe that dry bulk vessels can be the most versatile element of the global shipping fleets in terms of employment alternatives.
Charter Hire Rates
Charter hire rates fluctuate by varying degrees among dry bulk vessel size categories. The volume and pattern of trade in a small number of commodities (major bulks) affect demand for larger vessels. Therefore, charter rates and vessel values of larger vessels often show greater volatility. Conversely, trade in a greater number of commodities (minor bulks) drives demand for smaller dry bulk vessels. Accordingly, charter rates and vessel values for those vessels are subject to less volatility.
Charter hire rates paid for dry bulk vessels are primarily a function of the underlying balance between vessel supply and demand, although at times other factors may play a role. Furthermore, the pattern seen in charter rates is broadly mirrored across the different charter types and the different dry bulk vessel categories. However, because demand for larger dry bulk vessels is affected by the volume and pattern of trade in a relatively small number of commodities, charter hire rates (and vessel values) of larger ships tend to be more volatile than those for smaller vessels.
In the time charter market, rates vary depending on the length of the charter period and vessel specific factors such as age, speed and fuel consumption.
In the voyage charter market, rates are influenced by cargo size, commodity, port dues and canal transit fees, as well as commencement and termination regions. In general, a larger cargo size is quoted at a lower rate per ton than a smaller cargo size. Routes with costly ports or canals generally command higher rates than routes with low port dues and no canals to transit. Voyages with a load port within a region that includes ports where vessels usually discharge cargo or a discharge port within a region with ports where vessels load cargo also are generally quoted at
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lower rates, because such voyages generally increase vessel utilization by reducing the unloaded portion (or ballast leg) that is included in the calculation of the return charter to a loading area.
Within the dry bulk shipping industry, the charter hire rate references most likely to be monitored are the freight rate indexes issued by the Baltic Exchange. These references are based on actual charter hire rates under charters entered into by market participants as well as daily assessments provided to the Baltic Exchange by a panel of major shipbrokers.
Competition
We operate in markets that are highly competitive and based primarily on supply and demand. We compete for charters on the basis of price, vessel location, size, age and condition of the vessel, as well as on its reputation. The Parent negotiates the terms of our charters (whether voyage charters, period time charters, bareboat charters or pools) based on market conditions. We currently compete primarily with other owners of dry bulk vessels, many of which may have more resources than us and may operate vessels that are newer, and therefore more attractive to charterers than vessels we may operate. Ownership of dry bulk vessels is highly fragmented and is divided among publicly listed companies, state-controlled companies and independent dry bulk vessel owners. We currently compete primarily with owners of dry bulk vessels in the Capesize class size.
Customers
The customers of the United Maritime Predecessor during the last two years include national, regional and international companies. Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of the United Maritime Predecessor’ revenues during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were:
Customer
2021
2020
2019
A
100%
100%
52%
B
42%
Total
100%
100%
94%
Seasonality
Coal, iron ore and grains, which are the major bulks of the dry bulk shipping industry, are somewhat seasonal in nature. The energy markets primarily affect the demand for coal, with increases during hot summer periods when air conditioning and refrigeration require more electricity and towards the end of the calendar year in anticipation of the forthcoming winter period. The demand for iron ore tends to decline in the summer months because many of the major steel users, such as automobile makers, reduce their level of production significantly during the summer holidays. Grain trades are seasonal as they are driven by the harvest within a climate zone. Because three of the five largest grain producers (the United States of America, Canada and the European Union) are located in the northern hemisphere and the other two (Argentina and Australia) are located in the southern hemisphere, harvests occur throughout the year and grains transportation requires dry bulk shipping accordingly.
Environmental and Other Regulations
Government regulation and laws significantly affect the ownership and operation of our fleet. We are subject to international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may operate or are registered relating to safety and health and environmental protection including the storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination and liability for damage to natural resources. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures.
A variety of government and private entities subject our vessel and other vessels we may acquire to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities (applicable national authorities such as the United States Coast Guard, or USCG, harbor master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administrations (countries of registry), terminal operators and charterers. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations for the operation of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or result in the temporary suspension of the operation of one or more of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire.
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Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to stricter environmental standards. We are required to maintain operating standards for our vessel and other vessels we may acquire that emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers and crews and compliance with United States and international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessel is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that our vessel has all material permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations necessary for the conduct of our operations. However, because such laws and regulations frequently change and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire. In addition, a future serious marine incident that causes significant adverse environmental impact could result in additional legislation or regulation that could negatively affect our profitability.
International Maritime Organization
The IMO, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention of pollution by vessels, has adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, collectively referred to as MARPOL 73/78 and herein as MARPOL, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS Convention, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, or STCW, and the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, or LL Convention. MARPOL establishes environmental standards relating to oil leakage or spilling, garbage management, sewage, air emissions, the handling and disposal of noxious liquids and the handling of harmful substances in packaged forms. MARPOL is applicable to dry bulk, tanker and LNG carriers, among other vessels, and is broken into six Annexes, each of which regulates a different source of pollution. Annex I relates to oil leakage or spilling; Annexes II and III relate to harmful substances carried in bulk in liquid or in packaged form, respectively; Annexes IV and V relate to sewage and garbage management, respectively; and Annex VI, lastly, relates to air emissions. Annex VI was separately adopted by the IMO in September of 1997.
In 2013, the IMO's Marine Environmental Protection Committee, or the MEPC, adopted a resolution amending MARPOL Annex I Condition Assessment Scheme, or CAS. These amendments became effective on October 1, 2014 and require compliance with the 2011 International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, or ESP Code, which provides for enhanced inspection programs. We may need to make certain financial expenditures to comply with these amendments.
Air Emissions
In September of 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from vessels. Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from all commercial vessel exhausts and prohibits “deliberate emissions” of ozone depleting substances (such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons), emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks, and the shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions, as explained below. Emissions of “volatile organic compounds” from certain vessels, and the shipboard incineration (from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000) of certain substances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs) are also prohibited. We believe that our vessel is currently compliant in all material respects with these regulations.
The MEPC adopted amendments to Annex VI regarding emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone depleting substances, which entered into force on July 1, 2010. The amended Annex VI seeks to further reduce air pollution by, among other things, implementing a progressive reduction of the amount of sulfur contained in any fuel oil used on board ships. Effective January 1, 2020, there has been a global limit of 0.5% m/m sulfur oxide emissions (reduced from 3.50%). This limitation can be met by using low-sulfur compliant fuel oil, alternative fuels, or certain exhaust gas cleaning systems. Ships are required to obtain bunker delivery notes and International Air Pollution Prevention, or IAPP, Certificates from their flag states that specify sulfur content. Additionally, at MEPC 73, amendments to Annex VI to prohibit the carriage of bunkers above 0.5% sulfur on ships became effective on March 1, 2020. Additional amendments to Annex VI revising, among other terms, the definition of “Sulphur content of fuel oil” and “low-flashpoint fuel” and pertaining to the sampling and testing of onboard fuel oil, will become effective in 2022. These regulations subject ocean-going vessels to stringent emissions controls and may cause us to incur substantial costs.
Sulfur content standards are even stricter within certain “Emission Control Areas,” or ECAs. As of January 1, 2015, ships operating within an ECA were not permitted to use fuel with sulfur content in excess of 0.1%. Amended
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Annex VI establishes procedures for designating new ECAs. Currently, the IMO has designated four ECAs, including specified portions of the Baltic Sea area, North Sea area, North American area and United States Caribbean Sea area. Ocean-going vessels in these areas will be subject to stringent emission controls and may cause us to incur additional costs. If other ECAs are approved by the IMO, or other new or more stringent requirements relating to emissions from marine diesel engines or port operations by vessels are adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, or the states where we operate, compliance with these regulations could entail significant capital expenditures or otherwise increase the costs of our operations.
Amended Annex VI also establishes new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for marine diesel engines, depending on their date of installation. Now Annex VI provides for a three-tier reduction in NOx emissions from marine diesel engines, with the final tier (or Tier III) to apply to engines installed on vessels constructed on or after January 1, 2016 and which operate in the North American ECA or the U.S. Caribbean Sea ECA as well as ECAs designated in the future by the IMO. At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, the MEPC approved the North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs for nitrogen oxide for ships built after January 1, 2021. The EPA promulgated equivalent (and in some senses stricter) emissions standards in late 2009. Additionally, amendments to Annex II, which strengthen discharge requirements for cargo residues and tank washings in specified sea areas (including North West European waters, Baltic Sea area, Western European waters and Norwegian Sea), came into effect in January 2021.
As determined at the MEPC 70, the new Regulation 22A of MARPOL Annex VI became effective as of March 1, 2018 and requires ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to collect and report annual data on fuel oil consumption to an IMO database, with the first year of data collection commencing on January 1, 2019. The IMO intends to use such data as the first step in its roadmap (through 2023) for developing its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, as discussed further below.
As of January 1, 2013, MARPOL made mandatory certain measures relating to energy efficiency for ships. All ships are now required to develop and implement Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans, or SEEMPS, and new ships must be designed in compliance with minimum energy efficiency levels per capacity mile as defined by the Energy Efficiency Design Index, or EEDI. Under these measures, by 2025, all new ships built will be 30% more energy efficient than those built in 2014.
We may incur costs to comply with these revised standards. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission control systems and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Safety Management System Requirements
The SOLAS Convention was amended to address the safe manning of vessels and emergency training drills. The Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, or the LLMC, sets limitations of liability for a loss of life or personal injury claim or a property claim against ship owners. We believe that our vessel is in substantial compliance with SOLAS and LLMC standards.
Under Chapter IX of the SOLAS Convention, or the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or the ISM Code, our operations are also subject to environmental standards and requirements. The ISM Code requires the party with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. We rely upon the safety management system that we and our technical management team have developed for compliance with the ISM Code. The failure of a vessel owner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel's management with the ISM Code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a safety management certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We have obtained applicable documents of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for our vessel for which the certificates are required by the IMO. The document of compliance and safety management certificate are renewed as required.
Amendments to the SOLAS Convention Chapter VII apply to vessels transporting dangerous goods and require those vessels be in compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDG Code. Effective
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January 1, 2018, the IMDG Code includes (1) updates to the provisions for radioactive material, reflecting the latest provisions from the International Atomic Energy Agency, (2) new marking, packing and classification requirements for dangerous goods, and (3) new mandatory training requirements. Amendments to the IMDG Code relating to segregation requirements for certain substances, and classification and transport of carbon, following incidents involving the spontaneous ignition of charcoal, come into effect in June 2022.
The IMO has also adopted the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, or STCW. As of February 2017, all seafarers are required to meet the STCW standards and be in possession of a valid STCW certificate. Flag states that have ratified SOLAS and STCW generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS and STCW requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.
Furthermore, recent actions by the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee and United States agencies indicate that cybersecurity regulations for the maritime industry are likely to be further developed in the near future in an attempt to combat cybersecurity threats. For example, effective January 2021, cyber-risk management systems must be incorporated by shipowners and managers. This might cause companies to create additional procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require additional expenses and/or capital expenditures. The impact of such regulations is hard to predict at this time.
Pollution Control and Liability Requirements
The IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for pollution in international waters and the territorial waters of the signatories to such conventions. For example, the IMO adopted the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, in 2004. The BWM Convention entered into force on September 9, 2017. The BWM Convention requires ships to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of new or invasive aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments. The BWM Convention's implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits, and require all ships to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate.
Specifically, ships over 400 gross tons generally must comply with a “D-1 standard,” requiring the exchange of ballast water only in open seas and away from coastal waters. The “D-2 standard” specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged, and compliance dates vary depending on the IOPP renewal dates. For most ships, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. Ballast Water Management systems (or BWMS), which include systems that make use of chemical, biocides, organisms or biological mechanisms, or which alter the chemical or physical characteristics of the Ballast Water, must be approved in accordance with IMO Guidelines (Regulation D-3). Pursuant to the BWM Convention amendments that entered into force in October 2019, BWMS installed on or after October 28, 2020 shall be approved in accordance with BWMS Code, while BWMS installed before October 23, 2020 must be approved taking into account guidelines developed by the IMO or the BWMS Code. Costs of compliance with these regulations may be substantial. The cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers and may have a material effect on our operations. However, many countries already regulate the discharge of ballast water carried by vessels from country to country to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful species via such discharges. The U.S., for example, requires vessels entering its waters from another country to conduct mid-ocean ballast exchange, or undertake some alternate measure, and to comply with certain reporting requirements. Amendments to the BWM Convention concerning commissioning testing of BWMS will become effective in 2022. The Capesize vessel that will comprise our initial fleet was drydocked during mid-April 2022 where a Ballast Water Treatment System was installed that ensures compliance with the new environmental regulations.
The IMO also adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention, to impose strict liability on ship owners (including the registered owner, bareboat charterer, manager or operator) for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the LLMC). With respect to non-ratifying states, liability for spills or releases of oil carried as fuel in ship's bunkers typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.
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Ships are required to maintain a certificate attesting that they maintain adequate insurance to cover an incident. In jurisdictions such as the United States where the Bunker Convention has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or on a strict-liability basis.
Anti-Fouling Requirements
In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, or the “Anti-fouling Convention.” The Anti-fouling Convention entered into force in September 2008, and prohibits the use of organotin compound coatings to prevent the attachment of mollusks and other sea life to the hulls of vessels. Vessels of over 400 gross tons engaged in international voyages will also be required to undergo an initial survey before the vessel is put into service or before an International Anti-fouling System Certificate is issued for the first time; and subsequent surveys when the anti-fouling systems are altered or replaced. In 2023, amendments to the Anti-fouling Convention will come into effect which include controls on the biocide cybutryne; ships shall not apply or re-apply anti-fouling systems containing this substance from January 1, 2023. We have obtained Anti-fouling System Certificates for our vessel that is subject to the Anti-fouling Convention.
Compliance Enforcement
Noncompliance with the ISM Code or other IMO regulations may subject the ship owner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The USCG and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code by applicable deadlines will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports, respectively. As of the date of this registration statement, our vessel is ISM Code certified. However, there can be no assurance that such certificates will be maintained in the future. The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.
United States Regulations
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and clean-up of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all “owners and operators” whose vessels trade or operate within the U.S., its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes the U.S.'s territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the U.S. The U.S. has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, except in limited circumstances, whether on land or at sea. OPA and CERCLA both define “owner and operator” in the case of a vessel as any person owning, operating or chartering by demise, the vessel. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.
Under OPA, vessel owners and operators are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel). OPA defines these other damages broadly to include:
(i)
injury to, destruction or loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources and related assessment costs;
(ii)
injury to, or economic losses resulting from, the destruction of real and personal property;
(iii)
loss of subsistence use of natural resources that are injured, destroyed or lost;
(iv)
net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees or net profit revenues resulting from injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property, or natural resources;
(v)
lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property or natural resources; and
(vi)
net cost of increased or additional public services necessitated by removal activities following a discharge of oil, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
OPA contains statutory caps on liability and damages; such caps do not apply to direct clean-up costs. Effective November 12, 2019, the USCG adjusted the limits of OPA liability for non-tank vessels, edible oil tank vessels, and
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any oil spill response vessels, to the greater of $1,200 per gross ton or $997,100 (subject to periodic adjustment for inflation). These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was proximately caused by the violation of an applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulation by a responsible party (or its agent, employee or a person acting pursuant to a contractual relationship), or a responsible party's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The limitation on liability similarly does not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to (i) report the incident where the responsible party knows or has reason to know of the incident; (ii) reasonably cooperate and assist as requested in connection with oil removal activities; or (iii) without sufficient cause, comply with an order issued under the Federal Water Pollution Act (Section 311 (c), (e)) or the Intervention on the High Seas Act.
CERCLA contains a similar liability regime whereby owners and operators of vessels are liable for clean-up, removal and remedial costs, as well as damages for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources, including the reasonable costs associated with assessing the same, and health assessments or health effects studies. There is no liability if the discharge of a hazardous substance results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of $300 per gross ton or $500,000 for any other vessel. These limits do not apply (rendering the responsible person liable for the total cost of response and damages) if the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance resulted from willful misconduct or negligence, or the primary cause of the release was a violation of applicable safety, construction or operating standards or regulations. The limitation on liability also does not apply if the responsible person fails or refused to provide all reasonable cooperation and assistance as requested in connection with response activities where the vessel is subject to OPA.
OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort law. OPA and CERCLA both require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the USCG evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum amount of liability to which the particular responsible person may be subject. Vessel owners and operators may satisfy their financial responsibility obligations by providing a proof of insurance, a surety bond, qualification as a self-insurer or a guarantee. We comply and plan to comply going forward with the USCG's financial responsibility regulations by providing applicable certificates of financial responsibility.
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in additional regulatory initiatives or statutes, including higher liability caps under OPA, new regulations regarding offshore oil and gas drilling, and a pilot inspection program for offshore facilities. However, several of these initiatives and regulations have been or may be revised. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement's, or BSEE, revised Production Safety Systems Rule, or PSSR, effective December 27, 2018, modified and relaxed certain environmental and safety protections under the 2016 PSSR. Additionally, the BSEE released a final Well Control Rule, which eliminated a number of provisions which could affect offshore drilling operations. Compliance with any new requirements of OPA and future legislation or regulations applicable to the operation of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire could negatively impact the cost of our operations and adversely affect our business.
OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, provided they accept, at a minimum, the levels of liability established under OPA and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. Many U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for removal costs and damages resulting from a discharge of oil or a release of a hazardous substance. These laws may be more stringent than U.S. federal law. Moreover, some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their waters, although in some cases, states which have enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessel owners' responsibilities under these laws. The Company intends to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where the Company's vessels call.
We currently maintain pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1 billion per incident for our vessel. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage, that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operation.
Other United States Environmental Initiatives
The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990), or CAA, requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. The CAA requires states to adopt State Implementation Plans, or SIPs, some of which regulate emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations which may affect our vessel and other vessels we may acquire.
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The U.S. Clean Water Act, or CWA, prohibits the discharge of oil, hazardous substances and ballast water in U.S. navigable waters unless authorized by a duly-issued permit or exemption, and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA. In 2015, the EPA expanded the definition of “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, thereby expanding federal authority under the CWA. In April 2020, the EPA and Department of the Army published the Navigable Waters Protection Rule to finalize a revised WOTUS definition, which rule became effective in June 2020. However, in light of a court order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona on August 30, 2021, the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are interpreting WOTUS consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime. In November 2021, the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the signing of a proposed rule to revise the definition of WOTUS, which proposes to put back into place the pre-2015 definition.
The EPA and the USCG have also enacted rules relating to ballast water discharge, compliance with which requires the installation of equipment on our vessel and other vessels we may acquire to treat ballast water before it is discharged or the implementation of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at potentially substantial costs, and/or otherwise restrict our vessel and other vessels we may acquire from entering U.S. Waters. The EPA will regulate these ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain vessels within United States waters pursuant to the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, or VIDA, which was signed into law on December 4, 2018 and will replace the 2013 Vessel General Permit, or VGP, program (as discussed above) and current Coast Guard ballast water management regulations adopted under the U.S. National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, such as mid-ocean ballast exchange programs and installation of approved USCG technology for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks bound for U.S. ports or entering U.S. waters. Non-military, non-recreational vessels greater than 79 feet in length must continue to comply with the requirements of the VGP, including submission of a Notice of Intent, or NOI, or retention of a PARI form and submission of annual reports. We have submitted NOIs for our vessel where required. Compliance with the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations could require the installation of ballast water treatment equipment on our vessel and other vessels we may acquire or the implementation of other port facility disposal procedures at potentially substantial cost or may otherwise restrict our vessel and other vessels we may acquire from entering U.S. waters.
European Union Regulations
In October 2009, the European Union amended a directive to impose criminal sanctions for illicit ship-source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate result in deterioration of the quality of water. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a polluting substance may also lead to criminal penalties. The directive applies to all types of vessels, irrespective of their flag, but certain exceptions apply to warships or where human safety or that of the ship is in danger. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines and increased civil liability claims. Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 ( amended by Regulation (EU) 2016/2071 with respect to methods of calculating, inter alia, emission and consumption) governs the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport, and, subject to some exclusions, requires companies with ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to monitor and report carbon dioxide emissions annually, which may cause us to incur additional expenses. As of January 2019, large ships calling at EU ports have been required to collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other information. The system entered into force on 1 March 2018. July 2020 saw the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety vote in favor of the inclusion of vessels of 5,000 gross tons and above in the EU Emissions Trading System (in addition to voting for a revision to the monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions). In September 2020, the European Parliament adopted the proposal from the European Commission to amend the regulation on monitoring carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport.
On July 14, 2021, the European Commission published a package of draft proposals as part of its ‘Fit for 55’ environmental legislative agenda and as part of the wider EU Green Deal growth strategy. The Proposals are not yet in final form and may be subject to amendment. There are two key initiatives relevant to maritime arising from the Proposals: (a) a bespoke emissions trading scheme for the maritime sector (Maritime ETS) which is due to commence in 2023 and which is to apply to all ships above a gross tonnage of 5,000; and (b) a FuelEU draft regulation which seeks to require all ships above a gross tonnage of 5,000 to carry on board a ‘FuelEU certificate of compliance’ from 30 June 2025 as evidence of compliance with the limits on the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used on-board by a ship and with the requirements on the use of on-shore power supply (OPS) at berth. More specifically, Maritime
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ETS is to apply gradually over the period from 2023-2025. The cap under the ETS would be set by taking into account EU MRV system emissions data for the years 2018 and 2019, adjusted, from year 2021 and is to capture 100% of the emissions from intra-EU maritime voyages; 100% of emissions from ships at berth in EU ports; and 50% of emissions from voyages which start or end at EU ports (but the other destination is outside the EU). More recent proposed amendments signal that 100% of non-EU emissions may be caught if the IMO does not introduce a global market-based measure by 2028. Furthermore, the proposals envisage that all maritime allowances would be auctioned and there will be no free allocation. Both proposals are currently being negotiated and final drafts are expected in the summer of 2022.
Responsible recycling and scrapping of ships is becoming an increasingly important issue for shipowners and charterers alike as the industry strives to replace old ships with cleaner, more energy efficient models. The recognition of the need to impose recycling obligations on the shipping industry is not new. In 2009, the IMO oversaw the creation of the Hong Kong Ship Recycling Convention (the “Hong Kong Convention”), which sets standards for ship recycling. Concerned at the lack of progress in satisfying the conditions needed to bring the Hong Kong Convention into force, the EU published its own Ship Recycling Regulation 1257/2013 (SRR) in 2013, with a view to facilitating early ratification of the Hong Kong Convention both within the EU and in other countries outside the EU. As the Hong Kong Convention has yet to come into force, the 2013 regulations are vital to responsible ship recycling in the EU. SRR requires that, from 31 December 2020, all existing ships sailing under the flag of EU member states and non-EU flagged ships calling at an EU port or anchorage must carry on-board an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) with a certificate or statement of compliance, as appropriate. For EU-flagged vessels, a certificate (either an Inventory Certificate or Ready for Recycling Certificate) will be necessary, while non-EU flagged vessels will need a Statement of Compliance.
The European Union has adopted several regulations and directives requiring, among other things, more frequent inspections of high-risk ships, as determined by type, age, and flag as well as the number of times the ship has been detained. The European Union also adopted and extended a ban on substandard ships and enacted a minimum ban period and a definitive ban for repeated offenses. The regulation also provided the European Union with greater authority and control over classification societies, by imposing more requirements on classification societies and providing for fines or penalty payments for organizations that failed to comply. Furthermore, the EU has implemented regulations requiring vessels to use reduced sulfur content fuel for their main and auxiliary engines. Since January 1, 2015, vessels have been required to burn fuel with sulfur content not exceeding 0.1% while within EU member states' territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones that are included in “SOx Emission Control Areas.” EU Directive (EU) 2016/802 establishes limits on the maximum sulfur content of gas oils and heavy fuel oil and contains fuel-specific requirements for ships calling at EU ports.
EU Directive 2004/35/CE (as amended) regarding the prevention and remedying of environmental damage addresses liability for environmental damage (including damage to water, land, protected species and habitats) on the basis of the “polluter pays” principle. Operators whose activities caused the environmental damage are liable for the damage (subject to certain exceptions). With regard to specified activities causing environmental damage, operators are strictly liable. The directive applies where damage has already occurred and where there is an imminent threat of damage. The directive requires preventative and remedial actions, and that operators report environmental damage or an imminent threat of such damage.
International Labor Organization
The International Labor Organization, or the ILO, is a specialized agency of the UN that has adopted the Maritime Labor Convention 2006, or MLC 2006. A Maritime Labor Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance is required to ensure compliance with the MLC 2006 for all ships above 500 gross tons in international trade. We believe that our vessel is in substantial compliance with and are certified to meet MLC 2006.
Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (this task having been delegated to the IMO), which entered into force in 2005 and pursuant to which adopting countries have been required to implement national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with targets extended through 2020. International negotiations are continuing with respect to a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, and restrictions on shipping emissions may be included in any new treaty. In December 2009, more than 27 nations, including the U.S. and China, signed the Copenhagen
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Accord, which includes a non-binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in the Paris Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016 and does not directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The United States rejoined the Paris Agreement in February 2021.
At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, a draft outline of the structure of the initial strategy for developing a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships was approved. In accordance with this roadmap, in April 2018, nations at the MEPC 72 adopted an initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The initial strategy identifies “levels of ambition” to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including (1) decreasing the carbon intensity from ships through implementation of further phases of the Energy-Efficiency Design Index for new ships (while the Ship Energy-Efficiency Management Plan is mandatory for all vessels); (2) reducing carbon dioxide emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 emission levels; and (3) reducing the total annual greenhouse emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 while pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely. The initial strategy notes that technological innovation, alternative fuels and/or energy sources for international shipping will be integral to achieve the overall ambition. These regulations could cause us to incur additional substantial expenses.
As noted above, the 70th MEPC meeting in October 2016 adopted a mandatory data collection system (DCS) which requires ships above 5,000 gross tons to report consumption data for fuel oil, hours under way and distance travelled. Unlike the EU MRV (see below), the IMO DCS covers any maritime activity carried out by ships, including dredging, pipeline laying, ice-breaking, fish-catching and off-shore installations. The SEEMPs of all ships covered by the IMO DCS must include a description of the methodology for data collection and reporting. After each calendar year, the aggregated data are reported to the flag state. If the data have been reported in accordance with the requirements, the flag state issues a statement of compliance to the ship. Flag states subsequently transfer this data to an IMO ship fuel oil consumption database, which is part of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) platform. IMO will then produce annual reports, summarizing the data collected. Thus, currently, data related to the GHG emissions of ships above 5,000 gross tons calling at ports in the European Economic Area (EEA) must be reported in two separate, but largely overlapping, systems: the EU MRV – which applies since 2018 – and the IMO DCS – which applies since 2019. The proposed revision of Regulation (EU) 2015/757 adopted on 4 February 2019 aims to align and facilitate the simultaneous implementation of the two systems however it is still not clear when the proposal will be adopted.
IMO’s MEPC 76 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI that will require ships to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Effective November 1, 2022, the Revised MARPOL Annex VI will enter into force. The revised Annex VI includes carbon intensity measures (requirements for ships to calculate their Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) following technical means to improve their energy efficiency and to establish their annual operational carbon intensity indicator and rating. MEPC 76 also adopted guidelines to support implementation of the amendments.
In 2021, the EU adopted a European Climate Law (Regulation (EU) 2021/1119), establishing the aim of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 2050, with an intermediate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. In July 2021, the European Commission launched the Fit for 55 (described above) to support the climate policy agenda. As of January 2019, large ships calling at EU ports have been required to collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other information.
In the United States, the EPA issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health and safety, adopted regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain mobile sources, and proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from large stationary sources. The EPA or individual U.S. states could enact environmental regulations that could negatively affect our operations.
Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, the EU, the U.S. or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement, that restricts emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant expenditures which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Even in the absence of climate control legislation, our business may be indirectly affected to the extent that climate change may result in sea level changes or certain weather events.
Vessel Security Regulations
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security such as the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or MTSA.
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To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the USCG issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and at certain ports and facilities, some of which are regulated by the EPA.
Similarly, Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention imposes detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities and mandates compliance with the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or the ISPS Code. The ISPS Code is designed to enhance the security of ports and ships against terrorism. To trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate, or ISSC, from a recognized security organization approved by the vessel's flag state. Ships operating without a valid certificate may be detained, expelled from, or refused entry at port until they obtain an ISSC. The various requirements, some of which are found in the SOLAS Convention, include, for example, on-board installation of automatic identification systems to provide a means for the automatic transmission of safety-related information from among similarly equipped ships and shore stations, including information on a ship's identity, position, course, speed and navigational status; on-board installation of ship security alert systems, which do not sound on the vessel but only alert the authorities on shore; the development of vessel security plans; ship identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel's hull; a continuous synopsis record kept onboard showing a vessel's history including the name of the ship, the state whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, the date on which the ship was registered with that state, the ship's identification number, the port at which the ship is registered and the name of the registered owner(s) and their registered address; and compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
The USCG regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid ISSC that attests to the vessel's compliance with the SOLAS Convention security requirements and the ISPS Code. Future security measures could have a significant negative financial impact on us. We intend to comply with the various security measures addressed by MTSA, the SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code.
The cost of vessel security measures has also been affected by the escalation in the frequency of acts of piracy against ships, notably off the coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea area. Substantial loss of revenue and other costs may be incurred as a result of detention of a vessel or additional security measures, and the risk of uninsured losses could significantly and negatively affect our business. Costs may be incurred in taking additional security measures in accordance with Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy, notably those contained in the BMP5 industry standard.
Inspection by Classification Societies
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and SOLAS. Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage and lending that a vessel be certified “in class” by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies, the IACS. The IACS has adopted harmonized Common Structural Rules, or the Rules, which apply to oil tankers and bulk carriers constructed on or after July 1, 2015. The Rules attempt to create a level of consistency between IACS Societies. Our vessel is certified as being “in class” by her Classification Society (American Bureau of Shipping).
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel's machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every 30 to 36 months for inspection of the underwater parts of the vessel. If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, the vessel will be unable to carry cargo between ports and will be unemployable and uninsurable which could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any such violation of covenants, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance
General
The operation of any cargo vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, physical damage, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, piracy incidents, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including
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oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon shipowners, operators and bareboat charterers of any vessel trading in the exclusive economic zone of the United States for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance more expensive for shipowners and operators trading in the United States market. We carry insurance coverage as customary in the shipping industry. However, not all risks can be insured, specific claims may be rejected and we might not be always able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates.
Hull & Machinery and War Risks Insurances
We maintain marine hull and machinery and war risks insurances, which include the risk of actual or constructive total loss, for our vessel. Our vessel is covered up to at least its fair market value with a deductible of $150,000 per incident. We also maintain increased value coverage for our vessel. Under this increased value coverage, in the event of total loss of the vessel, we will be able to recover the sum insured under the increased value policy in addition to the sum insured under the hull and machinery policy. Increased value insurance also covers excess liabilities which are not recoverable under our hull and machinery policy by reason of under insurance.
Protection and Indemnity Insurance
Protection and indemnity insurance, provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or P&I Associations, covers our third-party liabilities in connection with our shipping activities. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses of injury, illness or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, loss or damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property such as fixed and floating objects, pollution arising from oil or other substances, salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance, extended by protection and indemnity mutual associations, or “clubs.”
Our coverage limit is as per International Group’s rules, where there are standard sub-limits for oil pollution at $1 billion, passenger liability at $2 billion and seamen liabilities at $3 billion. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world's commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each association's liabilities in excess of each association’s own retention of $10 million up to, currently, approximately $8 billion. As a member of a P&I Association, which is a member of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the associations based on our claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations and members of the shipping pool of P&I Associations comprising the International Group.
Permits and Authorizations
We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to our vessel and other vessels we may acquire. The kinds of permits, licenses and certificates required depend upon several factors, including the commodity transported, the waters in which the vessel operates, the nationality of the vessel's crew and the age of a vessel. We believe that we have obtained all permits, licenses and certificates currently required to permit our vessel to operate as planned. Additional laws and regulations, environmental or otherwise, may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of us doing business in the future.
C.
Organizational Structure
United Maritime Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent and following the Spin-Off will be the owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the United Maritime Predecessor, Sea Glorius Shipping Co., incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
D.
Property, Plants and Equipment
We do not own any real estate property. We maintain our principal executive offices at 154 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 166 74 Glyfada, Greece. Other than our vessel, we do not have any material property. See “Item 4.B. Business Overview - Our Current Fleet
ITEM 4A.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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ITEM 5.
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion of the results of our operations and our financial condition should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes to those statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements.” This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth in “Item 3. Key Information–D. Risk Factors.”
A.
Operating Results
Principal Factors Affecting Our Business
The principal factors that affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows include the following:
number of vessels owned and operated;
voyage charter rates;
time charter trip rates;
period time charter rates;
the nature and duration of our voyage charters;
vessels repositioning;
vessel operating expenses and direct voyage costs;
maintenance and upgrade work;
the age, condition and specifications of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire;
issuance of our common shares and other securities;
amount of debt obligations; and
financing costs related to debt obligations.
We are also affected by the types of charters we enter into. Vessels operating on period time charters and bareboat time charters provide more predictable cash flows, but can yield lower profit margins than vessels operating in the spot charter market, either on trip time charters or voyage charters, during periods characterized by favorable market conditions.
Vessels operating in the spot charter market generate revenues that are less predictable, but can yield increased profit margins during periods of improvements in dry bulk rates. Spot charters also expose vessel owners to the risk of declining dry bulk rates and rising fuel costs in case of voyage charters.
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are those that are both most important to the portrayal of the company's financial condition and results, and require management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have described below and in Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – E. Critical Accounting Estimates our critical accounting policies, because they potentially result in material different results under different assumptions and conditions. For a description of all our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our annual audited financial statements included in this registration statement.
Leases
A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel as well as vessel operations for a specific period of time and a specified daily charter hire rate, which is generally payable in advance. A bareboat charter is a contract in which the vessel is provided to the charterer for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate, which is generally payable in advance.
Time charter revenue, including bareboat charter revenue, is recorded over the term of the charter agreement as the service is provided and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured. Under a time charter, revenue is adjusted for a vessel’s off hire days due to major repairs, dry dockings or special or intermediate surveys.
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In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (ASC 842), and as amended, it requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. We early adopted ASC 842, as amended from time to time, retrospectively from January 1, 2018. We also elected to apply the additional and optional transition method to new and existing leases at the adoption date as well as all the practical expedients which allowed our existing lease arrangements, in which we were a lessee or lessor, classified as operating leases under ASC 840 to continue to be classified as operating leases under ASC 842. We concluded that the criteria for not separating lease and non-lease components of its time charter contracts are met, since (i) the time pattern of recognizing revenues for crew and other services for the operation of the vessels is similar to the time pattern of recognizing rental income, (ii) the lease component of the time charter contracts, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease, and (iii) the predominant component in its time charter agreements is the lease component. In this respect, we account for the combined component as an operating lease in accordance with ASC 842. We recognize income from lease payments over the lease term on a straight line basis. We assessed our new time charter contracts at the adoption date under the new guidance and concluded that these contracts contain a lease with the related executory costs (insurance), as well as non-lease components to provide other services related to the operation of the vessel, with the most substantial service being the crew cost to operate the vessel. We recognize income for variable lease payments in the period when changes in facts and circumstances on which the variable lease payments occur. Rental income on our time charterers is mostly calculated at an index linked rate based on the five T/C routes rate of the Baltic Capesize Index.
Results of Operations of United Maritime Predecessor
Year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to year ended December 31, 2020
Vessel Revenue, Net – Vessel revenue, net increased by $3.3 million or 79% from $4.1 million during 2020 to $7.4 million during 2021 and is attributable to the increase in prevailing charter rates. Charter rates were considerably higher during 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, especially during the second and third quarters of 2021. Our time charter equivalent rate for 2021 was 81% higher than that of 2020. Please see the reconciliation below of TCE rate to net revenues from vessels, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
Voyage Expenses – Voyage expenses amounted to $0.1 million for both 2021 and 2020. Our vessel was chartered under time charter arrangement throughout 2021 and 2020.
Vessel Operating Expenses – Vessel operating expense amounted to $2.3 million in 2021 and to $2.0 million in 2020. The daily vessel operating expense increased by 17% during 2021 and the increase is mainly attributable to increased crew expenses due to COVID-19 and the resulting port restrictions which impaired our ability to optimize crew changes. In addition, we incurred additional insurance expenses due to supplementary (retrospective) calls and premiums by our protection and indemnity associations, which are outside our control.
Management Fees – related party – Management fees to related party amounted to $0.2 million for both 2021 and 2020 and relate to fees paid to Seanergy Management.
Management Fees – Management fees amounted to $0.1 million for both 2021 and 2020.
General and Administrative Expenses – General and administrative expenses amounted to $0.6 million and $0.3 million for 2021 and 2020, respectively, and represent the allocation of the expenses incurred by the Parent based on the number of ownership days of the fleet vessel. The increase in the Parent’s general and administrative expenses from 2020 to 2021 was mainly attributable to an increase in staff costs, including stock based compensation, as the total number of support staff at the end of 2021 were 47 compared to 35 at the end of 2020.
Depreciation – Depreciation amounted to $0.8 million for both 2021 and 2020.
Amortization of deferred drydocking costs – Amortization of deferred drydocking costs for 2021 and 2020 amounted to $0.3 million.
Interest and Finance Costs – Interest and finance cost amounted to $0.7 million in both 2021 and 2020. The weighted average interest rate on our outstanding debt for 2021 and 2020 was approximately 10.5% and 7.3%, respectively. The New EnTrust Loan Facility entered into in July 2020 bears fixed interest of 10.50% while the HCOB facility, which was settled in July 2020, bore interest of LIBOR plus a margin of 3.75%
Gain on debt refinancing – The gain in the year ended December 31, 2020, is attributable to the settlement agreement entered into with Hamburg Commercial Bank AG on June 26, 2020.
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Year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to year ended December 31, 2019
Vessel Revenue, Net – Vessel revenue, net decreased by $2.8 million and is attributable to the decrease in prevailing charter rates, partly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was partially offset by an increase in operating days. We had 362 operating days in 2020, as compared to 347 operating days in 2019. The operating days in 2019 were affected by the drydocking which took place, incurring 18 repair days. The TCE rate decreased by 11% in 2020 to $11,025, as compared to $12,343 in 2019. Please see the reconciliation below of TCE rate to net revenues from vessels, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
Voyage Expenses – Voyage expenses amounted to $0.1 million in 2020 compared to $2.6 million in 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to the fact that our vessel was chartered under time charter arrangement throughout 2020, since under these agreements, voyage expenses are borne by the charterer, whereas in 2019, the vessel was employed in the spot market for 126 of the total 347 operating days.
Vessel Operating Expenses – Vessel operating expense amounted to approximately $2.0 million for both 2020 and 2019. The daily vessel operating expense decreased slightly by 4%.
Management Fees – related party – Management fees to related party amounted to $0.2 million for both 2020 and 2019 and relate to fees paid to Seanergy Management.
Management Fees – Management fees amounted to $0.1 million for both 2020 and 2019.
General and Administrative Expenses – General and administrative expenses amounted to $0.3 million for both 2020 and 2019 and represent the allocation of the expenses incurred by the Parent based on the number of ownership days of the fleet vessel.
Depreciation – Depreciation amounted to $0.8 million for both 2020 and 2019.
Amortization of deferred drydocking costs – Amortization of deferred drydocking costs for 2020 amounted to $0.3 million compared to $0.2 million for 2019, and the increase is attributable to the vessel undergoing drydocking in the first half of 2019.
Interest and Finance Costs – Interest and finance cost amounted to $0.7 million in 2020 compared to $0.9 million in 2019. The decrease was mainly attributable to the reduction in our overall debt through the refinancing from a loan facility with Hamburg Commercial Bank AG, or HCOB (previously known as HSH Nordbank AG), or the HCOB facility, to the New EnTrust Facility (as defined below), going from an outstanding balance of $8.5 million under the HCOB facility at repayment date to a new loan of $6.5 million with certain nominees of EnTrust Global, or EnTrust, as lenders (the “New EnTrust Facility”). The weighted average interest rate on our outstanding debt for 2020 and 2019 was approximately 7.3% and 6.2%, respectively.
Gain on debt refinancing – The gain in the year ended December 31, 2020, is attributable to the settlement agreement entered into with Hamburg Commercial Bank AG on June 26, 2020.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
We had less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, which means that we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage or specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:
exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal controls over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of Sarbanes-Oxley;
exemption from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and financial statements.
We may take advantage of these provisions until the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company if, among other things, we have more than $1.07 billion in “total annual gross revenues” during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may choose to take advantage of some, but not all, of these reduced burdens. For as long as we take advantage of the reduced reporting obligations, the information that
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we provide shareholders may be different from information provided by other public companies. We are choosing to “opt out” of the extended transition period relating to the exemption from new or revised financial accounting standards and as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth public companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.
B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we did not have any contractual obligations other than the loan agreement described below and as of the date of this registration statement, we do not have capital expenditures for vessel acquisitions, but we incur capital expenditures when our vessels undergo surveys and for vessel improvements to meet new regulations. We will require capital to fund ongoing operations and vessel improvements to meet requirements under new regulations. Prior to the Spin-Off, we are a fully consolidated subsidiary of the Parent, a holding company with significant cash reserves and proven access to the equity capital markets and debt financing. Therefore, the Parent has and will be supporting our liquidity needs, to the extent that these are not covered by our operations. At the time of the Spin-Off, the Parent intends to increase its investment by a cash amount that will be deemed adequate, in combination with cash generated from our operations, for us to meet our short-term liquidity needs. Following the Spin-Off, our principal sources of funds for our liquidity needs will be cash flows from operations and bank borrowings. Potential additional sources of funds include equity offerings and contributions from the Parent.
As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, working capital deficit amounted to $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The slight increase was mainly due to the increase of the current portion of our loan facility as well as an increase in our trade accounts and other payables.
Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.8 million and $0.4  million, respectively. We consider highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of around three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are held in U.S. dollars.
Net Cash from Operating Activities
Net cash from operating activities increased by $4.1 million to $3.7 million net cash provided by operating activities in 2021 compared to $0.4 million net cash used in operating activities in 2020. This increase was mainly attributable to increased revenues.
Net cash from operating activities decreased by $1.0 million to $0.4 million net cash used in operating activities in 2020 compared to $0.6 million net cash provided by operating activities in 2019. This decrease was mainly attributable to decreased revenues.
Net Cash from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $0.06 million, $0.01 million and $0.01 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and all relate to vessel improvements due to new regulations.
Net Cash from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $3.2 million for 2021 and relates to a decrease in net distribution to Parent of $2.4 million and repayment of $0.8 million of the New EnTrust Facility. Net cash used in financing activities was $0.7 million for 2020 and relates to additional investment by Parent of $2.0 million, repayment of an old loan facility of $8.8 million, repayment of $0.2 million of the New EnTrust Facility, proceeds from a new loan facility of $6.5 million and financing fees payments of $0.2 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.0 million for 2019 and relates to additional investment by Parent of $2.8 million and loan repayments of $1.8 million.
As part of Parent, United Maritime Predecessor is dependent upon Parent for all of its working capital and financing requirements, as Parent uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of its operations. Financial transactions relating to United Maritime Predecessor are accounted for through the Parent equity account. Accordingly, none of Parent’s cash, cash equivalents or debt at the corporate level have been assigned to the United Maritime Predecessor in the financial statements.
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Loan Arrangements
On September 1, 2015, the Parent’s subsidiaries owning the Gloriuship and the Geniuship entered into a loan agreement with HCOB, for a secured loan facility of $44.4 million, or the HCOB Facility, with the Parent acting as the guarantor. The loan was fully drawn down in 2015 and was used to pay the acquisition of the Gloriuship as well as for the Geniuship and had an original final maturity date of June 30, 2020. The loan was divided into two tranches, where $27.6 million was secured by the Geniuship and $16.8 million was secured by the Gloriuship, the vessel owned by the United Maritime Predecessor. On June 26, 2020, the two vessel owning subsidiaries of the Gloriuship and the Geniuship entered into a settlement agreement with HCOB; pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, in order to fully settle the obligations under the HCOB Facility, a total amount of $23.5 million out of the then outstanding amount of $29.1 million was required to be paid until July 31, 2020. Of the $29.1 million, an amount of $20.6 million was outstanding under the Geniuship tranche and $8.4 million was outstanding under the Gloriuship tranche, with the latter corresponding to the United Maritime Predecessor. On July 17, 2020, the HCOB Facility was settled through a $23.5 million payment with the funds obtained from the proceeds of a new loan facility (described below) and cash on hand, following which all securities created in favor of HCOB were irrevocably and unconditionally released. As a result, United Maritime Predecessor recognized a gain of $1.5 million. As of December 31, 2020, no amounts were outstanding under the HCOB Facility.
On July 15, 2020, the Parent’s subsidiaries owning the Gloriuship and the Geniuship entered into a secured loan facility of $22.5 million with Lucid Agency Services Limited and Lucid Trustee Services Limited as facility agent and security agent, respectively, and certain nominees of EnTrust as lenders, or the New EnTrust Facility, with the Parent acting as the guarantor, and the amount of $22.5 million was drawn down on July 16, 2020. The New EnTrust Facility was split into two tranches, secured by the Geniuship and the Gloriuship. Of the total amount, $16.0 million was drawn under the Geniuship tranche and $6.5 million under the Gloriuship tranche. The New EnTrust Loan Facility is maturing in July 2025 and was originally secured by first priority mortgages over the Gloriuship and the Geniuship, general assignments covering earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of each vessel, account pledge agreements concerning the earnings account of each vessel, share pledge agreements concerning each vessel-owning subsidiaries’ shares and relevant technical and commercial managers' undertakings. On December 20, 2021, the vessel owning subsidiary of the Geniuship fully prepaid the amount of $14.6 million outstanding under the Geniuship tranche. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the total amount outstanding under this facility was $5.5 million and $22.0 million respectively, of which the amount outstanding under the Gloriuship tranche was $5.5 million and $6.3 million, respectively.
As of the date of this registration statement, the amount outstanding under the New EnTrust Facility is $5.0 million and has a maturity date in July 2025. The loan facility bears fixed interest of 10.50% and is repayable in 13 quarterly installments of $0.4 million and a balloon payment of $0.4 million payable at maturity.
The New EnTrust Facility is currently secured by the Gloriuship and contains financial covenants and undertakings requiring the Company to maintain a security cover ratio, minimum guarantor’s liquidity, applying on the Parent and a minimum borrower’s liquidity. Specifically, the facility provides that: (i) the security cover percentage requirement (as defined therein) is required to be equal to 110% for the first 18 months following drawdown, 115% for months 19 to 24 following drawdown, 120% for months 25 to 36 following drawdown and 130% at all times thereafter until maturity, (ii) minimum liquidity of $0.3 million for the first three months following drawdown of the facility and $0.4 million at all times thereafter, reduced to $0.3 million if the Gloriuship is subject to a time-charter exceeding 12 months in duration, shall be maintained in the borrower’s earnings account.
In April 2022, we received approval from the lender to amend this loan facility to replace the Parent with us as guarantor upon consummation of the Spin-Off, to waive all applicable financial covenants with no material changes in the other terms of the loan facility. We expect to enter into an amendment with the lender prior to the Spin-Off substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to this registration statement.
C.
Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.
Not applicable.
D.
Trend Information
Our results of operations depend primarily on the charter rates earned by our vessel. Over the course of 2021, the BDI registered a low of 1,303 on February 10, 2021 and a high of 5,650 on October 7, 2021.
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Since the start of the financial crisis in 2008 the performance of the BDI has been characterized by high volatility, as the growth in the size of the dry bulk fleet outpaced growth in vessel demand for an extended period of time.
Specifically, in the period from 2010 to 2020, the size of the fleet in terms of deadweight tons grew by an annual average of about 6.0% while the corresponding growth in demand for dry bulk carriers grew by 3.1%, resulting in a drop of about 61% in the value of the BDI over the period. In 2021, the total size of the dry bulk fleet is rose by about 3.6% in 2021, compared to demand growth of 3.9%, which resulted in a 177% increase in the BDI. According to tentative projections, the total size of the dry bulk fleet is expected to rise by about 2.2% in 2022, compared to similar expected demand growth of 1.9%.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine has amplified the volatility in the dry bulk market with the BDI ranging since the beginning of the year between 1,296 and 3,369. In the short term, the effect of the invasion of Ukraine has been mildly positive for the dry bulk market, yet the overall longer term effect on ton-mile demand is uncertain given that cargoes such as grains, coal and iron ore exported previously from Ukraine and Russia will need to be substituted by cargoes from different sources.
In addition, the continuing war in Ukraine led to increased economic uncertainty amidst fears of a more generalized military conflict or significant inflationary pressures, due to the increases in fuel and grain prices following the sanctions imposed on Russia. Whether the present dislocation in the markets and resultant inflationary pressures will transition to a long-term inflationary environment is uncertain, and the effects of such a development on charter rates, vessel demand and operating expenses in the sector in which we operate are uncertain. As described above, the initial effect of the invasion in Ukraine on the dry bulk freight market ranged from neutral to positive, despite the short-term volatility in charter rates and increases on specific items of operating costs, mainly in the context of increased crew costs. If these conditions are sustained, the longer-term net impact on the dry bulk freight market and our business would be difficult to predict. Historically, a positive relationship is registered between global inflation and Capesize freight rates, and therefore the inflationary trends have not, and we do not expect them to have, a material impact on our results of operations. However, such events may have unpredictable consequences, and contribute to instability in global economy, a decrease in supply or cause a decrease in worldwide demand for certain goods and, thus, shipping. Regarding the possible impact of supply chain disruptions that have or may emanate from the military conflict in Ukraine, our operations have not been affected materially and we do not expect them to be in the future. The trading patterns of the Gloriuship do not involve calling at Russian or Ukrainian ports, while on the other hand our suppliers and service providers have so far not been subject to any restrictions or disruptions in their operations. However, one potential area of impact has to do with the crewing of our vessels, as Ukraine, Russia and Belarus are all major crewing hubs for the shipping industry. As a result, we expect disruptions and increased costs might be encountered in sourcing crew members for our fleet. This is expected to be a general issue for the shipping industry, which we do not expect will materially worsen our competitive position in the market.
Since its outbreak in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe global disruptions and may continue to affect the economic conditions regionally as well as globally and otherwise impact our operations and the operations of our customers and suppliers. The reopening of the global economy and consequent increased demand across key dry bulk commodities has positively affected our revenues. However, there is still high uncertainty on how the pandemic will evolve, with new variants emerging, forcing governments in affected countries to impose travel bans, quarantines and other emergency public health measures depending on the severity of the situation on each case. The recent lockdowns in certain cities in China have caused disruptions in the country’s production and supply chain and further continuation or expansion of these lockdowns may have an adverse impact on the global economy, including volatility in the market for dry bulk commodities. Despite the improved Capesize sector freight rates observed during this period, the long-term impacts on the Capesize sector remain uncertain. An increase in the severity or duration or a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, the carrying value of the Company’s assets and the fair values of the Company’s vessels.
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Important Measures and Definitions for Analyzing Results of Operations
We use a variety of financial and operational terms and concepts. These include the following:
Ownership days. Ownership days are the total number of calendar days in a period during which we owned or chartered in on bareboat basis for our vessel initially comprising our fleet and other vessels we may acquire. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses recorded during that period.
Available days. Available days are the number of ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are off-hire due to major repairs, dry-dockings, lay-up or special or intermediate surveys. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels are available to generate revenues.
Operating days. Operating days are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are off-hire due to unforeseen circumstances. Operating days include the days that our vessel and other vessels we may acquire are in ballast voyages without having fixed their next employment. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels could actually generate revenues.
Fleet utilization. Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessel was generating revenues and is determined by dividing operating days by ownership days for the relevant period.
Off-hire. The period a vessel is not being chartered or is unable to perform the services for which it is required under a charter.
Dry-docking. We periodically dry-dock our vessel for inspection, repairs and maintenance and any modifications to comply with industry certification or governmental requirements.
Time charter. A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a specific period of time (period time charter) or for a specific voyage (trip time charter) during which the charterer pays substantially all of the voyage expenses, including port charges, bunker expenses, canal charges and other commissions. The vessel owner pays the vessel operating expenses, which include crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores and spares, lubricants, insurance, maintenance and repairs. The vessel owner is also responsible for each vessel's dry-docking and intermediate and special survey costs. Time charter rates are usually fixed during the term of the charter. Prevailing time charter rates do fluctuate on a seasonal and year-to-year basis and may be substantially higher or lower from a prior time charter agreement when the subject vessel is seeking to renew the time charter agreement with the existing charterer or enter into a new time charter agreement with another charterer. Fluctuations in time charter rates are influenced by changes in spot charter rates.
Bareboat charter. A bareboat charter is generally a contract pursuant to which a vessel owner provides its vessel to a charterer for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate. Under a bareboat charter, the charterer assumes responsibility for all voyage and vessel operating expenses and risk of operation.
Voyage charter. A voyage charter is generally a contract to carry a specific cargo from a load port to a discharge port for an agreed-upon total amount. Under voyage charters, voyage expenses, such as port charges, bunker expenses, canal charges and other commissions, are paid by the vessel owner, who also pays vessel operating expenses.
TCE. Time charter equivalent, or TCE, rate is defined as our net revenue less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our operating days during the period. Voyage expenses include port charges, bunker expenses, canal charges and other commissions.
Daily Vessel Operating Expenses. Daily Vessel Operating Expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses less pre-delivery expenses by ownership days for the relevant time periods. Vessel operating expenses include crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricants, insurance, maintenance and repairs. Vessel operating expenses before pre-delivery expenses exclude one-time pre-delivery and pre-joining expenses associated with initial crew manning and supply of stores of Company's vessels upon delivery.
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Performance Indicators
The figures shown below are non-GAAP statistical ratios used by management to measure performance of our vessel. For the “Fleet Data” figures, there are no comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2021
2020
2019
Fleet Data:
 
 
 
Ownership days
365
366
365
Available days
365
366
347
Operating days
363
362
347
Fleet utilization
99.5%
98.9%
95.1%
 
 
 
 
Average Daily Results:
 
 
 
TCE rate(1)
$19,972
$11,025
$12,343
Daily Vessel Operating Expenses(2)
$6,321
$5,393
$5,622
(1)
We include TCE rate, a non-GAAP measure, as we believe it provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with net revenues from vessels, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, because it assists our management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of our vessels and in evaluating their financial performance. Our calculation of TCE rate may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. The following table reconciles our net revenues from vessel to TCE rate.
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2021
2020
2019
(In thousands of US Dollars, except operating days and TCE rate)
 
 
 
Net revenues from vessels
$7,395
$4,124
$6,885
Voyage expenses
145
133
2,602
Time charter equivalent revenues
$7,250
$3,991
$4,283
 
 
 
 
Operating days
363
362
347
Daily time charter equivalent rate
$19,972
$11,025
$12,343
(2)
We include Daily Vessel Operating Expenses, a non-GAAP measure, as we believe it provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with vessel operating expenses, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, because it assists our management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of our vessels and in evaluating their financial performance. Our calculation of Daily Vessel Operating Expenses may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. The following table reconciles our vessel operating expenses to Daily Vessel Operating Expenses.
 
Year Ended December 31 ,
 
2021
2020
2019
(In thousands of US Dollars, except ownership days and Daily Vessel Operating Expenses)
 
 
 
Vessel operating expenses
$2,307
$1,974
$2,052
 
 
 
 
Ownership days
365
366
365
Daily Vessel Operating Expenses
$6,321
$5,393
$5,622
E.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of those financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.
Critical accounting estimates are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have described below what we believe is our most critical accounting estimate, because it generally involves a comparatively higher degree of judgment in its application. For a description of all our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our annual audited financial statements included in this registration statement.
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Impairment of Long-lived Assets
We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as prevailing market conditions, obsolescence or damage to the asset, business plans to dispose a vessel earlier than the end of its useful life and other business plans, indicate that the carrying amount of the assets, plus unamortized dry-docking costs and cost of any equipment not yet installed, may not be recoverable. The volatile market conditions in the dry bulk market with decreased charter rates and decreased vessel market values are conditions we consider to be indicators of a potential impairment for our vessels. We determine undiscounted projected operating cash flows, for each vessel and compare it to the vessel's carrying value. When the undiscounted projected operating cash flows expected to be generated by the use of the vessel and/or its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount, we impair the carrying amount of the vessel. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset as determined by independent valuators and use of available market data. The undiscounted projected operating cash inflows are determined by considering the charter revenues from existing time charters for the fixed fleet days and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the non-fixed days (based on a combination of one year charter rates estimate and the average of the trailing 10-year historical charter rates, excluding the outliers) adjusted for commissions, expected off hires due to scheduled vessels' maintenance and estimated unexpected breakdown off hires. The undiscounted projected operating cash outflows are determined by applying various assumptions regarding vessel operating expenses, management fees and scheduled vessels' maintenance.
Our assessment concluded that no impairment loss should be recorded as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Historically, the market values of vessels have experienced volatility, which from time to time may be substantial. As a result, the charter-free market value of our vessel may have declined below the vessel's carrying value, even though we would not impair the vessel's carrying value under our accounting impairment policy. The table set forth below indicates (i) the carrying value of our vessel as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and (ii) if we believe our vessel had a basic market value below its carrying value. The carrying value includes, as applicable, vessel costs, plus any unamortized deferred dry-docking costs and costs of any equipment not yet installed. The difference between the carrying value of our vessel and its market value of $1.4 million, as of December 31, 2020, represents the amount by which we believe we would have had to reduce our net income if we sold our vessel, on industry standard terms, in cash transactions, and to a willing buyer where we are not under any compulsion to sell, and where the buyer was not under any compulsion to buy as of December 31, 2020. For purposes of this calculation, we assumed that the vessel would be sold at a price that reflected our estimate of their charter-free market value as of December 31, 2020.
 
 
 
Carrying value plus unamortized dry-docking costs
and cost of any equipment not yet installed as of
(in millions of U.S. dollars)
Vessel
Year
Built
Dwt
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Gloriuship
2004
171,314
12.4
13.4*
TOTAL
 
 
12.4
13.4
*
Indicates dry bulk carrier vessel for which we believe, as of December 31, 2020, the basic charter-free market value was lower than the vessel's carrying value plus unamortized dry-docking costs and cost of any equipment not yet installed.
Our estimate of charter-free market value assume that our vessel was in good and seaworthy condition without need for repair and if inspected would be certified in class without notations of any kind. Our estimate is based on information available from various industry sources, including:
reports by industry analysts and data providers that focus on our industry and related dynamics affecting vessel values;
news and industry reports of similar vessel sales;
news and industry reports of sales of vessels that are not similar to our vessel and other vessels we may acquire where we have made certain adjustments in an attempt to derive information that can be used as part of our estimates;
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approximate market values for our vessel and other vessels we may acquire or similar vessels that we have received from shipbrokers, whether solicited or unsolicited, or that shipbrokers have generally disseminated;
offers that we may have received from potential purchasers of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire; and
vessel sale prices and values of which we are aware through both formal and informal communications with shipowners, shipbrokers, industry analysts and various other shipping industry participants and observers.
As we obtain information from various industry and other sources, our estimates of basic market value are inherently uncertain. In addition, vessel values are highly volatile; as such, our estimates may not be indicative of the current or future basic market value of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire or prices that we could achieve if we were to sell them. We refer you to the risk factor entitled “The market values of our vessel and other vessels we may acquire may decrease, which could limit the amount of funds that we can borrow in the future, trigger breaches of certain financial covenants under any future loan agreements and other financing agreements, and we may incur an impairment or, if we sell vessels following a decline in their market value, a loss.”
Although we believe that the assumptions used to evaluate potential asset impairment are based on historical trends and are reasonable and appropriate, such assumptions are highly subjective. To minimize such subjectivity, our analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020, for which indicators of impairment were identified, also involved sensitivity analysis to the model input we believe is more important and likely to change. In particular, in terms of our estimates for the time charter equivalent for the unfixed period, we use a combination of one-year charter rates estimate and the average of the trailing 10-year historical charter rates, excluding outliers. Although the trailing 10-year historical charter rates, excluding the outliers, cover at least a full business cycle, we sensitized our model with regards to long-term historical charter rate assumptions for the unfixed period beyond the first year. Our sensitivity analysis revealed that, to the extent that going forward the 10-year historical charter rates, excluding the outliers, would not decline by more than 52% for Capesize vessels, we would not require to recognize impairment for the years ended December 31, 2020.
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ITEM 6.
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A.
Directors and Senior Management
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our directors and executive officers following the Spin-Off. Members of our board of directors are elected annually on a staggered basis, and each director elected holds office for a three-year term. Officers are elected from time to time by vote of our board of directors and hold office until a successor is elected. The business address of each of our directors and executive officers listed below is 154 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 166 74 Glyfada, Greece.
Name
Age
Position
Director Class
Stamatios Tsantanis
50
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & Director
C
Stavros Gyftakis
43
Chief Financial Officer & Director
B
Christina Anagnostara
51
Director*
A
Ioannis Kartsonas
50
Director*
A
Dimitrios Kostopoulos
47
Director*
B
*
Independent Director
The term of our Class A directors expires in 2023, the term of our Class B directors expires in 2024, and the term of our Class C directors expires in 2025.
Biographical information with respect to each of our directors and our executive officers is set forth below.
Stamatios Tsantanis has served as a member of our board of directors and Chief Executive Officer since January 20, 2022 and has been a member of our board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Parent since October 1, 2012 and has led the Parent’s significant growth to a world renowned Capesize dry bulk company of more than 3.0 million dwt. In addition, Mr. Tsantanis has been the Chairman of the Parent’s board of directors since October 1, 2013 and also served as its Interim Chief Financial Officer from November 1, 2013 until October 2, 2018. Mr. Tsantanis brings more than 24 years of experience in shipping and finance and held senior management positions in prominent private and public shipping companies and financial institutions. Prior to that, he was an investment banker at Alpha Finance, a member of the Alpha Bank Group, with active roles in a number of major shipping corporate finance transactions in the U.S capital markets. Mr. Tsantanis holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Shipping Trade and Finance from Bayes Business School (formerly known as Cass Business School) of City University in London and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Shipping Economics from the University of Piraeus. He is also a member of the board of directors of Breakwave Advisors LLC, the advisor of ETFMG which is the manager of the NYSE listed BDRY and BSEA and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Stavros Gyftakis has served as Chief Financial Officer and as a member of our board of directors since January 20, 2022 and was appointed as the Parent’s Chief Financial Officer on October 3, 2018, and previously served as its Finance Director since November 2017. Mr. Gyftakis has been instrumental in the Parent’s capital raising, debt financing and refinancing activities since 2017. He has more than 16 years of experience in the shipping finance industry, having held key positions across a broad shipping finance spectrum, including, asset backed lending, debt and corporate restructurings, risk management and loan syndications. Before joining Seanergy, he was a Senior Vice President in the Greek shipping finance desk at DVB Bank SE. Mr. Gyftakis holds a BSc in Mathematics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, a MSc in Business Mathematics awarded with Honors, from the Athens University of Economics and Business and a MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance, awarded with Distinction, from City’s Business School (formerly known as Cass Business School) of City University in London.
Christina Anagnostara will be appointed as a member of our board of directors effective as of the effective time of this registration statement and served as the Parent’s Chief Financial Officer from November 17, 2008 until October 31, 2013 and as a member of the Parent’s board of directors since December 2008. She has more than 24 years of maritime and international business experience in the areas of finance, banking, capital markets, consulting, accounting and audit. She has served in executive and board positions of publicly listed companies in the maritime industry and she was responsible for the financial, capital raising and accounting functions. Since June 2017 she is a Managing Director of the Investment Banking Division of AXIA Ventures Group and from 2014 to 2017 she provided advisory services to corporate clients involved in all aspects of the maritime industry. Between 2006 and 2008 she served as Chief Financial Officer and member of our board of directors of Global Oceanic Carriers Ltd, a dry bulk shipping company listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. Between
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1999 and 2006, she was a senior management consultant of the Geneva-based EFG Group. Prior to EFG Group she worked for Eurobank EFG and Ernst & Young, the international accounting firm. Ms. Anagnostara studied Economics in Athens and is a Certified Chartered Accountant. She is a member of various industry organizations including ACCA, Propeller Club, WISTA, Shipping Finance Executives and American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
Ioannis Kartsonas will be appointed as a member of our board of directors effective as of the effective time of this registration statement and has been a member of the Parent’s board of directors since May 2017. Mr. Kartsonas has more than 22 years of experience in finance and commodities trading. He is currently the Principal and Managing Partner of Breakwave Advisors LLC., a commodity-focused advisory firm based in New York. From 2011 to 2017, he was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Carlyle Commodity Management, a commodity-focused investment firm based in New York and part of the Carlyle Group, being responsible for the firm's Shipping and Freight investments. During his tenure, he managed one of the largest freight futures funds globally. Prior to his role, Mr. Kartsonas was a Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager at Sea Advisors Fund, an investment fund focused in Shipping. From 2004 to 2009, he was the leading Transportation Analyst at Citi Investment Research covering the broader transportation space including Shipping. Prior to that, he was an Equity Analyst focusing on Shipping and Energy for Standard & Poor's Investment Research. Mr. Kartsonas holds an MBA in Finance from the Simon School of Business, University of Rochester.
Dimitrios Kostopoulos will be appointed as a member of our board of directors effective as of the effective time of this registration statement. Mr. Kostopoulos has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Since January 2022, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Finance S.A., the brokerage arm of Alpha Bank Group, a leading financial institution in South-Eastern Europe. Prior to Alpha Finance, he served as Head of Investor Relations for the Alpha Bank Group for more than 10 years, with a focus on the institutional shareholding base of the bank. During his tenure, he was actively engaged in all the significant capital raisings that Alpha Bank Group successfully concluded in the Equity and Debt Capital markets. Prior to that, Mr. Kostopoulos served as Fund Manager in Alpha Asset Management M.F.M.C. and he has also held positions in the Private Banking and Treasury units of the Alpha Bank Group. Mr. Kostopoulos holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Shipping Trade & Finance from the Bayes Business School (formerly known as Cass Business School) of City University in London.
No family relationships exist among any of the directors and executive officers.
B.
Compensation
Following the Spin-Off, we expect to pay aggregate cash compensation of $0.4 million per year for the services of our executive officers and directors. In addition, each director will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending meetings board of directors or committees. Each director will be fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a director to the extent permitted under Marshall Islands law.
Prior to completion of the Spin-Off, we anticipate that our board of directors will adopt an equity incentive plan, or the Plan, and that 150,000 of our common shares will be reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan. The Plan will be administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors, or such other committee of the board of directors as may be designated by the board of directors. Under the Plan, our officers, key employees, directors, consultants and service providers may be granted incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, restricted stock units, and unrestricted stock at the discretion of our compensation committee. Any awards granted under the Plan that are subject to vesting are conditioned upon the recipient's continued service as an employee or a director of the Company, through the applicable vesting date. We have not granted any awards to directors or officers of the Company.
We do not have a retirement plan for our officers or directors.
C.
Board Practices
Our directors do not have service contracts and do not receive any benefits upon termination of their directorships. Our board of directors has an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating committee. Our board of directors has adopted a charter for each of these committees.
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Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists of Christina Anagnostara and Dimitrios Kostopoulos. Our board of directors has determined that the members of the audit committee meet the applicable independence requirements of the Commission and the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules.
The audit committee has powers and performs the functions customarily performed by such a committee (including those required of such a committee by Nasdaq and the Commission). The audit committee is responsible for selecting and meeting with our independent registered public accounting firm regarding, among other matters, audits and the adequacy of our accounting and control systems.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee consists of Dimitrios Kostopoulos and Ioannis Kartsonas, each of whom is an independent director. The compensation committee reviews and approves the compensation of our executive officers.
Nominating Committee
Our nominating committee consists of Christina Anagnostara and Ioannis Kartsonas, each of whom is an independent director. The nominating committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our board of directors.
D.
Employees
We have two executive officers, Mr. Stamatios Tsantanis and Mr. Stavros Gyftakis, and we employ Ms. Theodora Mitropetrou, our general counsel.
E.
Share Ownership
The common shares beneficially owned by our directors and executive officers are disclosed below in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”
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ITEM 7.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of our common shares immediately following the completion of the Spin-Off by each person or entity known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common shares, each of our directors and executive officers, and all of our directors and executive officers as a group. To the best of our knowledge, except as disclosed in the table below or with respect to our directors and executive officers, we are not, and will not be following the Spin-Off, controlled, directly or indirectly, by another corporation, by any foreign government or by any other natural or legal persons. All of our common shareholders, including the shareholders listed in this table, will be entitled to one vote for each common share held.
Except as otherwise noted below, we based the share amounts reported in the table below on each person’s beneficial ownership of Parent common shares on the date of this registration statement, assuming the shareholding structure of Parent immediately prior to the Spin-Off will be the same as its shareholding structure as of the date of this registration statement, and giving effect to a distribution in the Spin-Off at the distribution ratio of one common share for every 118 common shares of Parent held by such person. As of May 30, 2022, Parent had 178,316,471 shares of common stock outstanding. Information for certain holders is based on their latest filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to beneficial ownership of common shares of Parent or information delivered to us.
Identity of Person or Group
Number
of
Shares
Owned
Percent
of
Class
Stamatios Tsantanis(1)
30,932
2.05%
Stavros Gyftakis
*
Christina Anagnostara
*
Ioannis Kartsonas
*
Dimitrios Kostopoulos
*
Directors and executive officers as a group (5 individuals)
52,378
3.47%
*
Less than one percent.
(1)
In addition, Stamatios Tsantanis will own 100% of our issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Shares, or 40,000 of our Series B Preferred Shares. Through his beneficial ownership of our Series B Preferred Shares, Stamatios Tsantanis will, immediately following the Spin-Off, control approximately 49.99% of the vote of any matter submitted to the vote of the common shareholders. See “Item 10. Additional Information – A. Share Capital – Series B Preferred Stock” for a description of the terms, including the voting power, of the Series B Preferred Shares.
Following the completion of the Spin-Off, we expect to have 49 shareholders of record, 3 of which are located in the United States holding an aggregate of approximately 1,452,305 of our common shares, representing 96.1% of our outstanding common shares. However, one of the U.S. shareholders of record will be Cede & Co., a nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which will hold approximately 1,446,998 of our common shares immediately following the completion of the Spin-Off. Accordingly, we believe that the shares that will be held by Cede & Co. will include common shares beneficially owned by both holders in the United States and non-U.S. beneficial owners. We are not aware of any arrangements the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in our change of control.
B. Related Party Transactions
Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. Right of First Refusal
We will enter into a rights of first refusal agreement with the Parent prior to the Spin-Off where we agree that the Parent will have a right of first refusal with respect to any opportunity available to us to sell, acquire or charter-in any Capesize vessel as well as with respect to chartering opportunities, other than short-term charters with a term of 13 months or less, available to us for Capesize vessels. In addition, we will have a right of first offer with respect to any vessel sales by the Parent.
Management Agreements
We and our vessel-owning subsidiaries will, prior to the Spin-Off, enter into a master management agreement with the Parent, a technical management agreement with Seanergy Shipmanagement and a commercial management
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agreement with Seanergy Management, pursuant to which the Parent (directly or through Seanergy Management or Seanergy Shipmanagement), Seanergy Management and Seanergy Shipmanagement shall provide us with or arrange on our behalf (through unrelated third parties) administrative, accounting, finance, commercial management, technical management, brokerage and certain other services. In relation to the technical services, Seanergy Shipmanagement will be responsible for arranging (directly or by subcontracting) for the crewing of the vessels, the day-to-day operations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, drydocking, purchasing, insurance and claims handling. Administrative functions that will be performed by the Parent include but are not limited to investor relations, back-office, reporting, legal and secretarial services. In addition, the Parent will provide (directly or through Seanergy Management) services for the chartering of our vessels and monitoring thereof, freight collection, and sale and purchase. In providing these services, the Managers may subcontract and pay third parties and shall receive reimbursement from us or arrange for the appointment of third parties to provide these services in which cases such third parties may be paid directly by us. Seanergy Shipmanagement may subcontract the technical management and crew management for our current vessel and other vessels we may acquire to third parties or arrange for the appointment of such third parties, including V.Ships Limited, V.Ships Greece Ltd., Anglo-Eastern Crew Management (Asia) Limited and Global Seaways S.A.. The Parent may sub-contract certain commercial management services to Fidelity Marine Inc., an independent third party, which provides commercial management services for all of the vessels in the Parent’s fleet or any other third party. These third-party managers will be supervised by Seanergy Shipmanagement and Seanergy Management. We or our designated subsidiaries may enter into agreements relating to commercial or technical management services directly with such third-party managers and may incur additional costs for technical management under such agreements.
The management agreements which will be entered into in conjunction with our separation from the Parent and the Spin-Off will provide for: a fixed management fee of $14,000 per vessel per month to Seanergy Shipmanagement and a fixed administration fee of $325 per vessel per day payable to the Parent. We expect to pay to Seanergy Management a fee equal to 1.25% of the gross freight, demurrage and charter hire collected from the employment of our vessel, except for any vessels that are chartered-out to the Parent. Seanergy Management will also earn a fee equal to 1% of the contract price of any vessel bought or sold by them on our behalf, except for any vessels bought or sold from or to the Parent, or in respect of any vessel sale relating to a sale leaseback transaction. Additional vessels that we may acquire in the future may be managed by the Managers or by other unaffiliated management companies.
The initial term of our master management agreement with the Parent will expire on December 31, 2024. Unless three months’ notice of non-renewal is given by either party prior to the end of the then current term, this agreement will automatically extend for additional 12-month periods. The master management agreement may be terminated immediately only for cause and at any time by either party with three months’ prior notice, and no termination fee will be payable.
We may enter into similar or new management agreements for the management of any additional vessels we may acquire in the future.
Contribution and Conveyance Agreement
We will enter into the Contribution and Conveyance Agreement with the Parent prior to the Spin-Off. Pursuant to the Contribution and Conveyance Agreement, the Parent will, immediately prior to the Spin-Off, (i) contribute the United Maritime Predecessor, together with $5.0 million in working capital, to us in exchange for all issued and outstanding Common Shares and 5,000 Series C Preferred Shares, and (ii) indemnify us and United Maritime Predecessor for any and all obligations and other liabilities arising from or relating to the operation, management or employment of our vessel prior to the effective date of the Spin-Off.
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Carve-out Statements and Other Financial Information
See Item 18.
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Legal Proceedings
Various claims, suits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. We are not a party to any material litigation where claims or counterclaims have been filed against us other than routine legal proceedings incidental to our business.
Dividend Policy
The declaration, timing and amount of any dividend is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our earnings, financial condition, market prospects, capital expenditure requirements, investment opportunities, restrictions in our loan agreements, the provisions of the Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends to shareholders, overall market conditions and other factors. We have not declared any dividends since our inception. Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy from time to time in light of our plans for future growth and other factors. In addition, since we are a holding company with no material assets other than the shares of our subsidiary and affiliates through which we conduct our operations, our ability to pay dividends will depend on our subsidiary and affiliates distributing to us their earnings and cash flow. Our loan agreement imposes certain limitations on our ability to pay dividends and our subsidiary’s ability to make distributions to us.
Cumulative dividends on our Series C Preferred Shares are payable in cash or, at our election, in kind, quarterly on each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, or, if any such dividend payment date otherwise would fall on a date that is not a business day, the immediately succeeding business day. The dividend rate for our Series C Preferred Shares is 6.5% per annum per $1,000 stated liquidation preference per share (equal to $65.00 per annum per share) and is not subject to adjustment.
B. Significant Changes
There have been no significant changes since the date of the carve-out financial statements included in this registration statement, other than those described in note 11 “Subsequent events” of these statements.
ITEM 9.
THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offer and Listing Details
There currently is no existing public trading market for our common shares. However, we have applied to have our common shares listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “USEA”.
B. Plan of Distribution
Our common shares will be distributed by Parent by the declaration and issuance of a distribution to holders of Parent’s common stock. The Spin-Off is conditioned on, among other things, the approval of Parent’s board of directors and obtaining certain regulatory and third-party consents and approvals, including the approval of our request for our common shares to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the effectiveness of this registration statement. As of May 30, 2022, Parent has 178,316,471 shares of common stock outstanding. Parent may sell additional shares of common stock and it may have a greater number of shares outstanding on the Spin-Off record date; but we do not expect the distribution ratio to change if this occurs.
The Spin-Off is not being underwritten by an investment bank or otherwise. The purpose of the Spin-Off is described in the section of this registration statement entitled “History and Development of the Company.” Parent will pay any fees or other expenses incurred in connection with the Spin-Off and the application for the listing of our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We anticipate the aggregate fees and expenses in connection with the Spin-Off to be approximately $400,000.
C. Markets
Our common shares are expected to be listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “USEA”.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
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E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
ITEM 10.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share Capital
The following is a summary of the description of our capital stock and the material terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws which we will adopt prior to the Spin-Off. Because the following is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you may find useful. We refer you to our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, which are filed as exhibits hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
Authorized Capitalization
Upon consummation of the spin-off, our authorized capital stock will consist of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, of which approximately 1,511,156 shares will be issued and outstanding, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001, of which 40,000 shares are designated Series B Preferred Stock and 5,000 shares are designated Series C Preferred Stock. All of our shares of stock are in registered form.
Common Stock
Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. Upon our dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of common stock do not have conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of our preferred stock.
Prior to the Spin-Off, the Parent as our sole shareholder will also approve the amendment of our articles of incorporation to effect one or more reverse stock splits of the shares of our common stock issued and outstanding at the time of the reverse split at a cumulative exchange ratio of between one-for-two and one-for-five hundred, with our board of directors to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to implement any reverse stock split, as well as the specific timing and ratio, within such approved range of ratios; provided that any such reverse stock split or splits are implemented prior to the third anniversary of the Spin-Off. While our board of directors will exercise its sole discretion as to whether and in what circumstances to effect any reverse stock split pursuant to this amendment of our articles of incorporation, the Parent’s determination to approve such amendment is intended to provide us the means to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, in particular the bid price requirement, as well as to realize certain beneficial effects of a higher trading price for our common shares, including the ability to appeal to certain investors and potentially increased trading liquidity.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is the transfer agent and registrar for our common shares.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series with designations as may be stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred stock. At the time that any series of our preferred stock is authorized, our board of directors will fix the dividend rights, any conversion rights, any voting rights, redemption provisions, liquidation preferences and any other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of that series, as well as the number of shares constituting that series and their designation. Our board of directors could, without shareholder approval, cause us to issue preferred stock which has voting, conversion and other rights and preferences that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of holders of our common stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, or make it more difficult to effect a
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change in control. In addition, preferred stock could be used to dilute the share ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us and thereby hinder a possible takeover attempt which, if our shareholders were offered a premium over the market value of their shares, might be viewed as being beneficial to our shareholders. The material terms of any series of preferred stock that we offer through a prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement.
Series B Preferred Stock
The following description of the characteristics of the Series B Preferred Shares is a summary and does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Statement of Designation which is filed as an exhibit hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Voting. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Series B preferred share entitles the holder hereof to 25,000 votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company, provided however, that no holder of Series B Preferred Shares may exercise voting rights pursuant to Series B Preferred Shares that would result in the aggregate voting power of any beneficial owner of such shares and its affiliates (whether pursuant to ownership of Series B Preferred Shares, common shares or otherwise) to exceed 49.99% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the holder of Series B Preferred Shares shall have no special voting or consent rights and shall vote together as one class with the holders of the common shares on all matters put before the shareholders.
Conversion. The Series B Preferred Shares are not convertible into common shares or any other security.
Redemption. The Series B Preferred Shares are not redeemable.
Dividends. The Series B Preferred Shares have no dividend rights.
Transferability. All issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Shares must be held of record by one holder, and the Series B Preferred Shares shall not be transferred or sold without the prior approval of our board of directors.
Liquidation Preference. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series B Preferred Shares will rank pari-passu with the common shareholders and shall be entitled to receive a payment equal to $0.0001 per share. The Series B preferred holder has no other rights to distributions upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
Series C Preferred Stock
The Series C Preferred Shares will have a cumulative preferred dividend accruing at the rate of 6.5% per annum, will contain a liquidation preference equal to its stated value and will be convertible into common shares at the holder’s option commencing upon the first anniversary of the original issue date, at a conversion price equal to the lesser of $9.00 and the 10-trading-day trailing VWAP of our common shares, subject to certain anti-dilution and other customary adjustments. Except under certain circumstances, a holder of Series C Preferred Shares may not convert its Series C Preferred Shares into common shares if such conversion would result in the holder beneficially owning greater than 29.9% of our outstanding common shares.
Cumulative dividends on our Series C Preferred Shares are payable in cash or, at our election, in kind, quarterly on each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, or, if any such dividend payment date otherwise would fall on a date that is not a business day, the immediately succeeding business day. The dividend rate for our Series C Preferred Shares is 6.5% per annum per $1,000 of liquidation preference per share (equal to $65.00 per annum per share) and is not subject to adjustment.
We shall have the right, at our option, at any time on or after the date which is three months after the original date of issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares, to redeem the Series C Preferred Shares, in whole or from time to time in part, from any source of funds legally available for such purpose, at a price per Series C Preferred Share equal to 105% of the stated value plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.
The Series C Preferred Shares will have no voting rights except (1) in respect of amendments to our articles of incorporation which would adversely alter the preferences, powers or rights of the Series C Preferred Shares or (2) in the event that we propose to issue any parity stock if the cumulative dividends payable on outstanding Preferred Stock are in arrears or any senior stock.
We do not intend to list the Series C Preferred Shares on any securities exchange or other trading market, and therefore do not expect an established trading market for the Series C Preferred Shares to develop.
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Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Prior to the Spin-Off, we will enter into a Shareholders Rights Agreement, or the Rights Agreement, with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent.
Under the Rights Agreement, we will declare a dividend payable of one preferred stock purchase right, or Right, for each share of common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Spin-Off. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001, at an exercise price of $40.00 per share. The Rights will separate from the common stock and become exercisable only if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of our common stock (including through entry into certain derivative positions) in a transaction not approved by our board of directors. In that situation, each holder of a Right (other than the acquiring person, whose Rights will become void and will not be exercisable) will have the right to purchase, upon payment of the exercise price, a number of shares of our common stock having a then-current market value equal to twice the exercise price. In addition, if the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination after an acquiring person acquires 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of our common stock, each holder of the Right will thereafter have the right to purchase, upon payment of the exercise price, a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring person having a then-current market value equal to twice the exercise price. The acquiring person will not be entitled to exercise these Rights. Until a Right is exercised, the holder of a Right will have no rights to vote or receive dividends or any other shareholder rights.
The Rights may have anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our board of directors. As a result, the overall effect of the Rights may be to render more difficult or discourage any attempt to acquire us. Because our board of directors can approve a redemption of the Rights or a permitted offer, the Rights should not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors.
We have summarized the material terms and conditions of the Rights Agreement and the Rights below. For a complete description of the Rights, we encourage you to read the Rights Agreement, which we have filed as an exhibit hereto.
Detachment of the Rights
The Rights are attached to all certificates representing our currently outstanding common stock, or, in the case of uncertificated common shares registered in book entry form, which we refer to as “book entry shares,” by notation in book entry accounts reflecting ownership, and will attach to all common stock certificates and book entry shares we issue prior to the Rights distribution date that we describe below. The Rights are not exercisable until after the Rights distribution date and will expire at the close of business on July 1, 2032, unless we redeem or exchange them earlier as we describe below. The Rights will separate from the common stock and a Rights distribution date would occur, subject to specified exceptions, on the earlier of the following two dates:
the 10th day after public announcement that a person or group has acquired ownership of 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the Company's common stock; or
the 10th business day (or such later date as determined by the Company's board of directors) after a person or group announces a tender or exchange offer which would result in that person or group holding 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the Company's common stock.
“Acquiring person” is generally defined in the Rights Agreement as any person, together with all affiliates or associates, who beneficially owns 10% or more of the Company's common stock then outstanding. However, the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, any person holding shares of common stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, or a passive institutional investor, are excluded from the definition of “acquiring person.” Inadvertent owners that would otherwise become an acquiring person, including those who would have this designation as a result of repurchases of common stock by us, will not become acquiring persons as a result of those transactions.
Our board of directors may defer the Rights distribution date in some circumstances, and some inadvertent acquisitions will not result in a person becoming an acquiring person if the person promptly divests itself of a sufficient number of shares of common stock.
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Until the Rights distribution date: (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates for shares of Common Stock registered in the names of the holders thereof or, in the case of uncertificated shares of Common Stock registered in book-entry form by notation in book entry accounts reflecting the ownership of such shares of Common Stock (which certificates and Book Entry Shares, as applicable, shall also be deemed to be Rights Certificates) and not by separate Rights Certificates and (ii) the right to receive Rights Certificates will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of shares of Common Stock.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, we will prepare, execute and send, or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested and provided with all necessary information and documents, in the discretion of the Rights Agent, at the expense of the Company, send or cause to be sent) by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of shares of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, or the transfer agent or registrar for the Common Stock, a Rights Certificate evidencing one Right for each share of Common Stock so held.
We will not issue Rights with any shares of common stock we issue after the Rights distribution date, except as our board of directors may otherwise determine.
Flip-In Event
If an Acquiring Person obtains beneficial ownership of 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the Common Shares, then each Right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of Common Shares (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price. However, the Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of the foregoing event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company, as further described below under “Redemption of Rights”.
Following the occurrence of an event set forth in preceding paragraph, all Rights that are or, under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or certain of its transferees will be null and void.
Flip-Over Event
If, after an Acquiring Person obtains 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the Common Shares, (i) the Company merges into another entity; (ii) an acquiring entity merges into the Company; or (iii) the Company sells or transfers 50% or more of its assets, cash flow or earning power, then each Right (except for Rights that have previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of Common Shares of the person engaging in the transaction having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price.
Anti-dilution
We may adjust the purchase price of the Preferred Shares, the number of Preferred Shares issuable and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split, or a reclassification of the Preferred Shares or Common Shares. No adjustments to the Exercise Price of less than 1% will be made.
Redemption of Rights
We may redeem the Rights for $0.0001 per Right under certain circumstances. If we redeem any Rights, we must redeem all of the Rights. Once the Rights are redeemed, the only right of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the redemption price of $0.0001 per Right. The redemption price will be adjusted if we effect a stock dividend or a stock split.
Exchange of Rights
After a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but before an Acquiring Person owns 50% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the our board of directors may extinguish the Rights by exchanging one Common Share or an equivalent security for each Right, other than Rights held by the Acquiring Person. In certain circumstances, we may elect to exchange the Rights for cash or other securities of the Company having a value approximately equal to one Common Share.
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Amendment of Terms of Rights
The terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended in any respect without the consent of the holders of the Rights on or prior to the Distribution Date. Thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended without the consent of the holders of Rights, with certain exceptions, in order to (i) cure any ambiguities; (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained in the Rights Agreement that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision therein; (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period pursuant to the Rights Agreement; or (iv) make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person).
B. Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation
Information regarding the rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to each class of our shares is described in the section entitled “Item 10.A. – Share Capital” above.
Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
The following description of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws is a summary of the amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws that we intend to adopt prior to the Spin-Off and is qualified by reference to our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws which shall be filed by amendment as an exhibit to this registration statement.
Under our bylaws, annual shareholder meetings will be held at a time and place selected by our board of directors. The meetings may be held in or outside of the Marshall Islands. Special meetings of the shareholders, unless otherwise prescribed by law, may be called for any purpose or purposes at any time by the chairman of the board of directors, a majority of the entire board of directors, or the chief executive officer. Notice of every annual and special meeting of shareholders shall be given at least 15 but not more than 60 days before such meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat.
Directors
Our directors are elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
The board of directors must consist of at least one member. Each director shall be elected to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation, removal, or the earlier termination of his term of office. The board of directors has the authority to fix the amounts which shall be payable to the members of our board of directors, and to members of any committee, for attendance at any meeting or for services rendered to us.
Classified Board
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide for the division of our board of directors into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered, three-year terms. Approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of our company. It could also delay shareholders who do not agree with the policies of the board of directors from removing a majority of the board of directors for two years.
Election and Removal
Our bylaws require parties other than the board of directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. The entire board of directors or any individual director may be removed, with cause, by the vote of two-thirds of the votes eligible to be cast by the holders of outstanding shares of our capital stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors. No director may be removed without cause by either the shareholders or the board of directors. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, cause for the removal of a director shall be deemed to exist only if the director whose removal is proposed: (i) has been convicted, or has been granted immunity to testify in any proceeding in which another has been convicted, of a felony by a court of competent jurisdiction and that conviction is no longer subject to direct appeal; (ii) has been found to have been negligent or guilty of misconduct in the performance of his duties to the Company in any matter of substantial importance to the Company by (A) the
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affirmative vote of at least 80% of the directors then in office at any meeting of the board of directors called for that purpose or (B) a court of competent jurisdiction; or (iii) has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be mentally incompetent, which mental incompetence directly affects his ability to serve as a director of the Company. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the BCA, our shareholders generally have the right to dissent from the sale of all or substantially all of our assets not made in the usual course of our business and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. However, the right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the appraised fair value of his shares is not available under the BCA for the shares of any class or series of stock, which shares at the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of the shareholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders. In the event of any further amendment of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, a shareholder also has the right to dissent and receive payment for his or her shares if the amendment alters certain rights in respect of those shares. The dissenting shareholder must follow the procedures set forth in the BCA to receive payment.
Shareholders’ Derivative Actions
Under the BCA, any of our shareholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the shareholder bringing the action is a holder of common shares both at the time the derivative action is commenced and at the time of the transaction to which the action relates.
Anti-takeover Provisions of our Charter Documents
Several provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these anti-takeover provisions, which are summarized below, could also discourage, delay or prevent (1) the merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, that a shareholder may consider in its best interest and (2) the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Limited Actions by Shareholders
Our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of shareholders or by the unanimous written consent of our shareholders.
Our bylaws provide that the chairman of the board of directors, a majority of the board of directors, or the chief executive officer may call special meetings of our shareholders and the business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice. Accordingly, a shareholder may be prevented from calling a special meeting for shareholder consideration of a proposal over the opposition of our board of directors and shareholder consideration of a proposal may be delayed until the next annual meeting.
Our bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. These provisions may impede shareholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our board of directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock. Our board of directors may issue shares of preferred stock on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or the removal of our management.
Classified Board of Directors
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide for a board of directors serving staggered, three-year terms. Approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision
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could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of the Company. It could also delay shareholders who do not agree with the policies of our board of directors from removing a majority of our board of directors for two years.
Election and Removal of Directors
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our bylaws require parties other than our board of directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our bylaws also provide that our directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes eligible to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of our capital stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Super-Majority Approval Requirements
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that the vote of two-thirds of the votes eligible to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of our capital stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors is required to amend our bylaws or certain provisions of our articles of incorporation at any annual or special meeting of shareholders.
Business Combinations
Although the BCA does not contain specific provisions regarding “business combinations” between companies organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands and “interested shareholders,” we will include these provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation. Specifically, our amended and restated articles of incorporation will prohibit us from engaging in a “business combination” with certain persons for three years following the date the person becomes an interested shareholder. Interested shareholders generally include:
any person who is the beneficial owner of 15% or more of our issued and outstanding voting stock; or
any person who is our affiliate or associate and who held 15% or more of our issued and outstanding voting stock at any time within three years before the date on which the person's status as an interested shareholder is determined, and the affiliates and associates of such person.
Subject to certain exceptions, a business combination includes, among other things:
certain mergers or consolidations of us or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of ours;
any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of our assets or of any subsidiary of ours having an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all of our assets, determined on a combined basis, or the aggregate value of all of our issued and outstanding stock;
certain transactions that result in the issuance or transfer by us of any stock of ours to the interested shareholder;
any transaction involving us or any of our subsidiaries that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of any class or series of stock, or securities convertible into any class or series of stock, of ours or any such subsidiary that is owned directly or indirectly by the interested shareholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder; and
any receipt by the interested shareholder of the benefit directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder) of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through us.
These provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation do not apply to a business combination if:
before a person became an interested shareholder, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction in which the shareholder became an interested shareholder;
upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock issued and outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than certain excluded shares;
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at or following the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our issued and outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interest shareholder;
the shareholder was or became an interested shareholder prior to the consummation of the transactions;
a shareholder became an interested shareholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divested itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the shareholder ceased to be an interested shareholder; and (ii) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a business combination between us and such shareholder, have been an interested shareholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or
the business combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required under our amended and restated articles of incorporation which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the following sentence; (ii) is with or by a person who either was not an interested shareholder during the previous three years or who became an interested shareholder with the approval of the board; and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the members of the board of directors then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested shareholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors. The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to:
(i)
a merger or consolidation of us (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to the BCA, no vote of our shareholders is required);
(ii)
a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of us or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of ours (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to us) having an aggregate market value equal to 50% or more of either the aggregate market value of all of our assets determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the issued and outstanding shares; or
(iii)
a proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of our issued and outstanding voting stock.
Certain Marshall Islands Company Considerations
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated articles of incorporation, bylaws and the BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States, including Delaware. While the BCA also provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands, and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as Delaware or other courts in the United States. Accordingly, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests under Marshall Islands law in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction that has developed a substantial body of case law. Furthermore, the Marshall Islands lacks a bankruptcy statute, and in the event of any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Company, the bankruptcy laws of the United States or of another country having jurisdiction over the Company would apply. The following table provides a comparison between certain statutory provisions of the BCA and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders’ rights.
Marshall Islands
Delaware
Shareholder Meetings
Held at a time and place as designated in the bylaws.
May be held at such time or place as designated in the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors.
Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as
Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as
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Marshall Islands
Delaware
may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or by the bylaws.
may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.
May be held in or outside of the Marshall Islands.
May be held in or outside of Delaware.
Notice:
Notice:
 Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and, unless it is an annual meeting, indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting.
 Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any.
 A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally or sent by mail not less than 15 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
 Written notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
Shareholders’ Voting Rights
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, any action required by the BCA to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, or if the articles of incorporation so provide, by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Any action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent for such action is in writing and is signed by shareholders having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.
Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.
 
 
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, a majority of shares entitled to vote constitutes a quorum. In no event shall a quorum consist of fewer than one-third of the common shares entitled to vote at a meeting.
For stock corporations, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of shares required to constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of such specifications, a majority of shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.
When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
The articles of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
The certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Removal:
Removal:
 If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws so provide, any or all of the directors may be removed without cause by vote of the shareholders.

Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause by vote of the shareholders. The articles of incorporation or the specific provisions of a bylaw may provide for such removal by action of the board.
 Any or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote except: (1) unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides, in the case of a corporation whose board is classified, shareholders may effect such removal only for cause, or (2) if the corporation has cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against such
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Marshall Islands
Delaware
 
director’s removal would be sufficient to elect such director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there be classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which such director is a part.
Directors
Number of board members can be changed by an amendment to the bylaws, by the shareholders, or by action of the board under the specific provisions of a bylaw.
Number of board members shall be fixed by, or in a manner provided by, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by amendment to the certificate of incorporation.
The board of directors must consist of at least one member.
The board of directors must consist of at least one member.
If the board of directors is authorized to change the number of directors, it can only do so by a majority of the entire board of directors and so long as no decrease in the number shortens the term of any incumbent director.
 
Dissenter’s Rights of Appraisal
Shareholders have a right to dissent from any plan of merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all assets not made in the usual course of business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. However, the right of a dissenting shareholder under the BCA to receive payment of the appraised fair value of his shares is not available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which shares at the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of the shareholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation or any sale or exchange of all or substantially all assets, were either (i) listed on a securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders.
Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a corporation in a merger or consolidation, subject to limited exceptions, such as a merger or consolidation of corporations listed on a national securities exchange in which listed shares are the offered consideration or if such shares are held of record by more than 2,000 holders.
A holder of any adversely affected shares who does not vote on or consent in writing to an amendment to the articles of incorporation has the right to dissent and to receive payment for such shares if the amendment:
 
 Alters or abolishes any preferential right of any outstanding shares having preference; or
 
 Creates, alters or abolishes any provision or right in respect to the redemption of any outstanding shares.
 
 Alters or abolishes any preemptive right of such holder to acquire shares or other securities; or
 
 Excludes or limits the right of such holder to vote on any matter, except as such right may be limited by the voting rights given to new shares then being authorized of any existing or new class.
 
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Marshall Islands
Delaware
Shareholders’ Derivative Actions
An action may be brought in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by a holder of shares or of voting trust certificates or of a beneficial interest in such shares or certificates. It shall be made to appear that the plaintiff is such a holder at the time the action is brought and that he was such a holder at the time of the transaction of which he complains, or that his shares or his interest therein devolved upon him by operation of law.
In any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder or a corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that such shareholder’s stock thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law.
A complaint shall set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure the initiation of such action by the board of directors or the reasons for not making such effort. Such action shall not be discontinued, compromised or settled without the approval of the High Court of the Republic of The Marshall Islands.
 
Reasonable expenses including attorneys’ fees may be awarded if the action is successful.
 
A corporation may require a plaintiff bringing a derivative suit to give security for reasonable expenses if the plaintiff owns less than 5% of any class of stock and the common shares have a value of $50,000 or less.
 
C. Material contracts
Attached as exhibits to this registration statement are the contracts we consider to be both material and outside the ordinary course of business and are to be performed in whole or in part after the filing of this registration statement. We refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company – A. History and Development of the Company,” “Item 4. Information on the Company – B. Business Overview,” “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – B. Liquidity and Capital Resources,” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – B. Related Party Transactions” for a discussion of these contracts. Other than as discussed in this registration statement, we have no material contracts, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we are a party.
D. Exchange controls
Under Marshall Islands law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls, or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our common shares.
E. Taxation
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax and Marshall Islands tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common stock as well as the material U.S. federal and Marshall Islands income tax consequences applicable to us and our operations. The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to a beneficial owner of our common stock that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as:
an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
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a trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust's administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
If you are not described as a U.S. Holder and are not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you will be considered a “Non-U.S. Holder.” The U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to Non-U.S. Holders is described below under the heading “United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders.”
This discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our common stock through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.
This summary is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, its legislative history, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder based on such holder's individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion considers only holders that will own and hold our common stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code and does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special rules, including:
financial institutions or “financial services entities”;
broker-dealers;
taxpayers who have elected mark-to-market accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
tax-exempt entities;
governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
insurance companies;
regulated investment companies;
real estate investment trusts;
certain expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more (by vote or value) of our shares;
persons that own shares through an “applicable partnership interest”;
persons required to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is reported on an “applicable financial statement”;
persons that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction; or
persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
This summary does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.
We have not sought, nor do we intend to seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the description herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court.
Because of the complexity of the tax laws and because the tax consequences to any particular holder of our common stock may be affected by matters not discussed herein, each such holder is urged to consult with its tax advisor with respect to the specific tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common stock, including the applicability and effect of state, local and non-U.S. tax laws, as well as U.S. federal tax laws.
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United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
Taxation of Operating Income in General
Unless exempt from United States federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to United States federal income taxation in respect of any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time, voyage or bareboat charter basis, from the participation in a shipping pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating agreement, code sharing arrangements or other joint venture it directly or indirectly owns or participates in that generates such income, or from the performance of services directly related to those uses, which we refer to as “shipping income,” to the extent that the shipping income is derived from sources within the United States. For these purposes, 50% of the gross shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States, exclusive of certain U.S. territories and possessions, constitutes income from sources within the United States, which we refer to as “U.S. source gross shipping income.”
Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States. We are prohibited by law from engaging in transportation that produces income considered to be 100% from sources within the United States.
Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Shipping income earned by us that is derived from sources outside the United States will not be subject to any United States federal income tax.
For our subsidiary’s 2021 taxable year, our subsidiary had no U.S. source gross shipping income.
We are subject to a 4% tax imposed without allowance for deductions for such taxable year, as described in “– Taxation in Absence of Exemption,” unless we qualify for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code, the requirements of which are described in detail below. For our subsidiary’s 2021 taxable year, our subsidiary was not subject to the 4% tax because it earned no U.S. source gross shipping income.
Exemption of Operating Income from United States Federal Income Taxation
Under Section 883 of the Code and the regulations thereunder, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation on our U.S. source shipping income if (i) we are organized in a foreign country (our “country of organization”) that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States and (ii) one of the following statements is true:
more than 50% of the value of our stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by “qualified shareholders,” that are persons (i) who are “residents” of our country of organization or of another foreign country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States, and (ii) we satisfy certain substantiation requirements, which we refer to as the “50% Ownership Test”; or
our stock is “primarily” and “regularly” traded on one or more established securities markets in our country of organization, in another country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to United States corporations, or in the United States, which we refer to as the “Publicly-Traded Test.”
The jurisdictions where we and our subsidiary are incorporated grant “equivalent exemptions” to United States corporations. Therefore, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation with respect to our U.S. source shipping income if we satisfy either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test.
50% Ownership Test
Under the regulations, a foreign corporation will satisfy the 50% Ownership Test for a taxable year if (i) for at least half of the number of days in the taxable year, more than 50% of the value of its stock is owned, directly or constructively through the application of certain attribution rules prescribed by the regulations, by one or more shareholders who are residents of foreign countries that grant “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States and (ii) the foreign corporation satisfies certain substantiation and reporting requirements with respect to such shareholders. These substantiation requirements are onerous and therefore there can be no assurance that we would be able to satisfy them, even if our share ownership would otherwise satisfy the requirements of the 50% Ownership Test.
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Publicly-Traded Test
The regulations provide that the stock of a foreign corporation will be considered to be “primarily traded” on an established securities market in a country if the number of shares of each class of stock used to satisfy the Publicly Traded Test that is traded during the taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that is traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country.
Under the regulations, the stock of a foreign corporation will be considered “regularly traded” if one or more classes of its stock representing 50% or more of its outstanding shares, by total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and by total combined value of all classes of stock, are listed on one or more established securities markets (such as the Nasdaq Capital Market), which we refer to as the “listing threshold.”
The regulations further require that with respect to each class of stock relied upon to meet the listing requirement: (i) such class of the stock is traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least sixty (60) days during the taxable year or one-sixth (1/6) of the days in a short taxable year; and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market is at least 10% of the average number of shares of such class of stock outstanding during such year or as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year. Even if a foreign corporation does not satisfy both tests, the regulations provide that the trading frequency and trading volume tests will be deemed satisfied by a class of stock if such class of stock is traded on an established market in the United States and such class of stock is regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such stock.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the regulations provide, in pertinent part, that a class of stock will not be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market for any taxable year in which 50% or more of the vote and value of the outstanding shares of such class of stock are owned, actually or constructively under specified attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons who each own directly or indirectly 5% or more of the vote and value of such class of stock, whom we refer to as “5% Shareholders.” We refer to this restriction in the regulations as the “Closely-Held Rule.”
For purposes of being able to determine our 5% Shareholders, the regulations permit a foreign corporation to rely on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D filings with the Commission. The regulations further provide that an investment company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, will not be treated as a 5% Shareholder for such purposes.
Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, there can be no assurance that we or our subsidiary will qualify for the benefits of Section 883 of the Code for the subsequent taxable years.
Taxation in Absence of Exemption
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 are unavailable, our U.S. source gross shipping income, to the extent not considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, as described below, would be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions, otherwise referred to as the “4% Tax.” Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50% of our shipping income would be treated as being derived from U.S. sources, the maximum effective rate of U.S. federal income tax on our shipping income would never exceed 2% under the 4% Tax.
To the extent the benefits of the Section 883 exemption are unavailable and our U.S. source gross shipping income is considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, as described below, any such “effectively connected” U.S. source gross shipping income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to the U.S. federal corporate income tax currently imposed at a rate of 21%. In addition, we may be subject to the 30% “branch profits” tax on earnings effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and for certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of our U.S. trade or business.
Our U.S. source gross shipping income would be considered “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business only if:
we have, or are considered to have, a fixed place of business in the United States involved in the earning of shipping income; and
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substantially all of our U.S. source gross shipping income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of a vessel that follows a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same points for voyages that begin or end in the United States, or, in the case of income from the leasing of a vessel, is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States.
We do not intend to have, or permit circumstances that would result in having, any vessel operating to the United States on a regularly scheduled basis, or earning income from the leasing of a vessel attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and other activities, we believe that none of our U.S. source gross shipping income will be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
United States Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels
Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883, we will not be subject to United States federal income taxation with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under United States federal income tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any sale of a vessel by us will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
Taxation of Distributions Paid on Common Stock
Subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules discussed below, any distributions made by us with respect to common shares to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or “qualified dividend income” as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common shares on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because we are not a U.S. corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will generally not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us.
Dividends paid on common shares to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, trust, or estate (a “U.S. Non-Corporate Holder”) will generally be treated as “qualified dividend income” that is taxable to such shareholders at preferential U.S. federal income tax rates provided that (1) the common shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the Nasdaq Capital Market on which the common shares are expected to be listed); (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which we do not believe we are or have been, and do not expect to be); (3) the U.S. Non-Corporate Holder has owned the common shares for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common shares become ex-dividend; and (4) certain other conditions are met.
Any dividends paid by us which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Holder.
Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend” — generally, a dividend in an amount which is equal to or in excess of 10% of a shareholder's adjusted basis in a common share — paid by us. If we pay an “extraordinary dividend” on our common stock that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss derived by a U.S. Non-Corporate Holder from the sale or exchange of such common stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Shares
Assuming we do not constitute a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in such stock. Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period in the common shares is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. A U.S. Holder's ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds stock in a foreign corporation classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such holder held our common shares, either:
at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business); or
at least 50% of the average value of the assets held by us during such taxable year produce, or is held for the production of, passive income.
For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, we will be treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of our subsidiary companies in which we own at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary's stock or other ownership interest. Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services should not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income, which includes bareboat hire, would generally constitute “passive income” unless we are treated under specific rules as deriving rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business.
Based on our current operations and future projections, we do not believe that we or our subsidiary were a PFIC during our 2021 taxable year, nor do we expect that we or our subsidiary will become a PFIC with respect to our 2022 taxable year or any future taxable year. Although there is no legal authority directly on point, our belief is based principally on the position that, for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time chartering and voyage chartering activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, we believe that such income does not constitute passive income, and the assets that we or our wholly-owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular the vessels, do not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. We believe there is substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and Internal Revenue Service pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. It should be noted that in the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, the Internal Revenue Service or a court could disagree with this position. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner so as to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, there can be no assurance that the nature of our operations will not change in the future.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a “Qualified Electing Fund,” which election is referred to as a “QEF election.” As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to the common shares, as discussed below. In addition, if we were to be treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be required to file an IRS Form 8621 with respect to such holder's common stock.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election, which U.S. Holder is referred to as an “Electing Holder,” the Electing Holder must report each year for U.S. federal income tax purposes its pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and its net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions were received from us by the Electing Holder. The Electing Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that had been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the adjusted tax basis in the common shares and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common shares. A U.S. Holder would make a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with his, her or its U.S. federal income tax return. After the end of each taxable year, we will determine whether we were a PFIC for such taxable year. If we determine or otherwise become aware that we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will use commercially best efforts to provide each U.S. Holder with all necessary information, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, in order to enable such holder to make a QEF election for such taxable year.
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Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a “Mark-to-Market” Election
Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as anticipated, our common stock is treated as “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our common shares. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common shares at the end of the taxable year over such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares over its fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common shares would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common shares would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common shares would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the U.S. Holder.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
Finally, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a QEF election or a “mark-to-market” election for that year, whom we refer to as a “Non-Electing Holder,” would be subject to special rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common stock in a taxable year in excess of 125 percent of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder's holding period for the common stock), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. Under these special rules:
the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holders' aggregate holding period for the common stock;
the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year before we became a passive foreign investment company would be taxed as ordinary income; and
the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
These penalties would not apply to a pension or profit sharing trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow funds or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of our common stock. If a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common stock, such Non-Electing Holder's successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such stock.
Net Investment Income Tax
A U.S. Holder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, is subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) such U.S. Holder's “net investment income” (or undistributed “net investment income” in the case of estates and trusts) for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of such U.S. Holder's modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual's circumstances). A U.S. Holder's net investment income will generally include its gross dividend income and its net gains from the disposition of the common shares, unless such dividends or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). Net investment income generally will not include a U.S. Holder's pro rata share of the Company's income and gain (if we are a PFIC and that U.S. Holder makes a QEF election, as described above in “— Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election”). However, a U.S. Holder may elect to treat inclusions of income and gain from a QEF election as net investment income. Failure to make this election could result in a mismatch between a U.S. Holder's ordinary income and net investment income. If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the applicability of the net investment income tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in our common shares.
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Spin-Off
Generally, any cash and the fair market value of property, such as the Company’s common shares in the hands of another corporation, that is distributed by such corporation will be treated as a distribution, as described below. However, under Section 355 of the Code, a company may undergo a corporate division, such as the Spin-Off, and distribute stock of a controlled corporation, such as the Company when it was wholly-owned by Parent, on a tax-free basis if both the distributing and controlled corporations are treated as having been engaged in the conduct of an active trade or business for the prior five years and certain other requirements are met. The Company and Parent intend to take the position that they are unable to satisfy all of the requirements imposed by Section 355 of the Code to treat the Spin-Off as a tax-free corporate division for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If the Company and Parent were able to satisfy the requirements of the Section 355 of the Code, U.S. Holders that receive the Company’s common shares in the Spin-Off would not be treated as receiving a taxable dividend, as described below, and a U.S. Holder that received the Company’s common shares would generally be required to allocate a portion of such holder’s tax basis in its Parent common stock to the Company’s common shares the holder received in the Spin-Off. The amount of that basis should be allocated in proportion to the relevant fair market values of the Parent’s common stock and the Company’s common shares.
The remainder of this discussion will assume that the Spin-Off will not qualify as a tax-free corporate division for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. Holders that receive the Company’s common shares and cash in lieu of fractional shares in the Spin-Off will be treated as receiving a distribution from Parent. The fair market value of the Company’s common shares distributed will be treated as a dividend to the extent of the Parent’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent the Spin-Off represents a distribution in excess of such current and accumulated earnings or profits, for a U.S. Holder of Parent common stock, the fair market value of the Company’s common shares distributed will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital dollar-for-dollar until such holder’s tax basis is $0, and thereafter as capital gain. Because Parent is not a United States corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will generally not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions such corporate U.S. Holders receive. U.S. Holders’ basis in the Company’s common shares received in the Spin-Off will be equal to the fair market value as of the date of distribution of such shares. Please consult your personal tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Spin-Off to you.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to our common stock generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).
In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our common stock unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case such gain from United States sources may be subject to tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).
Dividends and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally should be subject to tax in the same manner as for a U.S. Holder and, if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on our common stock within the United States to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our common stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker by a non-corporate U.S. Holder. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances.
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In addition, backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax, currently at a rate of 24%, generally should apply to distributions paid on our common stock to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our common stock by a non-corporate U.S. Holder, who:
fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or
fails in certain circumstances to comply with applicable certification requirements.
A Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding generally should be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder's or a Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Individuals who are U.S. Holders (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury regulations, certain individuals who are Non-U.S. Holders and certain U.S. entities) who hold “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code) are required to file IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the asset for each taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year (or such higher dollar amount as prescribed by applicable Treasury regulations). Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, our common shares, unless the shares are held through an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file IRS Form 8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Additionally, in the event an individual U.S. Holder (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury regulations, an individual Non-U.S. Holder or a U.S. entity) that is required to file IRS Form 8938 does not file such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of such holder for the related tax year may not close until three years after the date that the required information is filed. U.S. Holders (including U.S. entities) and Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations under this legislation.
Marshall Islands Tax Consequences
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains, no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payment of dividends by us to its shareholders, and holders of our common stock that are not residents of or domiciled or carrying on any commercial activity in the Republic of the Marshall Islands will not be subject to Marshall Islands tax on the sale or other disposition of our common stock.
F. Dividends and paying agents
We refer you to the section of this registration statement entitled “Item 8. Financial Information – Carve-out Statements and Other Information – Dividend Policy” for a discussion of our dividend policy.
G. Statement by experts
The carve out financial statements of United Maritime Predecessor at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, appearing in this Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The address of Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A. is 8B Chimarras Street, 15125 Maroussi, Greece and is registered as a corporate body with the public register for company auditors-accountants kept with the Body of Certified Auditors Accountants, or SOEL, Greece with registration number 107.
H. Documents on display
When the SEC declares this registration statement effective, we will be subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act. In accordance with these requirements we will file reports and other information with the SEC. You may inspect and copy any report or document we file, including this registration statement and the
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accompanying exhibits, at the Commission's public reference facilities located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference facilities by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330, and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates. Our Commission filings are also available to the public at the website maintained by the Commission at http://www.sec.gov, as well as on our website at www.usea.gr. Information on our website does not constitute a part of this registration statement and is not incorporated by reference.
We will also provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner of our common stock, upon written or oral request of that person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this registration statement. Please direct such requests to United Maritime Corporation, 154 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 16674 Glyfada, Greece, telephone number +30 2130181507 or facsimile number +30 2109638404.
I. Subsidiary information
Not applicable.
ITEM 11.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
Currently, the loan secured by the Gloriuship is subject to a fixed interest rate. In the future, depending on our vessel acquisitions and financing arrangements we may be exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates relating to our unhedged variable–rate borrowings, according to which we will pay interest at LIBOR or SOFR plus a margin; as such increases in interest rates could affect our results of operations and ability to service our debt. We have not entered into any hedging contracts to protect against interest rate fluctuations.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We generate all of our revenue in U.S. dollars. The minority of our operating expenses and the slight majority of our general and administration expenses are anticipated to be in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Euro. For accounting purposes, expenses incurred in other currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of each transaction. We do not consider the risk from exchange rate fluctuations to be material for our results of operations. However, the portion of our business conducted in other currencies could increase in the future, which could expand our exposure to losses arising from exchange rate fluctuations. We have not hedged currency exchange risks associated with our expenses.
ITEM 12.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 13.
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 14.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 15.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16.
ITEM 16A.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16B.
CODE OF ETHICS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16C.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16F.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16H.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16I.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See Item 18.
ITEM 18.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial information required by this item, together with the report of Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., is set forth on pages F-1 through F-19 and are filed as part of this registration statement.
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
Description
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
 
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
 
 
Form of Common Share Certificate
 
 
Statement of Designation of the Series A Participating Preferred Stock of the Company
 
 
Statement of Designation of the Series B Preferred Shares of the Company
 
 
Statement of Designation of the Series C Preferred Shares of the Company
 
 
Shareholders Rights Agreement
 
 
Equity Incentive Plan of the registrant
 
 
Right of First Refusal Agreement by and between the Company and Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.
 
 
Contribution and Conveyance Agreement by and between the Company and Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.
 
 
Master Management Agreement by and between the Company and Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.
 
 
Form of Technical Management Agreement with Seanergy Shipmanagement Corp.
 
 
Form of Commercial Management Agreement with Seanergy Management Corp.
 
 
Facility Agreement dated July 15, 2020 among Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., Sea Genius Shipping Co., Sea Glorius Shipping Co., the financial institutions listed in Part B of Schedule 1 thereto, Lucid Trustee Services Limited and Lucid Agency Services Limited
 
 
Deed of Release, Accession and Amendment among the Company, Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., Sea Glorius Shipping Co., Kroll Agency Services Limited (previously known as Lucid Agency Services Limited) and Kroll Trustee Services Limited (previously known as Lucid Trustee Services Limited)
 
 
List of Subsidiaries
 
 
Consent of Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A.
 
 
Consent of Watson Farley & Williams LLP
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SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this registration statement on its behalf.
 
United Maritime Corporation
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Stamatios Tsantanis
 
Name:
Stamatios Tsantanis
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Date: June 6, 2022
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F-1

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying carve-out balance sheets of United Maritime Predecessor as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related carve-out statements of operations, parent’s equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of United Maritime Predecessor at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of United Maritime Predecessor's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the United Maritime Predecessor’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to United Maritime Predecessor in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. United Maritime Predecessor is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of United Maritime Predecessor's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A.
We have served as United Maritime Predecessor’s auditor since 2021.
Athens, Greece
May 12, 2022
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United Maritime Predecessor
Carve-out Balance Sheets
December 31, 2021 and 2020
(In US Dollars)
 
Notes
2021
2020
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
5
765,484
406,008
Accounts receivable trade, net
2
70,000
Inventories
 
99,325
54,135
Prepaid expenses
 
59,461
47,328
Total current assets
 
994,270
507,471
 
 
 
 
Fixed assets:
 
 
 
Vessels, net
6
12,280,271
13,037,036
Total fixed assets
 
12,280,271
13,037,036
 
 
 
 
Other non-current assets:
 
 
 
Deferred charges and other long-term investments, non-current
 
155,549
399,681
TOTAL ASSETS
 
13,430,090
13,944,188
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARENT EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt, net of deferred finance costs of $72,926 and $95,123, respectively
7
1,177,074
704,877
Trade accounts and other payables
 
268,429
118,288
Accrued liabilities
 
309,611
206,841
Deferred revenue
2
326,374
123,142
Total current liabilities
 
2,081,488
1,153,148
 
 
 
 
Non-current liabilities:
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net of current portion and deferred finance costs of $46,330 and $119,255, respectively
7
4,203,670
5,380,745
Other liabilities, non-current
 
104,554
98,387
Total liabilities
 
6,389,712
6,632,280
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
8
 
 
 
 
PARENT EQUITY
 
 
 
Parent investment, net
4
7,868,678
10,310,473
Accumulated deficit
 
(828,300)
(2,998,565)
Parent equity, net
 
7,040,378
7,311,908
 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARENT EQUITY
 
13,430,090
13,944,188
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out financial statements.
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United Maritime Predecessor
Carve-out Statements of Operations
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
(In US Dollars)
 
Notes
2021
2020
2019
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Vessel revenue
2
7,786,022
4,338,076
7,240,139
Commissions - related party
3
(97,695)
(53,515)
(88,885)
Commissions
 
(293,086)
(160,545)
(266,655)
Vessel revenue, net
 
7,395,241
4,124,016
6,884,599
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
Voyage expenses
2
(144,614)
(132,796)
(2,602,048)
Vessel operating expenses
 
(2,306,600)
(1,973,636)
(2,051,805)
Management fees - related party
3
(237,250)
(237,900)
(237,250)
Management fees
 
(105,000)
(101,850)
(98,880)
General and administration expenses
 
(613,399)
(300,705)
(313,657)
Amortization of deferred dry-docking costs
 
(316,450)
(317,317)
(235,712)
Depreciation
6
(756,765)
(758,839)
(755,037)
Operating income
 
2,915,163
300,973
590,210
Other (expenses) / income, net:
 
 
 
 
Interest and finance costs
10
(743,687)
(708,445)
(870,342)
Gain on debt refinancing
7
1,490,601
Interest and other income
 
9,932
8,796
Foreign currency exchange losses, net
 
(1,211)
(1,844)
(4,309)
Total other (expenses) / income, net
 
(744,898)
790,244
(865,855)
Net income / (loss)
 
2,170,265
1,091,217
(275,645)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out financial statements.
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United Maritime Predecessor
Carve-out Statements of Parent’s Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
(In US Dollars)
 
Parent
Investment, Net
Accumulated
Deficit
Total Equity
Balance, January 1, 2019
5,533,611
(3,814,137)
1,719,474
Parent investment, net (Note 4)
2,816,175
2,816,175
Net loss
(275,645)
(275,645)
Balance, December 31, 2019
8,349,786
(4,089,782)
4,260,004
Parent investment, net (Note 4)
1,960,687
1,960,687
Net income
1,091,217
1,091,217
Balance, December 31, 2020
10,310,473
(2,998,565)
7,311,908
Parent investment, net (Note 4)
(2,441,795)
(2,441,795)
Net income
2,170,265
2,170,265
Balance, December 31, 2021
7,868,678
(828,300)
7,040,378
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out financial statements.
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United Maritime Predecessor
Carve-out Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
(In US Dollars)
 
2021
2020
2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income / (loss)
2,170,265
1,091,217
(275,645)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
756,765
758,839
755,037
Amortization of deferred dry-docking costs
316,450
317,317
235,712
Amortization of deferred finance charges
101,289
96,300
73,538
Gain on debt refinancing
(1,490,601)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable trade, net
(70,000)
480,769
96,277
Inventories
(45,190)
(3,354)
707,229
Prepaid expenses
(12,132)
3,223
(18,851)
Deferred voyage expenses
95,997
Deferred charges, non-current
(851,451)
Trade accounts and other payables
133,888
(1,932,686)
(77,790)
Accrued liabilities
102,770
111,226
(118,997)
Deferred revenue
203,232
123,142
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
3,657,337
(444,608)
621,056
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Vessel’s improvements
(56,066)
(10,782)
(10,248)
Net cash used in investing activities
(56,066)
(10,782)
(10,248)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Parent investment, net
(2,441,795)
1,960,687
2,816,175
Repayments of long term debt
(800,000)
(9,015,940)
(1,797,812)
Proceeds from long term debt
6,500,000
Payments of financing costs
(175,695)
(37,511)
Net cash (used in) / provided by financing activities
(3,241,795)
(730,948)
980,852
Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
359,476
(1,186,338)
1,591,660
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
406,008
1,592,346
686
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
765,484
406,008
1,592,346
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
 
 
Cash paid during the year:
 
 
 
Interest
642,221
454,583
724,992
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out financial statements.
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United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
1.
Basis of Presentation and General Information:
United Maritime Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated by Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (or “Seanergy” or “Parent”) on January 20, 2022 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, having a share capital of 500 registered shares, of no par value, issued to Parent. The Company will serve as the holding company of the following vessel-owning company which is currently a subsidiary of Seanergy (the “Subsidiary”, or “United Maritime Predecessor”):
Sea Glorius Shipping Co.
The Parent will contribute the Subsidiary to United Maritime Corporation and, as the sole shareholder of the Company, intends to distribute the Company’s common shares to its shareholders on a pro rata basis.
The accompanying predecessor carve-out financial statements are those of the Subsidiary for all periods presented using the historical carrying costs of the assets and the liabilities of the ship-owning company above from the dates of its incorporation.
The Company is incorporated to provide global shipping transportation services through the ownership of vessels. Each vessel will be owned through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary.
As of December 31, 2021, the Subsidiary reported a working capital deficit of $1,087,218, which is mainly attributable to the current portion of the long-term debt (Note 7). The projected cash flows of the Subsidiary indicate that it will be able to meet its liquidity requirements for the twelve-month period ended following the date of these financial statements.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S., several European Union nations, the UK and other countries have announced sanctions against Russia. The sanctions announced by the U.S. and other countries against Russia include, among others, restrictions on selling or importing goods, services or technology in or from affected regions, travel bans and asset freezes impacting connected individuals and political, military, business and financial organizations in Russia, severing large Russian banks from U.S. and/or other financial systems, and barring some Russian enterprises from raising money in the U.S. market. The U.S., EU nations and other countries could impose wider sanctions and take other actions as a result of the war. With uncertainty remaining at high levels with regards to the global impact of the sanctions already announced to date and the possibility of additional sanctions as well as retaliation measures from Russia’s side that may follow in the period to come, it is difficult to accurately assess the exact impact on our Company. To date, no apparent consequences have been identified on the Company’s business, nor any specific implications on any of its existing counterparties, including clients, suppliers and lenders. It should be noted however that since the Company employs Ukrainian and Russian seafarers, it may face problems in relation to their employment, repatriation, salary payments and be subject to claims to this respect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is possible that these tensions might eventually have an adverse effect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has had a negative effect on the global economy and has adversely impacted the international dry-bulk shipping industry into which the Subsidiary operates. Charter rates during 2020 were lower than those of 2019 due to the pandemic, resulting in that respect to decreased revenues. Charter rates in 2021 rebounded from those of 2020. Additional crew operating expenses were incurred vis-à-vis the pre-pandemic period. As the situation continues to evolve, it is difficult to predict the long-term impact of the pandemic on the industry. As a result, many of the Subsidiary’s estimates and assumptions, mainly future revenues for unfixed days, carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. The Subsidiary is constantly monitoring the developing situation, as well as its charterers’ response to the severe market disruption and is taking necessary precautions to address and mitigate, to the extent possible, the impact of COVID-19 to the Subsidiary.
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:
(a)
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying predecessor carve-out financial statements include the accounts of the legal entity comprising the Company as discussed in Note 1. United Maritime Predecessor has historically operated as part
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United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:- continued
of Parent and not as a standalone company. Financial statements representing the historical operations of Parent’s business have been derived from Parent’s historical accounting records and are presented on a carve-out basis. All revenues, costs, assets and liabilities directly associated with the business activity of United Maritime Predecessor are included in the financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows associated with the business activity of the United Maritime Predecessor as they were historically managed.
The predecessor carve-out statements of operations also reflect intercompany expense allocations made to United Maritime Predecessor by Seanergy of certain general and administrative expenses from Parent (Note 4). However, amounts recognized by United Maritime Predecessor are not necessarily representative of the amounts that would have been reflected in the financial statements had the Subsidiary operated independently of Parent as the Subsidiary would have had additional administrative expenses, including legal, professional, treasury and regulatory compliance and other costs normally incurred by a listed public entity. Management has estimated these additional administrative expenses to be $0.6 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, for each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Both the United Maritime Predecessor and Seanergy consider the basis on which the expenses have been allocated to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by the Predecessor during the periods presented. The allocations may not, however, reflect the expense the Subsidiary would have incurred as an independent, publicly traded company for the periods presented.
United Maritime Predecessor’s accounting pronouncements are in alignment with the Parent’s accounting pronouncement as adopted.
(b)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates include evaluation of relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities, determination of vessel useful life and determination of vessel impairment.
(c)
Foreign Currency Translation
The Subsidiary’s functional currency is the United States dollar since the Subsidiary’s vessel operates in international shipping markets and therefore primarily transact business in U.S. Dollars. The Subsidiary’s books of accounts are maintained in U.S. Dollars. Transactions involving other currencies are translated into the United States dollar using exchange rates, which are in effect at the time of the transaction. At the balance sheet dates, monetary assets and liabilities, which are denominated in other currencies, are translated to U.S. Dollars at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at year-end. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency translation are reflected in the statements of operations.
(d)
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Subsidiary to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Subsidiary limits its credit risk with accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.
(e)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Subsidiary considers time deposits and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
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United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:- continued
(f)
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash is excluded from cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash represents minimum cash deposits or cash collateral deposits required to be maintained with the bank under the Subsidiary’s borrowing arrangement. In the event that the obligation relating to such deposits is expected to be terminated within the next twelve months, these deposits are classified as current assets; otherwise they are classified as non-current assets.
(g)
Accounts Receivable Trade, Net
Accounts receivable trade, net, at each balance sheet date, include receivables from charterers for hire, freight and demurrage billings, net of a provision for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. The Subsidiary also assessed the provisions of ASC 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, by assessing the counterparties’ credit worthiness and concluded that there is no material impact in the Subsidiary’s financial statements as of the date of the adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020 and as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. No provision for doubtful accounts was established as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(h)
Inventories
Inventories consist of lubricants and bunkers. Inventory is measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value according to the provisions of ASU 2015-11, Inventory. Net realizable value is defined as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Cost is determined by the first in, first out method.
(i)
Vessels
Vessels acquired as a part of a business combination are recorded at fair market value on the date of acquisition. Vessels acquired as asset acquisitions are stated at historical cost, which consists of the contract price less discounts, plus any material expenses incurred upon acquisition (delivery expenses and other expenditures to prepare for the vessel’s initial voyage). Vessels acquired from entities under common control are recorded at historical cost. Subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are capitalized when they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
In addition, other long-term investments, relating to vessels’ equipment not yet installed, are included in “Deferred charges and other-long term investments, non-current” in the balance sheets. Amounts paid (if any) for other-long term investments, non-current, refer to equipment for the vessels not yet installed, and are included in “Vessels improvements” under “Cash flows from investing activities” in the statements of cash flows.
(j)
Vessel Depreciation
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the vessel, after considering the estimated salvage value. Management estimates the useful life of the Subsidiary’s vessel to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Salvage value is estimated by the Subsidiary by taking the cost of steel times the weight of the ship noted in lightweight ton (“LWT”). Salvage values are periodically reviewed and revised to recognize changes in conditions, new regulations or other reasons. Revisions of salvage values affect the depreciable amount of the vessels and affects depreciation expense in the period of the revision and future periods.
(k)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Vessels)
The Subsidiary reviews its long-lived asset (vessel) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as prevailing market conditions, obsolescence or damage to the asset, and business plans
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:- continued
to dispose the vessel earlier than the end of its useful life indicate that the carrying amount of the vessel plus unamortized drydocking costs and cost of any equipment not yet installed, may not be recoverable. The volatile market conditions in the dry bulk market with decreased charter rates and decreased vessel market values are conditions that the Subsidiary considers indicators of a potential impairment for its vessels.
The Subsidiary determines undiscounted projected operating cash flows for its vessel and compares it to the vessel’s carrying value, plus unamortized dry-docking costs and cost of any equipment not yet installed. When the undiscounted projected operating cash flows expected to be generated by the use of the vessel and/or its eventual disposition are less than its carrying value, plus unamortized dry-docking costs and cost of any equipment not yet installed, the Subsidiary impairs the carrying amount of the vessel. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset as determined by independent valuators and use of available market data. The undiscounted projected operating cash inflows are determined by considering the charter revenues from existing time charters for the fixed days and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the non-fixed days (based on a combination of one year charter rates estimates and the average of the trailing 10-year historical charter rates, excluding outliers) adjusted for commissions, expected off hires due to scheduled maintenance and estimated unexpected breakdown off hires. The undiscounted projected operating cash outflows are determined by applying various assumptions regarding vessel operating expenses and scheduled maintenance.
The Subsidiary’s assessment concluded that no impairment loss should be recorded as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
(l)
Dry-Docking and Special Survey Costs
The Subsidiary follows the deferral method of accounting for dry-docking costs and special survey costs whereby actual costs incurred are deferred and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period through the expected date of the next dry-docking which is scheduled to become due in 2 to 3 years. Dry-docking costs which are not fully amortized by the next dry-docking period are expensed.
(m)
Commitments and Contingencies
Liabilities for loss contingencies, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties, environmental and remediation obligations and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
(n)
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are generated from time charters, bareboat charters and spot charters. A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel as well as vessel operations for a specific period of time and a specified daily charter hire rate, which is generally payable in advance. A bareboat charter is a contract in which the vessel is provided to the charterer for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate, which is generally payable in advance. Spot charter agreements are charter hires, where a contract is made in the spot market for the use of a vessel for a specific voyage at a specified charter rate per ton of cargo.
Time charter revenue, including bareboat charter revenue, is recorded over the term of the charter agreement as the service is provided and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured. Under a time charter, revenue is adjusted for a vessel’s off hire days due to major repairs, dry dockings or special or intermediate surveys.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (ASC 842), and as amended, it requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The Subsidiary adopted ASC 842, as amended from time to time, retrospectively from January 1, 2018. The Subsidiary also elected to apply the additional and optional transition method to new and existing leases at the adoption date as well as all the practical expedients which allowed the Subsidiary’s existing lease arrangements, in which it was a lessee or lessor, classified as operating leases under ASC 840 to continue to be classified as operating leases under ASC 842. The Subsidiary concluded that the criteria for not separating lease and non-lease components of its time charter contracts are met, since (i) the time
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United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:- continued
pattern of recognizing revenues for crew and other services for the operation of the vessels is similar to the time pattern of recognizing rental income, (ii) the lease component of the time charter contracts, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease, and (iii) the predominant component in its time charter agreements is the lease component. In this respect, the Subsidiary accounts for the combined component as an operating lease in accordance with ASC 842. The Company recognizes income from lease payments over the lease term on a straight line basis. The Subsidiary assessed its new time charter contracts at the adoption date under the new guidance and concluded that these contracts contain a lease with the related executory costs (insurance), as well as non-lease components to provide other services related to the operation of the vessel, with the most substantial service being the crew cost to operate the vessel. The Company recognizes income for variable lease payments in the period when changes in facts and circumstances on which the variable lease payments occur. Rental income on the Subsidiary’s time charterers is mostly calculated at an index linked rate based on the five T/C routes rate of the Baltic Capesize Index. In addition, the Subsidiary had the option to convert the index-linked rate to a fixed one for a period ranging between 2 and 12 months, based on the prevailing Capesize Forward Freight Agreement (“FFA”) rate for the selected period. The Subsidiary exercised such option and earned fixed rates for each of the last three quarters of 2021, after which it reverted to earn index-linked rate. On February 21, 2022, the Subsidiary exercised its option and converted the index-linked rate to a fixed rate (Note 11).
Spot charter revenue is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the duration of the voyage from loading to discharge, when a voyage agreement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, service is provided and the collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured. For voyage charters, the Subsidiary satisfies its single performance obligation to transfer cargo under the contract over the voyage period. The Subsidiary has taken the practical expedient not to disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.
Demurrage income, which is considered a form of variable consideration and is recognized as the performance obligation is satisfied, is included in voyage revenues, and represents payments by the charterer to the vessel owner when loading or discharging time exceeds the stipulated time in the voyage charter agreements. Demurrage income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $NIL, $NIL and $73, respectively.
Despatch expense, which is considered a form of variable consideration and is recognized as the performance obligation is satisfied, is included in voyage revenues, and represents payments to the charterer by the vessel owner when loading or discharging time is faster than the stipulated time in the voyage charter agreements. Despatch expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $NIL, $NIL and $33, respectively.
Charterers individually accounting for more than 10% of revenues during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were:
Customer
2021
2020
2019
A
100%
100%
52%
B
42%
Total
100%
100%
94%
The time charter provides for the option to extend the duration of the charter.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:- continued
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table presents the Company’s vessel revenue, net figures derived from spot charters and time charters for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2021
2020
2019
Vessel revenue, net from spot charters
2,858,289
Vessel revenue, net from time charters
7,395,241
4,124,016
4,026,310
Total
7,395,241
4,124,016
6,884,599
The Company disaggregates its revenue from contracts with customers by the type of charter (time and spot charters). The following table presents the Company’s net trade accounts receivable disaggregated by revenue source as at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
 
December 31,
 
2021
2020
Accounts receivable trade, net from spot charters
Accounts receivable trade, net from time charters
70,000
Total
70,000
Deferred revenue represents cash received in advance of performance under the contract prior to the balance sheet date and is realized when the associated revenue is recognized under the contract in periods after such date. Deferred revenue as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $326,374 and $123,142 respectively and relates entirely to ASC 842. The Deferred revenue is allocated on a straight-line basis over the minimum duration of each charter party, except for unearned revenue, which represents cash received in advance of services which have not yet been provided. Revenue recognized in 2021 from amounts included in deferred revenue at the beginning of the period was $123,142.
(o)
Commissions
Commissions, which include address and brokerage commissions, are recognized in the same period as the respective charter revenues. Address commissions to third parties are included in Commissions. Brokerage commissions to third parties are included in Voyage expenses.
(p)
Voyage Expenses
Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal, bunker expenses and brokerage commissions that are unique to a particular charter and are paid for by the charterer under time charter agreements, bareboat charters and other non-specified voyage expenses. Under a spot charter, the Subsidiary incurs and pays for certain voyage expenses, primarily consisting of bunkers consumption, brokerage commissions, port and canal costs. Under ASC 606 and after implementation of ASC 340-40 “Other assets and deferred costs” for contract costs, incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, and contract fulfillment costs, are capitalized and amortized as the performance obligation is satisfied, if certain criteria are met. The Subsidiary has adopted the practical expedient not to capitalize incremental costs when the amortization period (voyage period) is less than one year. Costs to fulfill the contract prior to arriving at the load port primarily consist of bunkers which are deferred and amortized during the voyage period. Voyage costs arising as performance obligation are expensed as incurred. Deferred voyage expenses amortized in the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $NIL, $NIL and $95,997, respectively.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:- continued
The following table presents the Company’s voyage expenses figures derived from spot charters and time charters for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2021
2020
2019
Voyage expenses from spot charters
2,072,392
Voyage expenses from time charters
144,614
132,796
529,656
Total
144,614
132,796
2,602,048
(q)
Repairs and Maintenance
All repair and maintenance expenses, including major overhauling and underwater inspection expenses are expensed in the year incurred. Such costs are included in Vessel operating expenses.
(r)
Finance Costs
Underwriting, legal and other direct costs incurred with the issuance of long-term debt or to refinance existing debt are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. Unamortized fees relating to loans repaid are expensed in the period the repayment is made. The Subsidiary presents unamortized deferred financing costs as a reduction of long-term debt in the accompanying balance sheets.
(s)
Income Taxes
Under the laws of the country of the Subsidiary’s incorporation and the vessel’s registration, the Subsidiary is not subject to tax on international shipping income; however, it is subject to registration and tonnage taxes, which are included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying carve-out statements of operations.
The vessel-owning companies with vessels that have called on the United States are obliged to file tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and pay tax at a rate of 4% on U.S.-source gross transportation income (generally, 50% of revenues from voyages to or from the U.S.) unless an exemption applies. The Subsidiary’s vessel did not call on U.S. ports at any time between 2019 through 2021 and does not expect to call on U.S. ports in the near future. If the vessel had called on U.S. ports, the Subsidiary expects that it would have qualified for the exemption from tax in 2020 and 2021 (although not 2019), so that no U.S. tax would have been owed in such years.
(t)
Fair Value Measurements
The Subsidiary follows the provisions of ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value and provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The guidance creates a fair value hierarchy of measurement and describes fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts.
In accordance with the requirements of accounting guidance relating to Fair Value Measurements, the Subsidiary classifies and discloses its assets and liabilities carried at the fair value in one of the following categories:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data;
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:- continued
(u)
Debt Modifications and Extinguishments
The Subsidiary follows the provisions of ASC 470-50, Modifications and Extinguishments, to account for all modifications or extinguishments of debt instruments, except debt that is extinguished through a troubled debt restructuring or a conversion of debt to equity securities of the debtor pursuant to conversion privileges provided in terms of the debt at issuance. This Subtopic also provides guidance on whether an exchange of debt instruments with the same creditor constitutes an extinguishment and whether a modification of a debt instrument should be accounted for in the same manner as an extinguishment. In circumstances where an exchange of debt instruments or a modification of a debt instrument does not result in extinguishment accounting, this Subtopic provides guidance on the appropriate accounting treatment. Costs associated with new loans or refinancing of existing loans, including fees paid to lenders or required to be paid to third parties on the lender’s behalf for obtaining new loans or refinancing existing loans, are recorded as deferred charges. Costs paid directly to third parties are expensed as incurred. Deferred financing costs are presented as a deduction from the corresponding liability. Such fees are deferred and amortized to interest and finance costs during the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. For loans repaid or refinanced that meet the criteria of debt extinguishment, the difference between the settlement price and the net carrying amount of the debt being extinguished (which includes any deferred debt issuance costs) is recognized as a gain or loss in the statements of operations.
(v)
Troubled Debt Restructurings
A restructuring of a debt constitutes a troubled debt restructuring if the lender or creditor for economic or legal reasons related to the Subsidiary’s financial difficulties grants a concession to the Subsidiary that it would not otherwise consider. Troubled debt that is fully satisfied by foreclosure, repossession, or other transfer of assets or by grant of equity securities by the Subsidiary is included in the term troubled debt restructuring and is accounted as such.
The Subsidiary, when issuing or otherwise granting an equity interest to a lender or creditor to fully settle a payable or debt, accounts for the equity interest granted at its fair value. The difference between the fair value of the equity interest granted and the carrying amount of the payable or debt settled is recognized as a gain on restructuring of payables or debt. Legal fees and other direct costs incurred in granting an equity interest to a creditor reduce the fair value of the equity interest issued. All other direct costs incurred in connection with a troubled debt restructuring are deducted in measuring gain on restructuring or expensed for the period if no gain is recognized.
(w)
Going Concern
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. ASU No. 2014-15 provides guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and on related required footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the Subsidiary’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued (Note 1).
(x)
Segment Reporting
The Subsidiary reports financial information and evaluates its operations by total charter revenues and not by the length of vessel employment, customer, or type of charter. As a result, management, including the chief operating decision maker, reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet and thus, the Subsidiary has determined that it operates under one reportable segment. Furthermore, a vessel is chartered, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and, as a result, disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies:- continued
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 applies to contracts that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be terminated because of reference rate reform. The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope. The ASU clarifies that all derivative instruments affected by changes to the interest rates used for discounting, margining or contract price alignment due to reference rate reform are in the scope of ASC 848. As such, entities may apply certain optional expedients in ASC 848 to derivative instruments that do not reference LIBOR or another rate expected to be discontinued as a result of reference rate reform if there is a change to the interest rate used for discounting, margining or contract price alignment. In addition, the ASU clarifies other aspects of the guidance in ASC 848 and provides new guidance on how to address the effects of the cash compensation adjustment that is provided as part of the above change on certain aspects of hedge accounting. The ASU is effective for all entities as of January 7, 2021, allows for retrospective or prospective application with certain conditions, and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, the Subsidiary has not elected any optional expedients provided in the standard. The Subsidiary is currently evaluating its contracts and the impact this optional guidance may have on its financial statements and related disclosures, taking into account that the Company’s fixed rate credit facility is not based on the U.S. dollar LIBOR rates that were discontinued as of January 1, 2022.
In July 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-05 Leases (Topic 842): Lessors-Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments. The ASU amends the lessor lease classification guidance in ASC 842 for leases that include any amount of variable lease payments that are not based on an index or rate. If such a lease meets the criteria in ASC 842-10-25-2 through 25-3 for classification as either a sales-type or direct financing lease, and application of the sales-type or direct financing lease recognition guidance would result in recognition of a selling loss, then the amendments require the lessor to classify the lease as an operating lease. For public business entities that have adopted ASC 842 as of July 19, 2021, the amendments in ASU 2021-05 are effective for fiscal years beginning after Dec 15, 2021 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Subsidiary is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
3.
Transactions with Related Parties:
The Subsidiary receives management services from Seanergy Management Corp. (“Seanergy Management”), a Marshall Islands corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary controlled by Seanergy. Under the services agreement entered into on September 11, 2015, as amended, United Maritime Predecessor pays Seanergy Management a commission of 1.25% on hire and freight revenue earned for chartering and post fixture services provided. The commission expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $97,695, $53,515 and $88,885, respectively, and is separately reflected under Commissions - related party in the accompanying statements of operations. In addition, under the same agreement, the Subsidiary pays Seanergy Management a daily fee of $650 for the provision of management services. Management fees charged for 2021, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $237,250, $237,900 and $237,250, respectively, and are separately reflected as Management fees - related party in the accompanying statements of operations. United Maritime Predecessor’s amounts due to Seanergy Management as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are assumed by the Parent (Note 4).
4.
Parent Investment, Net:
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Parent investment, net amounting to $7,868,678 and $10,310,473, respectively, consists of the amounts contributed by the Parent, to finance part of the acquisition cost of the vessel, commercial and management services, intercompany amounts due to or from the Parent for working capital purposes, which are forgiven and treated as contributions or distributions of capital and other general and administrative expenses allocated to the United Maritime Predecessor by Parent. Allocated general and administrative expenses include
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
4.
Parent Investment, Net:- continued
expenses of Parent such as executive’s cost, legal, treasury, regulatory compliance and other costs. These expenses were allocated on a pro rata basis, based on the number of ownership days of the Subsidiary’s vessel compared to the number of ownership days of the total Seanergy fleet. Such allocations are believed to be reasonable, but may not reflect the actual costs if the United Maritime Predecessor had operated as a standalone company.
As part of Parent, United Maritime Predecessor is dependent upon Parent for all of its working capital and financing requirements, as Parent uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of its operations. Financial transactions relating to United Maritime Predecessor are accounted for through the Parent equity account and reflected in the carve-out statements of Parent’s equity as an increase or decrease in Parent investment, net. Accordingly, none of Parent’s cash, cash equivalents or debt at the corporate level have been assigned to the United Maritime Predecessor in the financial statements. Parent equity, net represents Parent’s interest in the recorded net assets of the United Maritime Predecessor.
5.
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of cash flows:
 
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents
765,484
406,008
Total
765,484
406,008
Minimum liquidity, not legally restricted, as of December 31, 2020, of $250,000 as per the Subsidiary’s credit facility covenants is included in “Cash and cash equivalents”.
6.
Vessels, Net:
The amounts in the accompanying balance sheets are analyzed as follows:
 
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Cost:
 
 
Beginning balance
16,925,546
16,914,764
- Additions
10,782
Ending balance
16,925,546
16,925,546
 
 
 
Accumulated depreciation:
 
 
Beginning balance
(3,888,510)
(3,129,671)
- Additions
(756,765)
(758,839)
Ending balance
(4,645,275)
(3,888,510)
 
 
 
Net book value
12,280,271
13,037,036
On November 3, 2015, the Subsidiary acquired the Gloriuship for a purchase price of $16,833,520, which was financed through a loan with Hamburg Commercial Bank AG, or HCOB (formerly known as HSH Nordbank AG). Additionally, expenditures of $81,244 were capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2019 concerning vessel additions. Additionally, amounts of $NIL and $10,782 of expenditures were capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Amounts paid in each period in relation to the aforementioned additions are included in “Vessels improvements” under “Cash flows from investing activities” in the statement of cash flows.
The Gloriuship is mortgaged to the secured loan with EnTrust (Note 7).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
7.
Long-Term Debt:
The amounts in the accompanying balance sheets are analyzed as follows:
 
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Secured loan facilities
5,500,000
6,300,000
Less: Deferred financing costs
(119,256)
(214,378)
Total
5,380,744
6,085,622
Less – current portion
(1,177,074)
(704,877)
Long-term portion
4,203,670
5,380,745
Existing Loan Facilities
New Entrust Facility
On July 15, 2020, Seanergy’s two vessel owning subsidiaries of the Gloriuship and the Geniuship entered into a secured loan facility of $22,500,000 with Kroll Agency Services Limited, previously known as Lucid Agency Services Limited, and Kroll Trustee Services Limited, previously known as Lucid Trustee Services Limited, as facility agent and security agent, respectively, and certain nominees of EnTrust Global, as lenders, or the New EnTrust Facility, with Seanergy acting as the guarantor, and the amount of $22,500,000 was drawn down on July 16, 2020. The New EnTrust Facility was split into two tranches, secured by the Geniuship and the Gloriuship. Of the total amount, $16,000,000 was drawn under the Geniuship tranche and $6,500,000 under the Gloriuship tranche. The New EnTrust Facility is maturing in July 2025 and was originally secured by first priority mortgages over the Gloriuship and the Geniuship, general assignments covering earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of each vessel, account pledge agreements concerning the earnings account of each vessel, share pledge agreements concerning each vessel-owning subsidiary’s shares and relevant technical and commercial managers’ undertakings. On December 20, 2021, the vessel owning subsidiary of the Geniuship fully prepaid the amount of $14,617,500 outstanding under the Geniuship tranche of the New EnTrust Facility. As of December 31, 2021, the total amount outstanding under this facility was $5,500,000.
Loan Facilities repaid during the year ended December 31, 2020
Hamburg Commercial Bank AG (formerly HSH Nordbank AG) Loan Facility/Settlement Agreement
On September 1, 2015, Seanergy’s two vessel owning subsidiaries of the Gloriuship and the Geniuship entered into a loan agreement with HCOB, for a secured loan facility of $44,430,400, or the HCOB Facility, with Seanergy acting as the guarantor. The loan was fully drawn down in 2015 and was used to pay for the acquisition of the Gloriuship as well as for the Geniuship and had an original final maturity date of June 30, 2020. The loan was divided into two tranches, where $27,596,880 was secured by the Geniuship and $16,833,520 was secured by the Gloriuship. On June 26, 2020, the two vessel owning subsidiaries of the Gloriuship and the Geniuship entered into a settlement agreement with HCOB; pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, in order to fully settle the obligations under the loan agreement, a total amount of $23,500,000 out of the then outstanding amount of $29,055,870 was required to be paid until July 31, 2020. Of the $29,055,870, an amount of $20,629,329 was outstanding under the Geniuship tranche and $8,426,541 was outstanding under the Gloriuship tranche. On July 17, 2020, the HCOB Facility was settled through a $23,500,000 payment with the funds obtained from the proceeds of the New Entrust Facility (described above) and cash on hand, following which all securities created in favor of HCOB were irrevocably and unconditionally released. As a result, United Maritime Predecessor recognized a gain of $1,490,601. The settlement agreement was assessed based on provisions of ASC 470-60 and was treated as troubled debt restructuring. As of December 31, 2020, no amounts were outstanding under the HCOB Facility.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
7.
Long-Term Debt:- continued
The annual principal payments required to be made after December 31, 2021, are as follows:
Year ended December 31,
Amount
2022
1,250,000
2023
1,400,000
2024
1,400,000
2025
1,450,000
2026
Total
5,500,000
8.
Financial Instruments:
The guidance for fair value measurements applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. This guidance enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The same guidance requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value should be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories based on the inputs used to determine its fair value:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data;
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
(a)
Significant Risks and Uncertainties, including Business and Credit Concentration
The Subsidiary places its temporary cash investments, consisting mostly of deposits, primarily with high credit qualified financial institutions. The Subsidiary performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of those financial institutions that are considered in the Subsidiary’s investment strategy. The Subsidiary limits its credit risk with accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its accounts receivable and does not have any agreements to mitigate credit risk.
(b)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair values of the financial instruments shown in the balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, represent management’s best estimate of the amounts that would be received to sell those assets or that would be paid to transfer those liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at that date.
Those fair value measurements maximize the use of observable inputs. However, in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date, the fair value measurement reflects the Subsidiary’s own judgments about the assumptions that mark et participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Those judgments are developed by the Subsidiary based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:
a)
Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable trade, net and trade accounts and other payables: the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
b)
Long-term debt: The fair value of fixed interest long-term debt is estimated using prevailing market rates as of the period end. The Subsidiary believes the terms of its fixed interest long-term debt are similar to those that could be procured as of December 31, 2021, and the carrying value of $5,500,000 is 3.11% lower than the fair market value of $5,670,844. The fair value of the fixed interest long-term debt has been obtained through Level 2 inputs (interest rate curves) of the fair value hierarchy.
F-18

TABLE OF CONTENTS

United Maritime Predecessor
Notes to the Carve-out Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
(All amounts in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)
9.
Commitments and Contingencies:
Commitments
The following table sets forth the Subsidiary’s future minimum contractual charter revenue based on vessel’s committed non-cancelable time charter contracts as at December 31, 2021 (these amounts do not include any assumed off-hire):
Twelve month periods ending December 31,
Amount
2021
4,498,837
2022
13,510
Total
4,512,347
Contingencies
Various claims, lawsuits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. In addition, losses may arise from disputes with charterers, agents, insurance and other claims with suppliers relating to the operations of the Subsidiary s vessel. Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying financial statements.
The Subsidiary accrues for the cost of environmental liabilities when management becomes aware that a liability is probable and is able to reasonably estimate the probable exposure. Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying financial statements. The Subsidiary is covered for liabilities associated with the individual vessel’s actions to the maximum limits as provided by Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, members of the International Group of P&I Clubs.
10.
Interest and Finance Costs:
Interest and finance costs are analyzed as follows:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2021
2020
2019
Interest on long-term debt
621,046
592,801
719,434
Amortization of debt issuance costs
101,289
96,300
73,538
Other
21,352
19,344
77,370
Total
743,687
708,445
870,342
11.
Subsequent Events:
For the carve-out financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for each of the three years ended as of December 31, 2021, of those dates, the Subsidiary has evaluated and incorporated the effects of subsequent events through May 12, 2022, the date these carve-out financial statements were available to be issued.
On February 21, 2022, the Subsidiary exercised its option under its current time charter and (i) extended the charter party period for about 11 to 15 months and (ii) converted the index-linked rate to a fixed gross daily rate of $28,060 for the period from April 1, 2022 to the remainder of the charter term expiring in November 2022.
In April 2022, the Subsidiary received approval from the lender to amend the New EnTrust Facility to replace Parent with the Company as guarantor upon consummation of the spin-off with no material changes in the terms of the loan facility. This approval is subject to completion of definite documentation.
F-19

Exhibit 1.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION

PURSUANT TO THE MARSHALL ISLANDS BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT

 
FIRST:
The name of the Corporation is: United Maritime Corporation (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).
 
 
 
 
SECOND:
The registered address of the Corporation in the Marshall Islands is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc.
 
 
 
 
THIRD:
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (the “BCA”). In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges which are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation.
 
 
 
 
FOURTH:
The aggregate number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is two billion one hundred million (2,100,000,000) consisting of the following:
 
 
 
 
(1)
Two billion (2,000,000,000) registered shares of common stock with a par value of US $0.0001 per share.
 
 
 
 
(2)
One hundred million (100,000,000) registered shares of preferred stock (“preferred shares”), with a par value of US $0.0001 per share. The Board of Directors is expressly granted the authority to issue preferred shares and to establish such series of preferred shares and with such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as shall be stated in the resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred shares and without further vote or action by the shareholders.
 
 
 
 
FIFTH:
No holder of shares of the Corporation of any class, now or hereafter authorized, shall have any preferential or preemptive rights to subscribe for, purchase or receive any shares of the Corporation of any class, now or hereafter authorized or any options or warrants for such shares, or any rights to subscribe to or purchase such shares, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares, which may at any time be issued, sold or offered for sale by the Corporation.
 
 
 


 
SIXTH:
The bylaws of the Corporation may be amended, repealed or adopted by action of the Board, pursuant to the provisions of the Corporation’s bylaws as in effect at such time, or by the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon (considered for this purpose as one class).  Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by the holders of issued and outstanding shares of common 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, change or repeal this Article Sixth.
 
 
 
 
SEVENTH:
Corporate existence began upon the filing of the original Articles of Incorporation with the Registrar of Corporations on January 20, 2022 and the Corporation shall have perpetual existence.
 
 
 
 
EIGHTH:
The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes: Class A, Class B and Class C. The number of directors in each class shall be as nearly equal as possible. The Board of Directors shall have the right to designate Class A, Class B and Class C directors. The directors in Class A shall be elected for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of shareholders, the directors in Class B shall be elected for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of shareholders and the directors in Class C shall be elected for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of shareholders. At each annual meeting of shareholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders after their election. Except as the BCA may otherwise require, in the interim between annual meetings of shareholders or special meetings of shareholders called for the election of directors and/or the removal of one or more directors and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, newly created directorships and any vacancies in the Board of Directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. All directors shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. A director elected to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by the holders of issued and outstanding shares of common 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, change or repeal this Article Eighth.
     


 
NINTH:
(a)  The Corporation may not engage in any Business Combination with any Interested Shareholder for a period of three years following the time of the transaction in which the person became an Interested Shareholder, unless:
 
(1)  prior to such time, the Board approved either the Business Combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an Interested Shareholder;
 
(2)  upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an Interested Shareholder, the Interested Shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
 
(3)  at or subsequent to such time, the Business Combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the Interested Shareholder; or
 
(4)  the shareholder became an Interested Shareholder prior to the date hereof.
 
(b)  The restrictions contained in this Article Ninth shall not apply if:
 
(1)  A shareholder becomes an Interested Shareholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the shareholder ceases to be an Interested Shareholder; and (ii) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a Business Combination between the Corporation and such shareholder, have been an Interested Shareholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or
 
(2)  The Business Combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the following sentence; (ii) is with or by a person who either was not an Interested Shareholder during the previous three years or who became an Interested Shareholder with the approval of the Board; and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the members of the Board then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any person becoming an Interested Shareholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors. The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to:
 
(A)  a merger or consolidation of the Corporation (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to the BCA, no vote of the shareholders of the Corporation is required);
 
(B) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to the Corporation) having an aggregate market value equal to 50% or more of either that aggregate market value of all of the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares; or
 
(C) a proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation.
 
The Corporation shall give not less than 20 days notice to all Interested Shareholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (i) or (ii) of the second sentence of this paragraph.


   
(c)   For the purpose of this Article Ninth only, the term:
 
(1)  “Affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.
 
(2)  “Associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) Any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 15% or more of any class of voting shares; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 15% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.
 
(3)  “Business Combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any Interested Shareholder of the Corporation, means:
 
(i)    Any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation with (A) the Interested Shareholder or any of its affiliates, or (B) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the Interested Shareholder.
 
(ii)    Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a shareholder of the Corporation, to or with the Interested Shareholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares;
 
(iii)   Any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any shares, or any share of such subsidiary, to the Interested Shareholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into shares, or shares of any such subsidiary, which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger with a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation solely for purposes of forming a holding company; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into shares, or shares of any such subsidiary, which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of shares subsequent to the time the Interested Shareholder became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase shares made on the same terms to all holders of said shares; or (E) any issuance or transfer of shares by the Corporation; provided however, that in no case under items (C)-(E) of this subparagraph shall there be an increase in the Interested Shareholder’s proportionate share of the any class or series of shares;


   
(iv)   Any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of any class or series of shares, or securities convertible into any class or series of shares, or shares of any such subsidiary, or securities convertible into such shares, which is owned by the Interested Shareholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares not caused, directly or indirectly, by the Interested Shareholder; or
 
(v)    Any receipt by the Interested Shareholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subparagraphs (i)-(iv) of this paragraph) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.
 
(4)  “Control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” 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 shares, by contract or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting shares, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this provision, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.
 
(5)  “Interested Shareholder” means any person (other than the Corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an Interested Shareholder; and the affiliates and associates of such person; provided, however, that the term “Interested Shareholder” shall not include any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of action taken solely by the Corporation; provided that such person shall be an Interested Shareholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting shares of the Corporation, except as a result of further Corporation action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an Interested Shareholder, the voting shares of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include voting shares deemed to be owned by the person through application of paragraph (8) below, but shall not include any other unissued shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
 
(6)  “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.
 
(7)  “Voting stock” means, with respect to any corporation, shares of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity.


   
(8)  “Owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any shares, means a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:
 
(i)     Beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly; or
 
(ii)    Has (A) the right to acquire such shares (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; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of shares tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered shares is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any shares because of such person’s right to vote such shares if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such shares arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more persons; or
 
(iii)   Has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (B) of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph), or disposing of such shares with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such shares.
 
(d)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by the holders of issued and outstanding shares of common 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, change or repeal this Article Ninth.



Exhibit 1.2


UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION (the “Corporation”)

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

As Adopted [], 2022

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

1.1.          Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation in the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall be established and maintained at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960 and The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. shall be the registered agent of the corporation in charge thereof.

1.2.          Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the Marshall Islands as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
 
ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
2.1.          Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the Marshall Islands, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

2.2.          Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of only such other business as is properly brought before the meeting in accordance with these Bylaws (the “Bylaws”).

Written notice of an annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than fifteen (15) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the annual meeting.
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To be properly brought before the annual meeting, business must be either (i) specified in the notice of annual meeting (or any supplement or amendment thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”). To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred fifty (150) days nor more than one-hundred eighty (180) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than thirty (30) days after such anniversary date, notice by a stockholder, to be timely, must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the public disclosure of any adjournment of an annual meeting of the stockholders commence a new time period for the giving of the stockholder’s notice described herein.

To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth (a) as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and (ii) any material interest of the stockholder in such business, and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of the stockholder and (ii) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at the annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 2. The officer of the Corporation presiding at an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the annual meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Article II, Section 2, and if such officer should so determine, such officer shall so declare to the annual meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

2.3.          Special Meetings.  Special meetings of stockholders, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”), may be called for any purpose or purposes at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer. No other person or persons are permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders, unless otherwise prescribed by law. No business may be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders other than business brought before the meeting by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer.

Unless otherwise provided by law, written notice of a special meeting of stockholders, stating the time, place and purpose or purposes thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than fifteen (15) or more than sixty (60) days before the date fixed for the meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

2.4.           Quorum. One-third of the shares of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders entitled to vote thereat and present in person or represented by proxy shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present or represented.

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2.5.          Organization. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall act as chairman of meetings of the stockholders. The Board of Directors may designate any other officer or director of the Corporation to act as chairman of any meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors may further provide for determining who shall act as chairman of any stockholders meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and such designee.

The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of the stockholders, but in the absence of the Secretary the presiding officer may appoint any other person to act as secretary of any meeting.

2.6.          Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any question (other than the election of directors) brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote thereat. At all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect. Each stockholder represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of the capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such stockholder, unless otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize any person or persons to act for him by proxy. All proxies shall be executed in writing and shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the day on which exercised. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after eleven (11) months from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in his discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

2.7.          Action of Stockholders Without Meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all stockholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the Marshall Islands, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

3


2.8.          Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the election, either at a place within the city, town or village where the election is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not specified, at the place where said meeting is to be held. The list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of election during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder of the Corporation who is present.

2.9.          Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by Section 8 of this Article II or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

2.10.          Adjournment.  Any meeting of the stockholders, including one at which directors are to be elected, may be adjourned for such periods as the presiding officer of the meeting or the stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall direct.

2.11.          Ratification. Any transaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative suit, or any other suit to enforce alleged rights of the Corporation or any of its stockholders, on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of any director, officer or stockholder, nondisclosure, miscomputation or the application of improper principles or practices of accounting may be approved, ratified and confirmed before or after judgment by the Board of Directors or by the holders of Common Stock and, if so approved, ratified or confirmed, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned transaction had been originally duly authorized, and said approval, ratification or confirmation shall be binding upon the Corporation and all of its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned transaction.

2.12.          Judges. All votes by ballot at any meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by two judges appointed for the purpose either by the directors or by the meeting. The judges shall decide upon the qualifications of voters, count the votes and declare the result.
 
ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS
 
3.1.          Powers; Number; Qualifications. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by law or in the Articles of Incorporation. The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be not less than one (1) nor more than thirteen (13). The exact number of directors shall be fixed from time to time, within the limits specified in this Article III Section 1 or in the Articles of Incorporation, by the Board of Directors or as otherwise provided by law. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation. The Board may be divided into Classes as more fully described in the Articles of Incorporation.
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3.2.           Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies;  Each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders at which his Class stands for election or until such director’s earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or from any other cause may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director and each director so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until such director’s successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify, or until such director’s earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.

3.3.          Nominations.  Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be made at such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, by any committee or persons appointed by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article III, Section 3. Such nominations by any stockholder shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation.
 
To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred fifty (150) days nor more than one-hundred eighty (180) days prior to the one-year anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than thirty (30) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder, to be timely, must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the public disclosure of any adjournment of an annual meeting of the stockholders commence a new time period for the giving of the stockholder’s notice described herein.
 
To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (a) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (b) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (c) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the person, and (d) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (a) the name and record address of the stockholder and (b) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. The officer of the Corporation presiding at an annual meeting shall, 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.

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Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws), the vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal this Article III, Section 3.

3.4.           Meetings.  The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the Marshall Islands. The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the meeting of the stockholders at which it is elected and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director either by mail not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone, email, facsimile or telegram on twenty-four (24) hours notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances.

3.5.          Quorum.  Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, a majority of the entire Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors provided that the act of at least eighty per cent (80%) of the entire Board of Directors shall be required for (i) the establishment, dissolution or alteration of duties or composition under Section 3.10 of this Article III of any committee of the Board of Directors empowered to manage the ocean going shipping business and affairs of the Corporation, including without limitation the power to approve the acquisition and sale of vessels and of shares in vessel owning entities (but excluding sales of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets) and debt financing related thereto and (ii) the amendment of this Section of these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

3.6.          Organization of Meetings. The Board of Directors shall elect one of its members to be Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall lead the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities as set forth in these By-Laws, including its responsibility to oversee the performance of the Corporation, and shall determine the agenda and perform all other duties and exercise all other powers which are or from time to time may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors.
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Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence, by the Chief Executive officer, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer by such other person as the Board of Directors may designate or the members present may select.

3.7.          Actions of Board of Directors Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filled with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.

3.8.          Removal of Directors by Stockholders. The entire Board of Directors or any individual Director may be removed, with cause, by a majority vote of the holders of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. No Director may be removed without cause by either the stockholders or the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, cause for the removal of a Director shall be deemed to exist only if the Director whose removal is proposed: (i) has been convicted, or has been granted immunity to testify in any proceeding in which another has been convicted, of a felony by a court of competent jurisdiction and that conviction is no longer subject to direct appeal; (ii) has been found to have been negligent or guilty of misconduct in the performance of his duties to the Corporation in any matter of substantial importance to the Corporation by (A) the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the directors then in office at any meeting of the Board of Directors called for that purpose or (B) a court of competent jurisdiction; or (iii) has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be mentally incompetent, which mental incompetence directly affects his ability to serve as a director of the Corporation.

No proposal by a stockholder to remove a Director shall be voted upon at a meeting of the stockholders unless such stockholder has given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary.  To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one hundred fifty (150) days nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the one-year anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of the stockholders. To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice must set forth: (a) a statement of the grounds, if any, on which such Director is proposed to be removed, (b) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Secretary of such stockholder’s status as such and of the number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder, and (c) a list of the names and addresses of other stockholders of the Corporation, if any, with whom such stockholder is acting in concert, and the number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by each such stockholder.

No stockholder proposal to remove a Director shall be voted upon at an annual meeting of the stockholders unless proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article III, Section 8.  If the officer of the Corporation presiding at an annual meeting determines, based on the facts, that a stockholder proposal to remove a Director was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, such presiding officer shall declare to the meeting that a proposal to remove a Director of the Corporation was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and such defective proposal shall be disregarded.
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In case the Board of Directors or any one or more Directors be so removed, new Directors may be elected at the same time for the unexpired portion of the full term of the Director or Directors so removed. All of the foregoing provisions of this Article III, Section 8 are subject to the terms of any preferred stock with respect to the directors to be elected solely by the holders of such preferred stock.

3.9.          Resignations. Any Director may resign at any time by submitting his written resignation to the Board of Directors or Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time of its receipt by the Corporation unless another time be fixed in the resignation, in which case it shall become effective at the time so fixed. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

3.10.          Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, 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; provided that in the case of disqualification of a member of a committee empowered to manage the ocean going shipping business and affairs of the Corporation, then the matter shall be referred to the entire Board of Directors. Any such committee, to the extent provided by law and in the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Articles of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution or amending the Bylaws of the Corporation; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

3.11.          Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed amount (in cash or other form of consideration) for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation thereof. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
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3.12.          Interested Directors. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if (i) the material facts as to his or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by a vote sufficient for such purpose without counting the vote of the interested director, or, if the votes of the disinterested directors are insufficient to constitute an act of the Board of Directors, by the unanimous affirmative vote of the disinterested directors; or (ii) the material facts as to his or their relationship or interest in such contract or transaction are disclosed in good faith or known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested Directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

3.13.          Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone.  Members of the Board of Directors or any committee designed by the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
 
ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS
 
4.1.          General.  The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and may consist of: a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect one or more Vice Presidents (including Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents), Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, a Controller and such other officers as in the judgment of the Board of Directors may be necessary or desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person and more than one person may hold the same office, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders of the Corporation, nor need such officers be directors of the Corporation.

4.2.          Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided in this Article IV, any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors. The salaries of all officers who are directors of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

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4.3.          Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer, and any such officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present; provided however, the act of at least eighty percent (80%) of the entire Board of Directors shall be required to modify the rights granted to the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer under this Section 4.3 or to amend this Section 4.3.

4.4.          Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws and to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall have ultimate authority for decisions relating to the general management and control of the affairs and business of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers which are or from time to time may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, all in accordance with basic policies as established by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors.

4.5.          Vice Presidents.  At the request of the Chief Executive Officer or in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President or the Vice Presidents if there is more than one (in the order designated by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon such office. Each Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors from time to time may prescribe. If there be no Vice President, the Board of Directors shall designate the officer of the Corporation who, in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer or in the event of the inability or refusal of such officer to act, shall perform the duties of such office, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon such office.

4.6.          Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall also perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, under whose supervision the Secretary shall be. If the Secretary shall be unable or shall refuse to cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, then any Assistant Secretary shall perform such actions. If there be no Assistant Secretary, then the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may choose another officer to cause such notice to be given. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, if there be one, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or by the signature of any such Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by this signature. The Secretary shall see that all books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and record required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.
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4.7.          Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Boards of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.

4.8.          Assistant Secretaries. Except as may be otherwise provided in these Bylaws, Assistant Secretaries, if there be any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any vice President, if there be one, or the Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of  and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Secretary.

4.9.          Assistant Treasurers. Assistant Treasurers, if there be any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, if there be one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of his disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Treasurer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, an Assistant Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.
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4.10.          Controller. The Controller shall establish and maintain the accounting records of the Corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, maintain proper internal control of the assets of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President of the Corporation may prescribe.

4.11.          Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.

4.12.          Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill any vacancies in any office occurring from whatever reason.

4.13.          Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by submitting his written resignation to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time of its receipt by the Corporation, unless another time be fixed in the resignation, in which case it shall become effective at the time so fixed. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

4.14.          Removal. Subject to the provisions of any employment agreement approved by the Board of Directors, any officer of the Corporation may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL STOCK

5.1.          Form of Certificates.  Shares of stock of the Corporation may be certified or uncertified, as provided under applicable law. All certificates shall be numbered and shall be entered into the book of the Corporation as they are issued. A certificate shall exhibit the holder’s name and number of shares and shall be signed, in the name of the Corporation (i) be the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and (ii) by the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation. These signatures may be facsimiles if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the Corporation itself or its employee.

5.2.          Signatures.  In case an 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 Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

5.3.          Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates therefore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

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5.4.          Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate or by his attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefore, which shall be canceled before a new certificate shall be issued. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate of shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transactions upon its books, unless the Corporation has a duty to inquire as to adverse claims with respect to such transfer which has not been discharged. The Corporation shall have no duty to inquire into adverse claims with respect to such transfer unless (a) the Corporation has received written notification of an adverse claim at a time and in a manner which affords the Corporation a reasonable opportunity to act on it prior to the issuance of a new, reissued or re-registered share certificate and the notification identifies the claimant, the registered owner and the issue of which the share or shares is a part and provides an address for communications directed to the claimant; or (b) the Corporation has required and obtained, with respect to a fiduciary, a copy of a will, trust, indenture, articles of co-partnership, Bylaws or other controlling instruments, for a purpose other than to obtain appropriate evidence of the appointment or incumbency of the fiduciary, and such documents indicate, upon reasonable inspection, the existence of an adverse claim. The Corporation may discharge any duty of inquiry by any reasonable means, including notifying an adverse claimant by registered or certified mail at the address furnished by him or, if there be no such address, at his address, at his residence or regular place of business that the security has been presented for registration of transfer by a named person, and that the transfer will be registered unless within thirty days from the date of mailing the notification, either  (a) an appropriate restraining order, injunction or other process issues from a court of competent jurisdiction; or (b) an indemnity bond, sufficient in the Corporation’s judgment to protect the Corporation and any transfer agent, registrar or other agent of the Corporation involved from any loss which it or they may suffer by complying with the transfer claim, is filed with the Corporation.

5.5.          Fixing Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than fifteen (15) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed :

(a)          The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

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(b)          The record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent is delivered to the Corporation.

(c)          The record date for determining stockholders foe any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

5.6.          Registered Stockholders. Prior to due presentment for transfer of any share or shares, the Corporation shall treat the registered owner thereof as the person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and to all other benefits of ownership with respect to such share or shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, expect as otherwise provided by the laws of the Marshall Islands.

ARTICLE VI

NOTICES

6.1.          Form of Notice. Notices to directors and stockholders other than notices to directors of special meetings of the Board of Directors which may be given by any means stated in Article III, Section 4, shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their addresses appearing on the books of the corporation. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be mailed. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram.

6.2.          Waiver of Notice.  Whenever at notice is required to be given under the provisions of law or the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws of the Corporation, a written waiver, signed by the person or persons entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular, or special meeting of the stockholders, Directors, or members of a committee of Directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the Articles of Incorporation.
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ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 
7.1.          The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by  or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or nor opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or nor opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

7.2.          The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses ( including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.

7.3.          To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of nay action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1 or 2 of this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.

7.4.          Any indemnification under the sections 1 or 2 of this Article (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorizes in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in such section. Such determination shall be made :

15


(a)          By the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceedings, or

(b)          If such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or

(c)          By the stockholders.

7.5.          Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

7.6.          The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to the other sections of this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expense may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

7.7.          The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article.

7.8.          For purposes of this Article, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any consistent Corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer employee or agent of such constituent Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article with respect to the resulting or surviving Corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent Corporation if its separate existence had continued.

16


7.9.          For purposes of this Article, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article.

7.10.          The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

7.11.          No director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or to any stockholder of the Corporation for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, provided that this provision shall not limit the liability of a director or officer (i) for any breach of the director’s or the officer’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 28 (m) of the Business Corporations Act of Marshall Islands, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit.

7.12.          Any repeal or modification of this Article shall not adversely affect any rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses of a Director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
 

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
8.1.          Reliance on Books and Records. Each Director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation, shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation, including reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers, by an independent certified public accountant, or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care.
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8.2.          Dividends.  Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, if any, dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there mat be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

8.3.          Annual Statement. The Board of Directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the Corporation.

8.4.          Checks. All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

8.5.          Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as determined by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors shall fail to do so, the Chief Executive Officer shall fix the fiscal year.

8.6.          Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Marshall Islands”. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced.

8.7.          Amendments. The original or other Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed as provided in the Articles of Incorporation.

8.8.          Interpretation of Bylaws. All words, terms and provisions of these Bylaws shall be interpreted and defined by and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the Marshall Islands, as amended, and as amended from time to time hereafter.

18


Exhibit 2.1

COMMON STOCK

 





   CUSIP No.          


Certificate Number    Shares

UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION

FORMED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

THIS CERTIFIES THAT _______________________________________

is the owner of    _______________________________________________

FULLY-PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.0001 PER SHARE, OF

United Maritime Corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), transferable on the books of the Company by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, as amended, of the Corporation, to all of which each holder, by acceptance hereof, assents.

Witness the signatures of the duly authorized officers of the Company.

 




Dated                     ,    
   [Affix Corporate Seal]

 




 

  

 

Chief Executive Officer/President    Treasurer/Secretary

COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

 




By  

 


  Authorized Signature

UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A FULL STATEMENT OF THE DESIGNATION, RELATIVE RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS OF EACH CLASS OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED AND THE DESIGNATION, RELATIVE RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS OF EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DESIGNATE AND FIX THE RELATIVE RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS OF OTHER SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED SHARES CERTIFICATE, OR HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO GIVE THE COMPANY A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE.

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 














TEN COM    —      as tenants in common    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT —   

 

   Custodian   

 

TEN ENT    —      as tenants by the entireties   
   (Cust)   
   (Minor)
JT TEN    —      as joint tenants with right    Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act   
  
  

  
   of survivorship and not as   
  

 


  
   tenants in common   
  
   (State)   

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

For value received, ___________________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 






        PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE        .    

      

 

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

 

 

 

 




 

  

Shares

represented by the within Certificate, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint

 




 

   Attorney
to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

 






Dated   
  

 


   NOTICE:    THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

 




SIGNATURE(S) 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.  

 

2



Exhibit 2.2


 
STATEMENT OF DESIGNATION OF RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND PRIVILEGES OF SERIES A PARTICIPATING PREFERRED SHARES OF UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
 
The undersigned, [●] and [●] do hereby certify:
 
1.          That they are the duly elected and acting Chief Executive Officer and [●], respectively, of United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”).
 
2.          That pursuant to the authority conferred by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”), the Company’s Board of Directors on [●], 2022 adopted the following resolution designating and prescribing the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the Company’s Series A Participating Preferred Shares:
 
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company by the Articles of Incorporation, the Board does hereby establish a series of Preferred Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and the designation and certain powers, preferences and other special rights of the shares of such series, and certain qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, are hereby fixed as follows:
 
Section 1.          Designation and Amount.  The shares of such series shall be designated as “Series A Participating Preferred Shares”.  The Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series shall initially be 2,000,000, which number the Board may from time to time increase or decrease (but not below the number then outstanding).
 
Section 2.          Proportional Adjustment.  In the event the Company shall at any time after the issuance of any share or shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares (i) declare any dividend on the Common Shares of the Company par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Shares”) payable in Common Shares, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Shares or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the Company shall simultaneously effect a proportional adjustment to the number of outstanding shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares.
 
Section 3.          Dividends and Distributions.
 
(a)       Subject to the prior and superior right of the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Shares ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive when, as and if declared by the Board out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of January, April, July and October in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in Common Shares or a subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Shares since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares.
 

(b)       The Company shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Participating Preferred Shares as provided in paragraph (a) above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Shares (other than a dividend payable in Common Shares).
 
(c)       Dividends shall begin to accrue on outstanding shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
 
Section 4.          Voting Rights.  The holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall have the following voting rights:
 
(a)       Each share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company.
 
(b)       Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company.
 
(c)       Except as required by law, holders of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Shares as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.
 

Section 5.          Certain Restrictions.
 
(a)       The Company shall not declare any dividend on, make any distribution on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Common Shares after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares unless concurrently therewith it shall declare a dividend on the Series A Participating Preferred Shares as required by Section 3 hereof.
 
(b)       Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Participating Preferred Shares as provided in Section 3 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Company shall not (i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock  ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Participating Preferred Shares; (ii) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with Series A Participating Preferred Shares, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Participating Preferred Shares and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled; (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Participating Preferred Shares, provided that the Company may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Company ranking junior (either as to  dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Participating Preferred Shares; (iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Participating Preferred Shares, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.
 
(c)       The Company shall not permit any subsidiary of the Company to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Company unless the Company could, under paragraph (a) of this Section 5, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.
 

Section 6.          Reacquired Shares.  Any shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Shares and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Shares to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein and in the Articles of Incorporation.
 
Section 7.          Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.  Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Shares plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends on such shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares.
 
Section 8.          Consolidation, Merger, etc.  In case the Company shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the Common Shares are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.
 
Section 9.          No Redemption.  The shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall not be redeemable.
 
Section 10.        Ranking.  The Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall rank junior to all other series of the Company’s Preferred Shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series shall provide otherwise.
 

Section 11.        Amendment.  The Articles of Incorporation of the Company shall not be further amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preference or special rights of the Series A Participating Preferred Shares so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class.
 
Section 12.        Fractional Shares.  Series A Participating Preferred Shares may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Participating Preferred Shares.
 
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the President or any Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of this Company be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to prepare and file a Statement of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges in accordance with the foregoing resolution and the provisions of Marshall Islands law and to take such actions as they may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of the foregoing resolution.
 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK


We further declare under penalty of perjury that the matters set forth in the foregoing Statement of Designation are true and correct of our own knowledge.
 
Executed on [●].
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[NAME]
 
 
[TITLE]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[NAME]
 
 
[TITLE]




Exhibit 2.3

STATEMENT OF DESIGNATION OF RIGHTS, PREFERENCES
 AND PRIVILEGES OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK OF
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
 
(Pursuant to Section 35 of the Business Corporations Act of the Republic of the Marshall Islands)
 
The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Corporation”) confers upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) the authority to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in series and to establish the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon. On [], 2022, the Board of Directors duly adopted the following resolution creating a series of preferred stock designated as the Series B Preferred Stock, comprised initially of 40,000 shares and such resolution has not been modified and is in full force and effect on the date hereof:
 
RESOLVED that, pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, a series of the class of authorized preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation is hereby created and that the designation and number of shares thereof and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon are as follows:

Section 1.          Designation and Amount.  The Corporation, out of its authorized, unissued and undesignated shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), hereby designates Series B Preferred Shares, referred to herein as “Series B Preferred Shares”. The Series B Preferred Shares shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series shall initially be 40,000, which number the Board of Directors may increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time.
 
Section 2.          Dividends and Distributions.  Subject to Section 5, the Series B Preferred Shares shall not have dividend or distribution rights.
 
Section 3.          Voting Rights.  The holders of Series B Preferred Shares shall have the following voting rights:
 
(a)  Each Series B Preferred Share shall entitle the holder to 25,000 votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Corporation, provided however, that no holder of Series B Preferred Shares may exercise voting rights pursuant to Series B Preferred Shares that would result in the aggregate voting power of any beneficial owner of such shares and its affiliates (whether pursuant to ownership of Series B Preferred Shares, common shares or otherwise) to exceed 49.99% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 3(a), a holder of Series B Preferred Shares shall include each “beneficial owner” of such Series B Preferred Share, as determined in accordance with Section 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with any person or entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such beneficial owner.
 
(b)  Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of Series B Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.
 
(c)  Except as required by law, holders of Series B Preferred Shares shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Shares as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.
 
Section 4.          Reacquired Shares.  Any Series B Preferred Shares purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof.  All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein and in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as then amended.
 

Section 5.          Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up; Ranking. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the Series B Preferred Shares will rank pari-passu with the holders of Common Shares and shall be entitled to receive a payment equal to the par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Series B Preferred Shares will have no other rights to distributions upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
 
Section 6.          Consolidation, Merger, etc.  Subject to Section 8, upon any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series B Preferred Shares, or of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with another corporation or other entity, then either (x) the shares of Series B Preferred Shares shall remain outstanding or, (y) in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity, then the Series B Preferred Shares shall be converted into or exchanged for preferred securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and in either case of (x) or (y) such shares remaining outstanding or such preferred securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of Series B Preferred Shares immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole; provided, however, that for all purposes of this Section 6, any increase in the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock, including any increase in the authorized number of Series B Preferred Shares, will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the holders of Series B Preferred Shares.
 
Section 7.            No Redemption.  The Series B Preferred Shares shall not be redeemable.
 
Section 8.           Amendment.  At any time when any Series B Preferred Shares are outstanding, none of this Statement of Designation, the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, or the Bylaws, as amended, of the Corporation shall be amended (including by merger, consolidation or otherwise) in any manner which would materially or adversely alter, change or affect the powers, preferences or rights of the Series B Preferred Shares without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class.
 
Section 9.          Transferability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Statement of Designation, holders of Series B Preferred Shares shall not Transfer (as defined below) the Series B Preferred Shares to any person or entity. Any purported Transfer of the Series B Preferred Shares shall be null and void and shall have no force or effect. “Transfer” shall mean directly or indirectly (i) any sale, assignment, encumbrance, hypothecation, pledge, conveyance in trust, gift or other transfer or disposition of any kind, including, but not limited to, transfers to receivers, levying creditors, trustees or receivers in bankruptcy proceedings or general assignees for the benefit of creditors, whether voluntary or by operation of law, directly or indirectly, of Series B Preferred Shares or (ii) any change in the record or beneficial ownership of the Series B Preferred Shares after the date of their issuance, in each case that is not approved in advance by the Board of Directors; and provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Statement of Designation under no circumstances may more than one person or entity, at any time, be a record holder of any Series B Preferred Shares, and all issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Shares must be held of record by one holder.
 
Section 10.          Fractional Shares.  Series B Preferred Stock may not be issued in fractional shares.
 
Section 11.         Notices.  Any notice to be delivered hereunder shall be delivered (via overnight courier, facsimile or email) to each holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the books and records of the Corporation.
 
Section 12.         Record Holders.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation may deem and treat each holder of any Series B Preferred Share as the true, lawful and absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and the Corporation shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
 
Section 13.         No Other Rights.  The Series B Preferred Shares shall not have any voting powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth in this Statement of Designation or in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, or as provided by applicable law.
 
2

Section 14.        No Impairment.  The Corporation shall not, by amendment of this Statement of Designation, through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid or reduce the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed under this Statement of Designation by the Corporation, but shall at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Statement of Designation and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares against impairment.
 
Section 15.         Lost or Stolen Certificates. Upon receipt by the Corporation of evidence of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Series B Preferred Share certificate (if any), and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, and upon surrender and cancellation of the Series B Preferred Share certificate(s), if any, the Corporation shall execute and deliver new Series B Preferred Share certificate(s) of like tenor and date.
 
Section 16.         Maturity.  The Series B Preferred Shares shall be perpetual, unless purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation.
 
Section 17.       No Preemptive Rights.  No holders of Series B Preferred Shares will, as holders of Series B Preferred Shares, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for Common Shares or any other security of the Corporation.
 
Section 18.         Severability; Headings.  If any provision of this Statement of Designation is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Statement of Designation shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person, entity or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons, entities and circumstances.  Headings in this Statement of Designation are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.
 
[Signature Page Follows]
 
3

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Statement of Designation is executed on behalf of the Corporation by its Secretary on this [] day of [], 2022.
 
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:
 

 
Signature Page to Statement of Designation – Series B Preferred



Exhibit 2.4

STATEMENT OF DESIGNATION OF RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND PRIVILEGES
OF
6.5% SERIES C CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PERPETUAL PREFERRED SHARES
OF
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
(Pursuant to Section 35 of the Business Corporations Act of the Republic of the Marshall Islands)

The Articles of Incorporation of United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Corporation”) confers upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) the authority to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in series and to establish the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon. On [●], 2022, the Board of Directors duly adopted the following resolution creating a series of preferred stock designated as the 6.5% Series C Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Shares, comprised initially of 5,000 shares and such resolution has not been modified and is in full force and effect on the date hereof:

RESOLVED that, pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, a series of the class of authorized preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation is hereby created and that the designation and number of shares thereof and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon are as follows:

Section 1.       
Designation.  The Corporation, out of its authorized, unissued and undesignated shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), hereby designates 6.5% Series C Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Shares, referred to herein as “Series C Preferred Shares.”

Section 2.       
Amount.  The Series C Preferred Shares shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series shall initially be 5,000, which number the Board may increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time.

Section 3.         
Dividends and Distributions.

(a)          
Dividends. Dividends on the Series C Preferred Shares shall be cumulative and shall accrue at the Dividend Rate from the Original Issue Date (or, for any subsequently issued and newly outstanding stock, from the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding the issuance date of such stock) until such time as the Corporation pays the dividend or redeems the stock in full in accordance with Section 6 below, whether or not such dividends shall have been declared, and whether or not there are profits, surplus, or other funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Holders of Series C Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive dividends from time to time out of any assets of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends at the Dividend Rate per share, when, as, and if declared by the Board of Directors. Dividends, to the extent declared to be paid by the Corporation in accordance with this Statement of Designation, shall be paid quarterly on each Dividend Payment Date. Dividends shall accumulate in each Dividend Period from and including the preceding Dividend Payment Date or the initial issue date, as the case may be, to but excluding the applicable next Dividend Payment Date for such Dividend Period.  If any Dividend Payment Date otherwise would fall on a day that is not a Business Day, declared dividends shall be paid on the immediately succeeding Business Day without the accumulation of additional dividends. Dividends on the Series C Preferred Shares shall be payable based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The Dividend Rate is not subject to adjustment.

Holders of Series C Preferred Shares shall receive preferential cumulative quarterly dividends payable in cash or, at the election of the Corporation, in PIK Shares, on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing on the first Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a Series C Preferred Share, in either a cash amount per share equal to the product of the Liquidation Preference and the Dividend Rate for the applicable period (the “Dividend Amount”) or, at the election of the Corporation, in an amount of PIK Shares for each outstanding Series C Preferred Share equal to the Dividend Amount divided by the Original Issue Price (the “PIK Share Amount”).


(b)          
Payment and Priorities of Dividends. Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation shall pay those dividends, if any, on the Series C Preferred Shares that shall have been declared by the Board of Directors to the Holders of record of such shares as such Holders’ names appear on the stock transfer books of the Corporation maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent on the applicable record date (the “Record Date”), being the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date, except that in the case of payments of dividends in arrears, the Record Date with respect to a Dividend Payment Date shall be such date as may be designated by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Corporation’s Bylaws and this Statement of Designation. No dividend shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any Junior Stock (other than a dividend payable solely in shares of Junior Stock) unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock for all prior and the then-ending Dividend Periods.

In the event that full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock shall not have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, the Corporation shall not be permitted to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series C Preferred Shares or Parity Stock except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock. The Corporation shall not be permitted to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Common Stock or any other Junior Stock unless full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock for all prior and the then-ending Dividend Periods shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.

Accumulated dividends in arrears for any past Dividend Period may be declared by the Board of Directors and paid on any date fixed by the Board of Directors, whether or not a Dividend Payment Date, to Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares on the record date for such payment, which may not be more than 60 days, nor less than 5 days, before such payment date. Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated dividends in arrears on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock shall not have been declared and paid, or if sufficient funds for the payment thereof shall not have been set apart, payment of accumulated dividends in arrears on the Series C Preferred Shares and any such Parity Stock shall be made in order of their respective Dividend Payment Dates, commencing with the earliest. If less than all dividends payable with respect to all Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock are paid, any partial payment shall be made pro rata with respect to the Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock entitled to a dividend payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate dividend amounts remaining due in respect of such shares at such time. Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment which may be in arrears on the Series C Preferred Shares.  Dividends shall be paid by check mailed to the registered address of the Holder, unless, in any particular case, the Corporation elects to pay by wire transfer.

Section 4.         
Liquidation Rights.

(a)          
Liquidation Event. Upon the occurrence of any Liquidation Event, Holders of Series C Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation or proceeds thereof legally available for distribution to stockholders of the Corporation, (i) after satisfaction of all liabilities, if any, to creditors of the Corporation, (ii) after all applicable distributions of such assets or proceeds being made to or set aside for the holders of any Senior Stock then outstanding in respect of such Liquidation Event, (iii) concurrently with any applicable distributions of such assets or proceeds being made to or set aside for holders of any Parity Stock then outstanding in respect of such Liquidation Event and (iv) before any distribution of such assets or proceeds is made to or set aside for the holders of Common Stock and any other classes or series of Junior Stock as to such distribution, a liquidating distribution or payment in full redemption of such Series C Preferred Shares in an amount initially equal to $1,000.00 per share in cash, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for payment of such amount (whether or not declared) (the “Liquidation Preference”). For purposes of clarity, upon the occurrence of any Liquidation Event, (x) the holders of then outstanding Senior Stock shall be entitled to receive the applicable liquidation preference on such Senior Stock before any distribution shall be made to the Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares or any Parity Stock and (y) the Holders of outstanding Series C Preferred Shares shall be entitled to the Liquidation Preference per share in cash concurrently with any distribution made to the holders of Parity Stock and before any distribution shall be made to the holders of Common Stock or any other Junior Stock. Holders of Series C Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any other amounts from the Corporation, in their capacity as Holders of such stock, after they have received the Liquidation Preference. The payment of the Liquidation Preference shall be a payment in redemption of the Series C Preferred Shares such that, from and after payment of the full Liquidation Preference, any such Series C Preferred Shares shall thereafter be cancelled and no longer be outstanding.

(b)          
Partial Payment. In the event that the distribution or payment described in Section 4(a) above where the Corporation’s assets available for distribution to holders of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock are insufficient to permit payment of all required amounts, the Corporation’s then remaining assets or proceeds thereof legally available for distribution to stockholders of the Corporation shall be distributed among the Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock, as applicable, ratably on the basis of their relative aggregate liquidation preferences. To the extent that the Holders of Series C Preferred Shares receive a partial payment of their Liquidation Preference, such partial payment shall reduce the Liquidation Preference of their Series C Preferred Shares, but only to the extent of such amount paid.

(c)          
Residual Distributions. After payment of all required amounts to the Holders of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock, the Corporation’s remaining assets and funds shall be distributed among the holders of the Common Stock and any other Junior Stock then outstanding according to their respective rights.

Section 5.         
Voting Rights

(a)          
General. The Series C Preferred Shares shall have no voting rights except as set forth in this Section 5 or as otherwise provided by Marshall Islands law.

(b)          
Other Voting Rights

(1)          
Unless the Corporation shall have received the affirmative vote or consents of the Holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, the Corporation may not adopt any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation that adversely alters the preferences, powers or rights of the Series C Preferred Shares.

(2)          
Unless the Corporation shall have received the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares, voting as a class together with holders of any other Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, the Corporation may not (x) issue any Parity Stock if the cumulative dividends payable on outstanding Series C Preferred Shares are in arrears or (y) create or issue any Senior Stock.

(c)          
Voting Power. For any matter described in this Section 5 in which the Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to vote as a class, such Holders shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each $1,000.00 in liquidation preference held by them. Any Series C Preferred Shares held by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates shall not be entitled to vote

(d)          
No Vote or Consent in Other Cases. Except as required by law or as set forth herein, Holders of Series C Preferred Shares shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required for taking any corporate action. No vote or consent of Holders of Series C Preferred Shares shall be required for (i) the creation or incurrence of any indebtedness, (ii) the authorization or issuance of any Common Stock or other Junior Stock or (iii) except as expressly provided in paragraph (b)(2) above, the authorization or issuance of any Preferred Stock of the Corporation.
          
Section 6.         
Rank.  The Series C Preferred Shares shall be deemed to rank with respect to dividend distributions and distributions upon a Liquidation Event:

(a)          
Seniority.  Senior to (i) all classes of Common Stock, (ii) if issued, any Series A Participating Preferred Stock and any Series B Preferred Stock and (iii) any other class or series of capital stock established after the Original Issue Date, the terms of which expressly provide that it is made junior to the Series C Preferred Shares or any Parity Stock as to the payment of dividends and amounts payable upon any Liquidation Event (collectively referred to with the Corporation’s Common Stock as “Junior Stock”);


(b)          
Parity. Equal with any class or series of capital stock established after the Original Issue Date, the terms of which are not expressly subordinated or senior to the Series C Preferred Shares as to the payment of dividends and amounts payable upon any Liquidation Event (referred to as “Parity Stock”); and

(c)          
Junior. Junior to any class or series of capital stock established after the Original Issue Date, the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks senior to the Series C Preferred Shares as to the payment of dividends and amounts payable upon any Liquidation Event (referred to as “Senior Stock”), and to all of our indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables.

The Corporation may issue additional Common Stock, additional Series C Preferred Shares and Junior Stock and, subject to Section 5(b)(2) of this Statement of Designation, Parity Stock or Senior Stock from time to time in one or more series without the consent of the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares. The Board of Directors has the authority to determine the preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights or privileges, if any, of any such Series C Preferred Shares before the issuance of any shares of that series. The Board of Directors shall also determine the number of shares constituting each series of securities.

Section 7.         
Definitions. As used herein with respect to the Series C Preferred Shares:

Affiliate means, in regard to a specified Person, a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. As used in this definition, “control (including the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with) means the possession, direct or indirect, 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.

Articles of Incorporation” means the amended and restated articles of incorporation of the Corporation, as they may be amended from time to time in a manner consistent with this Statement of Designation, and shall include this Statement of Designation.

BCA” means the Business Corporations Act of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation or, to the extent permitted by the Articles of Incorporation and the BCA, any authorized committee thereof.

Business Day” means a day on which The New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and which is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close.

Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Corporation, as they may be amended from time to time.

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Corporation, par value $0.0001 per share, and any other outstanding class of common stock of the Corporation.

Conversion Price” means $9.00, subject to adjustment as contemplated in Section 10(b) hereof.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Statement of Designation.

Dividend Payment Date” means each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing October 15, 2022.

Dividend Period” means a period of time commencing on and including a Dividend Payment Date (other than the initial Dividend Period, which shall commence on and include the Original Issue Date) and ending on and including the calendar day next preceding the next Dividend Payment Date.

Dividend Rate” means a rate equal to 6.5% per annum of the Liquidation Preference per share of Series C Preferred Shares.

Effective Price” of shares of Common Stock shall mean the quotient determined by dividing the total number of shares of Common Stock issued or sold, or deemed to have been issued or sold by the Corporation under Section 10(b)(iii) hereof, into the Aggregate Consideration received, or deemed to have been received by the Corporation for such issue under Section 10(b)(iii) hereof, for such shares of Common Stock. In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock or the Effective Price cannot be ascertained at the time of issuance, such shares of Common Stock shall be deemed issued immediately upon the occurrence of the first event that makes such number of shares or the Effective Price, as applicable, ascertainable.

Excluded Shares” means any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable by the Corporation: (A) to directors, officers, employees and consultants under any stock incentive plan or similar plan or arrangement approved by the Board of Directors; (B) in respect of a conversion of the Series C Preferred Shares in accordance herewith; (C) pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, reorganization or recapitalization applicable to all of the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation; or (D) pursuant to a transaction that the Initial Holder agrees shall be deemed to be an issuance of Excluded Shares.

Fair Market Value” means the 30-Trading Day trailing VWAP of the Common Stock (as adjusted to take into account any offering expenses, such as underwriting discounts and expenses (but not including discounts to the VWAP), that are customary for the type of offering being conducted by the Corporation).

Fundamental Change” means the occurrence of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets, property or business of the Corporation individually or in a series of transactions, or a change of control of the Corporation.

Holder” means the Person in whose name the Series C Preferred Shares is registered on the stock register of the Corporation maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent.

Initial Holder” means Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. and/or its Affiliates.

Junior Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a) of this Statement of Designation.

Liquidation Event” means the occurrence of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets, property or business of the Corporation individually or in a series of transactions, or a change of control of the Corporation. A consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other Person, individually or in a series of transactions, shall not be deemed a Liquidation Event.

Liquidation Preference” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) of this Statement of Designation.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer or another duly authorized officer.

Optional Conversion Price” means the lesser of (i) the Conversion Price and (ii) the 10-Trading Day trailing VWAP of the Common Stock.

Original Issue Date” means [●], 2022.

Original Issue Price” means $1,000.00 per share for each Series C Preferred Share (as adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations, reclassifications or other similar events with respect to the Series C Preferred Shares).

Parity Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(b) of this Statement of Designation.

Paying Agent” means the Corporation, acting in its capacity as paying agent for the Series C Preferred Shares, and its respective successors and assigns or any other payment agent appointed by the Corporation.

Person” means a legal person, including any individual, Company, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust or entity.

PIK Share Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) of this Statement of Designation.

PIK Shares” shall mean Series C Preferred Shares issued to Holders in lieu of cash dividends in accordance with this Statement of Designation.

Preferred Stock” means any of the Corporation’s capital stock, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation’s affairs, over shares of the Common Stock.

Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) of this Statement of Designation.

Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a) of this Statement of Designation.

Redemption Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of this Statement of Designation.

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a) of this Statement of Designation.

Registrar” means the Corporation, acting in its capacity as registrar for the Series C Preferred Shares, and its successors and assigns or any other registrar appointed by the Corporation.

Preferred Shares” means any of the Corporation’s preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to one or more preferences over shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock.

Senior Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(c) of this Statement of Designation.

Series A Participating Preferred Stock” means the Corporation’s Series A Participating Preferred Stock as provided for in the Corporation’s Stockholders Rights Agreement.

Series C Preferred Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of this Statement of Designation..

Statement of Designation” means this Statement of Designation relating to the Series C Preferred Shares, as it may be amended from time to time in a manner consistent with this Statement of Designation, the Articles of Incorporation and the BCA.

Trading Day” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time).

Transfer Agent means Computershare Inc., acting in its capacity as transfer agent for the Series C Preferred Shares, and its respective successors and assigns or any other transfer agent appointed by the Corporation.

VWAP” means volume-weighted average price of the Common Stock.

For all purposes relevant to this Statement of Designation: the terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural and vice versa; whenever the words “include,” “includes,” or “including” are used, they are deemed followed by the words “without limitation;” all references to number of shares, amounts per share, prices, and the like shall be subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, stock combinations, stock dividends and similar events; and, except as otherwise set forth in this Statement of Designation, if any event under this Statement of Designation occurs on a day that is not a Business Day, such event shall be deemed to occur on the first Business Day after such date.

Section 8.         
Fractional Shares.  Series C Preferred Shares may not be issued in fractional shares.

Section 9.         
Reacquired Shares.  Any Series C Preferred Shares purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof.  All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein and in the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as then amended.

Section 10.       
ConversionThe Series C Preferred Shares shall not be convertible into Common Stock or other of the Corporation’s securities and shall not have exchange rights or be entitled or subject to any preemptive or similar rights, except as provided in this Section 10.

(a)          
Optional Conversion. Each Holder of Series C Preferred Shares may elect to convert its Series C Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, into shares of Common Stock (i) at any time on or after the first anniversary of the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Shares and (ii) at any time upon a Fundamental Transaction of the Corporation, in each case at the Optional Conversion Price then in effect; provided, however, that except in the case of a Fundamental Change, the Holder may not convert its Series C Preferred Shares into shares of Common Stock if, after giving effect to such attempted conversion, the Holder would beneficially own greater than 29.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

For purposes of this Section 10(a), “affiliate” shall have the meaning as defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and “beneficial ownership” shall be determined in accordance with Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(b)            
Adjustment of Conversion Price as Result of Certain Corporate Actions. The Conversion Price in effect at any time shall be adjusted as follows:

(i)  If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time, effect a subdivision or split of the outstanding Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately before such subdivision or split shall be proportionately decreased and, conversely, if the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time, effect a combination of the outstanding Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately before such combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustment under this Section 10(b)(i) shall become effective at the close of business on the date of the applicable subdivision, split or combination.

(ii)  In the event that the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time, make or issue to all holders of shares of Common Stock, a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of Common Stock, then the Conversion Price in effect shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance in accordance with the following formula:

 
 
 
 
O
 
 
C1
=
C x
----------------
 
 
 
 
 
O + N
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 where:
 
 
 
 



 
C1 =
The adjusted Conversion Price.
 
 
C =
The current Conversion Price.
 
 
O =
The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the applicable issuance.
 
 
N =
The number of additional shares of Common Stock issued in payment of such dividend or distribution.
 

(iii)  In the event that the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time, offer shares of Common Stock (other than Excluded Shares) in a non-public offering (or in a public offering in which more than 50% of such public offering is subscribed to by Affiliates of the Corporation) in which the Common Stock is sold at a price less than Fair Market Value, then the Conversion Price shall be reduced (but not increased) to an amount determined by multiplying the Conversion Price by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be (A) the number of shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding (as determined in the following sentence) immediately prior to such issue or sale, plus (B) the number of shares of Common Stock which the Aggregate Consideration received or deemed received by the Corporation for the total number of additional shares of Common Stock so issued would purchase at such then-existing Conversion Price, and (y) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding (as determined in the following sentence) immediately prior to such issue or sale plus the total number of additional shares of Common Stock so issued.  For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of (I) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, (II) the number of shares of Common Stock into which the then-outstanding Series C Preferred Shares could be converted if fully converted on the day immediately preceding the given date, and (III) the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all other rights, options and Convertible Securities outstanding on the day immediately preceding the given date. In addition, any issuance of additional Series C Preferred Shares shall not cause an adjustment of the Conversion Price under this Section 10(b)(iii).

An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 10(b)(iii) shall be made on the next Business Day following the date on which any such issuance or sale is made and shall be effective retroactively to the close of business on the date of such issuance or sale.

For the purpose of making any adjustment required under this Section 10(b)(iii), the aggregate consideration received by the Corporation for any issue or sale of securities (the “Aggregate Consideration”) shall be computed as: (A) to the extent it consists of cash, the gross amount of cash received by the Corporation before deduction of any underwriting or similar commissions, compensation or concessions paid or allowed by the Corporation in connection with such issue or sale and without deduction of any expenses payable by the Corporation, (B) to the extent it consists of property other than cash, the fair value of that property as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that to the extent the Board of Directors determines the fair value of property other than cash is equal to or exceeds $1,000,000, then the Corporation shall have such property appraised by a qualified independent appraiser, whose valuation shall conclusively determine the value, and (C) if shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities or rights or options to purchase either shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities are issued or sold together with other stock or securities or other assets of the Corporation for a consideration which covers both, the portion of the consideration so received that may be reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors to be allocable to such shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities or rights or options.

For the purpose of the adjustment required under this Section 7(c)(iii), if the Corporation issues or sells (x) Preferred Shares or other stock, options, warrants, purchase rights or other securities convertible into, shares of Common Stock other than Excluded Shares (such convertible stock or securities being herein referred to as “Convertible Securities”) or (y) rights or options for the purchase of shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities (other than Excluded Shares) and if the Effective Price of such shares of Common Stock is less than the Conversion Price, the Corporation shall be deemed to have issued at the time of the issuance of such rights or options or Convertible Securities the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion thereof and to have received as consideration for the issuance of such shares an amount equal to the total amount of the consideration, if any, received by the Corporation for the issuance of such rights or options or Convertible Securities plus: (A) in the case of such rights or options, the minimum amounts of consideration, if any, payable to the Corporation upon the exercise of such rights or options; and (B) in the case of Convertible Securities, the minimum amounts of consideration, if any, payable to the Corporation upon the conversion thereof (other than by cancellation of liabilities or obligations evidenced by such Convertible Securities); provided that if the minimum amounts of such consideration cannot be ascertained, but are a function of anti-dilution or similar protective clauses, the Corporation shall be deemed to have received the minimum amounts of consideration without reference to such clauses.

If the minimum amount of consideration payable to the Corporation upon the exercise or conversion of rights, options or Convertible Securities is reduced over time or on the occurrence or non-occurrence of specified events other than by reason of anti-dilution adjustments, the Effective Price shall be recalculated using the figure to which such minimum amount of consideration is reduced; provided further, that if the minimum amount of consideration payable to the Corporation upon the exercise or conversion of such rights, options or Convertible Securities is subsequently increased, the Effective Price shall be again recalculated using the increased minimum amount of consideration payable to the Corporation upon the exercise or conversion of such rights, options or Convertible Securities.

If any option or warrant expires or is cancelled without having been exercised, then, for the purposes of the adjustments set forth above, such option or warrant shall have been deemed not to have been issued and the Conversion Price shall be adjusted accordingly.  No holder of Common Stock which was previously issued upon conversion of Series C Preferred Shares shall have any obligation to redeem or cancel any such shares of Common Stock as a result of the operation of this paragraph.

(iv)  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment will be made to the Conversion Price by reason of the issuance of Common Stock upon the conversion of Series C Preferred Shares or the exercise of any such rights or options.

(c)  Corporate Events.  Prior to the consummation of any transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock, including a reclassification, exchange, substitution or reorganization (a “Corporate Event”), the Corporation shall make appropriate provision to ensure that each Holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon a conversion of all the Series C Preferred Shares held by such Holder, such securities and other assets (including cash) that such Holder would have been entitled to receive had such Holder converted its Series C Preferred Shares into Common Stock immediately prior to the consummation of such Corporate Event.  The provisions of this Section 10(c) shall apply similarly and equally to successive Corporate Events.

(d)  Mechanics of Conversion.  No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Series C Preferred Shares.  In lieu of any fractional shares to which the Holder would otherwise be entitled, the Corporation shall pay cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the then Fair Market Value of such fractional shares.  Before any Holder of Series C Preferred Shares shall be entitled to convert the same into full shares of Common Stock, and to receive certificates therefor, the Holder shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any Transfer Agent for the Series C Preferred Shares, and shall give written notice to the Corporation at such office that such Holder is converting the same; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion unless either the certificates evidencing such Series C Preferred Shares are delivered to the Corporation or its Transfer Agent as provided above, or the Holder notifies the Corporation or its Transfer Agent that such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificates.

The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such delivery, or after such agreement and indemnification, issue and deliver at such office to such Holder of Series C Preferred Shares, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled as aforesaid (or the applicable book-entry account shall be created and/or noted as credited with such shares of Common Stock) and a check payable to the Holder in the amount of any cash amounts payable as the result of a conversion into fractional shares of Common Stock, plus any accrued and unpaid cash dividends on the converted Series C Preferred Shares.  Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of Series C Preferred Shares to be converted, and the Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date.

(e)  Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion.  The Corporation shall at all times after the Original Issue Date, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Series C Preferred Shares, such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Shares; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Shares, the Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose, including engaging in best efforts to obtain the requisite shareholder approval of any necessary amendment to this Statement of Designation or the Articles of Incorporation.

(f)  Treasury Stock.  The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held, directly or indirectly, by or for the account of the Corporation.  The disposition of such shares of Common Stock shall be deemed a sale for the purpose of Section 10(b)(iii) hereof.

(g)  Other Events. If any event occurs of the type contemplated by the foregoing provisions of this Section 10 but not expressly provided for by such provisions, then the Board of Directors will make an appropriate adjustment to the Conversion Price so as to protect the rights of the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares; provided, however, that no such adjustment will increase the Conversion Price as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 10.

Section 11.          Optional Redemption.

(a)  The Corporation shall have the right, at its option, at any time on or after the date which is three months after the original date of issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares, to redeem the Series C Preferred Shares, in whole or from time to time in part, from any source of funds legally available for such purpose, at a price per Series C Preferred Share equal to 105% of the Original Issue Price plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the Redemption Date (the “Redemption Price”). Any such redemption shall occur on a date set by the Corporation (the “Redemption Date”).

(b) Redemption Notice. The Corporation shall give written notice of any redemption not less than 10 Business Days before the scheduled Redemption Date, to the Holders of record (as of the 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day next preceding the day on which notice is given) of any Series C Preferred Shares to be redeemed as such Holders’ names appear on the Corporation’s stock transfer books and at the address of such Holders shown therein. Such notice (the “Redemption Notice”) shall state: (1) the Redemption Date, (2) the number of Series C Preferred Shares to be redeemed and, if less than all issued and outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the number (and the identification) of shares to be redeemed from such Holder, (3) the Redemption Price, (4) the place where the Series C Preferred Shares are to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price therefor and (5) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate from and after such Redemption Date.

(c) Effect of Redemption; Partial Redemption. If the Corporation elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares, the number of shares to be redeemed shall be determined by the Corporation, and such shares shall be redeemed pro rata, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares. The aggregate Redemption Price for any such partial redemption of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares shall be allocated correspondingly among the redeemed Series C Preferred Shares. The Series C Preferred Shares not redeemed shall remain outstanding and entitled to all the rights and preferences provided in this Statement of Designation (including the Corporation’s right, if it elects so, to redeem all or part of the Series C Preferred Shares outstanding at any relevant time in accordance with this Section 6 (including this paragraph (e)).

(d) Redemption Funds. If the Corporation gives or causes to be given a Redemption Notice, the Corporation shall deposit with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem the Series C Preferred Shares as to which such Redemption Notice shall have been given, no later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date, and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares to be redeemed upon surrender or deemed surrender (which shall occur automatically if the certificate representing such shares is issued in the name of the Securities Depositary or its nominee) of the certificate therefor as set forth in the Redemption Notice. If the Redemption Notice shall have been given, from and after the Redemption Date, unless the Corporation defaults in providing funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the Redemption Notice, all dividends on such Series C Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate and all rights of Holders of such shares as the Corporation’s shareholders shall cease, except the right to receive the Redemption Price, and such shares shall not thereafter be transferred on the Corporation’s stock transfer books maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent or be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive from the Paying Agent the interest income, if any, earned on such funds deposited with the Paying Agent (to the extent that such interest income is not required to pay the Redemption Price of the Series C Preferred Shares to be redeemed), and the Holders of any shares so redeemed shall have no claim to any such interest income. Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent hereunder by the Corporation for any reason, including redemption of Series C Preferred Shares, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after two years after the applicable Redemption Date or other payment date, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to the Corporation upon its written request after which repayment the Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to the Corporation. Notwithstanding any Redemption Notice, there shall be no redemption of any Series C Preferred Shares called for redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full Redemption Price of such shares shall have been deposited by the Corporation with the Paying Agent.

(g) Certificate. Any Series C Preferred Share that is redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall be canceled and shall constitute Preferred Stock subject to designation by the Board of Directors as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation. If only a portion of the Series C Preferred Shares represented by a certificate shall have been called for redemption, upon surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent shall issue to the Holder of such shares a new certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the number of Series C Preferred Shares represented by the surrendered certificate that have not been called for redemption.

(h) Redemption Priority. In the event that full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock shall not have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, the Corporation shall not be permitted to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series C Preferred Shares or Parity Stock except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock. The Corporation shall not be permitted to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Common Stock or any other Junior Stock unless full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Stock for all prior and the then-ending Dividend Periods shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.

Section 12.        Record Holders. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation, the Registrar, the Transfer Agent and the Paying Agent may deem and treat the Holder of any Series C Preferred Shares as the true, lawful and absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Corporation nor the Registrar, the Transfer Agent or the Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 13.        Consolidation, Merger, etc.  Subject to Section 8, upon any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series C Preferred Shares, or of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with another corporation or other entity, then either (x) the shares of Series C Preferred Shares shall remain outstanding or, (y) in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity, then the Series C Preferred Shares shall be converted into or exchanged for preferred securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and in either case of (x) or (y) such shares remaining outstanding or such preferred securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of Series C Preferred Shares immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole; provided, however, that for all purposes of this Section 6, any increase in the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock, including any increase in the authorized number of Series C Preferred Shares, will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the holders of Series C Preferred Shares.

Section 14.        No Mandatory Redemption; Sinking Fund.  The Series C Preferred Shares shall not be subject to mandatory redemption and shall not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

Section 15.        Notices.  Any notice to be delivered hereunder shall be delivered (via overnight courier, facsimile or email) to each holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the books and records of the Corporation.

Section 16.        Record Holders.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation may deem and treat each holder of any Series C Preferred Share as the true, lawful and absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and the Corporation shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 17.        No Other Rights.  The Series C Preferred Shares shall not have any voting powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth in this Statement of Designation or in the Articles or as provided by applicable law.

Section 18.        No Impairment.  The Corporation shall not, by amendment of this Statement of Designation, through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid or reduce the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed under this Statement of Designation by the Corporation, but shall at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Statement of Designation and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares against impairment.

Section 19.        Lost or Stolen Certificates. Upon receipt by the Corporation of evidence of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Series C Preferred Share certificate (if any), and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, and upon surrender and cancellation of the Series C Preferred Share certificate(s), if any, the Corporation shall execute and deliver new Series C Preferred Share certificate(s) of like tenor and date.

Section 20.        Maturity.  The Series C Preferred Shares shall be perpetual, unless purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation.

Section 21.        No Preemptive Rights.  No holders of Series C Preferred Shares will, as holders of Series C Preferred Shares, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for Common Shares or any other security of the Corporation.

Section 22.        Severability; Headings.  If any provision of this Statement of Designation is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Statement of Designation shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person, entity or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons, entities and circumstances.  Headings in this Statement of Designation are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

[Signature Page Follows]


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Statement of Designations is executed on behalf of the Corporation by its Chief Executive Officer on this [●] day of [●], 2022.

 
By:
 
 
Name: 
Stamatios Tsantanis
 
Title: 
Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Statement of Designation – Series C Preferred



Exhibit 4.1

SHAREHOLDERS RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Between

UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION

and

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC,
as Rights Agent

Dated as of [], 2022

This Shareholders Rights Agreement (this “Rights Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [], 2022, by and between United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has (a) authorized and declared a dividend of one right (the “Right”) for each of the Company’s Common Shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Shares”) held of record as of the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on [], 2022 (the “Record Date”) and (b) has further authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each Common Share that shall become outstanding (i) at any time between the Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined) or (ii) upon the exercise or conversion, prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, of any option or other security exercisable for or convertible into Common Shares, which option or other such security is outstanding on the Distribution Date; and

WHEREAS, each Right represents the right of the holder thereof to purchase one one-thousandth of a Series A Participating Preferred Share (as such number may hereafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions hereof), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, having the rights, preferences and privileges set forth in the Statement of Designation of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, attached hereto as Exhibit A.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.          Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Rights Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person (as hereinafter defined) who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are hereinafter defined) of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner (as hereinafter defined) of 10% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding, but shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) of the Company (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or (iv) a Passive Institutional Investor (as such term is hereinafter defined), so long as, in the case of this clause (iv), such Person is not the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, but subject to the provisions in the definition of “Passive Institutional Investor”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person if such Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding solely as a result of a grant under a Company equity incentive plan, a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Shares in Common Shares or pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares; provided, however, that a Person who (i) becomes the Beneficial Owner of 10% (15% in the case of a Passive Institutional Investor) or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding by reason of a grant under a Company equity incentive plan, dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Shares in Common Shares or pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares and (ii) becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares of the Company (other than pursuant to an additional grant under a Company equity incentive plan, dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Shares in Common Shares or pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares), shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person unless upon becoming the Beneficial Owner of such additional Common Shares of the Company such Person does not beneficially own 10% (15% in the case of a Passive Institutional Investor) or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person as the result of an acquisition of Common Shares by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or an employee benefit plan of the Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such Person to 10% (15% in the case of a Passive Institutional Investor) or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that a Person who (i) becomes the Beneficial Owner of 10% (15% in the case of a Passive Institutional Investor) or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding by reason of share purchases by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or an employee benefit plan of the Company and (ii) after such share purchases, becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares of the Company (other than pursuant to a grant under a Company equity incentive plan, a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Shares in Common Shares or pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares), shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person unless upon becoming the Beneficial Owner of such additional Common Shares of the Company such Person does not beneficially own 10% (15% in the case of a Passive Institutional Investor) or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company’s Board of Directors determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, has become such inadvertently (including, without limitation, because (A) such Person was unaware that it beneficially owned a percentage of the Common Shares that would otherwise cause such Person to be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, or (B) such Person was aware of the extent of the Common Shares it beneficially owned but had no actual knowledge of the consequences of such beneficial ownership under this Rights Agreement) and without any intention of changing or influencing control of the Company, and if such Person divested or divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient number of Common Shares so that such Person would no longer be an Acquiring Person, as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, then such Person shall not be deemed to be or have ever been an Acquiring Person for any purposes of this Rights Agreement, except as a result of subsequent actions by such Person that would otherwise cause such Person to be an Acquiring Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a bona fide swaps dealer who would otherwise be an “Acquiring Person” has become so as a result of its actions in the ordinary course of its business that the Company’s Board of Directors determines, in its sole discretion, were taken without the intent or effect of evading or assisting any other Person to evade the purposes and intent of this Rights Agreement, or otherwise seeking to control or influence the management or policies of the Company, then, and unless and until the Company’s Board of Directors shall otherwise determine, such Person shall not be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person” for any purposes of this Rights Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, as of the first public announcement of the declaration of the Rights dividend, any Person is the Beneficial Owner of 10% (15% in the case of a Passive Institutional Investor) or more of the Common Shares outstanding, such Person shall not be or become an “Acquiring Person,” as defined herein, unless and until such time as such Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of additional Common Shares in an amount in excess of 0.001% of the Company’s then outstanding Common Shares (excluding shares acquired pursuant to a grant under a Company equity incentive plan, a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Shares in Common Shares or pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares), unless upon becoming the Beneficial Owner of such additional Common Shares, such Person is not then the beneficial owner of 10% (15% in the case of a Passive Institutional Investor) or more of the Common Shares then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Company amends this Rights Agreement to lower the threshold set forth in this Section 1(a) (the “Reduced Threshold”), no Person who Beneficially Owns a number of Common Shares equal to or greater than the Reduced Threshold shall become an Acquiring Person; provided, however, that a Person who (i) becomes the Beneficial Owner of the Reduced Threshold and (ii) after the public announcement of the Reduced Threshold becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares of the Company (other than pursuant to a grant under a Company equity incentive plan, a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Shares in Common Shares or pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares), then that Person shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person unless upon becoming the Beneficial Owner of such additional Common Shares of the Company such Person does not beneficially own the Reduced Threshold or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding.


 
Adjustment fraction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(i) hereof.

Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act (as hereinafter defined) as in effect on the date of this Rights Agreement.

Associate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Rights Agreement, and shall include without limitation, any entity that owns a majority of the equity of another entity, or is or would be entitled to a majority of the proceeds to equity holders upon liquidation of such other entity, is deemed to be an Associate of such entity (and vice versa).

A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, and shall be deemed to “Beneficially Own,” any securities:

(i)          which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 thereunder (or any comparable or successor law or regulation);

(ii)          which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has (A) the right to acquire or direct the acquisition of (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed pursuant to this subsection (ii)(A) to be the Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially Own, (1) securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange, or (2) securities which a Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates may be deemed to have the right to acquire pursuant to any merger or other acquisition agreement between the Company and such Person (or one or more of its Affiliates or Associates) if such agreement has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to there being an Acquiring Person; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially Own, any security under this subsection (ii)(B) if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report);

(iii)          which are Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso to subsection (ii)(B) above) or disposing of any securities of the Company, or cooperating in obtaining, changing or influencing the control of the Company (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso to subsection (ii)(B) above); provided, however, that in no case shall an officer or director of the Company be deemed (x) the Beneficial Owner of any securities beneficially owned by another officer or director of the Company solely by reason of actions undertaken by such persons in their capacity as officers or directors of the Company or (y) the Beneficial Owner of securities held of record by the trustee of any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company for the benefit of any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, other than the officer or director, by reason of any influence that such officer or director may have over the voting of the securities held in the plan; or

2


 
(iv)          which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a Counterparty (or any of such Counterparty’s Affiliates or Associates) under any Derivatives Contract (without regard to any short or similar position under the same or any other Derivatives Contract) to which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is a Receiving Party (as such terms are defined in the immediately following paragraph); provided, however, that the number of Common Shares that a Person is deemed to Beneficially Own pursuant to this clause (iv) in connection with a particular Derivatives Contract shall not exceed the number of Notional Common Shares with respect to such Derivatives Contract; provided, further, that the number of securities beneficially owned by each Counterparty (including its Affiliates and Associates) under a Derivatives Contract shall for purposes of this clause (iv) be deemed to include all securities that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Counterparty (or any of such other Counterparty’s Affiliates or Associates) under any Derivatives Contract to which such first Counterparty (or any of such first Counterparty’s Affiliates or Associates) is a Receiving Party, with this proviso being applied to successive Counterparties as appropriate.

A “Derivatives Contract” is a contract between two parties (the “Receiving Party” and the “Counterparty”) that is designed to produce economic benefits and risks to the Receiving Party that correspond substantially to the ownership by the Receiving Party of a number of Common Shares specified or referenced in such contract (the number corresponding to such economic benefits and risks, the “Notional Common Shares”), regardless of whether obligations under such contract are required or permitted to be settled through the delivery of cash, Common Shares or other property, without regard to any short position under the same or any other Derivatives Contract. For the avoidance of doubt, interests in broad-based index options, broad-based index futures and broad-based publicly traded market baskets of stocks approved for trading by the appropriate federal governmental authority shall not be deemed to be Derivatives Contracts.

Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial Ownership to the contrary, the phrase “then outstanding,” when used with reference to a Person’s Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company, shall mean the number of such securities then issued and outstanding together with the number of such securities not then actually issued and outstanding which are issuable by the Company and which such Person would be deemed to Beneficially Own hereunder.

Book Entry Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

Common Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.  Common Shares when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the share capital (or equity interest) with the greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned Person.

Common Share Equivalents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble, subject to the terms of Section 13(a)(iii)(c) hereof.

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Current Per Share Market Price” of any security (a “Security” for purposes of this definition), for all computations other than those made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, shall mean the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to but not including such date, and for purposes of computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the Current Per Share Market Price of any Security on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to but not including such date; provided, however, that in the event that the Current Per Share Market Price of the Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (i) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares or (ii) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security, and prior to the expiration of the applicable thirty (30) Trading Day or ten (10) Trading Day period, after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the Current Per Share Market Price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per share equivalent of such Security.  The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last sale price or, if such last sale price is not reported, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by Nasdaq or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.  If on any such date no market maker is making a market in the Security, the fair value of such shares on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.  If the Preferred Shares are not publicly traded, the Current Per Share Market Price of the Preferred Shares shall be conclusively deemed to be the Current Per Share Market Price of the Common Shares as determined pursuant to this definition, as appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof, multiplied by 1,000.  If the Security is not publicly held or so listed or traded, Current Per Share Market Price shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes.

Current Value” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

Distribution Date” shall mean the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth calendar day after the Shares Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth calendar day after the Shares Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the Close of Business on the Record Date) or (ii) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Company’s Board of Directors) after the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is first published or sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, if, assuming the successful consummation thereof, such Person would be an Acquiring Person.

Equivalent Shares” shall mean Preferred Shares and any other class or series of share capital of the Company which is entitled to the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Shares.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Ratio” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(a) hereof.

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Exercise Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

Expiration Date” shall mean the earliest to occur of: (i) the Close of Business on the Final Expiration Date, (ii) the Redemption Date, or (iii) the time at which the Board of Directors orders the exchange of the Rights as provided in Section 24 hereof.

Final Expiration Date” shall mean the Close of Business on July 1, 2032.

Nasdaq” shall mean the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

Passive Institutional Investor” shall mean any Person who or which has reported and is entitled to report Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report), but only so long as (i) such Person is eligible to report such ownership on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report), and (ii) such Person has not reported and is not required to report such ownership on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report) and such Person does not hold Common Shares on behalf of any other Person who is required to report Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares on such Schedule 13D; provided that if a formerly Passive Institutional Investor should report or become required to report Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares on Schedule 13D, that formerly Passive Institutional Investor will not be deemed to be or to have become an Acquiring Person if (A) at the time it reports or becomes required to report Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares on Schedule 13D, that formerly Passive Institutional Investor has Beneficial Ownership of less than 15% of the Common Shares then outstanding; or (B) (1) it divests as promptly as practicable (but in any event not later than ten calendar days after becoming required to report on Schedule 13D) Beneficial Ownership of a sufficient number of Common Shares so that it would no longer be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined herein, and (2) prior to reducing its Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares then outstanding to below 15%, it does not increase its Beneficial Ownership of the Common Shares then outstanding (other than by reason of share purchases by the Company) above such Person’s lowest Beneficial Ownership of the Common Shares then outstanding at any time during such ten calendar day period.

Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, limited liability partnership, joint venture, unincorporated organization or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity, as well as any group under Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.

Post-Event Transferee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(e) hereof.

Preferred Shares” shall mean Series A Participating Preferred Shares, $0.0001 par value, of the Company having the rights and preferences set forth in the Form of Statement of Designation, Preferences and Rights included as Exhibit A to this Rights Agreement.

Pre-Event Transferee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(e) hereof.

Principal Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) hereof.

Record Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals at the beginning of this Rights Agreement.

Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a) hereof.

Redemption Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a) hereof.

Rights Agent” shall mean American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, or its successor or replacement as provided in Sections 19 and 21 hereof.

Rights Certificate” shall mean a certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

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Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

Section 13 Event” shall mean any event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 13(a) hereof.

SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shares Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.

Spread” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which an amount of voting securities sufficient to elect a majority of the directors or Persons having similar authority of such corporation or other entity is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person, or any corporation or other entity otherwise controlled by such Person.

Substitution Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

Summary of Rights” shall mean a summary of this Rights Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

Total Exercise Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which a referenced security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if a referenced security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

A “Triggering Event” shall be deemed to have occurred upon any Person, becoming an Acquiring Person.

2.          Appointment of Rights Agent.  The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as rights agent for the Company in accordance with the express terms and conditions hereof (and no implied terms or conditions), and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.  The Company may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agent as it may deem necessary or desirable, upon ten (10) calendar days’ prior written notice to the Rights Agent; provided, that such Person meets the eligibility requirements under Section 21 hereof.  In the event the Company appoints one or more co-Rights Agents, the respective duties of the Rights Agent and any co-Rights Agents under the provisions of this Rights Agreement shall be as the Company shall reasonably determine and the Company shall notify in writing, the Rights Agent and any co-Rights Agent of such duties. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and in no event shall be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such co-Rights Agent appointed by the Company.

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3.          Issuance of Rights Certificates.

(a)          Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b) and 3(c) hereof) by the certificates for shares of Common Stock registered in the names of the holders thereof or, in the case of uncertificated shares of Common Stock registered in book-entry form (“Book Entry Shares”), by notation in book entry accounts reflecting the ownership of such shares of Common Stock (which certificates and Book Entry Shares, as applicable, shall also be deemed to be Rights Certificates) and not by separate Rights Certificates and (ii) the right to receive Rights Certificates will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of shares of Common Stock.  Until the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date, the transfer of shares of Common Stock shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such shares of Common Stock.  As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, and upon written request of the Company, the Rights Agent will countersign (in manual or facsimile form), and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested and provided with all necessary information and documents, in the discretion of the Rights Agent, at the expense of the Company, send or cause to be sent) by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of shares of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, or the transfer agent or registrar for the Common Stock, a Rights Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, evidencing one Right for each share of Common Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein, other than to any Acquiring Person or Associates or Affiliates thereof, pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) of this Rights Agreement.  In the event that an adjustment in the number of Rights per share of Common Stock has been made pursuant to Section 11 hereof, then at the time of distribution of the Rights Certificates, the Company shall make the necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights Certificates representing only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights.  As of the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates and may be transferred by the transfer of the Rights Certificates as permitted hereby, separately and apart from any transfer of shares of Common Stock, and the holders of such Rights Certificates as listed in the records of the Company or any transfer agent or registrar for the Rights shall be the record holders thereof.

The Company shall promptly notify the Rights Agent in writing of the occurrence of the Distribution Date.  Until such written notice is received by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent may presume conclusively for all purposes that the Distribution Date has not occurred.

(b)          On the Record Date or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company will send a copy of the Summary of Rights by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the Common Shares.  With respect to certificates for Common Shares and Book Entry Shares, as applicable, outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates or Book Entry Shares, registered in the names of the holders thereof together with the Summary of Rights.  Until the Distribution Date (or, if earlier, the Expiration Date), the transfer of any Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such Common Shares.

(c)          Unless the Board of Directors by resolution adopted at or before the time of the issuance of any Common Shares specifies to the contrary, Rights shall be issued in respect of all Common Shares that are issued after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date or, in certain circumstances provided in Section 22 hereof, after the Distribution Date.  Certificates and Book Entry Shares representing such Common Shares shall also be deemed to be certificates for Rights, and shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS CERTIFICATE ALSO EVIDENCES AND ENTITLES THE HOLDER HEREOF TO CERTAIN RIGHTS AS SET FORTH IN A SHAREHOLDERS RIGHTS AGREEMENT BETWEEN UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION AND AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RIGHTS AGENT), AS THE RIGHTS AGENT, DATED AS OF [], 2022, AS MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE “RIGHTS AGREEMENT”), THE TERMS OF WHICH ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AND A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, SUCH RIGHTS WILL BE EVIDENCED BY SEPARATE CERTIFICATES AND WILL NO LONGER BE EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE.  UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION WILL MAIL TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE A COPY OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE AFTER RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR.  UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS ISSUED TO, OR HELD BY, ANY PERSON WHO IS, WAS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT), WHETHER CURRENTLY HELD BY OR ON BEHALF OF SUCH PERSON OR BY ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER, MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID.

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With respect to such certificates or Book Entry Shares, as applicable, containing the foregoing legend, until the earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificates or Book Entry Shares, as applicable, shall be evidenced by such certificates or Book Entry Shares, as applicable, alone, and the transfer of any such certificate or Book Entry Shares, as applicable, (with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights) shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby.

(d)          In the event that the Company purchases or acquires any Common Shares after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such Common Shares shall be deemed canceled so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Shares which are no longer outstanding.

(e)          Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, neither the omission of a legend nor the failure to deliver the notice of such legend required hereby shall affect the enforceability of any part of this Rights Agreement or the rights of any holder of Rights.

4.          Form of Rights Certificates.

(a)          The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase Series A Preferred Shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate (but which do not affect the rights, duties, liabilities, or responsibilities of the Rights Agent) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Rights Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or a national market system, on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or traded, or to conform to usage.  Subject to the provisions of Section 11 and Section 22 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be dated as of the Record Date (or in the case of Rights issued with respect to Common Shares issued by the Company after the Record Date, as of the date of issuance of such Common Shares) and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share as shall be set forth therein at the price set forth therein (such exercise price per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share being hereinafter referred to as the “Exercise Price” and the aggregate Exercise Price of all Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of one Right being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Exercise Price”), but the number and type of securities purchasable upon the exercise of each Right and the Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.

(b)          Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by: (i) an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Company’s Board of Directors has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, and any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent the Rights Agent has received written notice thereof and to the extent feasible) a legend in substantially the following form:

THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT).  ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT

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The Company shall give written notice to the Rights Agent promptly after it becomes aware of the existence and identity of any Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof.  Until such notice is received by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent may presume conclusively for all purposes that no Person has become an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.  The Company shall instruct the Rights Agent in writing of the Rights which should be so legended.

5.          Countersignature and Registration.

(a)          The Rights Certificates shall be duly executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President or any Vice President, either manually or by facsimile signature, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall have affixed thereto the Company’s seal (if any) or a facsimile thereof.  The Rights Certificates shall be, either manually or by facsimile signature, countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned.  In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Rights Certificates on behalf of the Company had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Rights Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

(b)          Following the Distribution Date, receipt by the Rights Agent of written notice to that effect and all other relevant information referred to in Section 3(a), the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its office designated for such purposes, books for registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates issued hereunder.  Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights Certificates and the date of each of the Rights Certificates.

6.          Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates.

(a)          Subject to the provisions of Sections 7(e), 14 and 24 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase.  Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, along with a signature guarantee (if required) and such other and further documentation as the Company or the Rights Agent may reasonably request. The Rights Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent.  Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates until the registered holder shall have properly completed and duly signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Rights Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby and the Affiliates and Associates of such Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) as the Company or the Rights Agent shall request.  Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Sections 7(e), 14 and 24 hereof, countersign and deliver to the person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested.  The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Rights Certificates as required by Section 9(e) hereof. If and to the extent the Company does require payment of any such taxes or charges, the Company shall give the Rights Agent prompt written notice thereof and the Rights Agent shall not deliver any Rights Certificate unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that such payments have been made, and the Rights Agent shall forward any such sum collected by it to the Company or to such Persons as the Company shall specify by written notice.  The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any action with respect to a Rights holder under any Section of this Rights Agreement which requires the payment by such Rights holder of applicable taxes and/or charges unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

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(b)          Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Rights Certificate, along with a signature guarantee (if required) and such other and further documentation as the Company or the Rights Agent may reasonably request, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate if mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

7.          Exercise of Rights; Exercise Price; Expiration Date of Rights.

(a)          Subject to Sections 7(e), 23(b) and 24(b) hereof, the registered holder of any Rights Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date and prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration Date by surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate on the reverse side thereof properly completed and duly executed (with such signature duly guaranteed, if required), to the Rights Agent at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment of the Exercise Price for each one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, cash or other assets as the case may be) as to which the Rights are exercised, and an amount equal to any tax or charge required to be paid under Section 9(e) hereof, by certified check, cashier’s check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company.

(b)          The Exercise Price for each one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share issuable pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be forty U.S. Dollars ($40.00), shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) below.

(c)          Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate properly completed and duly executed (with such signature duly guaranteed, if required), accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price for the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, cash or other assets as the case may be) to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable tax or charge required to be paid by the holder of such Rights Certificate in accordance with Section 9(e) hereof, the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Shares (or make available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for the Preferred Shares) a certificate or certificates for the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, cash or other assets as the case may be) to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests or (B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit the total number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, cash or other assets as the case may be) issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, cash or other assets as the case may be) as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Shares (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, cash or other assets as the case may be) represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company hereby directs the depositary agent to comply with such request, (ii) when necessary to comply with this Rights Agreement, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder and (iv) when necessary to comply with this Rights Agreement, after receipt thereof, deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate.  The payment of the Exercise Price (as such amount may be reduced (including to zero) pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof) and an amount equal to any applicable tax or charge required to be paid by the holder of such Rights Certificate in accordance with Section 9(e) hereof, may be made in cash or by certified bank check, cashier’s check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company.  In the event that the Company is obligated to issue securities of the Company other than Preferred Shares, pay cash and/or distribute other property pursuant to Section 11(a) or Section 14 hereof, the Company will promptly make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or other property are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when necessary to comply with this Rights Agreement.

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(d)          In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall properly exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Rights Certificate or to his or her duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

(e)          Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, from and after the first occurrence of a Triggering Event, any Rights Beneficially Owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such (a “Post-Event Transferee”), (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Company’s Board of Directors has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e) (a “Pre-Event Transferee”) or (iv) any subsequent transferee receiving transferred Rights from a Post-Event Transferee or a Pre-Event Transferee, either directly or through one or more intermediate transferees, shall become null and void without any further action and no holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Rights Agreement or otherwise.  The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the provisions of this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or to any other Person as a result of the Company’s failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or any of such Acquiring Person’s Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.

(f)          Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement or any Rights Certificate to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action required hereunder with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported transfer or exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall, in addition to having complied with the requirements of Section 7(a), have (i) properly completed and duly signed the certificate contained in the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby or Affiliates and Associates of such Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request.

8.          Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates.  All Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Rights Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement.  The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof.  The Rights Agent shall deliver all canceled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy or cause to be destroyed such canceled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

9.          Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares.

(a)          The Company covenants and agrees that it will use its best efforts to cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares not reserved for another purpose (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its authorized and unissued Common Shares and/or other securities), the number of Preferred Shares (and, following the occurrence of the Triggering Event, Common Shares and/or other securities) that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.

(b)          If the Company shall hereafter list any of its Preferred Shares on a national securities exchange, then so long as the Preferred Shares (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Shares and/or other securities) issuable and deliverable upon exercise of the Rights may be listed on such exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable (but only to the extent that it is reasonably likely that the Rights will be exercised), all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.

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(c)          The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a Triggering Event in which the consideration to be delivered by the Company upon exercise of the Rights is described in Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, or as soon as is required by law following the Distribution Date, as the case may be, a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and (iii) cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities and (B) the date of expiration of the Rights.  The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become effective.  Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement and notify the Rights Agent in writing that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as issue a public announcement and notification in writing to the Rights Agent at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.  The Company will also take such action as may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Rights Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction, unless the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall have been obtained, or an exemption therefrom shall be available, and until a registration statement has been declared effective.

(d)          The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares (or other securities of the Company) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such securities (subject to payment of the Exercise Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and non-assessable shares.

(e)          The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state taxes or charges which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates or of any Preferred Shares (or other securities of the Company) upon the exercise of Rights.  The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Shares (or other securities of the Company) in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or to deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares (or other securities of the Company) upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax or charge shall have been paid (any such tax or charge being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s or the Rights Agent’s satisfaction that no such tax or charge is due.

10.          Record Date.  Each Person in whose name any certificate for a number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or other securities of the Company) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of Preferred Shares (or other securities of the Company) represented thereon, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Total Exercise Price with respect to which the Rights have been exercised (and any applicable taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the transfer books of the Company are open.  Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Shares (or other securities of the Company) for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

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11.          Adjustment of Exercise Price, Number of Shares or Number of Rights.  The Exercise Price, the number and kind of shares or other property covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.

(a)          (i)          Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, in the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Rights Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Shares (by reverse stock split or otherwise) into a smaller number of Preferred Shares, or (D) issue any shares in a reclassification of the Preferred Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving company), then, in each such event, except as otherwise provided in Section 11 and Section 7(e) hereof: (1) the Exercise Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be adjusted so that the Exercise Price thereafter shall equal the result obtained by dividing the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such time by a fraction (the “Adjustment Fraction”), the numerator of which shall be the total number of Preferred Shares (or shares issued in such reclassification of the Preferred Shares) outstanding immediately following such time and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Preferred Shares outstanding immediately prior to such time; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of the Company issuable upon exercise of such Right; and (2) the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or other share) issuable upon the exercise of each Right shall equal the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or other share) as was issuable upon exercise of a Right immediately prior to the occurrence of the event described in clauses (A)-(D) of this Section 11(a)(i), multiplied by the Adjustment Fraction; provided, however, that, no such adjustment shall be made pursuant to this Section 11(a)(i) to the extent that there shall have simultaneously occurred an event described in clause (A), (B), (C) or (D) of Section 11(n) with a proportionate adjustment being made thereunder.  Each Common Share that shall become outstanding after an adjustment has been made pursuant to this Section 11(a)(i) shall have associated with it the number of Rights, exercisable at the Exercise Price and for the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or other share) as one Common Share has associated with it immediately following the adjustment made pursuant to this Section 11(a)(i).

(ii)          Subject to Section 24 of this Rights Agreement, in the event a Triggering Event shall have occurred, then promptly following such Triggering Event each holder of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall thereafter have the right to receive for each Right, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms of this Rights Agreement and payment of the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the Triggering Event, in lieu of a number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, such number of Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the Triggering Event by the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable (or would have been exercisable if the Distribution Date had occurred) immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Triggering Event, and dividing that product by 50% of the Current Per Share Market Price for Common Shares on the date of occurrence of the Triggering Event; provided, however, that the Exercise Price and the number of Common Shares of the Company so receivable upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to further adjustment as appropriate in accordance with Section 11(e) hereof to reflect any events occurring in respect of the Common Shares of the Company after the occurrence of the Triggering Event. In the event that any Person shall become an Acquiring Person and the Rights shall then be outstanding, the Company shall not take any action which would eliminate or diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

From and after the occurrence of such event, any Rights that are or were acquired or Beneficially Owned by any Acquiring Person (or any Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) shall be null and void without any further action and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no right whatsoever with respect to such Rights, under any provision of this Rights Agreement or otherwise.  Neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as a result of the Company’s or the Rights Agent’s failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder. No Rights Certificate shall be issued pursuant to Section 3 that represents Rights Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be null and void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate or nominee thereof; no Rights Certificate shall be issued at any time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be null and void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate; and any Rights Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent for transfer to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be null and void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate shall be cancelled.  The Company shall give the Rights Agent written notice of the identity of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or the nominee of any of the foregoing, and the Rights Agent may rely on such notice in carrying out its duties under this Rights Agreement and shall be deemed not to have any knowledge of the identity of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or the nominee of any of the foregoing unless and until it shall have received such notice.

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(iii)          In lieu of issuing Common Shares in accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the Company may, if the Company’s Board of Directors determines that such action is necessary or appropriate and not contrary to the interest of holders of Rights and, in the event that the number of Common Shares which are authorized by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation but not outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise of the Rights are not sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Rights, the Company shall: (A) determine the excess of (1) the value of the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the “Current Value”) over (2) the Exercise Price (such excess, the “Spread”) and (B) with respect to each Right, make adequate provision to substitute for such Common Shares, upon exercise of the Rights, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Exercise Price, (3) other equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares or any series of preferred shares which the Company’s Board of Directors has deemed to have the same value as Common Shares (such shares or Preferred Shares are herein called “Common Share Equivalents”)), except to the extent that the Company has not obtained any necessary shareholder approval for such issuance, (4) debt securities of the Company, except to the extent that the Company has not obtained any necessary shareholder approval for such issuance, (5) other assets or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to the Current Value, where such aggregate value has been determined by the Company’s Board of Directors based upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Company’s Board of Directors; provided, however, if the Company shall not have made adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the later of (x) the first occurrence of a Triggering Event and (y) the date on which the Company’s right of redemption pursuant to Section 23(a) expires (the later of (x) and (y) being referred to herein as the “Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date”), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the Exercise Price, Common Shares (to the extent available), except to the extent that the Company has not obtained any necessary shareholder approval for such issuance, and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread.  If the Company’s Board of Directors shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional Common Shares could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, the thirty (30) day period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek shareholder approval for the authorization of such additional shares (such period, as it may be extended, the “Substitution Period”).  To the extent that the Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the first and/or second sentences of this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such first sentence and to determine the value thereof.  In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement (and provide prompt written notice to the Rights Agent) stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement (and provide prompt written notice to the Rights Agent) at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.  For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the Common Shares shall be the Current Per Share Market Price of the Common Shares on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the value of any Common Share Equivalent shall be deemed to have the same value as the Common Shares on such date.

(b)          In case the Company shall, at any time after the date of this Rights Agreement, fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares entitling such holders (for a period expiring within forty-five (45) calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares or Equivalent Shares or securities convertible into Preferred Shares or Equivalent Shares at a price per share (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Shares or Equivalent Shares) less than the then Current Per Share Market Price of the Preferred Shares or Equivalent Shares on such record date, then, in each such case, the Exercise Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares and Equivalent Shares (if any) outstanding on such record date, plus the number of Preferred Shares or Equivalent Shares, as the case may be, which the aggregate offering price of the total number of Preferred Shares or Equivalent Shares, as the case may be, to be offered or issued (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities to be offered or issued) would purchase at such current market price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares and Equivalent Shares (if any) outstanding on such record date, plus the number of additional Preferred Shares or Equivalent Shares, as the case may be, to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right.  In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.  Preferred Shares and Equivalent Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation.  Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Exercise Price shall be adjusted to be the Exercise Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

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(c)          In case the Company shall, at any time after the date of this Rights Agreement, fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares or of any class or series of Equivalent Shares (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving company) of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend, if any, or a dividend payable in Preferred Shares) or subscription rights, options or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b)), then, in each such case, the Exercise Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Current Per Share Market Price of a Preferred Share or an Equivalent Share on such record date, less the fair market value per Preferred Share or Equivalent Share (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding and conclusive for all purposes on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights) of the portion of the cash, assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to a Preferred Share or Equivalent Share, as the case may be, and the denominator of which shall be such Current Per Share Market Price of a Preferred Share or Equivalent Share on such record date; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right.  Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Exercise Price shall be adjusted to be the Exercise Price which would have been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(d)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no adjustment in the Exercise Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Exercise Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(d) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.  All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a Common Share or other share or one hundred-thousandth of a Preferred Share, as the case may be.  Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(d), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three (3) years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or (ii) the Expiration Date.

(e)          If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) or 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right and, if required, the Exercise Price thereof, shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Shares contained in Sections 11(a), 11(b), 11(c), 11(d), 11(g), 11(h), 11(i), 11(j), 11(k) and 11(l), and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

(f)          All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Exercise Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

(g)          Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in Section 11(h), upon each adjustment of the Exercise Price as a result of the calculations made in Section 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, that number of Preferred Shares (calculated to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a share) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of Preferred Shares covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Exercise Price, and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Exercise Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Exercise Price.

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(h)          The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Exercise Price as a result of the calculations made in Section 11(b) or (c) to adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any adjustment in the number of Preferred Shares purchasable upon the exercise of a Right.  Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment.  Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one hundred-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Exercise Price by the Exercise Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Exercise Price.  The Company shall make a public announcement (with prompt written notice thereof to the Rights Agent) of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made.  This record date may be the date on which the Exercise Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten (10) days later than the date of the public announcement.  If Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(h), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment.  Rights Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and delivered by the Company, and countersigned and delivered by the Rights Agent, in the manner provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Exercise Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

(i)          Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Exercise Price or the number of Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Exercise Price per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share and the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.

(j)          Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Exercise Price below the par or stated value, if any, of the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue as fully paid and non-assessable shares such number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share at such adjusted Exercise Price.

(k)          In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment in the Exercise Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer (with prompt written notice thereof to the Rights Agent) until the occurrence of such event the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Exercise Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares (fractional or otherwise) upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

(l)          Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11 to the contrary, prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Exercise Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares or Common Shares, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares or Common Shares at less than the current market price, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or Common Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred or Common Shares, (iv) share dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Shares or Common Shares shall not be taxable to such shareholders.

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(m)          The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Sections 23, 24 or 27 hereof, take (or permit to be taken) any action if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

(n)          In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Rights Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Common Shares, (C) combine the outstanding Common Shares (by consolidation or otherwise) into a smaller number of Common Shares, or (D) issue any shares in a reclassification of the Common Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving company), then, in each such event, except as otherwise provided in Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof: (1) each Common Share (or shares issued in such reclassification of the Common Shares) outstanding immediately following such time shall have associated with it the number of Rights as were associated with one Common Share immediately prior to the occurrence of the event described in clauses (A)-(D) above; (2) the Exercise Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be adjusted so that the Exercise Price thereafter shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such time by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the event described in clauses (A)-(D) above, and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of the Company issuable upon exercise of such Right; and (3) the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or shares of such other capital stock) issuable upon the exercise of each Right outstanding after such event shall equal the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or other share) as were issuable with respect to one Right immediately prior to such event.  Each Common Share that shall become outstanding after an adjustment has been made pursuant to this Section 11(n) shall have associated with it the number of Rights, exercisable at the Exercise Price and for the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or other share) as one Common Share has associated with it immediately following the adjustment made pursuant to this Section 11(n).  If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both this Section 11(n) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(n) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

12.          Certificate of Adjusted Exercise Price or Number of Shares.  Whenever an adjustment is made or any event affecting the Rights or their exercisability (including, without limitation, an event which causes Rights to become null and void) occurs as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment or describing such event, and a brief reasonably detailed statement of the facts to the extent applicable, accounting for any such adjustment or event, (b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Preferred Shares and Common Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, each registered holder of Common Shares, whether represented by certificates or Book Entry Shares) in accordance with Section 26 hereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the failure of the Company to make such certification or give such notice shall not affect the validity of such adjustment or the force or effect of the requirement for such adjustment.  The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment or statement contained therein and shall have no duty or liability with respect thereto, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment or any such event unless and until it shall have received such certificate.

13.          Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power.

(a)          In the event that, following a Shares Acquisition Date, directly or indirectly:

(i)          the Company shall consolidate or merge with or into, any other Person (other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company and which complies with Section 11(m) hereof);

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(ii)          any Person shall consolidate or merge with or into the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving company of such consolidation or merger, and, in connection with such consolidation or merger, all or some of the Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for shares or other securities of any other person (or the Company); or

(iii)          the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries in one or more transactions, each of which individually (and together) complies with Section 11(m) hereof),

then, concurrent with and in each such case:


(a)
each holder of a Right (except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof, at a price equal to the Total Exercise Price applicable immediately prior to the occurrence of the Section 13 Event in accordance with the terms of this Rights Agreement, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable and freely tradeable Common Shares of the Principal Party (as hereinafter defined), free of any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result obtained by dividing such Total Exercise Price by 50% of the Current Per Share Market Price of the Common Shares of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of such Section 13 Event, provided, however, that the Exercise Price and the number of Common Shares of such Principal Party so receivable upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to further adjustment as appropriate in accordance with Section 11(e) hereof;


(b)
such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Rights Agreement;


(c)
the term “Company” shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event;


(d)
such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares) in connection with the consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to ensure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights; and


(e)
upon the subsequent occurrence of any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets or other extraordinary transaction in respect of such Principal Party, each holder of a Right shall thereupon be entitled to receive, upon exercise of a Right and payment of the Total Exercise Price as provided in this Section 13(a), such cash, shares, rights, warrants and other property which such holder would have been entitled to receive had such holder, at the time of such transaction, owned the Common Shares of the Principal Party receivable upon the exercise of such Right pursuant to this Section 13(a), and such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, reservation of shares of stock) as may be necessary to permit the subsequent exercise of the Rights in accordance with the terms hereof for such cash, shares, rights, warrants and other property.

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(f)
For purposes hereof, the “earning power” of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors on the basis of the operating earnings of each business operated by the Company and its Subsidiaries during the three fiscal years preceding the date of such determination (or, in the case of any business not operated by the Company or any Subsidiary during three full fiscal years preceding such date, during the period such business was operated by the Company or any Subsidiary).

(b)          For purposes of this Rights Agreement, the term “Principal Party” shall mean:

(i)          in the case of any transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 13(a) hereof: (A) the Person that is the issuer of the securities into which the Common Shares are converted in such merger or consolidation, or, if there is more than one such issuer, the issuer the Common Shares of which have the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding, or (B) if no securities are so issued, (x) the Person that is the other party to the merger, if such Person survives said merger, or, if there is more than one such Person, the Person the Common Shares of which have the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding or (y) if the Person that is the other party to the merger does not survive the merger, the Person that does survive the merger (including the Company if it survives) or (z) the Person resulting from the consolidation; and

(ii)          in the case of any transaction described in clause (iii) of Section 13(a) hereof, the Person that is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions, or, if more than one Person that is a party to such transaction or transactions receives the same portion of the assets or earning power so transferred and each such portion would, were it not for the other equal portions, constitute the greatest portion of the assets or earning power so transferred, or if the Person receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power cannot be determined, whichever of such Persons is the issuer of Common Shares having the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding; provided, however, that in any such case described in the foregoing clause (b)(i) or (b)(ii), if the Common Shares of such Person are not at such time or have not been continuously over the preceding 12-month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, then (1) if such Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Shares of which are and have been so registered, the term “Principal Party” shall refer to such other Person, or (2) if such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person, the Common Shares of which are and have been so registered, the term “Principal Party” shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of Common Shares having the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding, or (3) if such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly by the same Person, the rules set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the owners having an interest in the venture as if the Person owned by the joint venture was a Subsidiary of both or all of such joint venturers, and the Principal Party in each such case shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section 13 in the same ratio as its interest in such Person bears to the total of such interests.

(c)          The Company shall not consummate any Section 13 Event unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of authorized Common Shares that have not been issued or reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and such issuer shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement confirming that such Principal Party shall, upon consummation of such Section 13 Event, assume this Rights Agreement in accordance with Sections 13(a) and 13(b) hereof, that all rights of first refusal or preemptive rights in respect of the issuance of Common Shares of such Principal Party upon exercise of outstanding Rights have been waived, that there are no rights, warrants, instruments or securities outstanding or any agreements or arrangements which, as a result of the consummation of such transaction, would eliminate or substantially diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights and that such transaction shall not result in a default by such Principal Party under this Rights Agreement, and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of such Section 13 Event, such Principal Party will:

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(i)          prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date, and similarly comply with applicable state securities laws;

(ii)          use its best efforts to list (or continue the listing of) the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on a national securities exchange or to meet the eligibility requirements for quotation on Nasdaq and list (or continue the listing of) the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on Nasdaq; and

(iii)          deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements for such Principal Party which comply in all respects with the requirements for registration on Form F-1 or S-1 (or any successor form) under the Exchange Act.

In the event that at any time after the occurrence of a Triggering Event some or all of the Rights shall not have been exercised at the time of a transaction described in this Section 13, the Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter be exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a) (without taking into account any prior adjustment required by Section 11(a)(ii)).

(d)          In case the “Principal Party” for purposes of Section 13(b) hereof has provision in any of its authorized securities or in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other instrument governing its corporate affairs, which provision would have the effect of (i) causing such Principal Party to issue (other than to holders of Rights pursuant to Section 13 hereof), in connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of a Section 13 Event, Common Shares or Equivalent Shares of such Principal Party at less than the then Current Per Share Market Price thereof or securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Shares or Equivalent Shares of such Principal Party at less than such then Current Per Share Market Price, or (ii) providing for any special payment, tax or similar provision in connection with the issuance of the Common Shares of such Principal Party pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 hereof, then, in such event, the Company hereby agrees with each holder of Rights that it shall not consummate any such transaction unless prior thereto the Company and such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing that the provision in question of such Principal Party shall have been canceled, waived or amended, or that the authorized securities shall be redeemed, so that the applicable provision will have no effect in connection with or as a consequence of, the consummation of the proposed transaction.

(e)          The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time after the Distribution Date, effect or permit to occur any Section 13 Event, if (i) at the time or immediately after such Section 13 Event there are any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which would substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights, (ii) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such Section 13 Event, the shareholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the “Principal Party” for purposes of Section 13(b) hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates or (iii) the form or nature of organization of the Principal Party would preclude or limit the exercisability of the Rights.

(f)          The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers.

14.          Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.

(a)          The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Rights Certificates which evidence fractional Rights.  In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right.  For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable, as determined pursuant to this Rights Agreement.

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(b)          The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred Shares (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share).  Interests in fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it; provided, that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares represented by such depositary receipts.  In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that are not integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a Preferred Share.  For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a Preferred Share shall be one thousand times the closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the terms hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

(c)          The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares upon the exercise or exchange of Rights.  In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a Common Share.  For purposes of this Section 14(c), the current market value of a Common Share shall be the closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the terms hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

(d)          The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly waives his or her right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of a Right.

(e)          Whenever a payment for fractional Rights or fractional Shares is to be made by the Rights Agent under any Section of this Rights Agreement, the Company shall (i) promptly prepare and deliver to the Rights Agent a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the facts related to such payments and the prices and/or formulas utilized in calculating such payments, and (ii) provide sufficient monies to the Rights Agent in the form of fully collected funds to make such payments. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying upon such a certificate and shall have no duty with respect to, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of, any payment for fractional Rights or fractional Shares under any Section of this Rights Agreement relating to the payment of fractional Rights or fractional Shares unless and until the Rights Agent shall have received such a certificate and sufficient monies.

15.          Rights of Action.  (a)  All rights of action in respect of this Rights Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under any Section of this Rights Agreement, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), may, in his or her own behalf and for his or her own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his or her right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights Certificate and in this Rights Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Rights Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of, the obligations of any Person subject to this Rights Agreement.

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(a)          Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Rights Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, judgment, decree or ruling (whether interlocutory or final) issued by a court or by a governmental, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided, however, that the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to have any such injunction, order, judgment, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.

16.          Agreement of Rights Holders.  Every holder of a Right, by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:

(a)          prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares;

(b)          after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms and certificates properly completed and duly executed (with such signature duly guaranteed, if required), as determined in the sole discretion of the Rights Agent; and

(c)          subject to Sections 6(a) and 7(f) hereof, the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name the Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate or Book Entry Shares, as applicable) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Rights Certificates or the associated Common Share certificate or Book Entry Shares, as applicable, made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

17.          Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder.  No holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose to be the holder of the Preferred Shares or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.

18.          The Rights Agent.

(a)          The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in accordance with mutually agreed upon fee schedule and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, to reimburse the Rights Agent for all of its expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the preparation, delivery, negotiation, amendment, administration and execution of this Rights Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.  The Company also covenants and agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), that may be paid, incurred or suffered by it, or to which it may become subject, without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (which gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) on the part of the Rights Agent for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance, administration, exercise and performance of its duties under this Rights Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly, or enforcing its rights hereunder.  The costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this right of indemnification shall be paid by the Company.

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(b)          The Rights Agent shall be authorized and protected and shall incur no liability for, or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in connection with, its acceptance and administration of this Rights Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder, in reliance upon any Rights Certificate or certificate (including in the case of uncertificated shares, by notation in book entry accounts reflecting ownership) for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof. The Rights Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any event of which it was supposed to receive written notice thereof hereunder, but for which it has not received such written notice, and the Rights Agent shall (subject to the limitations set forth herein) be fully protected and shall incur no liability for failing to take action in connection therewith unless and until it has received such written notice.

19.          Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.

(a)          Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the stock transfer or other shareholder service business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided, that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under Section 21 hereof.  The purchase of all or substantially all of the Rights Agent’s assets employed in the performance of transfer agent activities shall be deemed a merger or consolidation for purposes of this Section 19.  In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Rights Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Rights Agreement.

(b)          In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Rights Agreement.

20.          Rights and Duties of Rights Agent.  The Rights Agent undertakes to perform only the duties and obligations expressly set forth in this Rights Agreement (and not implied duties or obligations). The Rights Agent shall perform such duties and obligations upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates, or, prior to the Distribution Date, Common Shares, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

(a)          The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel selected by it (who may be outside legal counsel for the Rights Agent or the Company), and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent will have no liability for or in respect of, any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

(b)          Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Rights Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or the determination of Current Per Share Market Price) be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be specifically prescribed herein) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be the full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Rights Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.  The Rights Agent shall have no duty to act without such a certificate from an officer of the Company as set forth in the preceding sentence.

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(c)          The Rights Agent shall be liable to the Company and any other Person hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (which gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

(d)          The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Rights Agreement or in the Rights Certificates (including in the case of uncertificated shares, by notation in book entry accounts reflecting ownership), except as to its countersignature thereof, or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

(e)          The Rights Agent shall not have any liability for nor be under any responsibility in respect of the legality or validity of this Rights Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Rights Certificate (including in the case of uncertificated shares, by notation in book entry accounts reflecting ownership), except its countersignature thereof, or any modification or order of any court, tribunal, or governmental authority in connection with the foregoing; nor shall it be liable or responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or failure by the Company to satisfy any condition contained in this Rights Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or amount thereof) provided for in Sections 3, 11, 13, 23 or 24, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Rights Certificates after receipt by the Rights Agent of a certificate furnished pursuant to Section 12 describing such change or adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock, the Preferred Shares, or any other securities to be issued pursuant to this Rights Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any shares of Preferred Stock, the Preferred Shares, or any other securities will, when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The Rights Agent shall have no obligation under any Section of this Rights Agreement to determine whether an event requiring an adjustment in Exercise Price, number of shares or number of Rights has occurred or to calculate or confirm the accuracy of any of the adjustments required hereunder.

(f)          The Company shall perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required or requested by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Rights Agreement, in the reasonable discretion of the Rights Agent.

(g)          The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder and certificates delivered pursuant to any provisions hereof from any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties. The Rights Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with instructions of any such officer and such advice or instruction shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with advice or instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions.  Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective.  The Rights Agent shall be fully authorized and protected in relying upon the most recent instructions received from any such officer, and shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five (5) Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Rights Agent shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken, suffered, or omitted.

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(h)          The Rights Agent and any shareholder, member, affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent, or representative of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement.  Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent or any such shareholder, member, affiliate, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.

(i)          The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself (through its officers, directors and employees) or by or through its attorneys or agents. The Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Rights Agent (each as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) in the selection and continued employment thereof.

(j)          No provision of this Rights Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.  The Rights Agent shall not be required to take any action or to follow any instruction of the Company that the Rights Agent believes, in its sole discretion, would cause the Rights Agent to take action that is illegal.

(k)          If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, either (i) the certificate attached to the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either not been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2 thereof, or (ii) any other actual or suspected irregularity exists, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company; provided, however that Rights Agent shall not be liable for any delays arising from the duties under this section 20(k).

(l)          The Rights Agent shall have no responsibility to the Company, any holders of Rights or any holders of Common Shares for interest or earnings on any moneys held by the Rights Agent pursuant to this Rights Agreement.

(m)          The Rights Agent shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice of any fact, event, condition, or determination (including, without limitation, any dates or events defined in this Rights Agreement or the designation of any Person as an Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate) under this Rights Agreement unless and until the Rights Agent shall be specifically notified in writing by the Company of such fact, event, condition, or determination, and all notices or other instruments required by this Rights Agreement to be delivered to the Rights Agent must, in order to be effective, be received by the Rights Agent as specified in Section 26 hereof, and in the absence of such notice so delivered, the Rights Agent may conclusively assume no such event or condition exists.

(n)          The Rights Agent may rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (a) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (b) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same even though such law, act, or regulation may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed.

(o)          The Rights Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent for the Company. The Rights Agent shall not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust with any of the owners or holders of the Rights.

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(p)          The Rights Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any failure of the Company to comply with any of its obligations relating to any registration statement filed with the SEC or this Rights Agreement, including without limitation obligations under applicable regulation or law.

(q)          The Rights Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility in the case of the receipt of any written demand from any holder of Rights with respect to any action or default by the Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or to make any demand upon the Company.

The provisions of Sections 18 and 20 shall survive the termination of this Rights Agreement, the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent and the exercise, termination and the expiration of the Rights.  Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, punitive, incidental, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of the action; and the Company shall indemnify the Rights Agent and hold it harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law against any loss, liability or expense incurred as a result of claims for special, punitive, incidental, indirect or consequential loss or damages of any kind whatsoever provided in each case that such claims are not the result of the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Rights Agent (each as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).  Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, any liability of the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement will be limited to the amount of annual fees paid by the Company to the Rights Agent during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event for which recovery from the Rights Agent is being sought.

21.          Change of Rights Agent.  The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Rights Agreement upon at least thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Company and, in the event that the Rights Agent or one of its Affiliates is not also the transfer agent for the Company, to each transfer agent of the Preferred Shares and the Common Shares known to the Rights Agent. In the event the transfer agency relationship in effect between the Company and the Rights Agent terminates, the Rights Agent will be deemed to have resigned automatically and be discharged from its duties under this Rights Agreement as of the effective date of such termination, and the Company shall be responsible for sending any required notice.  The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon at least thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Preferred Shares and the Common Shares and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by public announcement or written notice.  If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.  If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such removal or after receiving written notice of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his or her Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent.  Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority or (b) an Affiliate of such a Person described in clause (a) of this sentence.  After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the foregoing purpose, but the predecessor Rights Agent shall not be required to make any additional expenditure or assume any additional liability in connection with the foregoing.  Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Preferred Shares and the Common Shares, and mail a written notice thereof to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates.  Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

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22.          Issuance of New Rights Certificates.  Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Exercise Price or the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Rights Agreement.  In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption or expiration of the Rights, the Company (a) shall, with respect to Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any employee plan or arrangement or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities of the Company outstanding at the date hereof or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities hereinafter issued by the Company and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued and this sentence shall be null and void ab initio if, and to the extent that, such issuance or this sentence would create a significant risk of or result in material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Rights Certificate would be issued or would create a significant risk of or result in such options’ or employee plans’ or arrangements’ failing to qualify for otherwise available special tax treatment and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

23.          Redemption.

(a)          The Company may, at its option and with the approval of the Board of Directors, at any time prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of (i) the Distribution Date and (ii) the Final Expiration date, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.0001 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the “Redemption Price”).  The redemption of the Rights by the Board of Directors of the Company may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, may establish.  The date on which the Board of Directors elects to make the redemption effective shall be referred to as the “Redemption Date”.

(b)          Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, written notice of which shall have been filed with the Rights Agent, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided, however, that the failure to give or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such redemption.  Within ten (10) days after the action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall promptly mail a notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.  Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other than that specifically set forth in this Section 23 or in Section 24 hereof, and other than in connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior to the Distribution Date.

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24.          Exchange.

(a)          Subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations, and subject to subsection 24(c) below, the Company may, at its option, by action of the Board of Directors, at any time after the occurrence of a Triggering Event, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) for Common Shares at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Ratio”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.

(b)          Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.  The Company shall give (i) prompt written notice to the Rights Agent of such exchange; and (ii) public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange.  The Company shall promptly mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Common Shares for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged.  Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

(c)          In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with Section 24(a), the Company shall either take such action as may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares for issuance upon exchange of the Rights or alternatively, at the option of a majority of the Board of Directors, with respect to each Right (i) pay cash in an amount equal to the Current Value (as hereinafter defined), in lieu of issuing Common Shares in exchange therefor, or (ii) issue debt or equity securities or a combination thereof, having a value equal to the Current Value, in lieu of issuing Common Shares in exchange for each such Right, where the value of such securities shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by majority vote of the Board of Directors, or (iii) deliver any combination of cash, property, Common Shares and/or other securities having a value equal to the Current Value in exchange for each Right.  For purposes of this Section 24(c) only, the Current Value shall mean the product of the Current Per Share Market Price of Common Shares on the date of the occurrence of the event described above in subparagraph (a), multiplied by the number of Common Shares for which the Right otherwise would be exchangeable if there were sufficient shares available.  To the extent that the Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 24(c), the Board of Directors may temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights for a period of up to sixty (60) days following the date on which the event described in Section 24(a) shall have occurred, in order to seek any authorization of additional Common Shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to the above provision and to determine the value thereof.  In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall (i) give prompt written notice to the Rights Agent of such suspension; and (ii) issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended.

(d)          The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares.  In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common Shares would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Common Share (as determined pursuant to the terms hereof).

28


 
(e)          The Company may, at its option, by majority vote of the Board of Directors, at any time before the Share Acquisition Date, exchange all or part of the then outstanding Rights for rights of substantially equivalent value, as determined reasonably and with good faith by the Board of Directors, based upon the advice of one or more nationally recognized investment banking firms.

(f)          Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of rights in exchange therefor as has been determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with subsection 24(e) above.  The Company shall give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange.  The Company shall promptly mail a notice of any such exchange with a reasonably detailed description thereof to the Rights Agent and all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Rights will be effected.

25.          Notice of Certain Events.

(a)          In case the Company shall propose to effect or permit to occur any Triggering Event or Section 13 Event, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Rights Agent and each holder of Rights in accordance with Section 26 hereof at least twenty (20) days prior to occurrence of such Triggering Event or such Section 13 Event.

(b)          In case any Triggering Event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall occur, then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to the Rights Agent and to each holder of a Rights Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

26.          Notices.  Notices or demands authorized by this Rights Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if in writing and sent by facsimile when a confirmation is received by the transmitting person (which confirmation may be made by facsimile or email), if sent by first-class mail or nationally recognized overnight delivery service, postage prepaid, or hand delivery when received, and addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

United Maritime Corporation
154 Vouliagmenis Avenue
16674 Glyfada
Athens, Greece
Attention: Legal Department

with a copy to:

Watson Farley & Williams LLP
250 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Will Vogel, Esq.

Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Rights Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if in writing and sent by facsimile when a confirmation is received by the transmitting person (which confirmation may be made by facsimile or email), or by first-class mail or nationally recognized overnight delivery service, postage prepaid, or hand delivery when received, and addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
[   ]
[   ]
Attention: [   ]



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Notices or demands authorized by this Rights Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to the holders of Common Shares) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail or nationally recognized courier service, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.

27.          Supplements and Amendments.  Prior to the occurrence of a Distribution Date, the Company and the Rights Agent may supplement or amend this Rights Agreement in any respect without the approval of any holders of Rights.  From and after the occurrence of a Distribution Date, the Company and the Rights Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Rights Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights in order to (i) cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder or (iv) to change or supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner that the Company may deem necessary or desirable and that shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person); provided, this Rights Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable or (B) any other time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person).  Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company and, if reasonably requested by the Rights Agent, an opinion of counsel, that states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, the Rights Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any supplement or amendment that affects the Rights Agent’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under this Rights Agreement.  Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Shares.

28.          Successors.  All the covenants and provisions of this Rights Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

29.          Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.  For all purposes of this Rights Agreement, any calculation of the number of Common Shares outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding Common Shares of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.  Except as otherwise provided for herein, the Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Rights Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board, or the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Rights Agreement and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Rights Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the Rights Agreement in accordance with Section 27 hereof).  All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent (except with respect to any dispute concerning the Rights Agent’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under this Rights Agreement), the holders of the Rights Certificates and all other parties and (y) not subject the Board to any liability to the holders of the Rights.  The Rights Agent is entitled always to assume the Company’s Board of Directors acted in good faith and shall be fully protected and incur no liability in reliance thereon.

30.          Benefits of this Rights Agreement.  Nothing in this Rights Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Rights Agreement; but this Rights Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares).

30


 
31.          Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Rights Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that severing the invalid language from this Rights Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or effect of this Rights Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day following the date of such determination by the Board of Directors; further provided, however, that if any such excluded language shall adversely affect rights, immunities, liabilities, duties, responsibilities or obligations of the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately.

32.          Governing Law.  This Rights Agreement and each Right and each Rights Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State.

33.          Counterparts.  This Rights Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Rights Agreement executed and/or transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect and enforceability as an original signature.

34.          Descriptive Headings; Interpretation.

(a)          Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Rights Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

(b)          Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Rights Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Rights Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Rights Agreement, and article, section, subsection, paragraph and exhibit references are to the articles, sections, paragraphs and exhibits of this Rights Agreement unless otherwise specified. The meaning assigned to each term defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of such term, and words denoting any gender shall include all genders. Where a word or phrase is defined herein, each of its other grammatical forms shall have a corresponding meaning.

35.          Force Majeure.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Rights Agent shall not be liable for any delays or failures in performance of any act, duty, obligation or responsibility by reason of any occurrence beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of any utilities, communications, or computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war, or civil unrest.

[Signature Page Follows]

31


 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Shareholders Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

   
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
     
   
By:

     
Name:
     
Title:
     
     
   
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Rights Agent
     
   
By:

     
Name: 
     
Title:
     
     


[Signature Page to Shareholders Rights Agreement]



 
Exhibit A

STATEMENT OF DESIGNATION OF RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND PRIVILEGES OF SERIES A PARTICIPATING PREFERRED SHARES OF UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION

The undersigned, [                                     ] and [                                     ] do hereby certify:

1.          That they are the duly elected and acting Chief Executive Officer and [                    ], respectively, of United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”).

2.          That pursuant to the authority conferred by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”), the Company’s Board of Directors on [], 2022 adopted the following resolution designating and prescribing the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the Company’s Series A Participating Preferred Shares:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company by the Articles of Incorporation, the Board does hereby establish a series of Preferred Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and the designation and certain powers, preferences and other special rights of the shares of such series, and certain qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, are hereby fixed as follows:

Section 1.          Designation and Amount.  The shares of such series shall be designated as “Series A Participating Preferred Shares”.  The Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series shall initially be 2,000,000, which number the Board may from time to time increase or decrease (but not below the number then outstanding).

Section 2.          Proportional Adjustment.  In the event the Company shall at any time after the issuance of any share or shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares (i) declare any dividend on the Common Shares of the Company par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Shares”) payable in Common Shares, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Shares or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the Company shall simultaneously effect a proportional adjustment to the number of outstanding shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares.

Section 3.          Dividends and Distributions.

(a)          Subject to the prior and superior right of the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Shares ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive when, as and if declared by the Board out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of January, April, July and October in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in Common Shares or a subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Shares since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares.

(b)          The Company shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Participating Preferred Shares as provided in paragraph (a) above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Shares (other than a dividend payable in Common Shares).

A-1


 
(c)          Dividends shall begin to accrue on outstanding shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

Section 4.          Voting Rights.  The holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall have the following voting rights:

(a)          Each share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company.

(b)          Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Shares shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company.

(c)          Except as required by law, holders of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Shares as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

Section 5.          Certain Restrictions.

(a)          The Company shall not declare any dividend on, make any distribution on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Common Shares after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares unless concurrently therewith it shall declare a dividend on the Series A Participating Preferred Shares as required by Section 3 hereof.

(b)          Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Participating Preferred Shares as provided in Section 3 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Company shall not (i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock  ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Participating Preferred Shares; (ii) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with Series A Participating Preferred Shares, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Participating Preferred Shares and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled; (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Participating Preferred Shares, provided that the Company may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Company ranking junior (either as to  dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Participating Preferred Shares; (iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Participating Preferred Shares, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

A-2


 
(c)          The Company shall not permit any subsidiary of the Company to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Company unless the Company could, under paragraph (a) of this Section 5, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

Section 6.          Reacquired Shares.  Any shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Shares and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Shares to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein and in the Articles of Incorporation.

Section 7.          Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.  Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Shares plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends on such shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares.

Section 8.          Consolidation, Merger, etc.  In case the Company shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the Common Shares are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.

Section 9.          No Redemption.  The shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall not be redeemable.

Section 10.          Ranking.  The Series A Participating Preferred Shares shall rank junior to all other series of the Company’s Preferred Shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series shall provide otherwise.

Section 11.          Amendment.  The Articles of Incorporation of the Company shall not be further amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preference or special rights of the Series A Participating Preferred Shares so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class.

Section 12.          Fractional Shares.  Series A Participating Preferred Shares may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Participating Preferred Shares.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the President or any Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of this Company be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to prepare and file a Statement of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges in accordance with the foregoing resolution and the provisions of Marshall Islands law and to take such actions as they may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of the foregoing resolution.

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

A-3


 
We further declare under penalty of perjury that the matters set forth in the foregoing Statement of Designation are true and correct of our own knowledge.

Executed on ____________________________.

     
     
     
   
[NAME]
   
[TITLE]
     
     
     
     
   
[NAME]
   
[TITLE]


A-4


 
Exhibit B

FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE

Certificate No. R- Rights

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER JULY 1, 2032, UNLESS EXTENDED PRIOR THERETO BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $0.0001 PER RIGHT AND EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF ANY SUCH PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [IF THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.]2

RIGHTS CERTIFICATE

UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION

This certifies that ___________________, or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of [], 2022, as amended from time to time (the “Rights Agreement”), between United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a federally chartered trust company, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York time, on July 1, 2032 at the office or offices of the Rights Agent, or at the office or offices of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Preferred Shares”), of the Company, at a purchase price of $40.00 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (the “Purchase Price”), upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed.  The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of [], 2022, based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date.  As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, covenants and restrictions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, covenants and restrictions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof, and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates.  Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Company.

This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of Preferred Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase.  If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.




2 The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable and shall replace the preceding sentence.
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Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of $0.0001 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for Preferred Shares or shares of the Company’s Common Shares, par value $0.0001 per share.

No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by an authorized signatory of the Rights Agent.

WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal.

Dated as of __________ ___, _____.


ATTEST:
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
   
   
   
By:
 
Name:
Name:
Title:
Title:

Countersigned:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent
 
By:
   
Authorized Signature
 


B-2


 
FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate.)


FOR VALUE RECEIVED
 
   
hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
 
   
 
(Please print name and address of transferee)
   
   
   

this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney, to transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full ower of substitution.


Dated:
__________ ___, _____.
   
     
Signature
       


Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program or the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program.

Certificate

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

(1)          this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned or transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement); and

(2)          after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof.
Dated:
__________ ___, _____.
   
     
Signature
       


Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent.

B-3


 
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder
desires to exercise Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.)


TO:
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION


The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ____________ Rights represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such Preferred Shares be issued in the name of and delivered to:

     
     
     
 
(Please print name and address)
 
     
     
     
 
Please insert social security
 
 
or other tax identifying number
 

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

     
     
     
 
(Please print name and address)
 
     
     
     
 
Please insert social security
 
 
or other tax identifying number
 

Dated:
__________ ___, _____.
   
     
Signature
       

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent.

Certificate

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

(1)          this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned, transferred, or exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement); and

(2)          after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.


Dated:
__________ ___, _____.
   
     
Signature
       


Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent.

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NOTICE

The signature in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the Company and the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.

B-5


 
Exhibit C

SUMMARY OF RIGHTS

Introduction

On [], 2022, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”), declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Shares”) and adopted a shareholder rights plan, as set forth in the Shareholders Rights Agreement dated as of [], 2022 (the “Rights Agreement”), by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent. The dividend is payable on [], 2022 to the shareholders of record on [], 2022.

The Board has adopted the Rights Agreement to protect shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics. In general terms, it works by imposing a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquires 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the outstanding Common Shares without the approval of the Board. If a shareholder’s beneficial ownership of the Common Shares as of the time of the public announcement of the rights plan and associated dividend declaration is at or above the applicable threshold, that shareholder’s then-existing ownership percentage would be grandfathered, but the rights would become exercisable if at any time after such announcement, the shareholder increases its ownership percentage. The Rights Agreement should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board.

For those interested in the specific terms of the Rights Agreement, we provide the following summary description. Please note, however, that this description is only a summary, and is not complete, and should be read together with the entire Rights Agreement.

The Rights. The Rights will initially trade with, and will be inseparable from, the Common Shares. The Rights are evidenced only by certificates or book-entry notations that represent the Common Shares. New Rights will accompany any new Common Shares the Company issues after [], 2022 until the Distribution Date described below.

Exercise Price. Each Right will allow its holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Shares (a “Preferred Share”) for $40.00 (the “Exercise Price”), once the Rights become exercisable. This portion of a Preferred Share will give the shareholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one Common Share. Prior to exercise, the Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting, or liquidation rights.

Exercisability. The Rights will not be exercisable until ten days after the public announcement that a person or group has become an “Acquiring Person” by obtaining beneficial ownership of 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the outstanding Common Shares.

Certain synthetic interests in securities created by derivative positions—whether or not such interests are considered to be ownership of the underlying Common Shares or are reportable for purposes of Regulation 13D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended—are treated as beneficial ownership of the number of shares of the Company’s Common Shares equivalent to the economic exposure created by the derivative position, to the extent actual shares of the Company’s Common Shares are directly or indirectly held by counterparties to the derivatives contracts. Swaps dealers unassociated with any control intent or intent to evade the purposes of the Rights Agreement are excepted from such imputed beneficial ownership.

C-1


 
For persons who, prior to the time of public announcement of the Rights Agreement, beneficially own 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Rights Agreement grandfathers their current level of ownership, so long as they do not purchase additional shares in excess of certain limitations.

The date when the Rights become exercisable is the “Distribution Date.” Until that date, the Common Shares certificates (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, by notations in the book-entry account system) will also evidence the Rights, and any transfer of Common Shares will constitute a transfer of Rights. After that date, the Rights will separate from the Common Shares and be evidenced by book-entry credits or by Rights certificates that the Company will mail to all eligible holders of Common Shares. Any Rights held by an Acquiring Person are null and void and may not be exercised.

Preferred Share Provisions

Each one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, if issued, will, among other things:


not be redeemable;


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


entitle holders to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company.

The value of one one-thousandth interest in a Preferred Share should approximate the value of one Common Share.

Consequences of a Person or Group Becoming an Acquiring Person.


Flip In. If an Acquiring Person obtains beneficial ownership of 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the Common Shares, then each Right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of Common Shares (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price. However, the Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of the foregoing event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company, as further described below.

Following the occurrence of an event set forth in preceding paragraph, all Rights that are or, under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or certain of its transferees will be null and void.


Flip Over. If, after an Acquiring Person obtains 10% (15% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the Common Shares, (i) the Company merges into another entity; (ii) an acquiring entity merges into the Company; or (iii) the Company sells or transfers 50% or more of its assets, cash flow or earning power, then each Right (except for Rights that have previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of Common Shares of the person engaging in the transaction having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price.


Notional Shares. Shares held by affiliates and associates of an Acquiring Person, including certain entities in which the Acquiring Person beneficially owns a majority of the equity securities, and Notional Common Shares (as defined in the Rights Agreement) held by counterparties to a Derivatives Contract (as defined in the Rights Agreement) with an Acquiring Person, will be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person.

C-2


 
Redemption. The Board may redeem the Rights for $0.0001 per Right under certain circumstances. If the Board redeems any Rights, it must redeem all of the Rights. Once the Rights are redeemed, the only right of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the redemption price of $0.0001 per Right. The redemption price will be adjusted if the Company has a stock dividend or a stock split.

Exchange. After a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but before an Acquiring Person owns 50% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board may extinguish the Rights by exchanging one Common Share or an equivalent security for each Right, other than Rights held by the Acquiring Person. In certain circumstances, the Company may elect to exchange the Rights for cash or other securities of the Company having a value approximately equal to one Common Share.

Expiration. The Rights expire on the earliest of (i) July 1, 2032; or (ii) the redemption or exchange of the Rights as described above.

Anti-Dilution Provisions. The Board may adjust the purchase price of the Preferred Shares, the number of Preferred Shares issuable and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split, or a reclassification of the Preferred Shares or Common Shares. No adjustments to the Exercise Price of less than 1% will be made.

Amendments. The terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended in any respect without the consent of the holders of the Rights on or prior to the Distribution Date. Thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended without the consent of the holders of Rights, with certain exceptions, in order to (i) cure any ambiguities; (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained in the Rights Agreement that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision therein; (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period pursuant to the Rights Agreement; or (iv) make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person).

Taxes. The distribution of Rights should not be taxable for federal income tax purposes. However, following an event that renders the Rights exercisable or upon redemption of the Rights, shareholders may recognize taxable income.

C-3


Exhibit 4.2

UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 
ADOPTED ON [], 2022
 
ARTICLE I.
General
 
1.1.         Purpose
 
The United Maritime Corporation 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is designed to provide certain Key Persons (as defined below), whose initiative and efforts are deemed to be important to the successful conduct of the business of United Maritime Corporation (the “Company”), with incentives to (a) enter into and remain in the service of the Company or its Affiliates (as defined below), (b) acquire a proprietary interest in the success of the Company, (c) maximize their performance and (d) enhance the long-term performance of the Company.
 
1.2.         Administration
 
(a)          Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan (the “Administrator”); provided that (i) in the event the Company is subject to Section 16 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the Administrator shall be composed of two or more directors, each of whom is a “Non-Employee Director” (a “Non-Employee Director”) under Rule 16b-3 (as promulgated and interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the 1934 Act, or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time (“Rule 16b-3”)), and (ii) the Administrator shall be composed solely of two or more directors who are “independent directors” under the rules of any stock exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock (as defined below) is traded; provided further, however, that, (A) the requirement in the preceding clause (i) shall apply only when required to exempt an Award intended to qualify for an exemption under the applicable provisions referenced therein, (B) the requirement in the preceding clause (ii) shall apply only when required pursuant to the applicable rules of the applicable stock exchange and (C) if at any time the Administrator is not so composed as required by the preceding provisions of this sentence, that fact will not invalidate any grant made, or action taken, by the Administrator hereunder that otherwise satisfies the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Administrator by the Plan, the Administrator shall have the full power and authority to: (1) designate the Persons (as defined below) to receive Awards (as defined below) under the Plan; (2) determine the types of Awards granted to a participant under the Plan; (3) determine the number of shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated with respect to, Awards; (4) determine the terms and conditions of any Awards; (5) determine whether, and to what extent, and under what circumstances, Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or cancelled, forfeited or suspended, and the methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, cancelled, forfeited or suspended; (6) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, shares, other securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred, either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or the Administrator; (7) construe, interpret and implement the Plan and any Award Agreement (as defined below); (8) prescribe, amend, rescind or waive rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules governing its operation, and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (9)  correct any defect, supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement; and (10) make any other determination and take any other action that the Administrator deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Administrator, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons.
 
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(b)          General Right of Delegation.  Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the applicable rules of a stock exchange or any charter, by-laws or other agreement governing the Administrator, the Administrator may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities to any Person or Persons selected by it; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (i) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act, or (ii) officers of the Company (or directors of the Company) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under applicable securities laws (including, without limitation, Rule 16b-3, to the extent applicable) and the rules of any applicable stock exchange.  Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Administrator specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Administrator may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegate.  At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 1.2(b) shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Administrator.
 
(c)          Indemnification.  No member of the Board, the Administrator or any employee of the Company or an Affiliate (each such Person, a “Covered Person”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder.  Each Covered Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (i) any loss, cost, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Covered Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Covered Person may be a party or in which such Covered Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Plan or any Award Agreement and (ii) any and all amounts paid by such Covered Person, with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Covered Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Covered Person; provided that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and, once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to a Covered Person to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment or other final adjudication, in either case not subject to further appeal, determines that the acts or omissions of such Covered Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Covered Person’s bad faith, fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company’s articles of incorporation or by-laws (in each case, as amended and/or restated).  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which Covered Persons may be entitled under the Company’s articles of incorporation or by-laws (in each case, as amended and/or restated), as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Persons or hold them harmless.
 
2

(d)       Delegation of Authority to Senior Officers.  The Administrator may, in accordance with and subject to the terms of Section 1.2(b), delegate, on such terms and conditions as it determines, to one or more senior officers of the Company the authority to make grants of Awards to employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined below) (including any such prospective employee) and consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
 
(e)          Award Grants.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards to Non-Employee Directors or administer the Plan with respect to such Awards, in which event the Board shall have all the authority and responsibility granted to the Administrator herein with respect to such Awards.  In determining Awards to be granted under the Plan, the Administrator shall take into account such factors as it deem advisable, which may include taking into account the Company’s performance, the Award recipient’s performance, and/or the satisfaction of any performance goals or targets as may established from time to time.
 
1.3.         Persons Eligible for Awards
 
The Persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan are those directors, officers and employees (including any prospective officer or employee) of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and consultants and service providers (including individuals who are employed by or provide services to any entity that is itself such a consultant or service provider) to the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates (collectively, “Key Persons”) as the Administrator shall select.
 
1.4.         Types of Awards
 
Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of (a) “incentive stock options” that are intended to qualify for special U.S. federal income tax treatment pursuant to Sections 421 and 422 of the Code (as defined below), as may be amended from time to time, or pursuant to a successor provision of the Code, and which is so designated in the applicable Award Agreement, (b) non-qualified stock options (i.e., any stock options granted under the Plan that are not “incentive stock options”), (c) stock appreciation rights, (d) restricted stock, (e) restricted stock units and (f) unrestricted stock, all as more fully set forth in the Plan.  The term “Award” means any of the foregoing that are granted under the Plan. No incentive stock option (other than an incentive stock option that may be assumed or issued by the Company in connection with a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies) may be granted under the Plan to a Person who is not eligible to receive an incentive stock option under the Code.
 
3

1.5.         Shares Available for Awards; Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization
 
(a)         Maximum Number.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 1.5(c), the aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 (“Common Stock”), with respect to which Awards may at any time be granted under the Plan shall be 150,000.  The following shares of Common Stock shall again become available for Awards under the Plan: (i) any shares that are subject to an Award under the Plan and that remain unissued upon the cancellation or termination of such Award for any reason whatsoever; (ii) any shares of restricted stock forfeited pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement; provided that any dividend equivalent rights with respect to such shares that have not theretofore been directly remitted to the grantee are also forfeited; and (iii) any shares in respect of which an Award is settled for cash without the delivery of shares to the grantee.  Any shares tendered or withheld to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation pursuant to any Award shall again become available to be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan.
 
(b)        Source of Shares.  Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued Common Stock or treasury shares.  The Administrator may direct that any stock certificate evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares.
 
(c)          Adjustments.  (i)  In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Company shares, other securities or other property), stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination, repurchase or exchange of Company shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Company shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, other than an Equity Restructuring (as defined below), affects the Company shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Administrator to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to an Award, then the Administrator shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of the number of shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan, including the maximum number of shares issuable to an individual as set forth in Section 1.5(d).
 
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(ii)          The Administrator is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including the events described in Section 1.5(c)(i) or the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below), other than an Equity Restructuring) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting principles or law, whenever the Administrator determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to an Award, including providing for (A) adjustment to (1) the number of shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate and (2) the Exercise Price (as defined below) with respect to any Award and (B) a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability or vesting of, or lapse of restrictions on, Awards, or accelerating the termination of Awards by providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event, or, if deemed appropriate or desirable, providing for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award in consideration for the cancellation of such Award (it being understood that, in such event, any option or stock appreciation right having a per share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of a share subject to such option or stock appreciation right may be cancelled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor); provided, however, that with respect to options and stock appreciation rights, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 424(h) of the Code.
 
(iii)        In the event of (A) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (B) a sale of all or substantially all the Company’s assets or (C) a merger, reorganization or consolidation involving the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (as defined below), the Administrator shall have the power to:
 
(1)  provide that outstanding options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted stock units (including any related dividend equivalent right) shall either continue in effect, be assumed or an equivalent award shall be substituted therefor by the successor corporation or a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation;
 
(2)  cancel, effective immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted stock units (including each dividend equivalent right related thereto) outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable) and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the holder of such Award a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Administrator) of the shares subject to such Award over the aggregate Exercise Price of such Award (it being understood that, in such event, any option or stock appreciation right having a per share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share subject to such option or stock appreciation right may be cancelled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor); or
 
(3)  notify the holder of an option or stock appreciation right in writing or electronically that each option and stock appreciation right shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of 30 days from the date of such notice, or such shorter period as the Administrator may determine to be reasonable, and the option or stock appreciation right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period (which period shall expire no later than immediately prior to the consummation of the corporate transaction).

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(iv)         In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.5(c):
 
(A)          The number and type of securities or other property subject to each outstanding Award and the Exercise Price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted; and
 
(B)          The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations set forth in Sections 1.5(a) and 1.5(d)).  The adjustments provided under this Section 1.5(c)(iv) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected participant and the Company.
 
(d)          Individual Limit.  Except for the limits set forth in this Section 1.5, no provision of this Plan shall be deemed to limit the number or value of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Administrator may make Awards to any Key Person.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 1.5(c), the total number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which incentive stock options may be granted under the Plan to any one employee of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as such terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code) of the Company during any one calendar year shall not exceed 3,125,000.  Incentive stock options granted and subsequently cancelled or deemed to be cancelled (e.g., as a result of re-pricing) in a calendar year count against the limit in the preceding sentence even after their cancellation.
 
1.6.         Definitions of Certain Terms
 
(a)          “Affiliate” shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, controls or is under common control with, the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in either case as determined by the Administrator.
 
(b)         Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, in connection with a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or a dismissal from Board membership, for purposes of the Plan, the term “for Cause” shall be defined as follows:
 
(i)       if there is an employment, severance, consulting, service, change in control or other agreement governing the relationship between the grantee, on the one hand, and the Company or an Affiliate, on the other hand, that contains a definition of “cause” (or similar phrase), for purposes of the Plan, the term “for Cause” shall mean those acts or omissions that would constitute “cause” under such agreement; or
 
(ii)         if the preceding clause (i) is not applicable to the grantee, for purposes of the Plan, the term “for Cause” shall mean any of the following:
 
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(A)         any failure by the grantee substantially to perform the grantee’s employment or consulting/service or Board membership duties;
 
(B)          any excessive unauthorized absenteeism by the grantee;
 
(C)         any refusal by the grantee to obey the lawful orders of the Board or any other Person to whom the grantee reports;
 
(D)          any act or omission by the grantee that is or may be injurious to the Company or any Affiliate, whether monetarily, reputationally or otherwise;
 
(E)          any act by the grantee that is inconsistent with the best interests of the Company or any Affiliate;
 
(F)          the grantee’s gross negligence that is injurious to the Company or any Affiliate, whether monetarily, reputationally or otherwise;
 
(G)       the grantee’s material violation of any of the policies of the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, including, without limitation, those policies relating to discrimination or sexual harassment;
 
(H)          the grantee’s material breach of his or her employment or service contract with the Company or any Affiliate;
 
(I)          the grantee’s unauthorized (1) removal from the premises of the Company or an Affiliate of any document (in any medium or form) relating to the Company or an Affiliate or the customers or clients of the Company or an Affiliate or (2) disclosure to any Person of any of the Company’s, or any Affiliate’s, confidential or proprietary information;
 
(J)          the grantee’s being convicted of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime that constitutes a felony or involves moral turpitude; and
 
(K)          the grantee’s commission of any act involving dishonesty or fraud.
 
Any rights the Company or its Affiliates may have under the Plan in respect of the events giving rise to a termination or dismissal “for Cause” shall be in addition to any other rights the Company or its Affiliates may have under any other agreement with a grantee or at law or in equity.  Any determination of whether a grantee’s employment, consultancy/service relationship or Board membership is (or is deemed to have been) terminated “for Cause” shall be made by the Administrator.  If, subsequent to a grantee’s voluntary termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or voluntarily resignation from the Board or involuntary termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship without Cause or removal from the Board other than “for Cause”, it is discovered that the grantee’s employment or consultancy/service relationship or Board membership could have been terminated “for Cause”, the Administrator may deem such grantee’s employment or consultancy/service relationship or Board membership to have been terminated “for Cause” upon such discovery and determination by the Administrator.
 
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(c)          “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
(d)          Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the grantee’s being unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or the grantee’s, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the grantee’s employer.  The existence of a Disability shall be determined by the Administrator.
 
(e)       “Equity Restructuring” shall mean a non-reciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the shares of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the share price thereof and causes a change in the per share value of the shares underlying outstanding Awards.
 
(f)          “Exercise Price” shall mean (i) in the case of options, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the price-per-share at which such share can be purchased pursuant to the option or (ii) in the case of stock appreciation rights, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the reference price-per-share used to calculate the amount payable to the grantee.
 
(g)          The “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be the closing price on the Nasdaq Global Market, or such other primary stock exchange upon which such shares are then listed, as reported for such day in The Wall Street Journal, or, if no such price is reported for such day, the average of the high bid and low asked price of Common Stock as reported for such day.  If no quotation is made for the applicable day, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on such day shall be determined in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence for the next preceding trading day.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there is no reported closing price or high bid/low asked price that satisfies the preceding sentences, or if otherwise deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be determined by such methods and procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Administrator.  The “Fair Market Value” of any property other than Common Stock shall be the fair market value of such property determined by such methods and procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Administrator.
 
(h)       “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental body or other entity of any kind.
 
(i)          “Repricing” shall mean (i) lowering the Exercise Price of an option or a stock appreciation right after it has been granted, (ii) the cancellation of an option or a stock appreciation right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Exercise Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares subject to the Award and (iii) any other action with respect to an option or a stock appreciation right that is treated as a repricing under (A) generally accepted accounting principles or (B) any applicable stock exchange rules.
 
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(j)          Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, “Retirement” shall mean a grantee’s resignation of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board, with the Company’s or its applicable Affiliate’s prior consent, on or after (i) his or her 65th birthday, (ii) the date on which he or she has attained age 60 and completed at least five years of service with the Company or one or more of its Affiliates (using any method of calculation the Administrator deems appropriate) or (iii) if approved by the Administrator, on or after his or her having completed at least 20 years of service with the Company or one or more of its Affiliates (using any method of calculation the Administrator deems appropriate).
 
(k)          “Subsidiary” shall mean any entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, has a 50% or more equity interest.
 
 
ARTICLE II.
Awards Under The Plan
 
2.1.         Agreements Evidencing Awards
 
Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written certificate (“Award Agreement”), which shall contain such provisions as the Administrator may deem necessary or desirable and which may, but need not, require execution or acknowledgment by a grantee.  The Award shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
 
2.2.         Grant of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
 
(a)          Stock Option Grants.  The Administrator may grant non-qualified stock options and/or incentive stock options (collectively, “options”) to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company to such Key Persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Administrator shall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan.  Except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the applicable Award Agreement, no option will be treated as an “incentive stock option” for purposes of the Code.  Incentive stock options may be granted to employees of the Company and any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as such terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code) of the Company.  In the case of incentive stock options, the terms and conditions of such Awards shall be subject to such applicable rules as may be prescribed by Sections 421, 422 and 424 of the Code and any regulations related thereto, as may be amended from time to time.  If an option is intended to be an incentive stock option, and if for any reason such option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an incentive stock option for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, then, to the extent of such non-qualification, such option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a non-qualified stock option appropriately granted under the Plan; provided that such option (or portion thereof) otherwise complies with the Plan’s requirements relating to option Awards.  It shall be the intent of the Administrator to not grant an Award in the form of stock options to any Key Person who is then subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code with respect to such Award if the Common Stock (as defined below) underlying such Award does not then qualify as “service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A.  Furthermore, it shall be the intent of the Administrator, in granting options to Key Persons who are subject to Section 409A and/or 457 of the Code, to structure such options so as to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and/or 457 of the Code, as applicable.
 
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(b)        Stock Appreciation Right Grants; Types of Stock Appreciation Rights.  The Administrator may grant stock appreciation rights to such Key Persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Administrator shall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan.  The terms of a stock appreciation right may provide that it shall be automatically exercised for a payment upon the happening of a specified event that is outside the control of the grantee and that it shall not be otherwise exercisable.  Stock appreciation rights may be granted in connection with all or any part of, or independently of, any option granted under the Plan.  It shall be the intent of the Administrator to not grant an Award in the form of stock appreciation rights to any Key Person (i) who is then subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code with respect to such Award if the Common Stock underlying such Award does not then qualify as “service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A or (ii) if such Award would create adverse tax consequences for such Key Person under Section 457A of the Code.
 
(c)          Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights.  The grantee of a stock appreciation right shall have the right, subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, to receive from the Company an amount equal to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over the Exercise Price of the stock appreciation right, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised.  Each Award Agreement with respect to a stock appreciation right shall set forth the Exercise Price of such Award and, unless otherwise specifically provided in the Award Agreement, the Exercise Price of a stock appreciation right shall equal the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant; provided that in no event may such Exercise Price be less than the greater of (A) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant and (B) the par value of a share of Common Stock.  Payment upon exercise of a stock appreciation right shall be in cash or in shares of Common Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right) or any combination of both, all as the Administrator shall determine.  Repricing of stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan shall not be permitted (1) to the extent such action could cause adverse tax consequences to the grantee under Sections 409A or 457A of the Code or (2) without prior shareholder approval, to the extent such approval would be required to be obtained by the Company pursuant to the applicable rules of any applicable stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, and any action that would be deemed to result in a Repricing of a stock appreciation right shall be deemed null and void if it would cause such adverse tax consequences or if any requisite shareholder approval related thereto is not obtained prior to the effective time of such action.  Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right granted in connection with an option, the number of shares subject to the option shall be reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised.  Upon the exercise of an option in connection with which a stock appreciation right has been granted, the number of shares subject to the stock appreciation right shall be reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the option is exercised.
 
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(d)          Option Exercise Price.  Each Award Agreement with respect to an option shall set forth the Exercise Price of such Award and, unless otherwise specifically provided in the Award Agreement, the Exercise Price of an option shall equal the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant; provided that in no event may such Exercise Price be less than the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant and (ii) the par value of a share of Common Stock.  Repricing of options granted under the Plan shall not be permitted (1) to the extent such action could cause adverse tax consequences to the grantee under Sections 409A or 457A of the Code or (2) without prior shareholder approval, to the extent such approval would be required to be obtained by the Company pursuant to the applicable rules of any applicable stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, and any action that would be deemed to result in a Repricing of an option shall be deemed null and void if it would cause such adverse tax consequences or if any requisite shareholder approval related thereto is not obtained prior to the effective time of such action.
 
2.3.         Exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
 
Subject to the other provisions of this Article II and the Plan, each option and stock appreciation right granted under the Plan shall be exercisable as follows:
 
(a)          Timing and Extent of Exercise.  Options and stock appreciation rights shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the corresponding Award Agreement, but in no event shall any portion of such Award be exercisable subsequent to the tenth anniversary of the date on which such Award was granted.  Unless the applicable Award Agreement otherwise provides, an option or stock appreciation right may be exercised from time to time as to all or part of the shares as to which such Award is then exercisable.
 
(b)          Notice of Exercise.  An option or stock appreciation right shall be exercised by the filing of a written notice with the Company or the Company’s designated exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”), on such form and in such manner as the Administrator shall prescribe.
 
(c)          Payment of Exercise Price.  Any written notice of exercise of an option shall be accompanied by payment for the shares being purchased.  Such payment shall be made: (i) by certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company or its Exchange Agent) for the full option Exercise Price; (ii) with the consent of the Administrator, which consent shall be given or withheld in the sole discretion of the Administrator, by delivery of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the exercise date) equal to all or part of the option Exercise Price and a certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company or its Exchange Agent) for any remaining portion of the full option Exercise Price; or (iii) at the sole discretion of the Administrator and to the extent permitted by law, by such other provision, consistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator may from time to time prescribe (whether directly or indirectly through the Exchange Agent), or by any combination of the foregoing payment methods.
 
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(d)          Delivery of Certificates Upon Exercise.  Subject to Sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.13, promptly after receiving payment of the full option Exercise Price, or after receiving notice of the exercise of a stock appreciation right for which the Administrator determines payment will be made partly or entirely in shares, the Company or its Exchange Agent shall (i) deliver to the grantee, or to such other Person as may then have the right to exercise the Award, a certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock for which the Award has been exercised or, in the case of stock appreciation rights, for which the Administrator determines will be made in shares or (ii) establish an account evidencing ownership of the stock in uncertificated form.  If the method of payment employed upon an option exercise so requires, and if applicable law permits, an optionee may direct the Company or its Exchange Agent, as the case may be, to deliver the stock certificate(s) to the optionee’s stockbroker.
 
(e)          No Stockholder Rights.  No grantee of an option or stock appreciation right (or other Person having the right to exercise such Award) shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to shares subject to such Award until the issuance of a stock certificate to such Person for such shares.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.5(c), no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, securities or other property) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.
 
2.4.         Termination of Employment; Death Subsequent to a Termination of Employment
 
(a)          General Rule.  Except to the extent otherwise provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this Section 2.4 or Section 3.5(b)(iii), a grantee who incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board may exercise any outstanding option or stock appreciation right on the following terms and conditions: (i) exercise may be made only to the extent that the grantee was entitled to exercise the Award on the date of termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board, as applicable; and (ii) exercise must occur within three months after termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board but in no event after the original expiration date of the Award.
 
(b)       Dismissal “for Cause”.  If a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board “for Cause”, all options and stock appreciation rights not theretofore exercised shall immediately terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board.
 
(c)      Retirement.  If a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board as the result of his or her Retirement, then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right shall, to the extent exercisable at the time of such Retirement, remain exercisable for a period of three years after such Retirement; provided that in no event may such option or stock appreciation right be exercised following the original expiration date of the Award.
 
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(d)        Disability.  If a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or a dismissal from the Board by reason of a Disability, then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right shall, to the extent exercisable at the time of such termination or dismissal, remain exercisable for a period of one year after such termination or dismissal; provided that in no event may such option or stock appreciation right be exercised following the original expiration date of the Award.
 
(e)           Death.
 
 (i)          Termination of Employment as a Result of Grantee’s Death.  If a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or leaves the Board as the result of his or her death, then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right shall, to the extent exercisable at the time of such death, remain exercisable for a period of one year after such death; provided that in no event may such option or stock appreciation right be exercised following the original expiration date of the Award.
 
    (ii)      Restrictions on Exercise Following Death.  Any such exercise of an Award following a grantee’s death shall be made only by the grantee’s executor or administrator or other duly appointed representative reasonably acceptable to the Administrator, unless the grantee’s will specifically disposes of such Award, in which case such exercise shall be made only by the recipient of such specific disposition.  If a grantee’s personal representative or the recipient of a specific disposition under the grantee’s will shall be entitled to exercise any Award pursuant to the preceding sentence, such representative or recipient shall be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement which would have applied to the grantee.
 
(f)          Administrator Discretion.  The Administrator may, in writing, waive or modify the application of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4.
 
2.5.         Transferability of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
 
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or the applicable Award Agreement evidencing an option or stock appreciation right, during the lifetime of a grantee, each such Award granted to a grantee shall be exercisable only by the grantee, and no such Award may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  The Administrator may, in any applicable Award Agreement evidencing an option or stock appreciation right, permit a grantee to transfer all or some of the options or stock appreciation rights to (a) the grantee’s spouse, children or grandchildren (“Immediate Family Members”), (b) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members or (c) other parties approved by the Administrator.  Following any such transfer, any transferred options and stock appreciation rights shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer.
 
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2.6.         Grant of Restricted Stock
 
(a)       Restricted Stock Grants.  The Administrator may grant restricted shares of Common Stock to such Key Persons, in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan.  A grantee of a restricted stock Award shall have no rights with respect to such Award unless such grantee accepts the Award within such period as the Administrator shall specify by accepting delivery of a restricted stock Award Agreement in such form as the Administrator shall determine and, in the event the restricted shares are newly issued by the Company, makes payment to the Company or its Exchange Agent by certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Administrator) in an amount at least equal to the par value of the shares covered by the Award (which payment may be waived at the time of grant of the restricted stock Award to the extent the restricted shares granted hereunder are otherwise deemed to be fully paid and non-assessable).
 
(b)          Issuance of Stock Certificate.  Promptly after a grantee accepts a restricted stock Award in accordance with Section 2.6(a), subject to Sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.13, the Company or its Exchange Agent shall issue to the grantee a stock certificate or stock certificates for the shares of Common Stock covered by the Award or shall establish an account evidencing ownership of the stock in uncertificated form.  Upon the issuance of such stock certificates, or establishment of such account, the grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the restricted stock, subject to: (i) the nontransferability restrictions and forfeiture provisions described in the Plan (including paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 2.6); (ii) in the Administrator’s sole discretion, a requirement, as set forth in the Award Agreement, that any dividends paid on such shares shall be held in escrow and, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, shall remain forfeitable until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed; and (iii) any other restrictions and conditions contained in the applicable Award Agreement.
 
(c)        Custody of Stock Certificate.  Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, any stock certificates issued evidencing shares of restricted stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such shares are free of any restrictions specified in the applicable Award Agreement.  The Administrator may direct that such stock certificates bear a legend setting forth the applicable restrictions on transferability.
 
(d)          Nontransferability.  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or the applicable Award Agreement evidencing a restricted stock Award, shares of restricted stock granted under the Plan may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of prior to the lapsing of all restrictions thereon.  The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates (which may depend upon or be related to the attainment of performance goals and other conditions) on which the nontransferability of the restricted stock shall lapse.  The Administrator may, in any applicable Award Agreement evidencing a restricted stock Award, permit a grantee to transfer all or some of the shares of restricted stock prior to the lapsing of all restrictions thereon to (i) the grantee’s Immediate Family Members, (ii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members or (iii) other parties approved by the Administrator.  Following any permitted transfer prior to the lapsing of all restrictions on the restricted stock, any transferred shares of restricted stock shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer.
 
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(e)          Consequence of Termination of Employment.  Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, (i) a grantee’s termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement shall cause the immediate forfeiture of all shares of restricted stock that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board and (ii) if a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board as the result of his or her death, Disability or Retirement, all shares of restricted stock that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination or departure from the Board shall immediately vest as of such date.  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, all dividends paid on shares forfeited under this Section 2.6(e) that have not theretofore been directly remitted to the grantee shall also be forfeited, whether by termination of any escrow arrangement under which such dividends are held or otherwise.  The Administrator may, in writing, waive or modify the application of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(e).
 
2.7.         Grant of Restricted Stock Units
 
(a)          Restricted Stock Unit Grants.  The Administrator may grant restricted stock units to such Key Persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Administrator shall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan.  A restricted stock unit granted under the Plan shall confer upon the grantee a right to receive from the Company, conditioned upon the occurrence of such vesting event as shall be determined by the Administrator and specified in the Award Agreement, the number of such grantee’s restricted stock units that vest upon the occurrence of such vesting event multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of vesting.  Payment upon vesting of a restricted stock unit shall be in cash or in shares of Common Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of vesting) or both, all as the Administrator shall determine, and such payments shall be made to the grantee at such time as provided in the Award Agreement, which the Administrator shall intend to be (i) if Section 409A of the Code is applicable to the grantee, within the period required by Section 409A such that it qualifies as a “short-term deferral” pursuant to Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder, unless the Administrator shall provide for deferral of the Award intended to comply with Section 409A, (ii) if Section 457A of the Code is applicable to the grantee, within the period required by Section 457A(d)(3)(B) such that it qualifies for the exemption thereunder, or (iii) if Sections 409A and 457A of the Code are not applicable to the grantee, at such time as determined by the Administrator.
 
(b)          Dividend Equivalents.  The Administrator may include in any Award Agreement with respect to a restricted stock unit a dividend equivalent right entitling the grantee to receive amounts equal to the ordinary dividends that would be paid, during the time such Award is outstanding and unvested, on the shares of Common Stock underlying such Award if such shares were then outstanding.  In the event such a provision is included in a Award Agreement, the Administrator shall determine whether such payments shall be (i) paid to the holder of the Award, as specified in the Award Agreement, either (A) at the same time as the underlying dividends are paid, regardless of the fact that the restricted stock unit has not theretofore vested, or (B) at the time at which the Award’s vesting event occurs, conditioned upon the occurrence of the vesting event, (ii) made in cash, shares of Common Stock or other property and (iii) subject to such other vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall deem appropriate and as shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.
 
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(c)          Consequence of Termination of Employment.  Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, (i) a grantee’s termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement shall cause the immediate forfeiture of all restricted stock units that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board and (ii) if a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board as the result of his or her death, Disability or Retirement, all restricted stock units that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination or departure from the Board shall immediately vest as of such date.  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, any dividend equivalent rights on any restricted stock units forfeited under this Section 2.7(c) that have not theretofore been directly remitted to the grantee shall also be forfeited, whether by termination of any escrow arrangement under which such dividends are held or otherwise.  The Administrator may, in writing, waive or modify the application of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(c).
 
(d)          No Stockholder Rights.  No grantee of a restricted stock unit shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such Award unless and until a stock certificate is issued with respect to such Award upon the vesting of such Award (it being understood that the Administrator shall determine whether to pay any vested restricted stock unit in the form of cash or Company shares or both), which issuance shall be subject to Sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.13.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.5(c), no adjustment to any restricted stock unit shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, securities or other property) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate, if any, is issued.
 
(e)          Transferability of Restricted Stock Units.  Except as otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement evidencing a restricted stock unit, no restricted stock unit granted under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable.  The Administrator may, in any applicable Award Agreement evidencing a restricted stock unit, permit a grantee to transfer all or some of the restricted stock units to (i) the grantee’s Immediate Family Members, (ii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members or (iii) other parties approved by the Administrator.  Following any such transfer, any transferred restricted stock units shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer.
 
2.8.         Grant of Unrestricted Stock
 
The Administrator may grant (or sell at a purchase price at least equal to par value) shares of Common Stock free of restrictions under the Plan to such Key Persons and in such amounts and subject to such forfeiture provisions as the Administrator shall determine.  Shares may be thus granted or sold in respect of past services or other valid consideration.
 
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ARTICLE III.
Miscellaneous
 
3.1.         Amendment of the Plan; Modification of Awards
 
(a)          Amendment of the Plan.  The Board may from time to time suspend, discontinue, revise or amend the Plan in any respect whatsoever, except that no such amendment shall materially impair any rights or materially increase any obligations under any Award theretofore made under the Plan without the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the Person having the right to exercise the Award).  For purposes of this Section 3.1, any action of the Board or the Administrator that in any way alters or affects the tax treatment of any Award shall not be considered to materially impair any rights of any grantee.
 
(b)       Stockholder Approval Requirement.  If (1) required by applicable rules or regulations of a national securities exchange or the SEC, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval with respect to any amendment to the Plan that (i) expands the types of Awards available under the Plan, (ii) materially increases the aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the Plan, except as permitted pursuant to Section 1.5(c), (iii) materially increases the benefits to participants under the Plan, including any material change to (A) permit, or that has the effect of, a Repricing of any outstanding Award, (B) reduce the price at which shares or options to purchase shares may be offered or (C) extend the duration of the Plan, or (iv) materially expands the class of Persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, or (2) the Administrator determines that it desires to retain the ability to grant incentive stock options under the Plan thereafter, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval with respect to any amendment to the Plan that (i) increases the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan or the individual limit set forth under Section 1.5(d) of the Plan (except, in each case, as permitted pursuant to Section 1.5(c)) or (ii) expands the class of Persons eligible to receive incentive stock options under the Plan.
 
(c)         Modification of Awards.  The Administrator may cancel any Award under the Plan.  The Administrator also may amend any outstanding Award Agreement, including, without limitation, by amendment which would: (i) accelerate the time or times at which the Award becomes unrestricted, vested or may be exercised; (ii) waive or amend any goals, restrictions or conditions set forth in the Award Agreement; or (iii) waive or amend the operation of Sections 2.4, 2.6(e) or 2.7(c) with respect to the termination of the Award upon termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board; provided, however, that no such amendment shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Award.  However, any such cancellation or amendment (other than an amendment pursuant to Section 1.5, 3.5 or 3.16) that materially impairs the rights or materially increases the obligations of a grantee under an outstanding Award shall be made only with the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the Person having the right to exercise the Award).  In making any modification to an Award (e.g., an amendment resulting in a direct or indirect reduction in the Exercise Price or a waiver or modification under Section 2.4(f), 2.6(e) or 2.7(c)), the Administrator may consider the implications, if any, of such modification under the Code with respect to incentive stock options granted under the Plan and/or Sections 409A and 457A of the Code with respect to Awards granted under the Plan to individuals subject to such provisions of the Code.
 
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3.2.         Consent Requirement
 
(a)          No Plan Action Without Required Consent.  If the Administrator shall at any time determine that any Consent (as defined below) is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of any Award under the Plan, the issuance or purchase of shares or other rights thereunder, or the taking of any other action thereunder (each such action being hereinafter referred to as a “Plan Action”), then such Plan Action shall not be taken, in whole or in part, unless and until such Consent shall have been effected or obtained to the full satisfaction of the Administrator.
 
(b)          Consent Defined.  The term “Consent” as used herein with respect to any Plan Action means (i) any and all listings, registrations or qualifications in respect thereof upon any securities exchange or under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, (ii) any and all written agreements and representations by the grantee with respect to the disposition of shares, or with respect to any other matter, which the Administrator shall deem necessary or desirable to comply with the terms of any such listing, registration or qualification or to obtain an exemption from the requirement that any such listing, qualification or registration be made and (iii) any and all consents, clearances and approvals in respect of a Plan Action by any governmental or other regulatory bodies.
 
3.3.         Nonassignability
 
Except as provided in Sections 2.4(e), 2.5, 2.6(d) or 2.7(e), (a) no Award or right granted to any Person under the Plan or under any Award Agreement shall be assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (b) all rights granted under the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be exercisable during the life of the grantee only by the grantee or the grantee’s legal representative or the grantee’s permissible successors or assigns (as authorized and determined by the Administrator).  All terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreements will be binding upon any permitted successors or assigns.
 
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3.4.         Taxes
 
(a)          Withholding.  A grantee or other Award holder under the Plan shall be required to pay, in cash, to the Company, and the Company and its Affiliates shall have the right and are hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to such grantee or other Award holder, the amount of any applicable withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its grant, its exercise, its vesting, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan, and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for payment of such taxes.  Whenever shares of Common Stock are to be delivered pursuant to an Award under the Plan, with the approval of the Administrator, which the Administrator shall have sole discretion whether or not to give, the grantee may satisfy the foregoing condition by electing to have the Company withhold from delivery shares having a value equal to the amount of minimum tax required to be withheld.  Such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined.  Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash.  Such a withholding election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the shares to be delivered pursuant to an Award as may be approved by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
 
(b)          Liability for Taxes.  Grantees and holders of Awards are solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may arise in connection with Awards (including, without limitation, any taxes arising under Sections 409A and 457A of the Code) and the Company shall not have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold any such Person harmless from any or all of such taxes.  The Administrator shall have the discretion to organize any deferral program, to require deferral election forms, and to grant or, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award Agreement, to unilaterally modify any Award in a manner that (i) conforms with the requirements of Sections 409A and 457A of the Code (to the extent applicable), (ii) voids any participant election to the extent it would violate Sections 409A or 457A of the Code (to the extent applicable) and (iii) for any distribution event or election that could be expected to violate Section 409A of the Code, make the distribution only upon the earliest of the first to occur of a “permissible distribution event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code or a distribution event that the participant elects in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.  The Administrator shall have the sole discretion to interpret the requirements of the Code, including, without limitation, Sections 409A and 457A, for purposes of the Plan and all Awards.
 
3.5.         Change in Control
 
(a)          Change in Control Defined.  Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, for purposes of the Plan, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
 
(i)          any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act), company or other entity (other than (A) the Company, (B) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate or (C) any company or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the holders of the voting stock of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company directly or indirectly “controls” (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the 1934 Act)) acquires “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company;
 
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(ii)          the sale of all or substantially all the Company’s assets in one or more related transactions to any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act), company or other entity, other than such a sale (A) to a Subsidiary which does not involve a material change in the equity holdings of the Company, (B) to an entity which has acquired all or substantially all the Company’s assets (any such entity described in clause (A) or (B), the “Acquiring Entity”) if, immediately following such sale, 50% or more of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Acquiring Entity (or, if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Acquiring Entity) is beneficially owned by the holders of the voting stock of the Company, and such voting power among the persons who were holders of the voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such sale is, immediately following such sale, held in substantially the same proportions as the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company immediately prior to such sale;
 
(iii)          any merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of which the holders of the voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event do not directly or indirectly hold 50% or more of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock of the surviving entity ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the surviving entity (or, if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the surviving entity) and such voting power among the persons who were holders of the voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such sale is, immediately following such sale, held in substantially the same proportions as the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company immediately prior to such sale;
 
(iv)      the approval by the Company’s stockholders of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
 
(v)          during any period of 12 consecutive calendar months, individuals:
 

(A)
who were directors of the Company on the first day of such period, or
 

(B)
whose election or nomination for election to the Board was recommended or approved by at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were directors of the Company on the first day of such period, or whose election or nomination for election were so approved,
 
shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, for each Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred under this Plan with respect to such Award only if a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code, provided that such limitation shall apply to such Award only to the extent necessary to avoid adverse tax effects under Section 409A of the Code.
 

 
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(b)          Effect of a Change in Control.  Unless the Administrator provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control:
 
(i)      notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, any Award then outstanding shall become fully vested and any restriction and forfeiture provisions thereon imposed pursuant to the Plan and the Award Agreement shall lapse and any Award in the form of an option or stock appreciation right shall be immediately exercisable;
 
(ii)          to the extent permitted by law and not otherwise limited by the terms of the Plan, the Administrator may amend any Award Agreement in such manner as it deems appropriate;
 
(iii)      a grantee who incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board for any reason, other than a termination or dismissal “for Cause”, concurrent with or within one year following the Change in Control may exercise any outstanding option or stock appreciation right, but only to the extent that the grantee was entitled to exercise the Award on the date of his or her termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board, until the earlier of (A) the original expiration date of the Award and (B) the later of (x) the date provided for under the terms of Section 2.4 without reference to this Section 3.5(b)(iii) and (y) the first anniversary of the grantee’s termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board.
 
(c)          Miscellaneous.  Whenever deemed appropriate by the Administrator, any action referred to in paragraph (b)(ii) of this Section 3.5 may be made conditional upon the consummation of the applicable Change in Control transaction.  For purposes of the Plan and any Award Agreement granted hereunder, the term “Company” shall include any successor to United Maritime Corporation.
 
3.6.         Operation and Conduct of Business
 
Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be construed as limiting or preventing the Company or any Affiliate from taking any action with respect to the operation and conduct of their business that they deem appropriate or in their best interests, including any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, exchanges or other changes in the capital structure of the Company or any Affiliate, any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, any issuance of Company shares or other securities or subscription rights, any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock or other securities or rights thereof, any dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, any sale or transfer of all or any part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
 
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3.7.         No Rights to Awards
 
No Key Person or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan.
 
3.8.         Right of Discharge Reserved
 
Nothing in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any grantee the right to continue his or her employment with the Company or any Affiliate, his or her consultancy/service relationship with the Company or any Affiliate, or his or her position as a director of the Company or any Affiliate, or affect any right that the Company or any Affiliate may have to terminate such employment or consultancy/service relationship or service as a director.
 
3.9.         Non-Uniform Determinations
 
The Administrator’s determinations and the treatment of Key Persons and grantees and their beneficiaries under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made and determined by the Administrator selectively among Persons who receive, or who are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan (whether or not such Persons are similarly situated).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall be entitled, among other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements, as to (a) the Persons to receive Awards under the Plan, (b) the types of Awards granted under the Plan, (c) the number of shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated with respect to, Awards and (d) the terms and conditions of Awards.
 
3.10.       Other Payments or Awards
 
Nothing contained in the Plan shall be deemed in any way to limit or restrict the Company from making any award or payment to any Person under any other plan, arrangement or understanding, whether now existing or hereafter in effect.
 
3.11.       Headings
 
Any section, subsection, paragraph or other subdivision headings contained herein are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to expand, limit or otherwise define the contents of such subdivisions.
 
3.12.       Effective Date and Term of Plan
 
(a)         Adoption; Stockholder Approval.  The Plan was adopted by the Board on [], 2022.  The Board may, but need not, make the granting of any Awards under the Plan subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders.
 
(b)          Termination of Plan.  The Board may terminate the Plan at any time.  All Awards made under the Plan prior to its termination shall remain in effect until such Awards have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreements.  No Awards may be granted under the Plan following the tenth anniversary of the date on which the Plan was adopted by the Board.
 
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3.13.       Restriction on Issuance of Stock Pursuant to Awards
 
The Company shall not permit any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan unless such shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable under applicable law.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award Agreement, at the time of the exercise of any Award, at the time of vesting of any Award, at the time of payment of shares of Common Stock in exchange for, or in cancellation of, any Award, or at the time of grant of any unrestricted shares under the Plan, the Company and the Administrator may, if either shall deem it necessary or advisable for any reason, require the holder of an Award (a) to represent in writing to the Company that it is the Award holder’s then-intention to acquire the shares with respect to which the Award is granted for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof or (b) to postpone the date of exercise until such time as the Company has available for delivery to the Award holder a prospectus meeting the requirements of all applicable securities laws; and no shares shall be issued or transferred in connection with any Award unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance or transfer of such shares have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and the Administrator.  The Company and the Administrator shall have the right to condition any issuance of shares to any Award holder hereunder on such Person’s undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on the subsequent transfer of such shares as the Company or the Administrator shall deem necessary or advisable as a result of any applicable law, regulation or official interpretation thereof, and all share certificates delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Company or the Administrator may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such shares are listed, and any applicable securities or other laws, and certificates representing such shares may contain a legend to reflect any such restrictions.  The Administrator may refuse to issue or transfer any shares or other consideration under an Award if it determines that the issuance or transfer of such shares or other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a grantee or other Award holder in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant grantee or other Award holder.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Administrator has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of any applicable securities laws.
 
3.14.     Requirement of Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code or Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code
 
(a)          Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code.  If an Award recipient, in connection with the acquisition of Company shares under the Plan, makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Section 83(b) of the Code), the grantee shall notify the Administrator of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Section 83(b) of the Code.
 
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(b)          Notification of Disqualifying Disposition of Incentive Stock Options.  If an Award recipient shall make any disposition of Company shares delivered pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions) or any successor provision of the Code, the grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten days thereof.
 
3.15.       Severability
 
If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Administrator, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Administrator, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
 
3.16.       Sections 409A and 457A
 
To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Sections 409A and 457A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any applicable Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A or 457A of the Code, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (i) exempt the Plan and Award from Sections 409A and 457A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (ii) comply with the requirements of Sections 409A and 457A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes under Sections 409A and 457A of the Code.
 
3.17.       Forfeiture; Clawback
 
The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement that any realized gain with respect to options or stock appreciation rights and any realized value with respect to other Awards shall be subject to forfeiture or clawback, in the event of (a) a grantee’s breach of any non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants with respect to the Company or any Affiliate or (ii) a financial restatement that reduces the amount of bonus or incentive compensation previously awarded to a grantee that would have been earned had results been properly reported.
 
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3.18.       No Trust or Fund Created
 
Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and an Award recipient or any other Person.  To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or its Affiliate.
 
3.19.       No Fractional Shares
 
No fractional shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Administrator shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.
 
3.20.       Governing Law
 
The Plan will be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.
 

 25


Exhibit 4.3

RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL AND FIRST OFFER AGREEMENT

between

UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION

and

SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
   
Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
1
 
Section 1.1 Definitions
1
ARTICLE II RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL FOR ACQUISITIONS; PROCEDURES
3
 
Section 2.1 Rights of First Refusal
3
 
Section 2.2 Procedures
3
 
Section 2.3 Enforcement.
4
ARTICLE III RIGHTS OF FIRST OFFER
4
 
Section 3.1 Rights of First Offer
4
 
Section 3.2 Procedures for Rights of First Offer
4
 
Section 3.3 Enforcement
4
ARTICLE IV CHARTERING OPPORTUNITIES
5
 
Section 4.1 Chartering Opportunities
5
 
Section 4.2 Procedures for Right of First Refusal on Chartering Opportunities
5
 
Section 4.3 Enforcement
5
ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS
5
 
Section 5.1 Certain Covenants
5
 
Section 5.2 Choice of Law
5
 
Section 5.3 Notice
6
 
Section 5.4 Entire Agreement; Effectiveness
6
 
Section 5.5 Termination
6
 
Section 5.6 Waiver; Effect of Waiver or Consent
6
 
Section 5.7 Amendment or Modification
6
 
Section 5.8 Assignment
6
 
Section 5.9 Counterparts
6
 
Section 5.10 Severability
6
 
Section 5.11 Gender, Parts, Articles and Sections
6
 
Section 5.12 Further Assurances
6
 
Section 5.13 Withholding or Granting of Consent
7
 
Section 5.14 Laws and Regulations
7
 
Section 5.15 Negotiation of Rights of the Parties
7
i


RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL AND FIRST OFFER AGREEMENT

This Rights of First Refusal and First Offer Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of [●], 2022 between Seanergy Martime Holdings Corp., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Parent”), and United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent, and the Parent intends to distribute of all of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares to the Parent’s shareholders (the “Spin-Off”) such that the Company will be an independent publicly traded company following the Spin-Off;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Spin-Off, the Company desires to grant the Parent a right of first refusal (a) to purchase or charter-in any Capesize Vessel when and if the Company determines to purchase or charter-in such a Capesize Vessel, and (b) to accept for a Parent Group Member chartering opportunities presented to Capesize Vessels owned by any Company Group Member; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the Spin-Off, each of the Parent and the Company desires to grant the other a right of first offer to acquire any Capesize Vessel when and if either Party determines to sell such Capesize Vessel.

WHEREAS, 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

Section 1.1 Definitions.

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

Acquiring Party” has the meaning given such term in Section 2.2.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with, the Person in question.

Agreement” means this Rights of First Refusal and First Offer Agreement, as it may be amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with Section 5.7.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Parent or the Company, as applicable.

Break-up Costs” means the aggregate amount of any and all additional taxes and/or duties, flag administration, financing, legal and other similar costs, fees and expenses to the Company Group Member that would be required to transfer, or result from the transfer of the Capesize Vessel acquired, directly or indirectly, by the Company Group Member as part of a larger transaction to a Parent Group Member pursuant to Sections 2.1.

Capesize Vessel” means a drybulk vessel with a carrying capacity of over 100,000 deadweight tons.


Change of Control” means, with respect to any Person (the “Applicable Person”), any of the following events: (a) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the Applicable Person’s assets to any other Person, unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer such assets are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Applicable Person; (b) the consolidation or merger of the Applicable Person with or into another Person pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Securities of the Applicable Person are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (i) the outstanding Voting Securities of the Applicable Person are changed into or exchanged for Voting Securities of the surviving Person or its parent and (ii) the holders of the Voting Securities of the Applicable Person immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving Person or its parent immediately after such transaction; and (c) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the Applicable Person, except in a merger or consolidation which would not constitute a Change of Control under clause (b) above.

Charter Offer” has the meaning given such term in Section 3.2.

Charter Offeree” has the meaning given such term in Section 3.2.

Chartered Asset” has the meaning given such term in Section 3.2.

Company” has the meaning given such term in the Preamble.

Company Group Member” means the Company and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of Voting Securities, by contract or otherwise.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

First Offer Negotiation Period” has the meaning given such term in Section 4.2(b).

Offer” has the meaning given such term in Section 2.2.

Offered Asset” has the meaning given such term in Section 2.2.

Offeree” has the meaning given such term in Section 2.2.

Parent has the meaning given such term in the Preamble.

Parent Group Members” means the Parent and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, but shall exclude the Company and any other Company Group Member.

Parties” means the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or any other entity.

Sale Assets” has the meaning given such term in Section 4.2(a).

Spin-Off” has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.
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Transfer” means any transfer, assignment, sale or other disposition of any Capesize Vessel owned by any Parent Group Member or Company Group Member, as applicable; provided, however, that such term shall not include (i) transfers, assignments, sales or other dispositions from any Parent Group Member to another Parent Group Member or from any Company Group Member to another Company Group Member, (ii) transfers, assignments, sales or other dispositions, pursuant to the terms of any related charter or other agreement with a contractual counterparty existing on the date hereof; (iii) grants of security interests in or mortgages or liens in such Capesize Vessel in favor of a bona fide third party lender; (iv) the foreclosure of any security interest, mortgage or lien in any such Capesize Vessel, (v) a sale and leaseback or similar transaction which is accounted for under United States generally accepted accounting principles as a financial lease or (vi) the chartering of vessels, including bareboat charters, or the entry of vessels into vessel pools.

Transfer Notice” has the meaning given such term in Section 4.2(a).

Transferring Party” has the meaning given such term in Section 4.2(a).

Voting Securities” means securities of any class of Person entitling the holders thereof to vote in the election of members of the board of directors or other similar governing body of the Person.

ARTICLE II

RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL FOR ACQUISITIONS; PROCEDURES

Section 2.1 Rights of First Refusal for Acquisitions. The Company hereby grants the Parent a right of first refusal to acquire any Capesize Vessel that a Company Group Member proposes to acquire (including the acquisition of a controlling interest in a business or package of assets that owns, operates or charters Capesize Vessels) or charter-in (in each case, other than from another Company Group Member, a Parent Group Member or in respect of a sale and leaseback or similar transaction which is accounted for under United States generally accepted accounting principles as a financial lease) after such Company Group Member enters into a binding agreement (including a recap) that sets forth the terms upon which it would acquire or charter-in such Capesize Vessel.

Section 2.2 Procedures. In the event that a Company Group Member enters an agreement to acquire or charter-in any Capesize Vessel in accordance with Section 2.1, then as soon as practicable or in any event not later than 3 calendar days after entering an agreement that sets forth the terms upon which it would acquire or charter-in such Capesize Vessel, such Company Group Member (the “Acquiring Party”) shall notify the Parent in writing and offer the Parent (the “Offeree”) the opportunity for any Parent Group Member to purchase or charter-in such Capesize Vessel (the “Offered Asset”), on terms no less favorable than those offered to or by the Company Group Member, as applicable, plus any applicable Break-up Costs (the “Offer”). The Offer shall set forth the Acquiring Party’s proposed terms relating to the purchase or charter-in of the Offered Asset by the applicable Parent Group Member, including any liabilities to be assumed by the applicable Parent Group Member as part of the Offer. As soon as practicable after the Offer is made, the Acquiring Party will deliver to the Offeree all information prepared by or on behalf of or in the possession of such Acquiring Party relating to the Offered Asset and reasonably requested by the Offeree. The decision to purchase or charter-in the applicable Offered Asset, the purchase price or charter hire to be paid and the charter period for the applicable Offered Asset, and the other terms of the purchase or charter shall be approved by the independent directors of the Board and recommended to the Board for approval. As soon as practicable, but in any event, within 5 calendar days after receipt of the Offer with respect to a single vessel transaction, or a period of 14 calendar days with respect to a multi-vessel transaction, the Offeree shall notify the Acquiring Party in writing that either:

(a)          The Board has elected not to cause a Parent Group Member to purchase or charter-in such Offered Asset, in which event the Acquiring Party and its Affiliates shall, subject to the other terms of this Agreement, be forever free to continue to own, operate, charter-in or charter-out such Offered Asset, provided that the Parent shall retain the right of first refusal for such Capesize Vessel or Vessels in Section 2.1 with respect to any purchase option under a charter.; or

(b)          The Board has elected to cause a Parent Group Member to purchase such Offered Asset. After receipt by the Acquiring Party of the Board’s election to cause a Parent Group Member to purchase the Offered Asset, the Board shall cause such Parent Group Member to purchase the Offered Asset on the terms set forth in the Offer as soon as commercially practicable after such agreement has been reached.
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Section 2.3 Enforcement.

Each Party agrees and acknowledges that the other Party may not have an adequate remedy at law for the breach by any such Party of its covenants and agreements set forth in this Article II, and that any breach by any such Party of its covenants and agreements set forth in this Article II could result in irreparable injury to such other Parties. Each Party further agrees and acknowledges that any other Party may, in addition to the other remedies which may be available to such other Party, file a suit in equity to enjoin such Party from such breach, and consent to the issuance of injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of Article II of this Agreement.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF FIRST OFFER

Section 3.1 Rights of First Offer.

(a)          The Parent hereby grants the Company a right of first offer on any proposed Transfer of any Capesize Vessel that any Parent Group Member owns or acquires.

(b)          The Company hereby grants the Parent a right of first offer on any proposed Transfer of any Capesize Vessel that any Company Group Member owns or acquires.

(c)          The Parties acknowledge that all potential Transfers of Capesize Vessels pursuant to this Article III are subject to obtaining any and all written consents of governmental authorities and other non-Affiliated third parties and to the terms of all existing agreements in respect of such Capesize Vessels, as applicable. Each Party shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain such consents.

Section 3.2 Procedures for Rights of First Offer.

(a)          In the event that any Company Group Member or Parent Group Member (each, a “Transferring Party”) proposes to Transfer any Capesize Vessel (the “Sale Assets”), prior to engaging in any negotiation for such Transfer with any non-Affiliated third party or otherwise offering to Transfer the Sale Assets to any non-Affiliated third party, such Transferring Party shall give the Company or the Parent, as applicable, written notice setting forth all material terms and conditions (including, without limitation, the purchase price for which such Transferring Party desires to Transfer the Sale Assets) (the “Transfer Notice”).

(b)          After delivery of the Transfer Notice, and at the Company’s or Parent’s election, as applicable (following approval by the independent directors of the applicable Board), the Parties then shall be obligated to negotiate in good faith for a 10 calendar-day period following the delivery by the Transferring Party of the Transfer Notice (the “First Offer Negotiation Period”) to reach an agreement for the Transfer of such Sale Assets to any Company Group Member or Parent Group Member, as applicable, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Transfer Notice. If no such agreement has been reached between the Transferring Party and the Company or the Parent during the First Offer Negotiation Period, the Transferring Party may Transfer the Sale Assets to a third party; provided that if the Transferring Party has not Transferred or agreed in writing to Transfer such Sale Assets to a third party within 180 calendar days after the end of the First Offer Negotiation Period on terms generally no less favorable to the Transferring Party than those included in the Transfer Notice, then the Transferring Party shall not thereafter Transfer any of the Sale Assets without first offering such assets to the Company or Parent, as applicable, in the manner provided above.

Section 3.3 Enforcement. Each Party agrees and acknowledges that the other Parties may not have an adequate remedy at law for the breach by any such Party of its covenants and agreements set forth in this Article III, and that any breach by any such Party of its covenants and agreements set forth in this Article III could result in irreparable injury to such other Parties. Each Party further agrees and acknowledges that any other Party may, in addition to the other remedies which may be available to such other Party, file a suit in equity to enjoin such Party from such breach, and consent to the issuance of injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of Article III of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE IV

CHARTERING OPPORTUNITIES

Section 4.1 Chartering Opportunities. The Parties acknowledge and agree that during the term of this Agreement, depending on a number of facts and circumstances that may exist at any given time when a Capesize Vessel owned by any Parent Group Member (a “Parent Vessel”) and a Capesize Vessel owned by a Company Group Member (a “Company Vessel”) are both available for charter, Parent’s management subsidiaries, in their performance of commercial management services, may have a conflict of interest in pursuing charter opportunities for a Company Vessel and Parent Vessel, and the Company acknowledges that no Parent Group Member shall be obliged to present any chartering opportunity which is determined, in such Parent Group Member’s sole discretion, to be suitable for a Parent Vessel to any Company Group Member.

Section 4.2 Procedures for Right of First Refusal on Chartering Opportunities. Except for any charting opportunity presented by a Parent Group Member to any Company Group Member, with respect to which the right of first refusal set forth in this section shall be deemed waived, any Company Group Member presented with a chartering opportunity (excluding renewals and extensions of existing charters and charters with a term of 13 months or less) for a Capesize Vessel shall grant the Parent a right of first refusal to accept such opportunity for a Parent Vessel before pursuing such potential charter opportunity for a Company Vessel by delivering a notice of the potential charter opportunity (the “Charter Notice”) to the Parent setting forth the material terms of the potential charter opportunity. Upon receipt of a Charter Notice, the Parent shall have two business days to consider the potential charter opportunity and to accept or reject such opportunity. In the event that the Parent does not elect to accept the potential charter opportunity within two business days, the Company shall be free to pursue such opportunity for a Company Vessel for a period of 15 calendar days on the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Charter Notice.

Section 4.3 Enforcement. Each Party agrees and acknowledges that the other Parties may not have an adequate remedy at law for the breach by any such Party of its covenants and agreements set forth in this Article IV, and that any breach by any such Party of its covenants and agreements set forth in this Article IV could result in irreparable injury to such other Parties. Each Party further agrees and acknowledges that any other Party may, in addition to the other remedies which may be available to such other Party, file a suit in equity to enjoin such Party from such breach, and consent to the issuance of injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of Article IV of this Agreement.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 5.1 Certain Covenants. Each of the Parent and the Company hereby agree and covenant to use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the other Parent Group Members and Company Group Members, respectively, to comply with the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 5.2 Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each of the parties hereto submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (or, if jurisdiction in that court is not available, then any state court located within the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York) for any and all legal actions arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
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Section 5.3 Notice. All notices, requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing the same in the mail, addressed to the Person to be notified, postpaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested or by delivering such notice in person or by prepaid private-courier, telecopier, facsimile or email to such party. Notice given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual receipt. Couriered notices shall be deemed delivered on the date the courier represents that delivery will occur. Notice given by telecopier, facsimile or email shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient’s normal business hours, or at the beginning of the recipient’s next business day after receipt if not received during the recipient’s normal business hours. All notices to be sent to a Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or made at the address set forth below such Party’s signature to this Agreement, or at such other address as such Party may stipulate to the other Parties in the manner provided in this Section 5.3.

Section 5.4 Entire Agreement; Effectiveness. 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. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties expressly agree that this Agreement shall not take effect until the Spin-Off occurs, and if no such Spin-Off occurs, this Agreement will be of no force and effect.

Section 5.5 Termination. Upon a Change of Control of the Company or the Parent, the provisions of Articles II, III and IV of this Agreement (but not less than all of such Articles) shall terminate immediately.

Section 5.6 Waiver; Effect of Waiver or Consent. Any Party hereto may (a) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of any other Party hereto or (b) waive compliance with any agreement or condition contained herein. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument duly executed by the Party or Parties to be bound thereby. No waiver or consent, express or implied, by any Party of or to any breach or default by any Person in the performance by such Person of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a waiver or consent of or to any other breach or default in the performance by such Person of the same or any other obligations of such Person hereunder. Failure on the part of a Party to complain of any act of any Person or to declare any Person in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by such Party of its rights hereunder until the applicable statute of limitations period has run.

Section 5.7 Amendment or Modification. This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties hereto.

Section 5.8 Assignment. No Party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto.

Section 5.9 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.

Section 5.10 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.

Section 5.11 Gender, Parts, Articles and Sections. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used in this Agreement shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter, and the number of all words shall include the singular and plural. All references to Article numbers and Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.

Section 5.12 Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each signatory Party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.
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Section 5.13 Withholding or Granting of Consent. Each Party may, with respect to any consent or approval that it is entitled to grant pursuant to this Agreement, grant or withhold such consent or approval in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, with or without cause, and subject to such conditions as it shall deem appropriate.

Section 5.14 Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Party to this Agreement shall be required to take any act, or fail to take any act, under this Agreement if the effect thereof would be to cause such Party to be in violation of any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation.

Section 5.15 Negotiation of Rights of the Parties. The provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the Parties to this Agreement, and no shareholder, member, assignee or other Person of the Parties shall have the right, separate and apart from the Parties, as applicable, to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any Party to this Agreement to comply with the terms of this Agreement.

[signature page follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the date first written above.

 
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
     
 
By:
  
 
Name:
  
 
Title:
  
   
 
Address for Notice:
   
 
United Maritime Corporation
154 Vouliagmenis Avenue
 
166 74 Glyfada, Greece
 
Attention: [●]
 
Tel: [●]
   
 
Attention (email): [●]


(Signature Page to Rights of First Refusal and First Offer Agreement)


 
SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.
   
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:
 
   
 
Address for Notice:
   
 
Seanergy Martime Holdings Corp.
154 Vouliagmenis Avenue
 
166 74 Glyfada, Greece
 
Attention: [●]
 
Tel: [●]


(Signature Page to Rights of First Refusal and First Offer Agreement)


Exhibit 4.4

CONTRIBUTION AND CONVEYANCE AGREEMENT

This contribution and conveyance agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [●] 2022 by and between Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., a Marshall Islands corporation (“Seanergy”) and United Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (“United Maritime”). The foregoing shall be referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

RECITALS

1
Seanergy intends to transfer ownership of the Vessel (as defined below) to United Maritime, a wholly-owned subsidiary, and United Maritime will subsequently be spun off to current shareholders of Seanergy (the “Spin-Off”). Concurrently with the Spin-Off, the common shares of United Maritime are expected to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to a registration statement on Form 20-F filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration Statement”). The board of directors of Seanergy and the board of directors and sole shareholder of United Maritime have or will authorize the actions set forth below at the times and in the order set forth below.

2
To accomplish the objectives and purposes in the preceding recital, the following actions have been taken prior to the date of this Agreement:

(a)
Seanergy formed United Maritime pursuant to the Marshall Islands Business Corporation Act and is the record holder of United Maritime’s common shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Shares”), constituting all of the outstanding Common Shares of United Maritime at such time;

(b)
Seanergy owns all of the outstanding shares (the “Vessel-Owning Subsidiary Shares”) of Sea Glorius Shipping Co., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Vessel-Owning Subsidiary”), which owns the Capesize drybulk vessel Gloriuship with IMO number 9266944 (the “Vessel”).

3
Each of the following transactions shall occur in accordance with and pursuant to this Agreement:

(a)
Effective immediately prior to the distribution by Seanergy of United Maritime common shares to the shareholders of Seanergy (the “Spin-off Distribution”), the following transactions shall occur in accordance with and pursuant to this Agreement: Seanergy will contribute (i) all of the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary Shares to United Maritime as a capital contribution and (ii) an aggregate of $5.0 million in cash as working capital of United Maritime (the “Working Capital Amount”) in exchange for the issuance of 5,000 of United Maritime’s Series C Convertible Preferred Shares (the “Series C Preferred Shares”) to Seanergy, the cancellation of the existing outstanding common shares of United Maritime and the issuance of 1,511,156 common shares of United Maritime and 40,000 Series B Preferred Shares of United Maritime (the “Distribution Shares”) to Seanergy.

(b)
Seanergy will distribute the Distribution Shares to its shareholders on a pro rata basis as a special dividend.

(c)
The articles of incorporation and bylaws of United Maritime and of the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary will be amended and restated to the extent necessary to reflect the applicable matters set forth above.


AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual undertakings and agreements hereunder, the Parties undertake and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
CONTRIBUTIONS AND CONVEYANCE

1.1
Contributions and conveyances. The parties acknowledge and agree that the following actions hereby occur in the following order effective immediately prior to the Spin-Off Distribution:

(d)
Seanergy shall contribute the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary Shares and the Working Capital Amount to United Maritime as a capital contribution;

(e)
United Maritime shall cancel the existing outstanding common shares of United Maritime held by Seanergy and issue and deliver the Distribution Shares and Series C Preferred Shares to Seanergy in exchange for Seanergy’s capital contribution of the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary Shares and Working Capital Amount; and

(f)
the Parties shall execute such documents and take such actions as are necessary or desirable to effect the foregoing.

ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SEANERGY; DISCLAIMER

2.1
Representations and Warranties. Seanergy hereby represents and warrants that:

(a)
The Vessel-Owning Subsidiary has been duly formed or incorporated and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the Marshall Islands and has all requisite power and authority to operate its assets, including the Vessel, and conducts its business as described in Seanergy’s public filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) through the date hereof;

(b)
Correct and complete copies of the certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, by-laws, other organizational documents and all material agreements (as amended to the date of this Agreement) of the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary have been made available to United Maritime;

(c)
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and all documents, instruments and agreements required to be executed and delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement in connection with the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, have been or will be duly authorized by all necessary actions by Seanergy and, to the extent applicable, the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seanergy and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Seanergy enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, reconstruction and other similar laws of general application affecting the enforceability of remedies and rights of creditors and except that equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunction are in the discretion of a court;
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(d)
The execution, delivery and performance by it 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: (i) the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other organizational documents of Seanergy or the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary (the “Seanergy Parties” and each, a “Seanergy Party”); (ii) any lien, encumbrance, security interest, pledge, mortgage, charge, other claim, bond, indenture, agreement, contract, franchise license, permit or other instrument or obligation to which any Seanergy Party is a party or is subject or by which any of such Seanergy Party’s assets or properties may be bound; (iii) any applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations promulgated by a governmental authority, orders of a governmental authority, judicial decisions, decisions of arbitrators or determinations of any governmental authority or court (“Laws”); or (iv) any charter or vessel management agreement to which any Seanergy Party is a party or any material provision of any material contract to which a Seanergy Party is a party or by which a Seanergy Party’s properties are bound;

(e)
Except as have already been obtained or that will be obtained in the ordinary course of business, no consent, permit, approval or authorization of, notice or declaration to or filing with any governmental authority or any other person, including those related to any environmental laws or regulations or the charters or vessel management agreements related to the Vessel, is required in connection with the execution and delivery by any Seanergy Party of this Agreement or the consummation by any Seanergy Party of the transactions contemplated hereunder;

(f)
The Vessel-Owning Subsidiary Shares have been duly and validly issued, in accordance with the applicable articles of incorporation, are fully paid and non-assessable and free of preemptive rights. Seanergy has, and will convey to United Maritime, good and valid title to the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary Shares which comprise all of the issued and outstanding shares in the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary, free and clear of all mortgages, liens, security interests, covenants, options, claims, restrictions, or encumbrances of any kind, except for those arising in relation to the amendment among United Maritime, the Parent, the Vessel‐Owning Subsidiary, Kroll Trustee Services Limited and Kroll Agency Services Limited. There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to acquire any shares of capital stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for the capital stock of the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary. With respect to the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary Shares, there is no further obligation to make any capital contribution to the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary;

(g)
There is no outstanding agreement, contract, option, commitment or other right or understanding in favor of, or held by, any person to acquire the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary Shares or the assets of the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary, including but not limited to the Vessel, that has not been terminated or otherwise waived;

(h)
Each of the charters and the vessel management agreements to which the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary is a party (as amended to the date of this Agreement) has been made available to United Maritime and is a valid and binding agreement of the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary enforceable in accordance with its terms and, to the knowledge of the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary, of all other parties thereto enforceable in accordance with its terms;

(i)
The Vessel-Owning Subsidiary has fulfilled all material obligations required pursuant to any charter (described in (h) above) and the vessel management agreements to have been performed by it prior to the date of this Agreement and has not waived any material rights thereunder; and no material default or breach exists in respect thereof on its part or, to its knowledge, any of the other parties thereto and, to its knowledge, no event has occurred which, after giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute such a material default or breach;
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(j)
Except for such liabilities, debts obligations, encumbrances, defects, restrictions or claims of a general nature and magnitude that would arise in connection with the operation of vessels of the same type as the Vessel in the ordinary course of business, there are no liabilities, debts or obligations of, encumbrances, defects or restrictions with respect to, or claims against the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary or any of the assets owned by the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary, including the Vessel, other than those disclosed in Seanergy’s public filings made with the SEC through the date hereof; and

(k)
The Vessel is (i) adequate and suitable for use by the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary in its business as presently conducted by it in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement, ordinary wear and tear excepted; (ii) seaworthy in all material respects for hull and machinery insurance warranty purposes and is in good running order and repair; (iii) insured against all risks, and in amounts, consistent with common industry practices; (iv) in compliance with maritime laws and regulations; (v) duly registered under the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and (vi) in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of its present class and classification society; and all class certificates of the Vessel are valid and without overdue recommendations affecting class.

2.2
Disclaimer of Warranties. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT NONE OF THE PARTIES HAS MADE, DOES NOT MAKE, AND EACH SUCH PARTY SPECIFICALLY NEGATES AND DISCLAIMS, ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, PROMISES, COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS OR GUARANTIES OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, ORAL OR WRITTEN, PAST OR PRESENT, REGARDING (A) THE VALUE, NATURE, QUALITY OR CONDITION OF THE ASSETS OWNED BY THE VESSEL-OWNING SUBSIDIARY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE ASSETS GENERALLY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE PRESENCE OR LACK OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES OR OTHER MATTERS ON SUCH ASSETS, (B) THE INCOME TO BE DERIVED FROM SUCH ASSETS, (C) THE SUITABILITY OF SUCH ASSETS FOR ANY AND ALL ACTIVITIES AND USES THAT MAY BE CONDUCTED THEREON OR THEREWITH, (D) THE COMPLIANCE OF OR BY SUCH ASSETS OR THEIR OPERATION WITH ANY LAWS (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY ZONING, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, POLLUTION OR LAND USE LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS, ORDERS OR REQUIREMENTS), OR (E) THE HABITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, MARKETABILITY, PROFITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF SUCH ASSETS. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT SUCH PARTY HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT THE ASSETS OF THE VESSEL-OWNING SUBSIDIARY, AND SUCH PARTY IS RELYING SOLELY ON ITS OWN INVESTIGATION OF THE ASSETS OF THE VESSEL-OWNING SUBSIDIARY AND NOT ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED OR TO BE PROVIDED BY THE OTHER PARTY. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, NONE OF THE PARTIES IS LIABLE OR BOUND IN ANY MANNER BY ANY VERBAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS OR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE ASSETS OF THE VESSEL-OWNING SUBSIDIARY FURNISHED BY ANY AGENT, EMPLOYEE, SERVANT OR THIRD PARTY. THIS SECTION SHALL SURVIVE THE CONTRIBUTION AND CONVEYANCE OF THE INTERESTS OR THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION AND ARE INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE EXCLUSION AND NEGATION OF ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSETS OF THE VESSEL-OWNING SUBSIDIARY THAT MAY ARISE PURSUANT TO ANY LAW NOW OR HEREAFTER IN EFFECT, OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

2.3
Indemnification. Seanergy hereby agrees to indemnify United Maritime for any and all obligations and other liabilities arising from or relating to the operation, management or employment of the Vessel prior to the effective date of the Spin-Off, and hereby agrees to indemnify the Vessel-Owning Subsidiary for any and all obligations and other liabilities arising from or relating to the operation, management or employment of the Vessel prior to the effective date of the Spin-Off.
4


ARTICLE III
FURTHER ASSURANCES

3.1
Further Assurances. From time to time after the date of this Agreement, and without any further consideration, the Parties agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such additional deeds, assignments, bills of sale, conveyances, instruments, notices, releases, acquittances and other documents, and will do all such other acts and things, all in accordance with any applicable foreign, federal, national, state, provincial or local law (including common law), statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, code or other requirement enacted, promulgated, issued or entered into, or act taken, by any federal, state, local, foreign or international court, government, department, commission, board, bureau or agency, or any other regulatory, self-regulatory, administrative or governmental organization or authority, including the Nasdaq Capital Market, as may be necessary or appropriate (a) more fully to assure that the applicable Parties own all of the properties, rights, titles, interests, estates, remedies, powers and privileges granted by this Agreement, or which are intended to be so granted, (b) more fully and effectively to vest in the applicable Parties and their respective successors and assigns beneficial and record title to the interests contributed and assigned by this Agreement or intended so to be and (c) to more fully and effectively carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION

4.1
Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by Seanergy in its sole discretion at any time prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off Distribution.

4.2
Effect of Termination. In the event of any termination of this Agreement prior to consummation of the Spin-Off Distribution, neither Party (nor any of its directors or officers) shall have any liability or further obligation to the other Party.

ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS

5.1
Power of Attorney. Each Party that has conveyed any interests as reflected by this Agreement (collectively, the “Conveying Parties”) hereby constitutes and appoints each of Stamatios Tsantanis, Stavros Gyftakis, Theodora Mitropetrou and Maria Moschopoulou, each of 154 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 16674 Glyfada, Greece, and each of Will Vogel, Todd Johnson, Ioanna Pantelaki and Jamie Davidian, each of Watson Farley & Williams LLP, 250 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019, United States of America (each an “Attorney-in-Fact”), each acting singly and independently or together, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution for it and in its name, place and stead or otherwise on behalf of the applicable Conveying Party and its successors and assigns, and for the benefit of the Attorney-in-Fact to demand and receive from time to time the interests contributed and conveyed by this Agreement (or intended so to be) and to execute in the name of the applicable Conveying Party and its successors and assigns instruments of conveyance, instruments of further assurance and to give receipts and releases in respect of the same, and from time to time to institute and prosecute in the name of the applicable Conveying Party for the benefit of the Attorney-in-Fact, any and all proceedings at law, in equity or otherwise which the Attorney-in-Fact may deem proper in order to (a) collect, assert or enforce any claims, rights or titles of any kind in and to the Interests, (b) defend and compromise any and all actions, suits or proceedings in respect of any of the Interests, and (c) do any and all such acts and things in furtherance of this Agreement as the Attorney-in-Fact shall deem advisable. Each Conveying Party hereby declares that the appointment hereby made and the powers hereby granted are coupled with an interest and are and shall be irrevocable and perpetual and shall not be terminated by any act of any Conveying Party or its successors or assigns or by operation of law.
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5.2
Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Parties in this Agreement and in or under any documents, instruments and agreements delivered pursuant to this Agreement, will survive the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby regardless of any independent investigations that United Maritime may make or cause to be made, or knowledge it may have, prior to the date of this Agreement and will continue in full force and effect for a period of one year from the date of this Agreement. At the end of such period, such representations and warranties will terminate, and no claim may be brought by United Maritime against Seanergy thereafter in respect of such representations and warranties, except for claims that have been asserted by United Maritime prior to the date of this Agreement.

5.3
Costs. United Maritime shall pay any and all sales, use and similar taxes arising out of the contributions, conveyances and deliveries to be made hereunder, and shall pay all documentary, filing, recording, transfer, deed, and conveyance taxes and fees required in connection therewith.

5.4
Headings; References; Interpretation. All Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to Articles and Sections shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Articles and Sections of this Agreement, respectively. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation,” “but not limited to,” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.

5.5
Successors and Assigns. The Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

5.6
No Third Party Rights. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to bind the Parties as to each other and are not intended to and do not create rights in any other person or confer upon any other person any benefits, rights or remedies and no person is or is intended to be a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

5.7
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on the parties hereto.

5.8
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each of the parties hereto submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (or, if jurisdiction in that court is not available, then any state court located within the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York) for any and all legal actions arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
6


5.9
Severability. If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to contravene, or to be invalid under, the laws of any governmental body having jurisdiction over the subject matter hereof, such contravention or invalidity shall not invalidate the entire Agreement. Instead, this Agreement shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular provision or provisions held to be invalid, and an equitable adjustment shall be made and necessary provision added so as to give effect, as nearly as possible, to the intention of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement at the time of execution of this Agreement.

5.10
Deed; Bill of Sale; Assignment. To the extent required and permitted by applicable Law, this Agreement shall also constitute a “deed,” “bill of sale” or “assignment” of the Vessel-Owning-Subsidiary Shares.

5.11
Amendment or Modification. This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties hereto.

5.12
Integration. This Agreement and the instruments referenced herein supersede all previous understandings or agreements among the Parties, whether oral or written, with respect to its subject matter hereof. This Agreement and such instruments contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. No understanding, representation, promise or agreement, whether oral or written, is intended to be or shall be included in or form part of this Agreement unless it is contained in a written amendment hereto executed by the Parties hereto after the date of this Agreement.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Contribution and Conveyance Agreement has been duly executed by the parties set forth below.

 
SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
Name:

 
Title:

 
 
 
 
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
 

 
 
By:

 
Name:

 
Title:


8

Exhibit 4.5


Dated [●] 2022









UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION


and


SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.





MASTER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT




















INDEX

CLAUSE
 
PAGE
     
1
INTERPRETATION
1
     
2
SERVICES
1
     
3
FEES AND EXPENSES
3
     
4
RIGHT TO SUB-CONTRACT
4
     
5
ASSIGNMENT
4
     
6
LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
4
     
7
NO JOINT VENTURE
6
     
8
DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT
6
     
9
NOTICES
6
     
10
APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
7
     
11
MISCELLANEOUS
7


THIS MASTER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2022, is entered into between United Maritime Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “Company”) and Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “Manager”, together with the Company, the “Parties” and each a “Party”).

WHEREAS:

(A)
The Company is in the business of owning, acquiring and operating a fleet of ocean-going vessels and intends to expand its fleet, with such vessels owned indirectly through separate subsidiaries of the Company.

(B)
The Manager has the benefit of expertise in management services through its wholly owned management subsidiaries and, inter alia, in corporate finance, accounting, operations, sale and purchase and administration generally.

(C)
With respect to the vessels set forth on Schedule I attached hereto, as amended from time to time by agreement of the parties hereto (each a “Vessel” and collectively the “Vessels,” with each Vessel-owning subsidiary of the Company referred to as an “SPV” and collectively the “SPVs”), the Company has requested the Manager, and the Manager has agreed, to assist the Company and its SPV(s) in their dealings with third parties and to provide certain services to the Company, certain other subsidiaries of the Company and each SPV in connection with, inter alia, the management, corporate finance, accounting, operations, sale and purchase and general administration of their business.

NOW THEREFORE THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:

1.
INTERPRETATION

1.1          In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires:

Business Days” means a day (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) on which banks are open for business in Athens, London and New York;

Services” means the services described in Clause 2.1.

1.2          The headings of this Agreement are for ease of reference and do not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

1.3          All the terms of this Agreement, whether so expressed or not, shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

1.4          Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.

2
SERVICES

2.1          During the term hereof (as provided in Clause 8 of this Agreement), the Company engages the Manager to provide the following services to the Company, certain management subsidiaries of the Company and each SPV and the Manager hereby accepts such engagement, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement:


(a)
the provision of assistance and advice with respect to financing, including without limitation the monitoring and administration of compliance with the financing terms and conditions agreed with investors, banks, lessors or other financial institutions;
1


(b)
the establishment and maintenance of an appropriate accounting system (if required) and adequate internal control over financial reporting;


(c)
the keeping of all books and records of things done and transactions performed as it may require from time to time, including liaising with accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors;


(d)
from time to time or at any time as requested, the preparation and presentation of reports to the board of directors thereof (or any applicable committee thereof) concerning the performance of the services mentioned in this Clause 2.1 and the performance of third parties with whom they have a contractual relationship and furnishing advice and recommendations with respect to all aspects of their business affairs;


(e)
the maintenance of the general ledgers, reconciliation of their bank accounts, preparation of periodic financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied in the United States, including those required for governmental and regulatory or self-regulatory agency filings (including the preparation of periodic and other reports, proxy statements, registration statements and other documents and reports), tax returns and reports and the provision of related data processing services;


(f)
the provision of commercial management (including but not limited to the chartering of the Vessels and monitoring thereof and freight collection) and technical management (including but not limited to the crewing of the vessels, the day-to-day operations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, drydocking, purchasing, insurance and claims handling) services for the Vessels, the acting directly or through its wholly owned subsidiaries for and on behalf of the SPVs in connection therewith and the arrangement on behalf of the SPVs (through the relevant third parties) of any of the aforementioned services directly or through its wholly owned subsidiaries;


(g)
the provision of services for the sale and purchase of the Vessels;


(h)
provision of services for the compliance with all applicable laws, including all relevant securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any securities exchange upon which the Company’s securities are listed;


(i)
the maintenance of the Company’s, the Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPV’s corporate existence and good standing in all necessary jurisdictions and assistance in all other corporate and regulatory compliance matters, including but not limited to any action, claim, complaint, demand, suit, judgment, investigation or proceeding, pending or threatened, by any person or before any governmental or other authority;


(j)
the conducting of investor relations functions on behalf of the Company;


(k)
the provision and maintenance of all required information technology infrastructure and support relating to all operations of the Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPVs;


(l)
the obtaining, on behalf of the Company, director and officer liability insurance and other insurance coverage not related to the Vessels that would normally be obtained for a company in a similar business to that of the Company;
2


(m)
the provision of office space/ premises and office equipment for the personnel of the Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries or the SPVs at the location of the Manager and clerical, secretarial and administrative assistance as may be reasonably necessary;


(n)
the communication with the transfer agent for the Company as may be necessary or desirable;


(o)
the provision of directors and/or officers in the board of directors of the Company or the SPVs; and


(p)
the provision of such other services as the authorized representative of the Company or the SPV may request and the Manager may agree to provide from time to time.

2.2          During the term hereof, the Manager shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to promote the business of the Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPVs in accordance with the directions of their authorized representative(s) and shall at all times use its reasonable commercial efforts to conform to and comply with the lawful directions, regulations and recommendation made by such authorised representative(s) and in the absence of any specific directions, regulations and recommendations as aforesaid and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall provide general administrative and advisory services in connection with the management of the business of the Company and the SPV.

2.3          The Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPVs each acknowledge that to the extent set out in this Agreement, the Manager is acting solely on behalf of, as agent of and for the account of the Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPVs.

2.4          The Manager in the performance of its responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to its overall responsibilities in relation to the management of its own subsidiaries (which include but shall not be restricted to the Manager) and in particular, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Manager shall be entitled to allocate available resources and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Manager in its absolute discretion considers to be fair and reasonable.  The Manager and its employees may provide services of a nature similar to the Services to any other person. There is no obligation for the Manager to provide the Services to Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries or the SPVs on an exclusive basis.

3
FEES AND EXPENSES

3.1          In consideration of the Manager providing the Services, the Company shall pay the Manager a daily administration fee of three hundred twenty-five United States Dollars (US$325) per Vessel (the “Fee”). The Fee shall be due and payable by the Company upon the Manager’s request.

3.2          The Company will reimburse the Manager for postage and communication expenses, travelling expenses and other expenses reasonably incurred by the Manager in the provision of the Services (including any reimbursement at-cost for sub-contracting paid by the Manager to any Sub-Manager as set forth in Clause 4). Within thirty (30) days after the end of each month, the Manager shall submit to the Company for payment an invoice for reimbursement of all such expenses in connection with the provision of the Services. Each statement will contain such supporting detail as may be reasonably required to validate such amounts due.   The Company shall make payment within fifteen (15) days of the date of each invoice (any such day on which a payment is due, the “Due Date”). All invoices for Services are payable in U.S. dollars. All amounts not paid within 10 days after the Due Date shall bear interest at the rate of 1.00% per annum over SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) from such Due Date until the date payment is received in full by the Manager.
3

4
RIGHT TO SUB-CONTRACT

4.1          The Manager shall be entitled to procure performance of the Manager's duties and obligations under this Agreement to any of its subsidiaries or arrange on behalf of the Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPVs the performance of the Services by third parties (collectively, the “Sub-Managers”), as agreed to by the Company or the SPVs from time to time.

4.2          In the event of any sub-contract by the Manager or arrangement as mentioned above, the Manager shall promptly notify the Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPVs thereof and shall remain fully liable for the due performance of its obligations under this Agreement except in the case of sub-contracting or arranging the Services under Clause 2.1(f) in which case the Sub-Managers will be solely liable towards the Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPVs and the Manager will have no liability under Clause 6.2 of this Agreement or otherwise in respect of the performance of Services under Clause 2.1(f) by a Sub-Manager. The Company’s management subsidiaries and the SPVs, as applicable, shall enter into the relevant management agreements with the Sub-Managers in respect of the provision of the Services under Clause 2.1(f).

5
ASSIGNMENT

5.1          The Parties may not assign any of their respective rights under this Agreement in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of such other Party. This Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

6
LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

6.1          Neither the Company nor the Manager shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of its obligations hereunder if any of the following occurs (“Force Majeure Event”):


(i)
any event, cause or condition which is beyond the reasonable control of either or both of the Parties and which prevents either or both of the Parties from performing any of their respective obligations under this Agreement;


(ii)
acts of God, including fire, explosions, unusually or unforeseeably bad weather conditions, epidemic, lightning, earthquake or tsunami;


(iii)
acts of public enemies, including war or civil disturbance, vandalism, sabotage, terrorism, blockade or insurrection;


(iv)
acts of any governmental authority, including injunction or restraining orders issued by any judicial, administrative or regulatory authority, expropriation or requisition;


(v)
government rule, regulation or legislation, embargo or national defense requirement; or


(vi)
labor troubles or disputes, strikes or lockouts, including any failure to settle or prevent such event which is in the control of any Party.

A Party shall give written notice to the other Party promptly upon the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event.

6.2          Subject to Clause 6.1, the Manager and any directors or employees of the Manager or the directors and officers appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Company or the SPVs for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, and howsoever arising in the course of the performance of this Agreement, unless and to the extent that the same is proved to have resulted solely from (i) fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Manager, its employees, agents and the directors and officers appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o), or (ii) any breach of this Agreement by the Manager, its employees and agents and of the directors and officers appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) (in which case, with the exception of fraud or willful misconduct, the Manager’s liability for each incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims under this Agreement shall never exceed a total of US$100,000.
4

6.3          Except to the extent that the Manager would be liable under Clause 6.2, the Company and the SPVs hereby undertake to keep the Manager and its employees, agents, directors, officers and the Sub-Managers and the directors and officers appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative), claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever and howsoever arising which may be brought against them, threatened or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of this Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses of whatsoever nature and kind (including but not limited to legal costs, attorneys’ fees, judgements, fines, amounts paid in settlement and any other expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Manager, its directors, officers, employees, agents or the Sub-Managers and the directors and officers appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement unless the same is proven to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful default of the Manager or its directors, officers, employees, or agents or the Sub-Managers employed by them or the directors and officers appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o).

6.4          No director, officer, employee, agent or Sub-Manager of the Manager or any director and officer appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability 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 or holding of a directorship or office and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 6.4, every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defense and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Manager or to which the Manager is entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such director, officer, employee, agent or Sub-Manager of the Manager and the director and officer appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) acting as aforesaid, and all such persons shall have the right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce and to enjoy the benefit of this Clause 6.

6.5          The Manager or any of their directors or officers or any of the directors and officers appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses for any reason whatsoever.

6.6          No director or officer appointed from time to time pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) shall be personally liable to any of the SPVs or the Company or to any shareholder or beneficial owner of the Company for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, provided that this provision shall not limit the liability of a director or officer (i) for any breach of the director’s or the officer’s duty of loyalty to the SPVs of the Company, (ii) for acts or omissions proven to be made or not made in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 28 (m) of the Business Corporations Act of Marshall Islands or any other applicable law, or (iv) or any transaction from which any director or officer derived an improper personal benefit.

6.7          Any repeal or modification of this Clause 6 shall not adversely affect any rights to indemnification of the Manager, their employees, agents, Sub-Managers and the directors or officers appointed pursuant to Clause 2.1(o) existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
5

   
7
NO JOINT VENTURE

7.1          Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create or shall be construed as creating a joint venture or partnership between the Parties, and this Agreement shall not be deemed for any purpose to constitute any Party a partner of any other Party to this Agreement in the conduct of any business or otherwise or as a member of a joint venture or joint enterprise with any other Party to this Agreement.

8
DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT

8.1          The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue until December 31, 2024, unless it is terminated earlier by the Parties as provided in Clause 8.3 (the “Initial Term”).

8.2          This Agreement will, without any further act or formality on the part of either Party, on the expiration of the Initial Term, or any Renewal Term, be automatically renewed for a further term of twelve (12) months (each a “Renewal Term”) unless terminated in accordance with Clause 8.3.

8.3          Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing to the other party three (3) months’ prior written notice. This Agreement may be  terminated immediately (i) in the event of a material breach of this Agreement, or (ii) if an order be made or resolution be passed for the winding up of the other party (otherwise than a winding up for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation), or if a receiver be appointed of the undertaking or property of the other party, or if the other party shall suspend payment or cease to carry on business or make any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.  Upon termination, the Manager shall assist with any transition required by the Company, the Company’s management subsidiaries or the SPVs to another service provider or manager providing services that are substantially similar to the Services.

9
NOTICES

9.1          All notices, consents and other communications hereunder or necessary to exercise any rights granted hereunder, shall be writing, either by hand, by prepaid registered mail or telefax, addressed as follows:

Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company and SPVs:
c/o 154 Vouliagmenis Avenue
16674 Glyfada, Athens Greece
For the Attention of
United Maritime Corporation
E-mail: finance@seanergy.gr / legal@seanergy.gr
Fax: +30 210 9638404

Manager:
Executive Offices at 154 Vouliagmenis Avenue
16674 Glyfada, Athens Greece
For the Attention of
Finance & Legal Departments
E-mail: finance@seanergy.gr / legal@seanergy.gr
Fax: +30 210 9638404

Any Party may change the address to which notices, requests, consents or other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving to the other Parties notice in the manner set forth in this Clause 9.1.
6

Any notice:


(i)
if validly delivered on a Business Day, shall be deemed to have been given when delivered; and


(ii)
if validly transmitted by fax on a Business Day, shall be deemed to have been given on that Business Day.

10
APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION

10.1          This Agreement (including any non-contractual obligations arising from or in connection with the same) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including any non-contractual obligations arising from or in connection with the same) 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 language of the Arbitration shall be English and 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. Each party to appoint one arbitrator and the two so appointed to appoint the third who shall act as chairman of the Tribunal. On the receipt by one party of the nomination in writing of the other party’s arbitrator, that party shall appoint their arbitrator within fourteen days, failing which the single arbitrator shall act as sole arbitrator and any decision of the sole arbitrator shall be binding in both parties as if the sole arbitrator had been appointed by agreement. The two arbitrators so appointed shall appoint the third arbitrator within fourteen days.

10.2          In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000, the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

11
MISCELLANEOUS

11.1          No Party shall disclose to any third parties information that it has relating to the businesses, properties, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of any of the other Parties or make use of such information other than to the extent necessary for the purpose of performing this Agreement, except (i) to the extent such information is publicly available or is obtainable from independent sources who did not receive the information from such other Party, (ii) as requested or required by its representatives, legal counsel, accountants, advisers, auditors, any law or statutory body, including but not limited to any stock exchange and/or Securities and Exchange Commission laws and regulations applicable to either Party, any applicable accounting standards, ordered by any court, regulation, court order, judicial process or arbitral award (including by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or other documents in legal proceedings, subpoena, civil investigative demand or any other similar legal process), or (iii) as authorized in writing by such other Party.

11.2          This Agreement constitutes the sole understanding and agreement of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, with respect thereto. This Agreement may not be amended, waived or discharged except by an instrument or instruments in writing executed by the party against whom enforcement of such amendment, waiver or discharge is sought.

11.3          This Agreement may be executed in one or more written counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
7

IN WITNESS whereof the undersigned have executed this agreement as of the date first above written.




The Manager

SIGNED by
)
For and behalf of
)
SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.
)




The Company

SIGNED by
)
For and on behalf of
)
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
)


















[Signature Page to Master Management Agreement]
8

Schedule I

Vessel Name
SPVs
M/V Gloriuship
(IMO 9266944)
Sea Glorius Shipping Co., of the Republic of the Marshall Islands


















9



Exhibit 4.6

1. Date of Agreement
 
[●]
 
M/V GLORIUSHIP
2
Owner (name, place of registered office and law of registry) (Cl. 1)
 
SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO.
3.
Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) (Cl. 1)
 
SEANERGY SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP.
Name
 
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island
Majuro MH96960, Marshall Islands
Name
 
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island
Majuro MH96960, Marshall Islands
Place of registered office

Republic of the Marshall Islands
Law of registry
Place of registered office

Republic of the Marshall Islands
Law of registry
4.
Day and year of commencement of Agreement (Cl. 2)
 
[●]


5.
Crew Management (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) (Cl. 3.1)
 
NO
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)
 
NO
8.
Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) (Cl. 3.4)
 
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)
 
YES, upon Owner’s request
11.
Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) (Cl. 3.7)
 
YES
12.
Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) (Cl. 3.8)
 
YES
13.
Chartering Services (only to be filled in if  “yes” stated in box 7) (Cl . 3.3(i))
 
NO
14.
Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3)
 
YES AS PER CLAUSE 6.3 (i)
15.
Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) (Cl. 8.1)
 
US$ 14,000 monthly
16.
Severance Costs (state maximum amount) (Cl. 8.4(ii))
 
N/A
17.
Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
N/A
18.
Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1, 19.2 or 19.3; if 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) (Cl. 19)
 
AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
19.
Notices (state postal and cable addresses, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners) (Cl. 20)
 
[●]
20.
Notices (state postal and cable addresses, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers) (Cl. 20)
 
[●]


It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes “A” (Details of Vessel) and “B” (Budget) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” and “B” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no further.


Signature(s) (Owners)
 
SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO.
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
SEANERGY SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP.
 
 




PART II
 
1. Definitions
1
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires,
2
the following words and expressions shall have the meanings
3
hereby assigned to them.
4
"Owners" means the party identified in Box 2.
5
"Managers" means the party identified in Box 3.
6
"Vessel" means the vessel or vessels details of which are set
7
out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
8
"Crew" means the Master, officers and ratings of the numbers,
9
rank and nationality specified by the Owners.
10
"Crew Support Costs" means all expenses of a general nature
11
which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for
12
the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred
13
by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and
14
economic management service and, without prejudice to the
15
generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby
16
pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training
17
schemes, sick pay, study pay, recruitment and interviews.
18
"Severance Costs" means the costs which the employers are
19
legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of
20
the early termination of any employment contract for service on
21
the Vessel.
22
"Crew Insurances" means insurances against crew risks which
23
shall include but not be limited to death, sickness, repatriation,
24
injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal
25
effects.
26
"Management Services" means the services specified in sub-
27
clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12 and all other functions performed by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement.
28
"ISM Code" means the International Management Code for the
29
Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted
30
by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution
31
A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
32
“United Maritime Group” means United Maritime Corporation
33
group of companies and vessels
 
"STCW 95" means the International Convention on Standards
34
of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978,
 
as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto or substitution hereto.
35
2. Appointment of Managers
36
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing
37
unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners
38
hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree
39
to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
40
3. Basis of Agreement
41
Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, during the
42
period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out
43
Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for
44
and on behalf of the Owners. The Managers shall have authority
45
to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute
46
discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform
47
this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management
48
practice including but not limited to compliance with all relevant rules and regulations.
49
3.1 Crew Management
50
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 5)
51
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel
52
as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95
53
requirements, provision of which includes but is not limited to
54
the following functions:
55
(i)   selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll
56
arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for
57
the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6:
58
(ii) ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the
59
flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels,
60
rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and
61
employment regulations including Crew's tax, social
62
insurance, discipline and other requirements;
63
(iii) ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical
64
examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit
65
 
for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession
66
of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with
67
appropriate flag State requirements. In the absence of
68
applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall
69
be dated not more than three months prior to the respective
70
Crew members leaving their country of domicile and
71
maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
72
(iv) ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English
73
      language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform
74
       their duties safely;
75
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
76
(vi) training of the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
77
(vii) conducting union negotiations;
78
(viii) operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless
79
        otherwise agreed.
80
3.2 Technical Management
81
 (only applicable if agreed according to Box 6)
82
The Managers shall provide technical management which
83
includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
84
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the
85
maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
86
(ii)arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs,
87
modifications, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards
88
required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall
89
be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure
90
that the Vessel will comply with the laws and regulations of the flag of the
91
Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all
92
requirements and recommendations of the classification
93
society and equipment manufacturers;
94
(iii) arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and
 
lubricating oil;
96
(iv) appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the
97
Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
 
(v) development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety
99
Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM
100
Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3);
 
(vi) arrangement of periodic analysis of the bunker fuel, lubricating oils and chemicals by third parties (the costs being included in the Vessel’s running costs).
 
3.3 Commercial Management
102
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 7)
103
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the
104
Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not
105
limited to, the following functions:
106
(i)   providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners'
107
instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking
108
and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion
109
(including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other
110
contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel. If such a
111
contract exceeds the period stated in Box 13. consent thereto
112
in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
113
(ii) arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees
114
of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of
115
whatsoever nature to which Owners may be entitled arising
116
out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the
117
Vessel.
118
(iii) providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of
119
hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from
120
or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
121
(iv) issuing of voyage instructions;
122
(v) appointing agents;
123
(vi) appointing stevedores;
124
(vii)arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation
125
of the Vessel.
126
3.4 Insurance Arrangements
127
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8)
128
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with
129
Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall
130
have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,
131



PART II
 
insured values, deductibles, limits of liability and franchises.
132
3.5 Accounting Services
133
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9)
134
The Managers shall:
135
(i)   establish an accounting system which meets the
136
requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting
137
services, supply regular reports and records,
138
(ii) maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred
139
as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of
140
accounts between the parties.
141
3.6 Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
142
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10)
143
The Managers shall, upon Owners' instructions,
144
supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the
145
performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not
146
the negotiation of the same.
147
3.7 Provisions (only applicable if agreed according to Box 11)
148
The Managers shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
149
3.8 Bunkering (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12)
150
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the
151
quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel's trade.
152
3.9 Operations
 
As required by the Owners, the Managers shall, as agents for the Owners, provide support on the following functions:
 
(i) Monitoring voyage instructions and liaising as appropriate with the Owners, the Owners’ brokers and charterers;
 
(ii) Appointment of agents; and
 
(iii) Arrangement of surveying of cargoes.
 
4. Managers' Obligations
153
4.1 The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to
154
provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on
155
behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management
156
practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in
157
all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.
158
Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their
159
management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled
160
to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to other vessels
161
of the United Maritime Group as may from time to time be entrusted to their
162
management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality
163
of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies,
164
manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing
165
circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider
166
to be fair and reasonable.
167
4.2 Where the Managers are providing Technical Management
168
in accordance with sub-clause 3.2, they shall procure that the
169
requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and
170
they shall in particular be deemed to be the "Company" as defined
171
by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of
172
the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed
173
by the ISM Code and the ISPS Code when applicable.
174
5. Owners' Obligations
175
5.1 The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually
176
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
177
5.2 Where the Managers are providing Technical Management
178
in accordance with sub-clause 3.2, the Owners shall:
179
(i)   procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on
180
their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
181
(ii)   instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders
182
of the Managers in connection with the operation of the
183
Managers' safety management system.
184
5.3 Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management
185
in accordance with sub-clause 3.2, the Owners shall procure that
186
the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied
187
and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them
188
and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the
189
"Company" as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility
190
for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and
191
responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
192
 
6. Insurance Policies
193
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers
194
under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of
195
this Agreement:
196
6.1 at the Owners' expense, the Vessel is insured for not less
197
than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage,
198
as the case may be for:
199
(i)   usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew
200
negligence) and excess liabilities;
201
(ii) protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and
202
Crew Insurances); and
203
(iii) war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks)
204
in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of
205
vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance
206
companies, underwriters or associations ("the Owners'
207
Insurances");
208
6.2 all premiums and calls on the Owners' Insurances are paid
209
promptly by their due date,
210
6.3 the Owners' Insurances name the Managers and, subject
211
to underwriters' agreement, any third party designated by the
212
Managers or the Owners as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners
213
obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in
214
sub-clause 6.1:
215
(i)   on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party
216
are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection
217
with the Owners' Insurances; or
218
(ii) if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the
219
Managers nor any such third party shall be under any
220
liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection
221
with the Owners' Insurances; or
222
(iii) on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
223
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14. If Box 14 is left
224
blank then (i) applies.
225
6.4 written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction
226
of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under
227
Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of
228
the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically
229
requested, of each payment date of the Owners' Insurances.
230
7. Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
231
7.1 All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of
232
this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to
233
the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the
234
credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
235
7.2 All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms
236
of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses
237
as provided in Clause 8) may be debited against the Owners
238
in the account referred to under sub-clause 7.1. but shall in any
239
event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on
240
demand.
241
8. Management Fee
242
8.1 The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services
243
as Managers under this Agreement an annual management
244
fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable by equal
245
monthly instalments in advance, the first instalment
 
(pro rata if applicable) being
246
payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause
247
2 and Box 4) and subsequent instalments being payable every
248
month. The management fee shall be payable to the Managers’ account advised by the Managers.
249
8.2 The management fee shall be subject to an annual review
250
on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed
251
fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-
252
Clause 9.1
253
8.3 The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide
254
their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and
255
stationery. Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners
256
shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication
257
expenses, travelling expenses, and other out of pocket
258
expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of the Management Services.
259








PART II
 
Any days used by the Manager’s personnel travelling to or from or attending on the Vessel or otherwise used in connection with the Management Services shall be charged as per actual expenses.
260
8.4 In the event of the appointment of the Managers being
261
terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with
262
the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of
263
default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise
264
disposed of, the "management fee" payable to the Managers
265
according to the provisions of sub-clause 8.1. shall continue to
266
be payable for a further period of three calendar months as
267
from the termination date. In addition, provided that the
268
Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-
269
clause 3.1:
270
(i)   the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during
271
the said further period of three calendar months and
272
(ii) the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any
273
Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding
274
the amount stated in Box 16.
275
8.5 If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this
276
Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more
277
than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management
278
fee for the period exceeding three months until one month
279
before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually
280
agreed between the parties.
281
8.6 Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and
282
commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the
283
management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
284
9. Budgets and Management of Funds
285
9.1 The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a
286
budget for the following twelve months in such form as the
287
Owners require. The budget for the first year hereof is set out
288
in Annex "B" hereto. Subsequent
 
 annual budgets shall be
289
prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not
290
less than one month before January 1st of each calendar year
291
(see Clause 2 and Box 4).
292
9.2 The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance
293
and approval of the annual budget within one month of
294
presentation and in the absence of any such indication the
295
Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have
296
accepted the proposed budget.
297
9.3 Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall
298
prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working
299
capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each
300
month up-date this estimate. Based thereon, the Managers shall
301
each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required
302
to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment
303
of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as
304
emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers
305
or provisions. Such funds shall be received by the Managers
306
within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the
307
Managers' written request and shall be held to the credit of the
308
Owners in a separate bank account.
309
9.4 The Managers shall produce a comparison between
310
budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in
311
such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other
312
intervals as mutually agreed.
313
9.5 Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,
314
the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or
315
commit their own funds to finance the provision of the
316
Management Services.
317
10. Managers' Right to Sub-Contract
318
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of
319
their obligations hereunder, including those mentioned in sub-
320
clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which
321
shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event of such a sub-
322
contract the sub-managers Managers shall remain be fully liable for the due
323
performance of their obligations towards the Owners under this Agreement.
324
 
11.Responsibilities
325
11.1 Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers
326
shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their
327
obligations hereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of
328
any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
329
Neither party shall be liable for any loss, damage or delay due to any of the following force majeure events and/or conditions to the extent that the party invoking force majeure is prevented or hindered from performing any or all of their obligations under this Agreement, provided they have made all reasonable efforts to avoid, minimize or prevent the effect of such events and/or conditions:
 
(i) acts of God;
 
(ii) any Government requisition, control, intervention, requirement or interference;
 
(iii) any circumstances arising out of war, threatened act of war or warlike operations, acts of terrorism, sabotage or piracy, or the consequences thereof;
 
(iv) riots, civil commotion, blockades or embargoes;
 
(v) epidemics;
 
(vi) earthquakes, landslides, floods or other extraordinary weather conditions;
 
(vii) strikes, lockouts or other industrial action, unless limited to the employees (which shall not include the Crew) of the party seeking to invoke force majeure;
 
(viii) fire, accident, explosion except where caused by negligence of the party seeking to invoke force majeure; and
 
(ix) any other similar cause beyond the reasonable control of either party.
 
11.2 Liability to Owners  - (i) Without prejudice to sub-clause
330
11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the
331
Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever
332
nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to
333
loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or
334
delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of
335
performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is
336
proved to have resulted solely from the negligence, gross
337
negligence or wilful default of the Managers or their employees,
338
or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection
339
with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay
340
or expense has resulted from the Managers' personal act or
341
omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly
342
and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense
343
would probably result) the Managers' liability for each incident
344
or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never
345
exceed a total of ten times the annual management fee payable
346
hereunder.
347
(ii) Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in
348
this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the
349
actions of the Crew, even if such actions are negligent, grossly
350
negligent or wilful., except only to the extent that they are shown
351
to have resulted from a failure by the Managers to discharge
352
their obligations under sub-clause 3.1, in which case their liability
353
shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11.
354
11.3 Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount
355
therein set out that the Managers would be liable under sub-
356
clause 11.2, the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers
357
and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified
358
and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings,
359
claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising
360
which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by
361
them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the
362
Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses,
363
damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on
364
a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur
365
(either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of
366
this Agreement.
367
11.4 "Himalaya" - It is hereby expressly agreed that no
368
employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-
369
contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in
370
any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever
371
to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind
372
arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or
373
default on his part while acting in the course of or in connection
374
with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of
375
the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11. every exemption,
376
limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right,
377
exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever
378
nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are
379
entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to
380
protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting
381
as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions
382
of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be
383
acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all
384
persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time
385
to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such
386
persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this
387
Agreement.
388
12.Documentation
389
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in
390
accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in
391
accordance with sub-clause 3.1. they shall make available,
392


PART II
 
upon Owners' request, all documentation and records related
393
to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew
394
which the Managers need in order to demonstrate compliance
395
with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against
396
a third party.
397
13.General Administration
398
13.1 The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising
399
out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners
400
informed in a timely manner regarding any incident of which
 
the Managers become
401
aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving
402
third parties.
403
13.2 The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring
404
or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters
405
entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
406
13.3 The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or
407
technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling
408
and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters
409
affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
410
13.4 The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any
411
necessary guarantee bond or other security.
412
13.5 Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in
413
carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be
414
reimbursed by the Owners.
415
13.6 The Managers shall have power to obtain appropriate legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims in relation to Sub-clauses 13.1 and 13.2 and disputes and any other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel, unless the Owners instruct the Managers otherwise.
 
14. Auditing
416
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and
417
correct accounts in respect of the Management Services in accordance with the relevant US GAAP Standards or such other standard as the parties may agree, including records of all costs and expenditure incurred, and shall make the same available for inspection
418
and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually
419
agreed. On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this
420
Agreement, the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so
421
requested, the originals where possible, or otherwise certified
422
copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating
423
to the Vessel and her operation.
424
The Managers shall make such accounts available for inspection and auditing by the Owners and/or their representatives in the Manager’s offices or by electronic means.
 
15.lnspection of Vessel
425
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving
426
reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any
427
reason they consider necessary.
428
16.Compliance with Laws and Regulations
429
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which
430
might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and
431
regulations of the Vessel's flag, or of the places where she trades.
432
17.Duration of the Agreement
433
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated
434
in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17.
435
Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving
436
to the other notice in writing, in which event the Agreement shall
437
terminate upon the expiration of a period of one two months from the
438
date upon which such notice was given.
439
18.Termination
440
18.1 Owners' default
441
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement
442
with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys
443
payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the
444
Owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed
445
in Annex "D". shall not have been received in the Managers'
446
nominated account within ten running days of receipt by
450
the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel
451
is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
452
(ii) If the Owners:
453
(a) fail to meet their obligations under sub-clauses 5.2
454
and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their
455
control, or
456
(b) proceed with the employment of or continue to employ
457
the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade
458
 
running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which
459
in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly
460
hazardous or improper,
461
the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners,
462
requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.
463
In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a
464
reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers, the
465
Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement
466
with immediate effect by notice in writing.
467
18.2 Managers' Default
468
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3
469
and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the
470
Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the
471
default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically
472
possible. In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a
473
reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners, the Owners
474
shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect
475
by notice in writing.
476
18.3 Extraordinary Termination
477
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of
478
the sale of the Vessel (except where the vessel is sold and leased back to the Owners) or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is
479
declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total
480
loss or is requisitioned.
481
18.4 For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
482
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having
483
been sold or otherwise disposed of shall be the date on
484
which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of
485
the Vessel;
486
(ii) the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either
487
she has become an actual total loss or agreement has
488
been reached with her underwriters in respect of her
489
constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such
490
agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is
491
adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss
492
of the Vessel has occurred.
493
18.5 This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of
494
an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up,
495
dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise
496
than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a
497
receiver is appointed, or if it suspends payment, ceases to carry
498
on business or makes any special arrangement or composition
499
with its creditors.
500
18.6 The termination of this Agreement shall be without
501
prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to
502
the date of termination.
503
18.7 A change of control of either party shall not terminate this
504
Agreement.
505
19.Law and Arbitration
506
19.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
507
accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or
508
in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration
509
in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or
510
any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to
511
the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this
512
Clause.
513
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the
514
London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms
515
current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are
516
commenced.
517
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing
518
to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator
519
and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other
520
party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator
521
within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will
522
appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party
523
appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done
524
so within the 14 days specified. If the other party does not
525
appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so
526
within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to
527
arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior
528


PART II
 
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole
529
arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The
530
award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties
531
as if he had been appointed by agreement.
532
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing
533
to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a
534
sole arbitrator.
535
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim
536
exceeds the sum of USD50.000 (or such other sum as the
537
parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in
538
accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current
539
at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
540
19.2 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
541
in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and
542
the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute
543
arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be
544
referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed
545
by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so
546
chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be
547
final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award,
548
judgement may be entered on an award by any court of
549
competent jurisdiction. The proceedings shall be conducted
550
in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime
551
Arbitrators, Inc.
552
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim
553
 
exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the
554
parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in
555
accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the
556
Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. current at the time when
557
the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
558
19.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
559
in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by
560
the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection
561
with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a
562
mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable
563
there.
564
19.4 If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub-
565
clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
566
19.2 Notwithstanding Sub-clause 19.1 above, the parties may agree at any time to refer to mediation any difference and/or dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
 
i)In the case of a dispute in respect of which arbitration has been commenced under Sub-clause 19.1 above, the following shall apply:
 
ii)Either party may at any time and from time to time elect to refer the dispute or part of the dispute to mediation by service on the other party of a written notice (the "Mediation Notice") calling on the other party to agree to mediation.
 
iii) The other party shall thereupon within 14 calendar days of receipt of the Mediation Notice confirm that they agree to mediation, in which case the parties shall thereafter agree a mediator within a further 14 calendar days, failing which on the application of either party a mediator will be appointed promptly by the Arbitration Tribunal ("the Tribunal") or such person as the Tribunal may designate for that purpose. The mediation shall be conducted in such place and in accordance with such procedure and on such terms as the parties may agree or, in the event of disagreement, as may be set by the mediator.
 
iv) If the other party does not agree to mediate, that fact may be brought to the attention of the Tribunal and may be taken into account by the Tribunal when allocating the costs of the arbitration as between the parties.
 
(v) The mediation shall not affect the right of either party to seek such relief or take such steps as it considers necessary to protect its interest.
 
(vi) Either party may advise the Tribunal that they have agreed to mediation. The arbitration procedure shall continue during the conduct of the mediation but the Tribunal may take the mediation timetable into account when setting the timetable for steps in the arbitration.
 
(vii) Unless otherwise agreed or specified in the mediation terms, each party shall bear its own costs incurred in the mediation and the parties shall share equally the mediator's costs and expenses.
 
(viii) The mediation process shall be without prejudice and confidential and no information or documents disclosed during it shall be revealed to the Tribunal except to the extent that they are disclosable under the law and procedure governing the arbitration.
 
(Note: The parties should be aware that the mediation process may not necessarily interrupt time limits.)
 
Note: 19.1. 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate
567
alternative agreed in Box 18.
568
20.Notices
569
20.1 Any notice to be given by either party or their agents to the other
570
party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex,
571
registered or recorded mail, email or by personal service.
572
20.2 The address of the Parties for service of such
573
communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20,
574
respectively.
575
21. Third Party Rights
 
Except to the extent provided in Sub-clauses 11.3 (Indemnity) and 11.4 (Himalaya), no third parties may enforce any term of this Agreement.
 



ANNEX "A" (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS)

Date of Agreement:
[●]
   
       
Name of Vessel(s):
M/V GLORIUSHIP
 
       
Particulars of Vessel(s):
     
 
Built:
2004
 
 
IMO:
9266944
 
 
GRT:
87,720 TONS
 
 
NRT:
54,606 TONS
 
 
Length:
280.46M
 
 
Breath:
45.00M
 



ANNEX "B" (BUDGET)

Date of Agreement: [●]

Managers Budget in USD for the first year with effect from the Commencement Date of this Agreement:



Exhibit 4.7

DATED [•]



United Maritime Corporation


-and-


Seanergy Management Corp.




COMMERCIAL
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT






THIS AGREEMENT, dated [•], is made between:

A) United Maritime Corporation, a company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro Marshall Islands MH96960 (hereinafter called the “Company”) for its own behalf and on behalf of the Shipowning Entities;

- and -

B) Seanergy Management Corp., a company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro Marshall Islands MH96960 (hereinafter called the “Commercial Manager”).

WHEREAS:

(A)       Pursuant to a master management agreement dated [•] (the “Master Agreement”) and entered into between Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (“Seanergy”) and United Maritime Corporation, of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (“United Maritime”), Seanergy has agreed to provide, directly or through its wholly owned subsidiaries or by arranging with third parties, administrative, accounting, finance, commercial, technical management, brokerage and certain other services to United Maritime and its ship-owning subsidiaries.

(B)       United Maritime is in the business of owning, acquiring and operating (including via bareboat chartering or sub-bareboat chartering) a fleet of oceangoing vessels (a “Vessel” and collectively the “Vessels”), indirectly through its separate wholly owned subsidiaries (each a “Shipowning Entity” and collectively the “Shipowning Entities” and together with the Company, hereinafter referred to as the “Group” and any of them a “member of the Group”).

(C)         Pursuant to the Master Agreement, Seanergy has the right to procure performance of its duties and obligations to any of its subsidiaries or arrange on behalf of United Maritime and its vessel-owning subsidiaries the performance of the relevant services by third parties.

(D)       The Company, acting in its capacity as parent for and on behalf of the Shipowning Entities, wishes to appoint the Commercial Manager, a wholly owned subsidiary of Seanergy, as the agent of the Group to, directly or through subcontracting, seek, negotiate and conclude charterparties or other contracts for the employment of the Vessels, on the terms and conditions set out herein.

WHEREBY IT IS AGREED as follows:

1
Definitions

1.1
In this Agreement, except where the context otherwise requires:

“Management Services” means the services provided by the Commercial Manager pursuant to Clauses 2 and 6.

1


1.2.
Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.

1.3.
References to any document include the same as varied, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

1.4.
References to any enactment include re-enactments, amendments and extensions thereof.

1.5.
Clause headings are for convenience of reference only and are not to be taken into account in construction.

2
Appointment of Commercial Manager

2.1
In consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

The Company for and on behalf of the Shipowning Entities hereby appoints the Commercial Manager as the agent of the Group for the provision, directly or through subcontracting, of chartering services to the Group, which include seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessels in accordance with the Company’s instructions and subject to the Company’s prior approval the conclusion (including the execution) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessels, as described in detail in this Agreement.

2.2
For services performed hereunder by the Commercial Manager, the Company shall pay or procure that the relevant member of the Group pays, to the Commercial Manager as a management fee (the “Fee”) comprising of: (i) a fee equal to one point twenty-five percent (1.25%) calculated on the collected gross hire/ freight/ demurrage payable when the relevant hire/ freight/ demurrage are collected (except for any Vessels that are chartered-out to Seanergy), and (ii) a fee equal to one per cent (1%) of the contract price of any Vessel bought or sold by the Commercial Manger on the Company’s (and the respective Shipowning Entity’s) behalf, except for any Vessels bought or sold from or to Seanergy, or in respect of any Vessel sale relating to a sale leaseback transaction. The Fee hereunder shall be paid to the Commercial Manager to an account of the Commercial Manager advised in writing to the Company.

2


3
Purpose, Authority and Basis of Agreement

3.1
Subject to the terms and conditions provided herein during the period of this Agreement the Commercial Manager shall carry out the Management Services in respect of the Vessels for and on behalf of the Shipowning Entities. The Commercial Manager (unless otherwise provided for herein) shall have authority to take such actions as it may from time to time in its discretion consider necessary to enable it to perform its obligations pursuant hereunder in accordance with sound ship management practices, provided the Company has given its approval.

3.2
The Company hereby ratifies, confirms and undertakes at all times to ratify and to confirm all lawful conduct of the Commercial Manager, its employees, agents and subcontractors in connection with the provision of the Management Services pursuant to this Agreement.

3.3
The Company shall procure forthwith that each Shipowning Entity (including such entities as may become members of the Group from time to time) shall evidence its agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement by executing a deed of accession to this Agreement in the form of Schedule 1.

4
Obligations of Commercial Manager

The Commercial Manager undertakes in so far as applicable to its respective duties pursuant to this Agreement to use its best endeavours to provide the Management Services and to protect and promote the interests of the Company and the Shipowning Entities in all matters relating to the efficient commercial management of the Vessels provided however that without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing the Commercial Manager shall not be:


(a)
required to exercise its powers pursuant hereto as to give preference in any respect to the Shipowning Entities, it being understood and agreed that the Commercial Manager shall so far as is practicable ensure a fair distribution of available manpower, supplies and services to all ships owned or managed by it;


(b)
restricted from carrying on or (whether as manager or otherwise) being concerned or interested in carrying on any business which is or may be similar to or competitive with the business presently or at any time carried on by the Shipowning Entity; and


(c)
answerable for the consequences of any decision or exercise of judgment taken or made in the exercise of its powers and taken or made honestly and in good faith.

5
Obligations of the Company

The Company shall pay or procure that the relevant member of the Group pays any moneys due to the Commercial Manager pursuant to this Agreement.

3


6
Management Services

6.1
The Commercial Manager shall provide and/or procure, directly or through subcontracting, the provision of the services specified hereunder in the name of the Shipowning Entities or otherwise on its behalf and do all things which may be expedient or necessary for the provision of said services or otherwise in relation to the commercial operation of the Vessels, such services as stated below:-

(a)         Commercial Management


(i)
Employment of the Vessels

Seeking and negotiating employment of the Vessels in accordance with the Company’s instructions.


(aa)
Chartering

Providing chartering services which include, but are not limited to seeking, negotiating and the concluding (including the execution thereof) of charterparties and on behalf of the Shipowning Entity agreeing with the charterers (inter alia) on the itineraries and timetables of the Vessel during the charter period, charter hire and other monies payable to the Shipowning Entity and methods of payment thereof and any other terms and conditions in relation to the employment of the Vessel, provided that the Commercial Manager received the Company’s prior approval.


(ii)
Commercial operation

Commercial operation of the Vessels, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions


(aa)
Providing detailed voyage estimates and accounts and calculating hire, freights, demurrage and/or dispatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessels;


(bb)
Issuing voyage instructions;


(cc)
Arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessels;


(dd)
Estimation of bunker quantities and types to be supplied.

4



(iii)
Sale and Purchase

Identifying potential opportunities and supervising the sale or purchase of the Vessels, including but not limited to the negotiation and the performance of the relevant sale and purchase agreements.


(iv)
Accounting Services


(aa)
calculating and arranging for the collection of and receiving for and on behalf of the Shipowning Entity all hire, revenue or other monies of whatsoever kind to which the Shipowning Entity may from time to time be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel and to this end co-ordinating the invoicing procedures on behalf of the Shipowning Entity of all aforesaid amounts due to the Shipowning Entity;


(bb)
arranging for the proper payment to the Company, or the Shipowning Entity or its nominee of all such monies;


(cc)
establishing and operating an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Company and providing regular accounting services, supplying regular reports and records in this regard; and


(dd)
maintaining the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.

6.2
The Commercial Manager has the right to appoint any third party to provide any of the Management Services provided by it, as may be agreed from time to time with the Company or the Shipowning Entity. In such event, the Commercial Manager shall promptly notify the Company and the Shipowning Entity and the appointed sub-manager will be solely liable towards the Company and the Shipowning Entity and the Commercial Manager will have no liability for the sub-contracted services and obligations.

6.3
The Commercial Manager shall have the express authority to negotiate, conclude and execute all forms of documentation and agreements including contracts and acknowledgements on behalf of the Company in so far as is necessary for the provision by the Commercial Manager of its Management Services, provided that all such documentation will be approved in advance in writing by the Company.

7
Accounts and Management of Funds

7.1
In so far as applicable to the Commercial Managers’ Services, the Commercial Manager shall operate accounting systems satisfactory to the Shipowning Entity and provide regular services, reports and records in this regard and maintain records of all expenditure and cost together with information necessary and appropriate for the settlement of accounts between the parties hereto.

5


7.2
Notwithstanding any contrary provisions herein the Commercial Manager shall in no circumstances whatsoever be required to use or commit its own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.

7.3
The Commercial Manager shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Company at such times as may be mutually agreed. On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement, the Commercial Manager shall release to the Shipowning Entities, if so requested, the originals where possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessels and their commercial operation.

8
Management Expenses

8.1
The Commercial Manager shall, at no extra cost to the Company, provide its office accommodation and office staff. The Company will reimburse the Commercial Manager for all reasonable running and/or out of pocket expenses, including but not limited to, telephone, fax, stationary and printing expenses. Any required travelling expenses in relation to this Agreement and the Management Services will be pre-approved by the Company and the relevant expenses will be reimbursed to the Commercial Manager.

8.2
All moneys collected by the Commercial Manager pursuant to this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Company to the Commercial Manager) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of each applicable Shipowning Entity in a separate bank account.

9
Termination

This Agreement may be terminated by either party giving to the other one (1) month prior notice in writing or by mutual written agreement between the parties.

9.1
Company’s default

The Commercial Manager shall be entitled to terminate its appointment under this Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any monies payable by   the Company under this Agreement shall not have been received by the Commercial Manager within ten (10) running days of receipt by the Company of the Commercial Manager’s written request.

9.2
Commercial Managers’ default

If the Commercial Manager fails to meet its obligations under clauses 5 and 7 of this Agreement for any reason within its control, the Company may give notice to the Commercial Manager of the default, requesting also to remedy it as soon as practically possible. In the event that the Commercial Manager fails to remedy said default within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Company, the Company shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement in relation to the defaulting Commercial Manager with immediate effect by notice in writing.

6


9.3
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.

9.4
For the purpose of sub-clause 9.3. hereof:


(a)
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 Shipowning Entity cease to be registered as owner of the Vessel;


(b)
the Vessel shall only be deemed lost where 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 nevertheless adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive total loss of the Vessel has been occurred.

9.5
Either party hereto may by notice to the other party terminate forthwith the appointment if an order is made or resolution is passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of such party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if any party ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.

9.6
The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.

10
Insurances

The Company shall procure that, throughout the period of this Agreement,


(a)
at no expense to the Commercial Manager, the Vessels are insured for not less than their sound market value or entered for their full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:


(i)
usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;


(ii)
protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and crew insurances); and


(iii)
war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks),

in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of ships of a similar type to the Vessels, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Shipowning Entities’ Insurances”);

7



(b)
all premiums and calls on the Shipowning Entities’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date;


(c)
the Shipowning Entities’ Insurances name the Commercial Manager and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Commercial Manager as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Company procuring on behalf of the relevant Shipowning Entity cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1, if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Commercial Manager nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Shipowning Entities’ Insurances;


(d)
written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Commercial Manager, of compliance with the obligations under Clause 4 within a reasonable time from the commencement of this Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Shipowning Entities’ Insurances.

11
Force Majeure

Neither the Company nor the Commercial Manager shall be under any liability for any failure to perform or delay in the performance of any of their obligations under this Agreement by reason of any cause whatsoever beyond their reasonable control.

12
Indemnities

Subject to any liability of the Commercial Manager pursuant to Clause 12.2     hereto, the members of the Group hereby ratify and confirm, and undertake at all times to ratify and confirm, whatever may be done or caused to be done by the Commercial Manager in the course of or in the provision of the Management Services and the members of the Group hereby undertake to keep the Commercial Manager and its respective employees and agents 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 any one of them or incurred or suffered by them or any one of them arising out of or in connection with the performance of this Agreement, and against and in respect of all loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Commercial Manager may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in defending or settling the same.

12.1
The Commercial Manager shall be under no liability whatsoever to the members  of the Group for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature,  whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of the performance of the Management Services hereunder unless same is proved to have resulted solely from gross negligence or willful default of the Commercial Manager or its employees or agents or subcontractors employed by it in connection with the Vessels, in which case    (except where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Commercial 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 Commercial Manager’s liability (any such liability arising in accordance herewith always being on an individual basis in relation to each Manager) for all incidents or series of incidents arising in any calendar year shall never exceed a total of 10 times the actual annual management fee paid in that year.

8


12.2
No employee, agent or subcontractor of the Commercial Manager shall in any circumstances whatsoever be liable to the members of the Group for any loss, damage or delay arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his part while acting in the course or in connection with his employment and without prejudice to the generality of the forgoing provisions of this Clause 12, every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to and enjoyed by the Commercial Manager or to which the said Commercial Manager is entitled hereunder, shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee, agent or subcontractor of the Commercial  Manager acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this clause 12 the Commercial Manager is 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.

13
Confidentiality and Commercial Manager’s Documents

13.1
Save for the purpose of enforcing or carrying out as may be necessary the rights    or obligations of the Commercial Manager hereunder, the Commercial Manager agrees to maintain and to use its best endeavours to procure that its officers and employees maintain confidence and secrecy in respect of all information relating  to the Company’s business received by the Commercial Manager directly or indirectly pursuant to this Agreement.

13.2
As between the Company, the members of the Group and the Commercial Manager, the Company hereby agrees and acknowledges that all title and property in and to the management manuals of the Commercial Manager and other written material concerning management functions and activities is vested in the Commercial Manager and the Company agrees not to disclose the same to any third party and, on termination of this Agreement, to return all such manuals and other material to the Commercial Manager.

9


14
Notices and Other Matters

14.1
Every notice, request, demand or other communication under this Agreement shall:


(a)
be in writing, delivered personally or by registered or recorded first-class prepaid letter (airmail if available) facsimile or telex;


(b)
be deemed to have been received, subject as otherwise provided in this Agreement, in the case of a telex at the time of dispatch with confirmed answerback of the addressee appearing at the beginning and end of the communication (provided that if the date of dispatch is not a business day in the country of the addressee it shall be deemed to have been received at the opening of business on the next such business day), in the case of a facsimile at the time of dispatch evidenced by a timed and dated transmittal confirmation (provided that if the date of dispatch is not a business day in the country of the addressee it shall be deemed to have been received at the opening of business on the next business day), and in the case of a letter when delivered personally or five (5) days after it has been put into the post; and


(c)
be sent to the respective addresses hereto or to such other address, facsimile or telex number as is notified by the parties hereto to the other parties to this Agreement:

(i) in respect of the Company to:

UNITED MARITIME CORPORTAION
[●]

(ii) in respect of the Commercial Manager to:

SEANERGY MANAGEMENT CORP.
[●]

15
Law and Arbitration

15.1
This Agreement shall be governed by English Law and any dispute arising out of or in connection herewith shall be referred to arbitration in London

15.2
Arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) rules current at the time of commencement of the arbitration.

15.3
Any referral made pursuant to this Clause 15 shall be to three (3) Arbitrators on the following basis: if a dispute arises between the parties then each shall appoint an Arbitrator and the two Arbitrators so appointed shall appoint a third.

10


15.4
Upon receipt of notice of appointment of an Arbitrator by the first notifying party (who shall therein state that it shall appoint its own arbitrator as sole arbitrator if the other party does not appoint an Arbitrator in accordance herewith), the second party shall appoint its Arbitrator and give notice of such appointment within fourteen (14) days, failing which the prior notifying party shall be entitled either to appoint its Arbitrator as Sole Arbitrator or appoint an Arbitrator on behalf of the second party who shall accept such appointment as if it had been made by itself.

15.5
If a party does not appoint its own Arbitrator and give due notice in accordance with Clause 15.4 the party referring the dispute to arbitration may without requirement for further notice to such other party failing to so appoint make appointment in accordance with Clause 15.4 and shall advise the other party accordingly and the award of a Sole Arbitrator or panel appointed in accordance with Clause 15.4 shall be binding on all parties as if appointment had been by agreement.

15.6
Nothing in this Clause 15 shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for appointment of a Sole Arbitrator or to consolidate arbitration proceedings hereunder where thought appropriate or desirable.

15.7
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of UK £50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) (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.

15.8
Any such Arbitration shall be in accordance with and subject to the Arbitration Act 1996 and any statutory amendment or modification thereto.

16
Miscellaneous

16.1
Subject to Clause 16.2 this Commercial Management Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, warranties and other documents or matter related to any of the subject matter of this Commercial Management Agreement.

16.2
This Agreement may be amended by mutual agreement of both parties hereto provided that any such amendment is evidenced by written amendment duly executed by both parties and following which any such amendment shall be considered part of, appended to and read together with this Agreement.

16.3
All details of or pertaining to this Agreement shall be kept strictly private and confidential.

11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company and the Commercial Manager have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as a deed the day and year first before written.

EXECUTED as a DEED
)
by
)
the duly authorised attorney of
)
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
)
of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
)
in the presence of:
)
   
EXECUTED as a DEED
)
by
)
the duly authorised attorney of
)
SEANERGY MANAGEMENT CORP.
)
of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
)
in the presence of:
)

12


Schedule 1

Deed of Accession

Date: [   ]

From:
[           ]

To:
[           ]

Dear Sirs,

Re:  Commercial Management Agreement of [                   ] and made between (1) United Maritime Corporation (the “Company”) and Seanergy Management Corp. (the “Commercial Manager”)

We refer to the Commercial Management Agreement dated [   ]  referred to as the “Agreement”). We are a Shipowning Entity as defined in the Agreement and [are] [are to become] owners of the vessel “[   ]” (the “Vessel”).

We hereby confirm that:

(a)
the Company has entered into the Agreement for and on our behalf; and

(b)
we are bound to observe the terms and conditions of the Agreement as if we were a named signatory therein.

We confirm that we are the Company’s principal in respect of the Agreement as it relates to the Vessel and ourselves.  We hereby confirm that the Company has full authority on our behalf (i) to execute the Agreement and any agreement or addendum supplemental thereto, (ii) to give to the Commercial Manager any instructions required of us under the Agreement, (iii) to exercise any of our rights under the Agreement and (iv) to act in accordance with the terms contained in the Agreement, both on our behalf and on all matters relating to us, which are the subject of the Agreement and as they relate to the Vessel.  We hereby confirm that we will be bound by any actions taken by the Company under the Agreement on our behalf and we hereby confirm and ratify any such actions taken by the Company.

The terms and provisions of this letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law, and this letter is being executed as a deed on the date first above written.

Yours faithfully,
 
   
   
   
For and on behalf of
 
[                            ]
 
   
   
In the presence of:
 
   
   


13

 

Exhibit 4.8

 

 

Dated 15 July 2020

 

US$22,500,000

 

TERM LOAN FACILITY

 

SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO.

SEA GENIUS SHIPPING CO.

as joint and several Borrowers

 

and

 

SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.

as Guarantor

 

and

 

LUCID AGENCY SERVICES LIMITED

as Facility Agent

 

and

 

LUCID TRUSTEE SERVICES LIMITED
as Security Agent

 

FACILITY AGREEMENT

 

relating to

the refinancing certain existing indebtedness

secured on m.v.s "GLORIUSHIP" and "GENIUSHIP"

 

 

 

 

 

Index

 

Clause   Page
     
Section 1 Interpretation 2
1 Definitions and Interpretation 2
Section 2 The Facility 29
2 The Facility 29
3 Purpose 29
4 Conditions of Utilisation 30
Section 3 Utilisation 31
5 Utilisation 31
Section 4 Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation 33
6 Repayment 33
7 Prepayment and Cancellation 33
Section 5 Costs of Utilisation 36
8 Interest 36
9 Interest Periods 36
10 Fees 37
Section 6 Additional Payment Obligations 39
11 Tax Gross Up and Indemnities 39
12 Increased Costs 44
13 Other Indemnities 45
14 Mitigation by the Finance Parties 48
15 Costs and Expenses 48
Section 7 Guarantee and Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers 50
16 Guarantee and Indemnity 50
17 Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers 53
Section 8 Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default 55
18 Representations 55
19 Financial Covenants 61
20 Information Undertakings 62
21 General Undertakings 66
22 Insurance Undertakings 72
23 Ship Undertakings 78
24 Security Cover 83
25 Earnings Account and Application of Earnings 86
26 Events of Default 87
Section 9 Changes to Parties 93
27 Changes to the Lenders 93
28 Changes to the Transaction Obligors 98
Section 10 The Finance Parties 99
29 The Facility Agent 99
30 The Security Agent 110
31 Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties 125
32 Sharing among the Finance Parties 126
Section 11 Administration 128
33 Payment Mechanics 128
34 Set-Off 131
35 Bail-In 131
36 Notices 131

 

 

 

 

37 Calculations and Certificates 134
38 Partial Invalidity 134
39 Remedies and Waivers 134
40 Settlement or Discharge Conditional 134
41 Irrevocable Payment 134
42 Amendments and Waivers 135
43 Confidential Information 137
44 Counterparts 140
Section 12 Governing Law and Enforcement 141
45 Governing Law 141
46 Enforcement 141
47 Patriot Act Notice 142

 

Schedules

 

Schedule 1 The Parties 143
Part A The Obligors 143
Part B The Original Lenders 144
Part C The Servicing Parties 146
Schedule 2 Conditions Precedent 147
Part A Conditions precedent to Utilisation Request 147
Part B Conditions precedent to Utilisation 149
Schedule 3 Requests 152
Utilisation Request 152
Schedule 4 Form of Transfer Certificate 154
Schedule 5 Form of Assignment Agreement 156
Schedule 6 Repayment Schedule 159
Schedule 7 Details of the Ships 160
Schedule 8 Timetables 161
Schedule 9 Form of Compliance Certificate 162
   
Execution  
   
Execution Pages 163

 

 

 

 


 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on 15 July 2020

 

Parties

 

(1) SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, MH96960, Majuro, Marshall Islands as borrower ("Borrower A")

 

(2) SEA GENIUS SHIPPING CO., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, MH96960, Majuro, Marshall Islands as borrower ("Borrower B")

 

(3) SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, MH96960, Majuro, Marshall Islands as guarantor (the "Guarantor")

 

(4) THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part B of Schedule 1 (The Parties) as lenders (the "Original Lenders")

 

(5) LUCID AGENCY SERVICES LIMITED as agent of the other Finance Parties (the "Facility Agent")

 

(6) LUCID TRUSTEE SERVICES LIMITED as security agent for the Secured Parties (the "Security Agent")

 

Background

 

The Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrowers a senior secured term loan facility of up to US$22,500,000 in two Tranches for the purpose of refinancing part of the Existing Indebtedness in respect of the Ships in an aggregate amount of up to the lesser of (i) $22,500,000 and (ii) 80 per cent. of the aggregate of the Initial Market Value of Ship A and Ship B.

 

OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

 

 

 

 

Section 1

Interpretation

 

1 Definitions and Interpretation

 

1.1 Definitions

 

In this Agreement:

 

"Account Bank" means Alpha Bank S.A. acting through its office at Piraeus, Greece or any replacement bank or other financial institution as may be approved by the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders.

 

"Account Security" means a document creating Security over the Earnings Accounts in agreed form.

 

"Affiliate" means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.

 

"Approved Brokers" means any firm or firms of insurance brokers approved in writing by the Facility Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders.

 

"Approved Classification" means:

 

(a) in relation to a Ship, as at the date of this Agreement, the classification in relation to that Ship specified in Schedule 7 (Details of the Ships);

 

(b) in relation to the Collateral Ship, I* Hull *Mach,

 

or the equivalent classification with another Approved Classification Society.

 

"Approved Classification Society" means:

 

(a) in relation to a Ship, as at the date of this Agreement, the classification society in relation to that Ship specified Schedule 7 (Details of the Ships);

 

(b) in relation to the Collateral Ship, Bureau Veritas,

 

or any other classification society approved in writing by the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

"Approved Commercial Manager" means:

 

(a) Fidelity Marine;

 

(b) Seanergy Management;

 

(c) a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor; or

 

(d) any other person not being a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor approved in writing by the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders as the commercial manager of a Ship, or as the case may be, the Collateral Ship, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

  2  

 

 

"Approved Flag" means:

 

(a) in relation to a Ship, as at the date of this Agreement, the flag in relation to that Ship specified in Schedule 7 (Details of the Ships);

 

(b) in relation to the Collateral Ship, the Republic of Liberia,

 

or such other flag approved in writing by the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

"Approved Manager" means the Approved Commercial Manager or the Approved Technical Manager.

 

"Approved Technical Manager" means:

 

(a) V.Ships;

 

(b) a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor; or

 

(c) any other person not being a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor approved in writing by the Facility Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders as the technical manager of a Ship, or as the case may be, the Collateral Ship, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

"Approved Valuer" means Clarksons Valuations Limited, Braemar ACM Valuations Limited, Simpson Spence & Young Valuations Services Ltd, Arrow Research Limited, Fearnleys Shipbrokers A/S (or any Affiliate of such person through which valuations are commonly issued) and any other firm or firms of independent sale and purchase shipbrokers approved in writing by the Facility Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders.

 

"Article 55 BRRD" means Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms.

 

"Assignment Agreement" means an agreement substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Assignment Agreement) or any other form agreed between the relevant assignor and assignee and the Facility Agent (acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders).

 

"Authorisation" means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation, legalisation or registration.

 

"Availability Period" means the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including 31 August 2020.

 

"Available Commitment" means a Lender's Commitment minus:

 

(a) the amount of its participation in the outstanding Loan; and

 

(b) in relation to any proposed Utilisation, the amount of its participation in the Loan that is due to be made on or before the proposed Utilisation Date.

 

  3  

 

 

"Available Facility" means the aggregate for the time being of each Lender's Available Commitment.

 

"Bail-In Action" means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers.

 

"Bail-In Legislation" means:

 

(a) in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 BRRD, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; and

 

(b) in relation to any state other than such an EEA Member Country or the United Kingdom, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation.

 

"Borrower" means Borrower A or Borrower B.

 

"Borrower A Collateral Guarantee" means a collateral guarantee to be granted by (i) Borrower A in favour of (ii) the Collateral Security Agent in relation to the obligations of, amongst others, the Collateral Guarantor under the Collateral Facility Agreement.

 

"Borrower B Collateral Guarantee" means a collateral guarantee to be granted by (i) Borrower B in favour of (ii) the Collateral Security Agent in relation to the obligations of, amongst others, the Collateral Guarantor under the Collateral Facility Agreement.

 

"Borrower Collateral Guarantee" means the Borrower A Collateral Guarantee or the Borrower B Collateral Guarantee.

 

"Business Day" means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, New York and Athens.

 

"Cash" shall have the meaning given to such term in the Latest Financial Statements.

 

"Charter" means, in relation to a Ship, or as the case may be the Collateral Ship, any charter relating to that Ship or the Collateral Ship, or other contract for its employment, whether or not already in existence.

 

"Charter Assignment" means the assignment creating Security over any Charter which exceeds 13 months (including any optional extensions and any redelivery allowance) and any Charter Guarantee in agreed form.

 

"Charter Guarantee" means any guarantee, bond, letter of credit or other instrument (whether or not already issued) supporting a Charter.

 

"Code" means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

"Collateral Account Security" means a document creating second priority Security over the Collateral Earnings Account in agreed form.

 

"Collateral Earnings Account" means:

 

(a) an account in the name of the Collateral Guarantor with the Account Bank designated "Lord Ocean Navigation Co. – USD Earnings Account"; or

 

  4  

 

 

(b) any other account in the name of the Collateral Guarantor with the Account Bank which may, with the prior written consent of the Facility Agent, be opened in the place of the account referred to in paragraph (a) above, irrespective of the number or designation of such replacement account; or

 

(c) any sub-account of any account referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above.

 

"Collateral Event of Default" has the meaning given to the term "Event of Default" in the Collateral Facility Agreement.

 

"Collateral Facility Agreement" means the facility agreement dated 11 June 2018 (as amended and restated pursuant to the Collateral Facility Amendment and Restatement Deed) and made between, amongst others, (i) the Collateral Guarantor as borrower, (ii) the Guarantor as guarantor, (iii) the Facility Agent as facility agent and (iv) the Collateral Security Agent as security agent.

 

"Collateral Facility Amendment and Restatement Deed" means the resignation, appointment, amendment and restatement deed dated 15 July 2020 and made between amongst others, (i) the Collateral Guarantor as borrower, (ii) the Guarantor as guarantor, (iii) the Facility Agent as successor facility agent and (iv) the Collateral Security Agent as successor security agent.

 

"Collateral Finance Parties" has the meaning given to the term "Finance Parties" in the Collateral Facility Agreement

 

"Collateral General Assignment" means a second priority general assignment in respect of the Collateral Ship creating Security over its Earnings, Insurances and any Requisition Compensation in agreed form.

 

"Collateral Guarantee" means a collateral guarantee to be granted by the Collateral Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent, in relation to the obligations of, amongst others, the Borrowers under this Agreement and the other Finance Documents in the agreed form.

 

"Collateral Guarantor" means Lord Ocean Navigation Co., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of Liberia whose registered address is at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia.

 

"Collateral Intercreditor Agreement" means the intercreditor agreement to be entered into between, amongst others, (i) the Collateral Guarantor and the Guarantor as debtors, (ii) the Collateral Security Agent as senior security agent and (iii) the Security Agent as junior security agent.

 

"Collateral Manager's Undertaking" means, in relation to an Approved Manager, a second priority letter of undertaking from that Approved Manager subordinating the rights of that Approved Manager against the Collateral Ship and the Collateral Guarantor to the rights of the Finance Parties in agreed form.

 

"Collateral Mortgage" means the second priority or, as the case may be, preferred ship mortgage on the Collateral Ship under the jurisdiction of the relevant Approved Flag (together with, if applicable, the deed of covenants collateral thereto), each in agreed form.

 

"Collateral Security Agent" has the meaning given to the term "Security Agent" in the Collateral Facility Agreement.

 

  5  

 

 

"Collateral Security Documents" means the Collateral Guarantee, the Collateral Account Security, the Collateral General Assignment, each Collateral Manager's Undertaking, the Collateral Mortgage and the Collateral Shares Security.

 

"Collateral Shareholder" means Emperor Holding Ltd., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose address office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro MH96960, the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

 

"Collateral Shares Security" means a document to be executed by the Collateral Shareholder creating second priority Security over the shares in the Collateral Guarantor in agreed form.

 

"Collateral Ship" means the 2010-built Capesize bulk carrier type of vessel of approximately 179,000 deadweight, having IMO Number 9519066 and registered in the name of the Collateral Guarantor under the Liberian flag with the name "LORDSHIP".

 

"Commercial Management Agreement" means, in relation to a Ship, or as the case may be the Collateral Ship, the agreement entered into between a Borrower or Collateral Guarantor which is the owner of that Ship or Collateral Ship and the Approved Commercial Manager regarding the commercial management of that Ship, or as the case may be, the Collateral Ship.

 

"Commitment" means:

 

(a) in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set opposite its name under the heading "Commitment" in Part B of Schedule 1 (The Parties) and the amount of any other Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement; and

 

(b) in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement,

 

to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.

 

"Compliance Certificate" means a certificate in the form set out in ‎‎Schedule 9 (Form of Compliance Certificate) or in any other form agreed between the Guarantor and the Facility Agent

 

"Confidential Information" means all information relating to any Transaction Obligor, the Finance Documents or the Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or the Facility from either:

 

(a) any Transaction Obligor or any of its advisers; or

 

(b) another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any Transaction Obligor or any of its advisers,

 

in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes:

 

(i) information that:

 

  6  

 

 

(A) is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of Clause 43 (Confidential Information); or

 

(B) is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any Transaction Obligor or any of its advisers; or

 

(C) is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with a Transaction Obligor and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality.

 

"Confidentiality Undertaking" means a confidentiality undertaking in substantially the appropriate form recommended by the LMA from time to time or in any other form agreed between the Borrowers and the Facility Agent.

 

"Corresponding Debt" means any amount, other than any Parallel Debt, which an Obligor owes to a Secured Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

"Deed of Release" means a deed releasing the Existing Security and the undertakings, obligations and liabilities (including any indemnities) of the Borrowers in connection with the Existing Indebtedness in a form acceptable to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

"Default" means an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default.

 

"Delegate" means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Security Agent.

 

"Dispute" has the meaning given to it in Clause 46.1 (Jurisdiction).

 

"Disruption Event" means either or both of:

 

(a) a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties or, if applicable, any Transaction Obligor; or

 

(b) the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party or, if applicable, any Transaction Obligor preventing that, or any other, Party or, if applicable, any Transaction Obligor:

 

(i) from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii) from communicating with other Parties or, if applicable, any Transaction Obligor in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents,

 

  7  

 

 

and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party or, if applicable, any Transaction Obligor whose operations are disrupted.

 

"Document of Compliance" has the meaning given to it in the ISM Code.

 

"dollars" and "$" mean the lawful currency, for the time being, of the United States of America.

 

"Earnings" means, in relation to a Ship, or as the case may be, the Collateral Ship, all moneys whatsoever which are now, or later become, payable (actually or contingently) to a Borrower or the Collateral Guarantor or the Security Agent and which arise out of or in connection with or relate to the use or operation of that Ship, or, as the case may be, the Collateral Ship, including (but not limited to):

 

(a) the following, save to the extent that any of them is, with the prior written consent of the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), pooled or shared with any other person:

 

(i) all freight, hire and passage moneys including, without limitation, all moneys payable under, arising out of or in connection with a Charter or a Charter Guarantee;

 

(ii) the proceeds of the exercise of any lien on sub-freights;

 

(iii) compensation payable to a Borrower or, as the case may be, the Collateral Owner or the Security Agent in the event of requisition of that Ship, or as the case may be, the Collateral Ship for hire or use;

 

(iv) remuneration for salvage and towage services;

 

(v) demurrage and detention moneys;

 

(vi) without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (i) above, damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of any charterparty or other contract for the employment of that Ship or, as the case may be, the Collateral Ship;

 

(vii) all moneys which are at any time payable under any Insurances in relation to loss of hire;

 

(viii) all monies which are at any time payable to a Borrower or, as the case may be, the Collateral Owner in relation to general average contribution; and

 

(b) if and whenever that Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship is employed on terms whereby any moneys falling within sub-paragraphs (i) to (viii) of paragraph (a) above are pooled or shared with any other person, that proportion of the net receipts of the relevant pooling or sharing arrangement which is attributable to that Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship.

 

"Earnings Account" means in relation to a Borrower:

 

(a) an account in the name of that Borrower with the Account Bank designated "[Earnings Account]"; or

 

  8  

 

 

(b) any other account in the name of a Borrower with the Account Bank which may, with the prior written consent of the Facility Agent, be opened in the place of the account referred to in paragraph (a) above, irrespective of the number or designation of such replacement account; or

 

(c) any sub-account of any account referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above.

 

"EEA Member Country" means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

 

"Environmental Approval" means any present or future permit, ruling, variance or other Authorisation required under Environmental Laws.

 

"Environmental Claim" means any claim by any governmental, judicial or regulatory authority or any other person which arises out of an Environmental Incident or an alleged Environmental Incident or which relates to any Environmental Law and, for this purpose, "claim" includes a claim for damages, compensation, contribution, injury, fines, losses and penalties or any other payment of any kind, including in relation to clean-up and removal, whether or not similar to the foregoing; an order or direction to take, or not to take, certain action or to desist from or suspend certain action; and any form of enforcement or regulatory action, including the arrest or attachment of any asset.

 

"Environmental Incident" means:

 

(a) any release, emission, spill or discharge of Environmentally Sensitive Material whether within a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship or from a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship into any other vessel or into or upon the air, sea, land or soils (including the seabed) or surface water; or

 

(b) any incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released, emitted, spilled or discharged into or upon the air, sea, land or soils (including the seabed) or surface water from a vessel other than a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship and which involves a collision between a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship and such other vessel or some other incident of navigation or operation, in either case, in connection with which a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship is actually or potentially liable to be arrested, attached, detained or injuncted and/or a Ship and/or any Transaction Obligor and/or any operator or manager of a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship is 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, emitted, spilled or discharged into or upon the air, sea, land or soils (including the seabed) or surface water otherwise than from a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship and in connection with which a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship is actually or potentially liable to be arrested and/or where any Transaction Obligor and/or any operator or manager of a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship is at fault or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action, other than in accordance with an Environmental Approval.

 

"Environmental Law" means any present or future law relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment, to conditions in the workplace, to the carriage, generation, handling, storage, use, release or spillage of Environmentally Sensitive Material or to actual or threatened releases of Environmentally Sensitive Material.

 

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"Environmentally Sensitive Material" means and includes all contaminants, oil, oil products, toxic substances and any other substance (including any chemical, gas or other hazardous or noxious substance) which is (or is capable of being or becoming) polluting, toxic or hazardous.

 

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor thereto.

 

"ERISA Affiliate" means each person (and defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) which together with any Borrower would be deemed to be a "single employer" within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

 

"EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule" means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time.

 

"Event of Default" means any event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 26 (Events of Default).

 

"Existing Facility Agent" has the meaning given to the term "Agent" in the Existing Facility Agreement.

 

"Existing Facility Agreement" means the facility agreement dated 1 September 2015 (as amended and/or supplemented by a supplemental letter dated 16 May 2016, a supplemental letter dated 23 February 2017, a supplemental agreement dated 28 March 2018 and as further amended and/or supplemented by a second supplemental agreement dated 1 April 2019) and entered into between, amongst other, the Borrowers as joint and several borrowers, (ii) Hamburg Commercial Bank AG as lender and (iii) the Existing Facility Agent, to finance, among others, the acquisition of the Ships.

 

"Existing Indebtedness" means, at any date, any outstanding Financial Indebtedness on that date under or in connection with the Existing Facility Agreement.

 

"Existing Lender" has the meaning given to it in Clause 27.1 (Assignments and transfers by the Lenders).

 

"Existing Security" means any Security created to secure the Existing Indebtedness (or any part thereof) under the Existing Facility Agreement.

 

"Facility" means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2 (The Facility).

 

"Facility Office" means the office or offices notified by a Lender to the Facility Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than 5 Business Days' written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

"FATCA" means:

 

(a) sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;

 

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

 

  10  

 

 

(c) any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.

 

"FATCA Application Date" means:

 

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

 

(b) in relation to a "passthru payment" described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraph (a) above, the first date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA.

 

"FATCA Deduction" means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.

 

"FATCA Exempt Party" means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.

 

"Fee Letter" means any letter or letters dated on or about the date of this Agreement between any of the Facility Agent, the Security Agent and any Obligor setting out any of the fees referred to in Clause 10.2 (Agency fee).

 

"Fidelity Marine" means Fidelity Marine Inc., a corporation incorporated and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at the Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, MH96960 Marshall Islands.

 

"Finance Document" means:

 

(a) this Agreement;

 

(b) the Utilisation Request;

 

(c) the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(d) the Collateral Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(e) any Security Document;

 

(f) any Collateral Security Documents;

 

(g) any Subordination Agreement;

 

(h) any Fee Letter;

 

(i) any other document which is executed for the purpose of establishing any priority or subordination arrangement in relation to the Secured Liabilities; or

 

(j) any other document designated as such by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrowers.

 

"Finance Party" means the Facility Agent, the Security Agent or a Lender.

 

  11  

 

 

"Financial Indebtedness" means any indebtedness for or in relation to:

 

(a) moneys borrowed;

 

(b) any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;

 

(c) any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

 

(d) the amount of any liability in relation to any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP, be treated as a balance sheet liability;

 

(e) receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis);

 

(f) any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) of a type not referred to in any other paragraph of this definition having the commercial effect of a borrowing;

 

(g) any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that derivative transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

 

(h) any counter-indemnity obligation in relation to a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution; and

 

(i) the amount of any liability in relation to any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (h) above.

 

"Fleet Vessels" means the vessels from time to time owned by the members of the Group and "Fleet Vessel" means any of them.

 

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the US including IFRS.

 

"General Assignment" means, in relation to a Ship, the general assignment creating Security over that Ship's Earnings, its Insurances and any Requisition Compensation in relation to that Ship, in agreed form.

 

"Group" means the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries from time to time, including, without limitation, the Borrowers.

 

"Holding Company" means, in relation to a person, any other person in relation to which it is a Subsidiary.

 

"IFRS" means international accounting standards within the meaning of the IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.

 

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"Indemnified Person" means:

 

(a) for the purposes of Clause 13.2 (Other indemnities), each Finance Party, each Affiliate of a Finance Party and each officer or employee of a Finance Party or its Affiliate;

 

(b) for the purposes of Clause 13.3 (Indemnity to the Facility Agent), the Facility Agent, each Affiliate of the Facility Agent and each director, officer and employee; and

 

(c) for the purposes of Clause 13.4 (Indemnity to the Security Agent), the Security Agent and every Receiver and Delegate, each Affiliate of the Security Agent, Receiver and Delegate and each director, officer and employee.

 

"Initial Market Value" means, in relation to a Ship, the Market Value of that Ship determined pursuant to the valuation(s) relative thereto referred to in paragraph 4.5 of Part B of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent).

 

"Insurances" means, in relation to a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship:

 

(a) all policies and contracts of insurance, including entries of that Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship in any protection and indemnity or war risks association, effected in relation to that Ship, or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship, its Earnings or otherwise in relation to that Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship whether before, on or after the date of this Agreement; and

 

(b) all rights and other assets relating to, or derived from, any of such policies, contracts or entries, including any rights to a return of premium and any rights in relation to any claim whether or not the relevant policy, contract of insurance or entry has expired on or before the date of this Agreement.

 

"Intercreditor Agreement" means the intercreditor agreement to be entered into between, amongst others, (i) the Borrowers and the Guarantor as debtors, (ii) the Security Agent as senior security agent and (iii) the Collateral Security Agent as junior security agent.

 

"Interest Payment Date" has the meaning given to it in Clause 8.2 (Payment of interest).

 

"Interest Rate" means 10.50 per cent. per annum.

 

"Interest Period" means, in relation to the Loan or any part of the Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 9 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with Clause 8.3 (Default interest).

 

"ISM Code" means the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (including the guidelines on its implementation), adopted by the International Maritime Organisation, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

"ISPS Code" means the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code as adopted by the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Diplomatic Conference of December 2002, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

"ISSC" means an International Ship Security Certificate issued under the ISPS Code.

 

"Latest Financial Statements" means, as at the date of calculation, the annual audited or quarterly unaudited (as the case may be) the Guarantor is obliged to deliver to the Facility Agent pursuant to Clause 20.2 (Financial statements).

 

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"Lender" means:

 

(a) any Original Lender; and

 

(b) any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party in accordance with Clause 27 (Changes to the Lenders),

 

which in each case has not ceased to be a Party in accordance with this Agreement.

 

"LMA" means the Loan Market Association or any successor organisation.

 

"Loan" means the loan to be made available under the Facility or the aggregate principal amount outstanding for the time being of the borrowings under the Facility and a "part of the Loan" means a Tranche or any other part of the Loan as the context may require.

 

"Major Casualty" means any casualty to a Ship, or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship in relation to which the claim or the aggregate of the claims against all insurers, before adjustment for any relevant franchise or deductible, exceeds $750,000 or the equivalent in any other currency.

 

"Majority Lenders" means:

 

(a) if the Loan has not yet been advanced, a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 66⅔ per cent. of the Total Commitments; or

 

(b) at any other time, a Lender or Lenders whose participations in the Loan aggregate more than 66⅔ per cent. of the amount of the Loan then outstanding or, if the Loan has been repaid or prepaid in full, a Lender or Lenders whose participations in the Loan immediately before repayment or prepayment in full aggregate more than 66⅔ per cent. of the Loan immediately before such repayment.

 

"Make-Whole Period" means the period commencing 15 months after the Utilisation Date and ending three months thereafter.

 

"Management Agreement" means the Technical Management Agreement or the Commercial Management Agreement.

 

"Manager's Undertaking" means, in relation to an Approved Manager, a letter of undertaking from that Approved Manager subordinating the rights of that Approved Manager against a Ship and the relevant Borrower to the rights of the Finance Parties in agreed form.

 

"Market Value" means, in relation to a Ship or any other vessel, at any date, an amount equal to the market value of that Ship or vessel shown by one valuation at the cost of the Borrowers each prepared:

 

(a) as at a date not more than 30 days previously;

 

(b) by an Approved Valuer (appointed by the Borrower and addressed to the Facility Agent);

 

(c) with or without physical inspection of that Ship or vessel (as the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) may require); and

 

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(d) on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash on normal arm's length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free of any Charter

 

Provided that, if the Facility Agent does not agree with the Market Value of that Ship determined by such sole valuation, it may obtain a second valuation of that Ship or any other vessel over which additional Security has been created in accordance with Clause 24.2 (Provision of additional security; prepayment), from one Approved Valuer selected and appointed by the Facility Agent and the Market Value of that Ship or such other vessel shall be the arithmetic mean of such two valuations, (with the arithmetic mean of any range to apply, if an Approved Valuer gives a range).

 

"Material Adverse Effect" means in the reasonable opinion of the Majority Lenders a material adverse effect on:

 

(a) the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Obligor or Obligors as a whole; or

 

(b) the ability of any Obligor to perform its obligations under any Finance Document; or

 

(c) the validity or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Security granted pursuant to any of, the Finance Documents or the rights or remedies of any Finance Party under any of the Finance Documents.

 

"Maximum Tranche Amount" means, in respect of:

 

(a) Tranche A, $6,500,000 ("Maximum Tranche A Amount"); and

 

(b) Tranche B, $16,000,000 ("Maximum Tranche B Amount").

 

"Month" means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that:

 

(a) (subject to paragraph (c) below) if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

(b) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and

 

(c) if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end.

 

The above rules will only apply to the last Month of any period.

 

"Mortgage" means, in relation to a Ship, the first priority or preferred (as applicable) ship mortgage on a Ship and, if applicable, the deed of covenant collateral thereto, in agreed form.

 

"New Lender" has the meaning given to it in Clause 27.1 (Assignments and transfers by the Lenders).

 

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"Non-Call Period" means the period commencing on the Utilisation Date and ending on the date falling 18 months after the Utilisation Date (inclusive).

 

"Notes" means, as at the date of calculation, the aggregate outstanding amount of certain notes issued or to be issued by the Guarantor to its shareholders and held or to be held by those shareholders in exchange for loan made by those shareholders to the Guarantor which have been or are to be, on-lent to the Borrowers and other members of the Group to assist them with their working capital requirements.

 

"Obligor" means the Borrower or the Guarantor.

 

"OFAC" means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury.

 

"Original Financial Statements" means the Guarantor’s audited consolidated financial statements for its financial year which ended 31 December 2019.

 

"Original Jurisdiction" means, in relation to an Obligor, the jurisdiction under whose laws that Obligor is incorporated as at the date of this Agreement.

 

"Overseas Regulations" means the Overseas Companies Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1801).

 

"Parallel Debt" means any amount which an Obligor owes to the Security Agent under Clause 30.2 (Parallel Debt (Covenant to pay the Security Agent)) or under that clause as incorporated by reference or in full in any other Finance Document.

 

"Participating Member State" means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

 

"Party" means a party to this Agreement.

 

"Payment Date" has the meaning given to it in Clause 10.3 (Deferred Fee).

 

"Perfection Requirements" means the making or procuring of filings, stampings, registrations, notarisations, endorsements, translations and/or notifications of any Finance Document (and/or any Security created under it) necessary for the validity, enforceability (as against the relevant Obligor or any relevant third party) and/or perfection of that Finance Document.

 

"PATRIOT Act" means the United States Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199).

 

"Permitted Charter" means, in relation to a Ship, a Charter:

 

(a) which is a time, voyage or consecutive voyage charter;

 

(b) the duration of which does not exceed 13 months (including any optional extensions and any redelivery allowance);

 

(c) which is entered into on bona fide arm's length terms at the time at which that Ship is fixed; and

 

(d) in relation to which not more than two months' hire is payable in advance,

 

  16  

 

 

and any other Charter which is approved in writing by the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders.

 

"Permitted Financial Indebtedness" means:

 

(a) any Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents;

 

(b) until the Utilisation Date, the Existing Indebtedness;

 

(c) any Financial Indebtedness incurred under a Borrower Collateral Guarantee or any Second Priority Security Document; and

 

(d) any Financial Indebtedness that is subordinated to all Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents in a manner satisfactory to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

"Permitted Security" means:

 

(a) Security created by the Finance Documents;

 

(b) until the Utilisation Date, the Existing Security;

 

(c) Security created in favour of the Collateral Security Agent pursuant to the Second Priority Security Documents;

 

(d) any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any Transaction Obligor in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances;

 

(e) liens for unpaid master's and crew's wages in accordance with first class ship ownership and management practice;

 

(f) liens for salvage;

 

(g) liens for master's disbursements incurred in the ordinary course of trading;

 

(h) any other lien arising by operation of law or otherwise in the ordinary course of the operation, repair or maintenance of a Ship and not as a result of any default or omission by the relevant Borrower, provided such liens do not secure amounts more than 30 days overdue (unless the overdue amount is being contested in good faith by appropriate steps) and subject, in the case of liens for repair or maintenance, to Clause 23.15 (Restrictions on chartering, appointment of managers etc.);

 

(i) Security arising by operation of law in respect of Taxes which are not overdue for payment or in respect of taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate steps and in respect of which appropriate reserves have been made; and

 

(j) any Security created in favour of a plaintiff or defendant in any proceedings or arbitration as security for costs and expenses where a Borrower is actively prosecuting or defending such proceedings or arbitration in good faith.

 

"Plan" means any "employee benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA that is subject to Title IV of ERISA which is or was sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed to by any Obligor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

 

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"Potential Event of Default" means any event or circumstance specified in Clause 26 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.

 

"Prepayment Date" has the meaning given to it in Clause 10.4 (Make-whole prepayment fee).

 

"Prohibited Person" means any person (whether designated by name or by reason of being included in a class of persons) against whom Sanctions are directed.

 

"Protected Party" has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1 (Definitions).

 

"Receiver" means a receiver or receiver and manager or administrative receiver of the whole or any part of the Security Assets.

 

"Related Fund" in relation to a fund (the "first fund"), means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.

 

"Relevant Amount" has the meaning given to it in Clause 7.4 (Mandatory prepayment on sale or Total Loss).

 

"Relevant Date" has the meaning given to it in Clause 7.4 (Mandatory prepayment on sale or Total Loss).

 

"Relevant Jurisdiction" means, in relation to a Transaction Obligor:

 

(a) its Original Jurisdiction;

 

(b) any jurisdiction where any asset subject to, or intended to be subject to, any of the Transaction Security created, or intended to be created, by it is situated;

 

(c) any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and

 

(d) the jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Security Documents entered into by it.

 

"Relevant Percentage" has the meaning given to it in Clause 24.1 (Minimum required security cover).

 

"Repayment Date" means each date on which a Repayment Instalment is required to be paid under Clause 6.1 (Repayment of Loan).

 

"Repayment Instalment" has the meaning given to it in Clause 6.1 (Repayment of Loan).

 

"Repayment Schedule" means the loan amortisation schedule in respect of the Loan set out in Schedule 6 (Repayment Schedule).

 

"Repeating Representation" means each of the representations set out in Clause 18 (Representations) except Clause 18.10 (Insolvency), Clause 18.11 (No filing or stamp taxes), Clause 18.12 (Deduction of Tax), Clause 18.13 (No default), Clause 18.16 (Pari passu ranking), Clause 18.17 (No proceedings pending or threatened) and Clause 18.20 (No Charter) and any representation of any Transaction Obligor made in any other Finance Document that is expressed to be a "Repeating Representation" or is otherwise expressed to be repeated.

 

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"Representative" means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.

 

"Requisition" means, in relation to a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship:

 

(a) any expropriation, confiscation, requisition (excluding a requisition for hire or use which does not involve a requisition for title) or acquisition of that Ship, or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship, whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected (whether de jure or de facto) by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority; and

 

(b) any capture or seizure of that Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship, (including any hijacking or theft) by any person whatsoever.

 

"Requisition Compensation" includes all compensation or other moneys payable to a Borrower or the Collateral Owner by reason of any Requisition or any arrest or detention of a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship, in the exercise or purported exercise of any lien or claim.

 

"Resolution Authority" means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.

 

"Safety Management Certificate" has the meaning given to it in the ISM Code.

 

"Safety Management System" has the meaning given to it in the ISM Code.

 

"Sanctions" means any sanctions, embargoes, freezing provisions, prohibitions or other restrictions relating to trading, doing business, investment, exporting, financing or making assets available (or other activities similar to or connected with any of the foregoing):

 

(a) imposed by law or regulation of the United Kingdom, the Council of the European Union, the European Union, the member states of the European Union, the United Nations or its Security Council or the United States of America regardless of whether the same is or is not binding on any Transaction Obligor; or

 

(b) otherwise imposed by any law or regulation binding on a Transaction Obligor or to which a Transaction Obligor is subject (which shall include without limitation, any extra-territorial sanctions imposed by law or regulation of the United States of America).

 

"Seanergy Management" means Seanergy Management Corp., a corporation incorporated and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at the Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, MH96960 Marshall Islands.

 

"Second Account Security" means, in relation to each Earnings Account, a document creating second priority Security in favour of the Collateral Security Agent.

 

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"Second Charter Assignment" means the assignment creating second priority Security over any Charter which exceeds 13 months (including any optional extensions and any redelivery allowance) and any Charter Guarantee in favour of the Collateral Security Agent.

 

"Second General Assignment" means, in relation to a Ship, the second priority general assignment creating Security over that Ship's Earnings, its Insurances and any Requisition Compensation in relation to that Ship, to be entered into by the relevant Borrower and the Collateral Security Agent in relation to the obligations of that Borrower under the Borrower Collateral Guarantee to which it is a party.

 

"Second Manager's Undertaking" means, in relation to an Approved Manager, a second priority letter of undertaking from that Approved Manager subordinating the rights of that Approved Manager against a Ship and the relevant Borrower to the rights of the Collateral Finance Parties.

 

"Second Mortgage" means, in relation to a Ship, the second priority or preferred (as applicable) ship mortgage on that Ship and, if applicable, the deed of covenant collateral thereto to be executed by the relevant Borrower in favour of the Collateral Security Agent in relation to the obligations of that Borrower under the Borrower Collateral Guarantee to which it is a party.

 

"Second Priority Security Documents" means the Second Account Security, any Second Charter Assignment, each Second General Assignment, each Second Manager's Undertaking, each Second Mortgage and each Second Shares Security.

 

"Second Shares Security" means, in relation to a Borrower, a document to be executed by the Guarantor creating second priority Security over the shares in that Borrower in favour of the Collateral Security Agent.

 

"Secured Liabilities" means all present and future obligations and liabilities, (whether actual or contingent and whether owed jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) of each Transaction Obligor to any Secured Party under or in connection with each Finance Document.

 

"Secured Party" means each Finance Party from time to time party to this Agreement, a Receiver or any Delegate.

 

"Security" means a mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, assignment, hypothecation or security interest or any other agreement or arrangement having the effect of conferring security.

 

"Security Assets" means all of the assets of the Transaction Obligors which from time to time are, or are expressed to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.

 

"Security Document" means:

 

(a) any Shares Security;

 

(b) any Mortgage;

 

(c) any General Assignment;

 

(d) any Charter Assignment;

 

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(e) the Account Security;

 

(f) any Manager's Undertaking;

 

(g) any Subordinated Debt Security;

 

(h) any other document (whether or not it creates Security) which is executed as security for the Secured Liabilities; or

 

(i) any other document designated as such by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrowers.

 

"Security Period" means the period starting on the date of this Agreement and ending on the date on which the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) is satisfied that there is no outstanding Commitment in force and that the Secured Liabilities have been irrevocably and unconditionally paid and discharged in full.

 

"Security Property" means:

 

(a) the Transaction Security expressed to be granted in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties and all proceeds of that Transaction Security;

 

(b) all obligations expressed to be undertaken by a Transaction Obligor to pay amounts in relation to the Secured Liabilities to the Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by a Transaction Obligor or any other person in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties;

 

(c) the Security Agent's interest in any turnover trust created under the Finance Documents;

 

(d) any other amounts or property, whether rights, entitlements, choses in action or otherwise, actual or contingent, which the Security Agent is required by the terms of the Finance Documents to hold as trustee on trust for the Secured Parties,

 

except:

 

(i) rights intended for the sole benefit of the Security Agent; and

 

(ii) any moneys or other assets which the Security Agent has transferred to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) or (being entitled to do so) has retained in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

"Servicing Party" means the Facility Agent or the Security Agent.

 

"Shares Security" means, in relation to a Borrower, a document to be executed by the Guarantor creating Security over the shares in that Borrower in agreed form.

 

"Ship" means Ship A or Ship B.

 

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"Ship A" means the 2004-built Capesize bulk carrier type of vessel with the name "GLORIUSHIP" details of which are set out opposite its name in Schedule 7 (Details of the Ships).

 

"Ship B" means the 2010-built Capesize bulk carrier type of vessel with the name "GENIUSHIP" details of which are set out opposite its name in Schedule 7 (Details of the Ships).

 

"Specified Time" means a day or time determined in accordance with Schedule 8 (Timetables).

 

"Subordinated Creditor" means:

 

(a) a Transaction Obligor; or

 

(b) any other person who becomes a Subordinated Creditor in accordance with this Agreement.

 

"Subordinated Debt Security" means a document creating Security (including, without limitation, by way of an assignment) in relation to any Subordinated Liabilities entered into or to be entered into by a Subordinated Creditor in favour of the Security Agent in an agreed form.

 

"Subordinated Finance Document" means:

 

(a) a Subordinated Loan Agreement; and

 

(b) any other document relating to or evidencing a Subordinated Creditor.

 

"Subordinated Liabilities" means all indebtedness owed or expressed to be owed by any Borrower to a Subordinated Creditor whether under the Subordinated Finance Documents or otherwise.

 

"Subordinated Loan Agreement" means any loan agreement made or to be made between (i) any Borrower and (ii) a Subordinated Creditor.

 

"Subordination Agreement" means a subordination agreement entered into or to be entered into by (i) a Subordinated Creditor, (ii) a Borrower and (iii) the Security Agent in agreed form.

 

"Subsidiary" means a subsidiary within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

"Tax" means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).

 

"Tax Credit" has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1 (Definitions).

 

"Tax Deduction" has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1 (Definitions).

 

"Tax Payment" has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1 (Definitions).

 

"Technical Management Agreement" means, in relation to a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship the agreement entered into between a Borrower or Collateral Guarantor which is the owner of that Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship, and the Approved Technical Manager regarding the technical management of that Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship.

 

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"Termination Date" means the date falling on the fifth anniversary of the Utilisation Date.

 

"Third Parties Act" has the meaning given to it in Clause 1.5 (Third party rights).

 

"Total Commitments" means the aggregate of the Commitments, being $22,500,000 at the date of this Agreement.

 

"Total Loss" means, in relation to a Ship or, as the case may be, Collateral Ship:

 

(a) actual, constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of that Ship or, as the case may be, Collateral Ship; or

 

(b) any Requisition of that Ship or, as the case may be, Collateral Ship unless that Ship or, as the case may be, Collateral Ship is returned to the full control of the relevant Borrower within 90 days of such Requisition (or such later period agreed by the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

"Total Loss Date" means, in relation to the Total Loss of a Ship:

 

(a) in the case of an actual loss of that Ship, the date on which it occurred or, if that is unknown, the date when that Ship was last heard of;

 

(b) in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of that Ship the earlier of:

 

(i) the date on which a notice of abandonment is given to the insurers; and

 

(ii) the date of any compromise, arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of the relevant Borrower with that Ship's insurers in which the insurers agree to treat that Ship as a total loss; and

 

(c) in the case of any other type of Total Loss, the date (or the most likely date) on which it appears to the Majority Lenders that the event constituting the total loss occurred.

 

"Tranche" means Tranche A or Tranche B.

 

"Tranche A" means that part of the Loan made or to be made available to the Borrowers to refinance the Existing Indebtedness in respect of Ship A in the principal amount specified in paragraph (b) of Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount) or, as the case may be, the principle amount outstanding from time to time under that Tranche.

 

"Tranche B" means that part of the Loan made or to be made available to the Borrowers to refinance the Existing Indebtedness in respect of Ship B in the principal amount specified in paragraph (c) of Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount) or, as the case may be, the principle amount outstanding from time to time under that Tranche.

 

"Transaction Document" means:

 

(a) a Finance Document;

 

(b) a Subordinated Finance Document;

 

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(c) any Charter; or

 

(d) any other document designated as such by the Facility Agent and the Borrowers.

 

"Transaction Obligor" means an Obligor, the Collateral Guarantor, the Collateral Shareholder any Approved Manager (other than Fidelity Marine (for so long it is not a member of the Group) and V.Ships) or any other person (except a Finance Party) who executes a Transaction Document.

 

"Transaction Security" means the Security created or evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced under the Security Documents.

 

"Transfer Certificate" means a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 4 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Facility Agent and the parties to such certificate.

 

"Transfer Date" means, in relation to an assignment or a transfer, the later of:

 

(a) the proposed Transfer Date specified in the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate; and

 

(b) the date on which the Facility Agent executes the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate.

 

"UK Bail-In Legislation" means (to the extent that the United Kingdom is not an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or implements Article 55 BRRD) Part 1 of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 and any other law or regulation applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutes or their affiliates (otherwise than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

 

"UK Establishment" means a UK establishment as defined in the Overseas Regulations.

 

"Unpaid Sum" means any sum due and payable but unpaid by a Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

"US" means the United States of America.

 

"US Tax Obligor" means:

 

(a) a person which is resident for tax purposes in the US; or

 

(b) a person some or all of whose payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax purposes.

 

"Utilisation" means the utilisation of the Facility.

 

"Utilisation Date" means the date of the Utilisation, being the date on which the Loan is to be advanced.

 

"Utilisation Request" means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Requests).

 

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"VAT" means:

 

(a) any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and

 

(b) any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraph (a) above, or imposed elsewhere.

 

"V.Ships" means V.Ships Limited, a corporation incorporated and existing under the laws of Cyprus whose registered office is at Zenas Gunther, 16-18, Agia Triada, 3035 Limassol, Cyprus.

 

"Write-down and Conversion Powers" means:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(c) in relation to any UK Bail-In Legislation:

 

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

 

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

 

1.2 Construction

 

(a) Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in this Agreement to:

 

(i) the "Account Bank", any "Borrower", the "Facility Agent", any "Finance Party", any "Lender", any "Obligor", any "Party", any "Secured Party", the "Security Agent", any "Transaction Obligor" or any other person shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees to, or of, its rights and/or obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

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(ii) "assets" includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

 

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

 

(iv) "document" includes a deed and also a letter, fax, email or telex;

 

(v) "expense" means any kind of cost, charge or expense (including all legal costs, charges and expenses) and any applicable Tax including VAT;

 

(vi) a "Finance Document", a "Security Document" or "Transaction Document" or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document, Security Document or Transaction Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated;

 

(vii) a "group of Lenders" includes all the Lenders;

 

(viii) "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;

 

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

 

(x) "proceedings" means, in relation to any enforcement provision of a Finance Document, proceedings of any kind, including an application for a provisional or protective measure;

 

(xi) a "person" includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

(xii) a "regulation" includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

 

(xiii) a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted;

 

(xiv) a time of day is a reference to New York time unless specified to the contrary;

 

(xv) any English legal term for any action, remedy, method of judicial proceeding, legal document, legal status, court, official or any legal concept or thing shall, in respect of a jurisdiction other than England, be deemed to include that which most nearly approximates in that jurisdiction to the English legal term;

 

(xvi) words denoting the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa; and

 

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(xvii) "including" and "in particular" (and other similar expressions) shall be construed as not limiting any general words or expressions in connection with which they are used.

 

(b) The determination of the extent to which a rate is "for a period equal in length" to an Interest Period shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of that Interest Period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c) Section, Clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only and are not to be used for the purposes of construction or interpretation of the Finance Documents.

 

(d) Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under, or in connection with, any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement.

 

(e) A Potential Event of Default is "continuing" if it has not been remedied or waived and an Event of Default is "continuing" if it has not been waived.

 

1.3 Construction of insurance terms

 

In this Agreement:

 

"approved" means, for the purposes of Clause 22 (Insurance Undertakings), approved in writing by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

"excess risks" means the proportion of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies in respect of a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship, in consequence of its insured value being less than the value at which a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship, is assessed for the purpose of such claims.

 

"obligatory insurances" means, in relation to a Ship or, as the case may be, the Collateral Ship all insurances effected, or which a Borrower or, as the case may be, the Collateral Owner, is obliged to effect under Clause 22 (Insurance Undertakings) or any other provision of this Agreement or of another Finance Document.

 

"policy" includes a slip, cover note, certificate of entry or other document evidencing the contract of insurance or its terms.

 

"protection and indemnity risks" means the usual risks covered by a protection and indemnity association managed in London, including pollution risks and the proportion (if any) of any sums payable to any other person or persons in case of collision which are not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies by reason of the incorporation in them of clause 6 of the International Hull Clauses (1/11/02) (1/11/03), clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/10/83) (1/11/95) or the Institute Amended Running Down Clause (1/10/71) or any equivalent provision.

 

"war risks" includes the risk of mines and all risks excluded by clause 29 of the International Hull Clauses (1/11/02 or 1/11/03), clause 24 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/11/95) or clause 23 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/10/83).

 

1.4 Agreed forms of Finance Documents

 

References in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) to any Finance Document being in "agreed form" are to that Finance Document:

 

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(a) in a form attached to a certificate dated the same date as this Agreement (and signed by the Borrowers and the Facility Agent); or

 

(b) in any other form agreed in writing between the Borrowers and the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders or, where Clause 42.2 (All Lender matters) applies, all the Lenders.

 

1.5 Third party rights

 

(a) Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document, a person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the "Third Parties Act") to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement.

 

(b) Subject to Clause 42.3 (Other exceptions) but otherwise notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party is not required to rescind or vary this Agreement at any time.

 

(c) Any Receiver, Delegate, Affiliate or for the purpose of Clause 13.2 (Other indemnities), Clause 13.3 (Indemnity to the Facility Agent) and Clause 13.4 (Indemnity to the Security Agent), any Indemnified Person, or any other person described in paragraph (b) of Clause 29.10 (Exclusion of liability), or paragraph (b) of Clause 30.11 (Exclusion of liability) may, subject to this Clause 1.5 (Third party rights) and the Third Parties Act, rely on any Clause of this Agreement which expressly confers rights on it.

 

1.6 Facility Agent and Security Agent

 

(a) Where there is any reference in this Agreement or any other Finance Document to the Facility Agent or the Security Agent acting reasonably or properly, or doing an act or coming to a determination, opinion or belief that is reasonable or proper, or any similar or analogous reference, the Facility Agent or, as applicable, the Security Agent shall, where they have sought such instructions from the Majority Lenders, be deemed to be acting reasonably and properly or doing an act or coming to a determination, opinion or belief that is reasonable if, as applicable, the Facility Agent or Security Agent acts on the instructions of the Majority Lenders. Where there is in this Agreement or any other Finance Document a provision to the effect that the Facility Agent or the Security Agent is not to unreasonably withhold or delay its consent or approval, it shall be deemed not to have so withheld or delayed its consent or approval if the withholding or delay is caused by instructions being sought from the Majority Lenders and it is not unreasonable for the Majority Lenders to withhold or delay giving their consent or approval.

 

(b) Any corporation into which the Facility Agent or Security Agent may be merged or converted, or any corporation with which the Facility Agent or Security Agent may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Facility Agent or Security Agent shall be a party, or any corporation, including affiliated corporations, to which the Facility Agent or Security Agent shall sell or otherwise transfer:

 

(i) all or substantially all of its assets; or

 

(ii) all or substantially all of its corporate trust business,

 

shall, on such date on which any such merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer becomes effective and to the extent permitted by any applicable laws and subject to any credit rating requirements set out in this Agreement become the successor Facility Agent or Security Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties to this Agreement, unless otherwise required by the Lenders (acting reasonably), and after the said effective date all references in this Agreement to the Facility Agent or Security Agent shall be deemed to be references to such successor corporation. Written notice of any such merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall promptly be given to the Borrower by the Facility Agent or Security Agent.

 

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Section 2

The Facility

 

2 The Facility

 

2.1 The Facility

 

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrowers a senior dollar term loan facility in two Tranches, Tranche A and Tranche B, in an aggregate amount not exceeding the Total Commitments.

 

2.2 Finance Parties' rights and obligations

 

(a) The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

 

(b) The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from a Transaction Obligor is a separate and independent debt in respect of which a Finance Party shall be entitled to enforce its rights in accordance with paragraph (c) below. The rights of each Finance Party include any debt owing to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents and, for the avoidance of doubt, any part of the Loan or any other amount owed by a Transaction Obligor which relates to a Finance Party's participation in the Facility or its role under a Finance Document (including any such amount payable to the Facility Agent on its behalf) is a debt owing to that Finance Party by that Transaction Obligor.

 

(c) A Finance Party may, except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

3 Purpose

 

3.1 Purpose

 

Each Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Facility only for the purpose stated in the preamble (Background) to this Agreement.

 

3.2 Monitoring

 

No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.3 Proceeds of Loan

 

No part of the proceeds of the Loan will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as may be amended from time to time.

 

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4 Conditions of Utilisation

 

4.1 Initial conditions precedent

 

The Borrowers may not deliver the Utilisation Request unless the Facility Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part A of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

4.2 Further conditions precedent

 

The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders' participation) if:

 

(a) on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date and before the Loan is advanced:

 

(i) no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan; and

 

(ii) the Repeating Representations to be made by each Transaction Obligor are true;

 

(b) the Facility Agent has received on or before the Utilisation Date, or the Majority Lenders are satisfied they will receive when the Loan is made available, all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part B of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

4.3 Notification of satisfaction of conditions precedent

 

(a) The Facility Agent shall send to the Lenders all of the conditions precedent referred to in Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) and Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent) which it has received.

 

(b) Each Lender shall promptly confirm to the Facility Agent in writing that it is satisfied as to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent referred to in Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) and Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent).

 

(c) The Facility Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders promptly upon receipt of those confirmations referred to in paragraph (b) above from all of the Lenders.

 

(d) Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Facility Agent in writing to the contrary before the Facility Agent gives the notification described in paragraph (c) above, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Facility Agent to give that notification. The Facility Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.

 

4.4 Waiver of conditions precedent

 

If the Majority Lenders, at their discretion, permit the Loan to be borrowed before any of the conditions precedent referred to in Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) or Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent) has been satisfied, the Borrowers shall ensure that that condition is satisfied within ten Business Days after the Utilisation Date or such later date as the Facility Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, may agree in writing with the Borrowers.

 

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Section 3

Utilisation

 

5 Utilisation

 

5.1 Delivery of Utilisation Request

 

(a) The Borrowers may utilise the Facility by delivery to the Facility Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than the Specified Time.

 

(b) The Borrowers may not deliver more than one Utilisation Request.

 

5.2 Completion of Utilisation Request

 

(a) The Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

 

(i) the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period;

 

(ii) the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount); and

 

(iii) the proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 9 (Interest Periods).

 

(b) Only one advance may be requested in the Utilisation Request.

 

5.3 Currency and amount

 

(a) The currency specified in the Utilisation Request must be dollars.

 

(b) The amount of Tranche A must not exceed the Maximum Tranche A Amount.

 

(c) The amount of Tranche B must not exceed the Maximum Tranche B Amount.

 

(d) The amount of the Loan must be an amount which is not more than the Available Facility.

 

5.4 Lenders' participation

 

(a) If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, each Lender shall make its participation in the Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office.

 

(b) The amount of each Lender's participation in the Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately before advancing the Loan.

 

(c) Subject to receiving a Utilisation Request, the Facility Agent shall notify each Lender of the amount of the Loan and the amount of its participation in the Loan by the Specified Time.

 

5.5 Cancellation of Commitments

 

The Commitments in respect of any Tranche which are unutilised at the end of the Availability Period shall then be cancelled.

 

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5.6 Retentions and payment to third parties

 

Each Borrower irrevocably authorises the Facility Agent:

 

(a) to deduct from the proceeds of the Loan any fees then payable to the Finance Parties in accordance with Clause 10 (Fees), any solicitors fees and disbursements together with any applicable VAT and any other items listed as deductible items in the Utilisation Request and to apply them in payment of the items to which they relate; and

 

(b) on the Utilisation Date, to pay to, or for the account of, the Borrowers, the balance (after any deduction made in accordance with paragraph (a) above) of the amounts which the Facility Agent receives from the Lenders in respect of the Loan. That payment shall be made:

 

(i) to the account of the Existing Facility Agent which the Borrowers specify in the Utilisation Request; and

 

(ii) in like funds as the Facility Agent received from the Lenders in respect of the Loan.

 

5.7 Disbursement of Loan to third party

 

Payment by the Facility Agent under Clause 5.6 (Retentions and payment to third parties) to a person other than a Borrower shall constitute the advance of the Loan and each Borrower shall at that time become indebted, as principal and direct obligor, to each Lender in an amount equal to that Lender's participation in the Loan.

 

5.8 Prepositioning of funds

 

If, in respect of the Utilisation of the Loan, the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders), at the request of the Borrowers and on terms acceptable to all the Lenders and the Borrowers, prepositions funds with any bank:

 

(a) the Lenders shall, prior to any such pre-positioning of funds, provide an instruction letter to the Facility Agent in form and substance acceptable to the Facility Agent; and

 

(b) any such pre-positioning of funds shall constitute the advance of the Loan and the Borrowers shall at that time become indebted, as principal and direct obligor, to each Lender in an amount equal to that Lender's participation in the Loan; and

 

(c) shall, without duplication, indemnify each Finance Party against any costs, loss or liability it may incur in connection with such arrangement.

 

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Section 4

Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation

 

6 Repayment

 

6.1 Repayment of Loan

 

(a) The Borrowers shall repay each Tranche by:

 

(i) 20 consecutive quarterly instalments, each in the amount specified in the Repayment Schedule (the "Instalments" and each an "Instalment"); and

 

(ii) a balloon instalment in an amount equal to any part of that Tranche remaining outstanding on the Termination Date (each a "Balloon Instalment" and together with the Instalments, the "Repayment Instalments" and each a "Repayment Instalment"),

 

provided that if the aggregate amount of each Tranche advanced is less than the applicable Maximum Tranche Amount, each Repayment Instalment of that Tranche shall be reduced pro rata by an amount equal to the undrawn amount.

 

(b) The First Repayment Instalment in respect of each Tranche shall be repaid on the date falling 3 Months after the Utilisation Date and the last one, together with the Balloon Instalment relevant to that Tranche shall be paid on the Termination Date.

 

6.2 Termination Date

 

On the Termination Date, the Borrowers shall additionally pay to the Facility Agent for the account of the Finance Parties all other sums then accrued and owing under the Finance Documents.

 

6.3 Reborrowing

 

No Borrower may re-borrow any part of the Facility which is repaid.

 

7 Prepayment and Cancellation

 

7.1 Illegality

 

(a) If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for a Lender, or an Affiliate of a Lender, for that Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in the Loan:

 

(i) that Lender shall promptly notify the Facility Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

 

(ii) upon the Facility Agent notifying the Borrowers, the Available Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and

 

(iii) the Borrowers shall prepay the Loan on the last day of the Interest Period for the Loan occurring after the Facility Agent has notified the Borrowers or, if earlier, the date specified by that Lender in the notice delivered to the Facility Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and that Lender's corresponding Commitment shall be cancelled in the amount of the participation prepaid.

 

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(b) Any partial prepayment or cancellation under this Clause 7.1 (Illegality) shall reduce the Repayment Instalments of each Tranche proportionally by the amount prepaid or cancelled in pro rata.

 

7.2 Automatic cancellation

 

The unutilised Commitment (if any) of each Lender shall be automatically cancelled at close of business on the date on which the Loan is made available.

 

7.3 Voluntary prepayment of Loan

 

(a) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, the Borrowers may, if they give the Facility Agent not less than 10 Business Days' (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of the Loan (but, if in part, being an amount that reduces the amount of the Loan by a minimum amount of US$500,000 or a multiple of that amount).

 

(b) The Borrowers may not prepay the Loan (in whole or in part) pursuant to this Clause 7.3 (Voluntary prepayment of Loan) before the end of the Non-Call Period Provided however that the Borrowers may prepay a Tranche in whole during the Make-Whole Period subject to the Borrowers paying to the Lenders the Make-Whole Prepayment Fee payable pursuant to Clause 10.4 (Make-whole Prepayment Fee) and any other prepayment fees payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c) Any partial prepayment made under this Clause 7.3 (Voluntary prepayment of Loan) shall reduce the Repayment Instalments of each Tranche proportionally by the amount prepaid in pro rata.

 

7.4 Mandatory prepayment on sale or Total Loss

 

(a) If a Ship is sold or becomes a Total Loss, the Borrowers shall on the Relevant Date prepay the Relevant Amount.

 

(b) Provided that no Default has occurred and is continuing, any remaining proceeds of the sale or Total Loss of a Ship, after the prepayment referred to in paragraph (a) above has been made together with all other amounts that are payable on any such prepayment pursuant to the Finance Documents shall be paid to the Borrower that owned the relevant Ship.

 

(c) In this Clause 7.4 (Mandatory prepayment on sale or Total Loss):

 

"Relevant Amount" means, in relation to the Ship that has been sold or has become Total Loss, the aggregate of:

 

(i) the Tranche in relation that Ship; and

 

(ii) an amount (if any) which after the application of the prepayment to be made pursuant to this Clause 7.4 (Mandatory prepayment on sale or Total Loss) above results in the security cover ratio required to be maintained by the Borrowers pursuant to Clause 24.1 (Security Cover).

 

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"Relevant Date" means:

 

(i) in the case of a sale of a Ship on the date on which the sale is completed by delivery of that Ship to its buyer; or

 

(ii) in the case of a Total Loss of a Ship on the earlier of:

 

(A) the date falling 180 days after the Total Loss Date; and

 

(B) the date of receipt by the Security Agent of the proceeds of insurance relating to such Total Loss.

 

(d) The amount of any partial prepayment of the Loan under this Clause 7.4 (Mandatory prepayment on sale or Total Loss) shall be applied first towards full prepayment of the Tranche relating to the Ship being sold or which has become Total Loss and thereafter shall reduce the Repayment Instalments of the remaining Tranche outstanding by the amount prepaid pro rata.

 

7.5 Restrictions

 

(a) Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this Clause 7 (Prepayment and Cancellation) shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment and, if relevant, the part of the Loan to be prepaid or cancelled.

 

(b) Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid, any applicable fees payable pursuant to Clause 10 (Fees) and without premium or penalty.

 

(c) No Borrower may re-borrow any part of the Facility which is prepaid.

 

(d) No Borrower shall repay or prepay all or any part of the Loan or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

(e) No amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated.

 

(f) If the Facility Agent receives a notice under this Clause 7 (Prepayment and Cancellation) it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrowers or the affected Lenders, as appropriate.

 

(g) If all or part of any Lender's participation in the Loan is repaid or prepaid, an amount of that Lender's Commitment (equal to the amount of the participation which is repaid or prepaid) will be deemed to be cancelled on the date of repayment or prepayment.

 

7.6 Application of prepayments

 

Any prepayment of any part of the Loan under this Clause (other than a prepayment pursuant to Clause 7.1 (Illegality)) shall be applied pro rata to each Lender's participation in that part of the Loan.

 

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Section 5

Costs of Utilisation

 

8 Interest

 

8.1 Calculation of interest

 

The rate of interest on the Loan or any part of the Loan for each Interest Period is the Interest Rate for that Interest Period.

 

8.2 Payment of interest

 

The Borrowers shall pay accrued interest on the Loan for each Interest Period on the last day of that Interest Period (each an "Interest Payment Date") in the amount specified in the Repayment Schedule.

 

8.3 Default interest

 

(a) If a Transaction Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the Unpaid Sum from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which is 2 per cent. per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the Unpaid Sum had, during the period of non-payment, constituted part of the Loan in the currency of the Unpaid Sum for successive Interest Periods, each having a duration as follows:

 

(i) the first Interest Period for that Unpaid Sum shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to the Loan or the relevant part of the Loan; and

 

(ii) the rate of interest applying to that Unpaid Sum during that first Interest Period shall be 2 per cent. per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if that Unpaid Sum had not become due.

 

Any interest accruing under this Clause 8.3 (Default interest) shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

(b) Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an Unpaid Sum will be compounded with the Unpaid Sum at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that Unpaid Sum but will remain immediately due and payable.

 

8.4 Notification of rates of interest

 

The Facility Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrowers of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

 

9 Interest Periods

 

9.1 Duration of Interest Periods

 

(a) The first Interest Period shall commence on the Utilisation Date and each subsequent Interest Period shall commence on the expiry of the preceding Interest Period.

 

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(b) Each Interest Period shall be three Months.

 

9.2 Non-Business Days

 

If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

10 Fees

 

10.1 Upfront fee

 

The Borrowers shall pay to the Facility Agent a non-refundable upfront fee (for the account of the Lenders pro-rata to their Commitments) on the Utilisation Date in an amount equal to 2 per cent. of the amount of the Loan.

 

10.2 Agency fee

 

The Borrowers shall pay to the Facility Agent and the Security Agent (for their own account) non-refundable annual agency fees at the times and in the amount specified in a Fee Letter.

 

10.3 Deferred Fee

 

The Borrowers shall pay to the Facility Agent a non-refundable deferred fee (for the account of the Lenders pro-rata to their Commitments) on the Payment Date in relation to each Tranche in an amount equal to 2 per cent. of the utilised amount in respect of that Tranche.

 

In this Clause 10.3 (Deferred Fee):

 

"Payment Date" means, in relation to a Tranche, the date falling on the earlier of:

 

(a) the Relevant Date in respect of the Ship to which that Tranche relates;

 

(b) the date on which that Tranche is repaid in full;

 

(c) the date on which the Facility Agent takes any action as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing and a notice is served under Clause 26.20 (Acceleration) of the Facility Agreement;

 

(d) the Termination Date; and

 

(e) the last day of the Security Period.

 

10.4 Make-whole prepayment fee

 

If the Borrowers prepay a Tranche in whole during the Make-Whole Period (other than as a result of any prepayment made to rectify a shortfall pursuant Clause 24 (Security Cover) or any mandatory prepayment pursuant to Clause 7.4 (Mandatory Prepayment on sale or Total Loss) triggered as a result of the sale of a Ship), the Borrowers shall additionally pay to the Facility Agent (for the account of the Lenders pro-rata to their Commitments) a non-refundable make-whole prepayment fee on the date of such prepayment (the "Prepayment Date") calculated on the basis of the following formula:

 

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where:

 

E: means the make-whole prepayment fee payable under this Clause 10.4 (Make-whole prepayment fee).

 

X: means 50 per cent of the amount of the Tranche being prepaid, which is outstanding on the Prepayment Date (for the avoidance of doubt, immediately prior to any prepayment made).

 

Y: means the number of days during the period commencing on the applicable Prepayment Date and ending on the last day of the Make-Whole Period.

 

Z: means the Interest Rate applicable on the Prepayment Date.

 

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Section 6

Additional Payment Obligations

 

11 Tax Gross Up and Indemnities

 

11.1 Definitions

 

(a) In this Agreement:

 

"Protected Party" means a Finance Party which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.

 

"Tax 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 under a Finance Document, other than a FATCA Deduction.

 

"Tax Payment" means either the increase in a payment made by an Obligor to a Finance Party under Clause 11.2 (Tax gross-up) or a payment under Clause 11.3 (Tax indemnity).

 

(b) Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Clause 11 (Tax Gross Up and Indemnities) reference to "determines" or "determined" means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination.

 

11.2 Tax gross-up

 

(a) Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

 

(b) Each Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware that an Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify the Facility Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Facility Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Facility Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrowers and that Obligor.

 

(c) If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.

 

(d) If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obligor shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.

 

(e) Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Facility Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.

 

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11.3 Tax indemnity

 

(a) The Obligors shall (within five Business Days of demand by the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of a Protected Party or claiming on its own behalf) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document.

 

(b) Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

 

(i) with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party:

 

(A) under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or

 

(B) under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party's Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction,

 

if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or

 

(ii) to the extent a loss, liability or cost:

 

(A) is compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 11.2 (Tax gross-up); or

 

(B) relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party.

 

(c) A Protected Party making, or intending to make, a claim under paragraph (a) above shall promptly notify the Facility Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Facility Agent shall notify the Obligors.

 

(d) A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this Clause 11.3 (Tax indemnity), notify the Facility Agent.

 

11.4 Tax Credit

 

If an Obligor makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines that:

 

(a) a Tax Credit is attributable to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part, to that Tax Payment or to a Tax Deduction in consequence of which that Tax Payment was received; and

 

(b) that Finance Party has obtained and utilised that Tax Credit,

 

the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the Obligor 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 required to be made by the Obligor.

 

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11.5 Stamp taxes

 

The Obligors shall pay and, within five Business Days of demand, indemnify each Secured Party against any cost, loss or liability which that Secured Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.

 

11.6 VAT

 

(a) All amounts expressed to be payable under a Finance Document by any Party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on that supply, and accordingly, subject to paragraph (b) below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that Party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that Party).

 

(b) If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the "Supplier") to any other Finance Party (the "Recipient") under a Finance Document, and any Party other than the Recipient (the "Relevant Party") is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration):

 

(i) (where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Recipient must (where this sub-paragraph (i) applies) promptly pay to the Relevant Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and

 

(ii) (where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT.

 

(c) Where a Finance Document requires any Party to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that Party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part of it as represents VAT, save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.

 

(d) Any reference in this Clause 11.6 (VAT) to any Party shall, at any time when that Party is treated as a member of a group or unity (or fiscal unity) for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the person who is treated at that time as making the supply, or (as appropriate) receiving the supply, under the grouping rules provided for in Article 11 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC (or as implemented by the relevant member state of the European Union) so that a reference to a Party shall be construed as a reference to that Party or the relevant group or unity (or fiscal unity) of which that Party is a member for VAT purposes at the relevant time or the relevant representative member (or representative or head) of that group or unity at the relevant time (as the case may be).

 

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(e) In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that Party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that Party's VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party's VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply.

 

11.7 FATCA Information

 

(a) Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party:

 

(i) confirm to that other Party whether it is:

 

(A) a FATCA Exempt Party; or

 

(B) not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

 

(ii) supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party's compliance with FATCA; and

 

(iii) supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party's compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime.

 

(b) If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (a) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly.

 

(c) Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything and sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph (a) above shall not oblige any other Party to do anything which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

 

(i) any law or regulation;

 

(ii) any fiduciary duty; or

 

(iii) any duty of confidentiality.

 

(d) If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with sub-paragraphs (i) or (ii) of paragraph (a) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.

 

(e) If a Borrower is a US Tax Obligor, or the Facility Agent reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA or any other applicable law or regulation require it, each Lender shall, within ten Business Days of:

 

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(i) where a Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Original Lender, the date of this Agreement;

 

(ii) where a Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a Transfer Date and the relevant Lender is a New Lender, the relevant Transfer Date; or

 

(iii) where a Borrower is not a US Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Facility Agent,

 

supply to the Facility Agent:

 

(iv) a withholding certificate on Form W-8, Form W-9 or any other relevant form; or

 

(v) any withholding statement or other document, authorisation or waiver as the Facility Agent may require to certify or establish the status of such Lender under FATCA or that other law or regulation.

 

(f) The Facility Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) above to the relevant Borrower.

 

(g) If any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver provided to the Facility Agent by a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) above is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, that Lender shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Facility Agent unless it is unlawful for that Lender to do so (in which case that Lender shall promptly notify the Facility Agent). The Facility Agent shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the relevant Borrower.

 

(h) The Facility Agent may rely on any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) or (g) above without further verification. The Facility Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with paragraphs (e), (f) or (g) above.

 

11.8 FATCA Deduction

 

(a) Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction.

 

(b) Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify each Obligor and the Facility Agent and the Facility Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties.

 

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12 Increased Costs

 

12.1 Increased costs

 

(a) Subject to Clause 12.3 (Exceptions), each Borrower shall, within five Business Days of a demand by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of a Lender or claiming on its own behalf), pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result of:

 

(i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation; or

 

(ii) compliance with any law or regulation made,

 

in each case after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(iii) the implementation, application of or compliance with Basel III or CRD IV or any law or regulation that implements or applies Basel III or CRD IV.

 

(b) In this Agreement:

 

(i) "Basel III" means:

 

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

 

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

 

(C) any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to "Basel III".

 

(ii) "CRD IV" means:

 

(A) Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending regulation (EU) No. 648/2012, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/876;

 

(B) Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/876; and

 

(C) any other law or regulation which implements Basel III.

 

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(iii) "Increased Costs" means:

 

(A) a reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party's (or its Affiliate's) overall capital;

 

(B) an additional or increased cost; or

 

(C) a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,

 

which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.

 

Notwithstanding anything above to the contrary, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and all requests, rules, guidelines and directives promulgated thereunder, are deemed to have been introduced or adopted after the date of this Agreement, regardless of the date enacted or adopted.

 

12.2 Increased cost claims

 

(a) A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Increased costs) shall notify the Facility Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Facility Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers.

 

(b) Each Finance Party shall 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) attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party;

 

(c) compensated for by Clause 11.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under Clause 11.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in paragraph (b) of Clause 11.3 (Tax indemnity) applied); or

 

(d) attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation.

 

13 Other Indemnities

 

13.1 Currency indemnity

 

(a) If any sum due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (a "Sum"), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the "First Currency") in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the "Second Currency") for the purpose of:

 

(i) making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; or

 

(ii) obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,

 

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that Obligor shall, as an independent obligation, on demand, indemnify each Secured Party to which that Sum is due against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.

 

(b) Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.

 

13.2 Other indemnities

 

(a) Each Obligor shall, within 5 Business Days of demand, indemnify each Secured Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by it as a result of:

 

(i) the occurrence of any Event of Default;

 

(ii) a failure by a Transaction Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any cost, loss or liability arising as a result of Clause 32 (Sharing among the Finance Parties);

 

(iii) funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in the Loan requested by the Borrowers in the Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Secured Party alone); or

 

(iv) the Loan (or part of the Loan) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by a Borrower.

 

(b) Each Obligor shall, on demand, indemnify each Finance Party, each Indemnified Person, against any cost, loss or liability incurred by that Indemnified Person pursuant to or in connection with any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or regulatory enquiry, in connection with or arising out of the entry into and the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents, having the benefit of any Security constituted by the Finance Documents or which relates to the condition or operation of, or any incident occurring in relation to, a Ship or, as the case may be the Collateral Ship, unless such cost, loss or liability is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person.

 

(c) Without limiting, but subject to any limitations set out in paragraph (b) above, the indemnity in paragraph (b) above shall cover any cost, loss or liability incurred by each Indemnified Person in any jurisdiction:

 

(i) arising or asserted under or in connection with any law relating to safety at sea, the ISM Code, any Environmental Law or any Sanctions; or

 

(ii) in connection with any Environmental Claim.

 

(d) Any Affiliate or any officer or employee of a Finance Party or of any of its Affiliates may rely on this Clause 13.2 (Other indemnities) subject to Clause 1.5 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

13.3 Indemnity to the Facility Agent

 

Each Obligor shall, within 5 Business Days of demand, indemnify each Indemnified Person against:

 

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(a) any cost, loss or liability incurred by the Facility Agent as a result of:

 

(i) investigating (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) any event which the Majority Lenders reasonably believe is a Default; or

 

(ii) acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which the Majority Lenders reasonably believe to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; or

 

(iii) instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents or as may be required by the Majority Lenders; and

 

(b) any cost, loss or liability incurred by any Indemnified Person (otherwise than by reason of that Indemnified Person's gross negligence or wilful misconduct) or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 33.11 (Disruption to Payment Systems etc.) notwithstanding that Indemnified Person's negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Facility Agent in acting as Facility Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

13.4 Indemnity to the Security Agent

 

(a) Each Obligor shall, within 5 Business Days of demand, indemnify each Indemnified Person against any cost, loss or liability incurred by any of them:

 

(i) in relation to or as a result of:

 

(A) any failure by a Borrower to comply with its obligations under Clause 15 (Costs and Expenses);

 

(B) acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

(C) the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Finance Documents and the Transaction Security;

 

(D) the exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions, authorities and remedies vested in that Indemnified Person by the Finance Documents or by law;

 

(E) any default by any Transaction Obligor in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents;

 

(F) any action by any Transaction Obligor which vitiates, reduces the value of, or is otherwise prejudicial to, the Transaction Security; and

 

(G) instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents,

 

(ii) acting as Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under the Finance Documents or which otherwise relates to any of the Security Property or the performance of the terms of this Agreement or the other Finance Documents (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Indemnified Person's gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

 

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(b) The Security Agent and every Receiver and Delegate may, in priority to any payment to the Secured Parties, indemnify itself out of the Security Assets in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in this Clause 13.4 (Indemnity to the Security Agent) and shall have a lien on the Transaction Security and the proceeds of the enforcement of the Transaction Security for all monies payable to it.

 

14 Mitigation by the Finance Parties

 

14.1 Mitigation

 

(a) Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrowers, take all reasonable but commercially prudent 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 7.1 (Illegality), Clause 11 (Tax Gross Up and Indemnities) or Clause 12 (Increased Costs) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

 

(b) Paragraph (a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

14.2 Limitation of liability

 

(a) Each Obligor shall, within 5 Business Days of demand, 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 (Mitigation) if either:

 

(i) a Default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

(ii) in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it.

 

15 Costs and Expenses

 

15.1 Transaction expenses

 

The Obligors shall, within 5 Business Days of demand, pay the Facility Agent and the Security Agent the amount of all documented costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, administration syndication and perfection of:

 

(a) this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement or in a Security Document; and

 

(b) any other Finance Documents executed after the date of this Agreement.

 

15.2 Amendment costs

 

If:

 

(a) a Transaction Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent; or

 

(b) an amendment is required pursuant to Clause 33.9 (Change of currency); or

 

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(c) a Transaction Obligor requests, and the Security Agent agrees to (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), the release of all or any part of the Security Assets from the Transaction Security,

 

the Obligors shall, within 5 Business Days of demand, reimburse each of the Facility Agent and the Security Agent for the amount of all documented costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by each Secured Party in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.

 

15.3 Enforcement and preservation costs

 

The Obligors shall, on demand, pay to each Secured Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by that Secured Party in connection with the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document or the Transaction Security and with any proceedings instituted by or against that Secured Party as a consequence of it entering into a Finance Document, taking or holding the Transaction Security, or enforcing those rights.

 

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Section 7

Guarantee and Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers

 

16 Guarantee and Indemnity

 

16.1 Guarantee and indemnity

 

The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a) guarantees to each Finance Party punctual performance by each Transaction Obligor other than the Guarantor of all such other Transaction Obligor's obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

(b) undertakes with each Finance Party that whenever a Transaction Obligor other than the Guarantor does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Guarantor shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it were the principal obligor; and

 

(c) agrees with each Finance Party that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation, indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of a Transaction Obligor other than the Guarantor not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by it under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due. The amount payable by the Guarantor under this indemnity will not exceed the amount it would have had to pay under this Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity) if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.

 

16.2 Continuing guarantee

 

This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

16.3 Reinstatement

 

If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Transaction Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Secured Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of the Guarantor under this Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity) will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.

 

16.4 Waiver of defences

 

The obligations of the Guarantor under this Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity) and in respect of any Transaction Security will not be affected or discharged by an act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause 16.4 (Waiver of defences), would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity) or in respect of any Transaction Security (without limitation and whether or not known to it or any Secured Party) including:

 

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(a) any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Transaction Obligor or other person;

 

(b) the release of any other Transaction Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of Transaction Obligor;

 

(c) the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect or delay in perfecting, or refusal or neglect to take up or enforce, or delay in taking or enforcing any rights against, or security over assets of, any Transaction Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

(d) any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of a Transaction Obligor or any other person;

 

(e) any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Finance Document or any other document or security including, without limitation, any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

 

(f) any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

 

(g) any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

16.5 Immediate recourse

 

The Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Secured Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person (including without limitation to commence any proceedings under any Finance Document or to enforce any Transaction Security) before claiming or commencing proceedings under this Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity). This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.

 

16.6 Appropriations

 

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Transaction Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Secured Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

 

(a) refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Secured Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and the Guarantor shall not be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

(b) hold any moneys received from the Guarantor or on account of the Guarantor's liability under this Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity) in a suspense account bearing interest at a rate equal to the rate on which interest is accruing on the relevant Unpaid Sum under this Agreement.

 

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16.7 Deferral of Guarantor's rights

 

All rights which the Guarantor at any time has (whether in respect of this guarantee, a mortgage or any other transaction) against the Borrowers, any other Transaction Obligor or their respective assets shall be fully subordinated to the rights of the Secured Parties under the Finance Documents and until the end of the Security Period and unless the Facility Agent otherwise directs (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), the Guarantor will not exercise any rights which it may have (whether in respect of any Finance Document to which it is a Party or any other transaction) by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity):

 

(a) to be indemnified by a Transaction Obligor;

 

(b) to claim any contribution from any third party providing security for, or any other guarantor of, any Transaction Obligor's obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

(c) to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Secured Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Secured Party;

 

(d) to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Transaction Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which the Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under Clause 16.1 (Guarantee and indemnity);

 

(e) to exercise any right of set-off against any Transaction Obligor; and/or

 

(f) to claim or prove as a creditor of any Transaction Obligor in competition with any Secured Party.

 

If the Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Secured Parties by the Transaction Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents to be repaid in full on trust for the Secured Parties and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Facility Agent or as the Facility Agent may direct (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) for application in accordance with Clause 33 (Payment Mechanics).

 

16.8 Additional security

 

This guarantee and any other Security given by the Guarantor is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by, and shall not prejudice, any other guarantee or Security or any other right of recourse now or subsequently held by any Secured Party or any right of set-off or netting or right to combine accounts in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

16.9 Applicability of provisions of Guarantee to other Security

 

Clauses 16.2 (Continuing guarantee), 16.3 (Reinstatement), 16.4 (Waiver of defences), 16.5 (Immediate recourse), 16.6 (Appropriations), 16.7 (Deferral of Guarantor's rights) and 16.8 (Additional security) shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to any Security which the Guarantor creates (whether at the time at which it signs this Agreement or at any later time) to secure the Secured Liabilities or any part of them.

 

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17 Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers

 

17.1 Joint and several liability

 

All liabilities and obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement shall, whether expressed to be so or not, be joint and several.

 

17.2 Waiver of defences

 

The liabilities and obligations of a Borrower shall not be impaired by:

 

(a) this Agreement being or later becoming void, unenforceable or illegal as regards any other Borrower;

 

(b) any Lender or the Security Agent entering into any rescheduling, refinancing or other arrangement of any kind with any other Borrower;

 

(c) any Lender or the Security Agent releasing any other Borrower or any Security created by a Finance Document;

 

(d) any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with any other Borrower or other person;

 

(e) the release of any other Borrower or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;

 

(f) the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any other Borrower or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

(g) any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of any other Borrower or any other person;

 

(h) any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental, and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of a Finance Document or any other document or security including, without limitation, any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

 

(i) any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation or any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

 

(j) any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

17.3 Principal Debtor

 

Each Borrower declares that it is and will, throughout the Security Period, remain a principal debtor for all amounts owing under this Agreement and the Finance Documents and no Borrower shall, in any circumstances, be construed to be a surety for the obligations of any other Borrower under this Agreement.

 

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17.4 Borrower restrictions

 

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) below, during the Security Period no Borrower shall:

 

(i) claim any amount which may be due to it from any other Borrower whether in respect of a payment made under, or matter arising out of, this Agreement or any Finance Document, or any matter unconnected with this Agreement or any Finance Document; or

 

(ii) take or enforce any form of security from any other Borrower for such an amount, or in any way seek to have recourse in respect of such an amount against any asset of any other Borrower; or

 

(iii) set off such an amount against any sum due from it to any other Borrower; or

 

(iv) prove or claim for such an amount in any liquidation, administration, arrangement or similar procedure involving any other Borrower; or

 

(v) exercise or assert any combination of the foregoing.

 

(b) If during the Security Period, the Facility Agent, by notice to a Borrower, requires it to take any action referred to in paragraph (a) above in relation to any other Borrower, that Borrower shall take that action as soon as practicable after receiving the Facility Agent's notice.

 

17.5 Deferral of Borrowers' rights

 

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Borrowers under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Facility Agent otherwise directs, no Borrower will exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents:

 

(a) to be indemnified by any other Borrower; or

 

(b) to claim any contribution from any other Borrower in relation to any payment made by it under the Finance Documents.

 

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Section 8

Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default

 

18 Representations

 

18.1 General

 

Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 18 (Representations) to each Finance Party on the date of this Agreement.

 

18.2 Status

 

(a) It is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing in good standing under the law of its Original Jurisdiction.

 

(b) It and each Transaction Obligor has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.

 

18.3 Share capital and ownership

 

(a) Each Borrower is authorised to issue 500 registered shares with no par value, all of which shares have been issued and the direct legal title and beneficial ownership of all those shares is held, free of any Security or other claim, by the Guarantor.

 

(b) The Guarantor is authorised to issue 525,000,000 shares consisting of 500,000,000 registered shares of common stock with a par value of US$0.0001 each and 25,000,000 registered shares of preferred stock with a par value of US$0.0001 each, out of which 30,018,577 registered shares of common stock and no registered shares of preferred stock have been issued fully paid and 22,522,281 warrants are outstanding to purchase an aggregate of 860.213 registered shares of common stock.

 

(c) The legal title to and beneficial interest in the shares in each Borrower is held free of any Security or any other claim by the Guarantor.

 

(d) None of the shares in a Borrower is subject to any option to purchase, pre-emption rights or similar rights.

 

18.4 Binding obligations

 

The obligations expressed to be assumed by it in each Transaction Document to which it is a party are legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.

 

18.5 Validity, effectiveness and ranking of Security

 

(a) Each Finance Document to which it is a party does now or, as the case may be, will upon execution and delivery create, subject to the Perfection Requirements, the Security it purports to create over any assets to which such Security, by its terms, relates, and such Security will, when created or intended to be created, be valid and effective.

 

(b) No third party has or will have any Security (except for Permitted Security) over any assets that are the subject of any Transaction Security granted by it.

 

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(c) Subject to the Perfection Requirements, the Transaction Security granted by it to the Security Agent or any other Secured Party has or will when created or intended to be created have first ranking priority or such other priority it is expressed to have and is not subject to any prior ranking or pari passu ranking security.

 

(d) No concurrence, consent or authorisation of any person is required for the creation of or otherwise in connection with any Transaction Security.

 

18.6 Non-conflict with other obligations

 

The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, each Transaction Document to which it is a party do not and will not conflict with:

 

(a) any law or regulation applicable to it;

 

(b) the constitutional documents of any Transaction Obligor; or

 

(c) any agreement or instrument binding upon it or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument.

 

18.7 Power and authority

 

(a) It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise:

 

(i) its entry into, performance and delivery of, each Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party and the transactions contemplated by those Transaction Documents; and

 

(ii) in the case of a Borrower, its continuing registration of its Ship under the Approved Flag.

 

(b) No limit on its powers will be exceeded as a result of the borrowing, granting of security or giving of guarantees or indemnities contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

 

18.8 Validity and admissibility in evidence

 

All Authorisations required or desirable:

 

(a) to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations in the Transaction Documents to which it is a party; and

 

(b) to make the Transaction Documents to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdictions,

 

have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.

 

18.9 Governing law and enforcement

 

(a) The choice of governing law of each Transaction Document to which it is a party will be recognised and enforced in its Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

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(b) Any judgment obtained in relation to a Transaction Document to which it is a party in the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in its Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

18.10 Insolvency

 

No:

 

(a) corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in paragraph (a) of Clause 26.8 (Insolvency proceedings); or

 

(b) creditors' process described in Clause 26.9 (Creditors' process),

 

has been taken or, to its knowledge, threatened in relation to any Transaction Obligor; and none of the circumstances described in Clause 26.7 (Insolvency) applies to any Transaction Obligor.

 

18.11 No filing or stamp taxes

 

Under the laws of its Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that the Finance Documents to which it is a party be registered, filed, recorded, notarised or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to the Finance Documents to which it is a party or the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents except any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax or fee payable in relation to the Mortgage which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered pursuant to Clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) and which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document.

 

18.12 Deduction of Tax

 

It is not required to make any Tax Deduction from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to which it is a party.

 

18.13 No default

 

(a) No Event of Default and, on the date of this Agreement and on the Utilisation Date, no Default is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the making of the Utilisation or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Transaction Document.

 

(b) No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes a default or a termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on it (or any other Transaction Obligor) or to which its (or any Transaction Obligor's) assets are subject which might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

18.14 No misleading information

 

(a) Any factual information provided by any Transaction Obligor for the purposes of this Agreement was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated.

 

(b) The financial projections contained in any such information have been prepared on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of reasonable assumptions.

 

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(c) Nothing has occurred or been omitted from any such information and no information has been given or withheld that results in any such information being untrue or misleading in any material respect.

 

18.15 Financial Statements

 

(a) In the case of the Guarantor, its Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

(b) In the case of the Guarantor, its Original Financial Statements give a true and fair view of its financial condition as at the end of the relevant financial year and results of operations during the relevant financial year (consolidated).

 

(c) In the case of each Borrower, its unaudited financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

(d) In the case of each Borrower, its unaudited financial statements give a true and fair view of its financial condition as at the end of the relevant financial year and results of operations during the relevant financial year.

 

(e) There has been no material adverse change in its assets, business or financial condition (or the assets, business or consolidated financial condition of the Group, in the case of the Guarantor) since 31 December 2019.

 

(f) Since the date of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 20.2 (Financial statements) there has been no material adverse change in its business, assets or financial condition (or the business or consolidated financial condition of the Group, in the case of the Guarantor).

 

18.16 Pari passu ranking

 

Its payment obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is a party rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.

 

18.17 No proceedings pending or threatened

 

(a) No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations (including proceedings or investigations relating to any alleged or actual breach of the ISM Code or of the ISPS Code) of or before any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect have (to the best of its knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been started or threatened against it or any other Transaction Obligor.

 

(b) No judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect has (to the best of its knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been made against it or any other Transaction Obligor.

 

18.18 Valuations

 

(a) All information supplied by it or on its behalf to an Approved Valuer for the purposes of a valuation delivered to the Facility Agent in accordance with this Agreement was true and accurate as at the date it was supplied or (if appropriate) as at the date (if any) at which it is stated to be given.

 

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(b) It has not omitted to supply any information to an Approved Valuer which, if disclosed, would adversely affect any valuation prepared by such Approved Valuer.

 

(c) There has been no change to the factual information provided pursuant to paragraph (a) above in relation to any valuation between the date such information was provided and the date of that valuation which, in either case, renders that information untrue or misleading in any material respect.

 

18.19 No breach of laws

 

(a) It has not breached any law or regulation which breach has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) No Transaction Obligor or any Affiliate thereof is in violation of and nor shall it violate any of the country or list based economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC that are described or referenced at http://ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac or as otherwise published from time to time.

 

18.20 No Charter

 

Except as disclosed by the Borrowers to the Facility Agent in writing on or before the date of this Agreement, no Ship is subject to any Charter other than a Permitted Charter.

 

18.21 Compliance with Environmental Laws

 

All Environmental Laws relating to the ownership, operation and management of each Ship and the business of each Transaction Obligor (as now conducted and as reasonably anticipated to be conducted in the future) and the terms of all Environmental Approvals have been complied with.

 

18.22 No Environmental Claim

 

No Environmental Claim has been made or threatened against any Transaction Obligor or any Ship.

 

18.23 No Environmental Incident

 

No Environmental Incident has occurred and no person has claimed that an Environmental Incident has occurred.

 

18.24 ISM and ISPS Code compliance

 

All requirements of the ISM Code and the ISPS Code as they relate to each Borrower, the Approved Technical Manager and each Ship have been complied with.

 

18.25 Taxes paid

 

(a) It is not materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns and it is not overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax.

 

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(b) No claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against it with respect to Taxes.

 

18.26 Financial Indebtedness

 

No Borrower has any Financial Indebtedness outstanding other than Permitted Financial Indebtedness.

 

18.27 Overseas companies

 

No Obligor has delivered particulars, whether in its name stated in the Finance Documents or any other name, of any UK Establishment to the Registrar of Companies as required under the Overseas Regulations or, if it has so registered, it has provided to the Facility Agent sufficient details to enable an accurate search against it to be undertaken by the Lenders at the Companies Registry.

 

18.28 Good title to assets

 

It has good, valid and marketable title to, or valid leases or licences of, and all appropriate Authorisations to use, the assets necessary to carry on its business as presently conducted.

 

18.29 Ownership

 

(a) Each Borrower is the sole legal and beneficial owner of all rights and interests which any Charter creates in favour of that Borrower.

 

(b) Borrower A is the sole legal and beneficial owner of Ship A, its Earnings and its Insurances.

 

(c) Borrower B is the sole legal and beneficial owner of Ship B, its Earnings and its Insurances.

 

(d) With effect on and from the date of its creation or intended creation, each Transaction Obligor will be the sole legal and beneficial owner of any asset that is the subject of any Transaction Security created or intended to be created by such Transaction Obligor.

 

(e) The constitutional documents of each Transaction Obligor do not and could not restrict or inhibit any transfer of the shares of a Borrower on creation or enforcement of the security conferred by the Security Documents.

 

18.30 Centre of main interests and establishments

 

For the purposes of The Council of the European Union Regulation No. 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings (the "Regulation"), its centre of main interest (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) is situated in Greece and it has no "establishment" (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulation) in any other jurisdiction.

 

18.31 Place of business

 

No Obligor has a place of business in any country other than Greece and its executive office functions are carried out, in the case of each Obligor, at c/o 154 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 166 74 Glyfada, Athens, Greece.

 

18.32 No employee or pension arrangements

 

No Borrower has any employees or any liabilities under any pension scheme.

 

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18.33 Sanctions

 

(a) No Transaction Obligor:

 

(i) is a Prohibited Person;

 

(ii) is owned or controlled by or acting directly or indirectly on behalf of or for the benefit of, a Prohibited Person;

 

(iii) owns or controls a Prohibited Person; or

 

(iv) has a Prohibited Person serving as a director, officer or, to the best of its knowledge, employee.

 

(b) No proceeds of the Loan shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Prohibited Person nor shall they be otherwise directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by Sanctions.

 

18.34 US Tax Obligor

 

No Obligor is a US Tax Obligor.

 

18.35 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act

 

(a) No Borrower is engaged, nor will it engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States).

 

(b) No Borrower is, nor is it required to be, registered as an "investment company" under the United States of America Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

18.36 Patriot Act

 

To the extent applicable each Borrower is in compliance with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto and (ii) the PATRIOT Act. No part of the proceeds of the Loan will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any government official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

18.37 Repetition

 

The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by each Obligor by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the date of the Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period.

 

19 Financial Covenants

 

19.1 Borrowers' minimum liquidity

 

The Borrowers shall maintain in the Earnings Accounts aggregate credit balances (the "Minimum Liquidity Amount") of not less than:

 

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(a) on and from the Utilisation Date and until the date falling three months after the Utilisation Date, $250,000 in relation to each Ship (being $500,000 in aggregate); and

 

(b) on and from the date falling three months after the Utilisation Date and at all times thereafter during the Security Period, $400,000 in respect of each Ship Provided that if that Ship enters into a Charter exceeding 12 months (including any optional extensions), the relevant Minimum Liquidity Amount shall be reduced to $250,000 for as long as that Ship remains subject to that Charter.

 

19.2 Guarantor's Cash

 

At all times during the Security Period the Guarantor shall maintain Cash (including the Minimum Liquidity Amount and any contractually committed but undrawn parts of the Notes) in an amount of at least equal to $500,000 per Fleet Vessel.

 

20 Information Undertakings

 

20.1 General

 

The undertakings in this Clause 20 (Information Undertakings) remain in force throughout the Security Period unless the Facility Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders), may otherwise permit.

 

20.2 Financial statements

 

The Obligors shall supply to the Facility Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders:

 

(a) as soon as they become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each financial year of the Guarantor the audited consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor for that financial year; and

 

(b) as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each financial quarter of each Obligor, the unaudited financial statements of that Obligor for that financial quarter.

 

20.3 Requirements as to financial statements

 

(a) Each set of financial statements delivered by an Obligor pursuant to Clause 20.2 (Financial statements) shall be certified by an officer of that company as giving a true and fair view (if audited) or fairly representing (if unaudited) its financial condition and operations as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up.

 

(b) Each Obligor shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 20.2 (Financial statements) is prepared using GAAP, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Original Financial Statements for that Obligor unless, in relation to any set of financial statements, it notifies the Facility Agent that there has been a change in GAAP, the accounting practices or reference periods and its auditors (or, if appropriate, the auditors of the Obligor) deliver to the Facility Agent:

 

(i) a description of any change necessary for those financial statements to reflect the GAAP, accounting practices and reference periods upon which that Obligor's Original Financial Statements were prepared; and

 

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(ii) sufficient information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders, to make an accurate comparison between the financial position indicated in those financial statements and that Obligor's Original Financial Statements.

 

Any reference in this Agreement to those financial statements shall be construed as a reference to those financial statements as adjusted to reflect the basis upon which the Original Financial Statements were prepared.

 

20.4 DAC6

 

(a) In this Clause 20.4 (DAC6), "DAC6" means the Council Directive of 25 May 2018 (2018/822/EU)

amending Directive 2011/16/EU.

 

(b) The Borrowers shall supply to the Facility Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Facility Agent so requests):

 

(i) promptly upon the making of such analysis or the obtaining of such advice, any analysis made or advice obtained on whether any transaction contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any transaction carried out (or to be carried out) in connection with any transaction contemplated by the Transaction Documents contains a hallmark as set out in Annex IV of DAC6; and

 

(ii) promptly upon the making of such reporting and to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulation, any reporting made to any governmental or taxation authority by or on behalf of any member of the Group or by any adviser to such member of the Group in relation to DAC6 or any law or regulation which implements DAC6 and any unique identification number issued by any governmental or taxation authority to which any such report has been made (if available).

 

20.5 Information: miscellaneous

 

Each Obligor shall supply to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Facility Agent so requests):

 

(a) all documents dispatched by it to its shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched;

 

(b) promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations (including proceedings or investigations relating to any alleged or actual breach of the ISM Code or of the ISPS Code) which are current, threatened or pending against any Transaction Obligor, and which might, if adversely determined, have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c) promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is made against any member of the Group and which might have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(d) promptly, its constitutional documents where these have been amended or varied;

 

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(e) promptly, such further information and/or documents regarding:

 

(i) each Ship, the Collateral Ship, goods transported on each Ship and/or the Collateral Ship, the Earnings or the Insurances;

 

(ii) the Security Assets;

 

(iii) compliance of the Transaction Obligors (excluding the Collateral Shareholder) with the terms of the Finance Documents;

 

(iv) the financial condition, business and operations of any Transaction Obligor,

 

as any Finance Party (through the Facility Agent) may reasonably request; and

 

(f) promptly, such further information and/or documents as any Finance Party (through the Facility Agent) may reasonably request so as to enable such Finance Party to comply with any laws applicable to it or as may be required by any regulatory authority.

 

20.6 Notification of Default

 

(a) Each Obligor shall notify the Facility Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

 

(b) Promptly upon a request by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), each Borrower shall supply to the Facility Agent a certificate signed by its senior officer on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).

 

20.7 Use of websites

 

(a) Each Obligor may satisfy its obligation under the Finance Documents to which it is a party to deliver any information in relation to those Lenders (the "Website Lenders") which accept this method of communication by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Borrowers and the Facility Agent (the "Designated Website") if:

 

(i) the Facility Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method;

 

(ii) both the relevant Obligor and the Facility 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 relevant Obligor and the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders.

 

If any Lender (a "Paper Form Lender") does not agree to the delivery of information electronically then that Lender shall notify the Facility Agent and the Facility Agent shall notify the Obligors accordingly and each Obligor shall supply the information to the Facility Agent (in sufficient copies for each Paper Form Lender) in paper form. In any event each Obligor shall supply the Facility Agent with at least one copy in paper form of any information required to be provided by it.

 

(b) The Facility 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 Obligors or any of them and the Facility Agent.

 

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(c) An Obligor shall promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Facility Agent if:

 

(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) if that Obligor 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 an Obligor notifies the Facility Agent under sub-paragraph (i) or (v) of paragraph (c) above, all information to be provided by the Obligors under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Facility 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 Facility Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website. The Obligors shall comply with any such request within 10 Business Days.

 

20.8 "Know your customer" checks

 

(a) If:

 

(i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement;

 

(ii) any change in the status of a Transaction Obligor (including, without limitation, a change of ownership of a Transaction Obligor) after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(iii) a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer,

 

obliges a Finance Party (or, in the case of sub-paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with "know your customer" or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall promptly upon the request of any Finance Party supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by a Servicing Party (for itself or on behalf of any other Finance Party) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in sub-paragraph (iii) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for such Finance Party or, in the case of the event described in sub-paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations, including Sanctions, pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents including without limitation obtaining, verifying and recording certain information and documentation that will allow the Facility Agent and each of the Lenders to identify each Transaction Obligor in accordance with the requirements of the PATRIOT Act.

 

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(b) Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of a Servicing Party supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Servicing Party (for itself) in order for that Servicing Party to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

20.9 Anti-money laundering

 

Each Borrower shall promptly upon the request of a Servicing Party supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by a Servicing Party (for itself) in order for that Servicing Party to be satisfied it has complied with all necessary anti-money laundering laws.

 

21 General Undertakings

 

21.1 General

 

The undertakings in this Clause 21 (General Undertakings) remain in force on and from the date of this Agreement and throughout the Security Period except as the Facility Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders) may otherwise permit.

 

21.2 Authorisations

 

Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will, promptly:

 

(a) obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and

 

(b) supply certified copies to the Facility Agent of,

 

any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction or the state of the Approved Flag at any time of each Ship or, as the case may be, Collateral Ship to enable it to:

 

(i) perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party;

 

(ii) ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in any Relevant Jurisdiction or in the state of the Approved Flag at any time of each Ship or, as the case may be, Collateral Ship of any Transaction Document to which it is a party; and

 

(iii) own and operate its Ship (in the case of a Borrower) and the Collateral Ship (in the case of a Collateral Guarantor).

 

21.3 Corporate Existence

 

Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will maintain its separate corporate existence, remain in goodstanding under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation and duly observe and conform to all requirements of any governmental authorities relating to the conduct of its business or to its properties or assets.

 

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21.4 Compliance with laws

 

Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will, comply in all respects with all laws and regulations to which it may be subject if failure so to comply has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, including without limitation (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V) and any other enabling legislation or executive order thereto and (ii) the PATRIOT Act.

 

21.5 Environmental compliance

 

Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will:

 

(a) comply with all Environmental Laws;

 

(b) obtain, maintain and ensure compliance with all requisite Environmental Approvals;

 

(c) implement procedures to monitor compliance with and to prevent liability under any Environmental Law,

 

where failure to do so has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.6 Environmental Claims

 

Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will, promptly upon becoming aware of the same, inform the Facility Agent in writing of:

 

(a) any Environmental Claim against any Transaction Obligor which is current, pending or threatened; and

 

(b) any facts or circumstances which are reasonably likely to result in any Environmental Claim being commenced or threatened against any Transaction Obligor,

 

where the claim, if determined against that Transaction Obligor, has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.7 Taxation

 

(a) Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will pay and discharge all Taxes imposed upon it or its assets within the time period allowed without incurring penalties unless and only to the extent that:

 

(i) such payment is being contested in good faith;

 

(ii) adequate reserves are maintained for those Taxes and the costs required to contest them and both have been disclosed in its latest financial statements delivered to the Facility Agent under Clause 20.2 (Financial statements); and

 

(iii) such payment can be lawfully withheld and failure to pay those Taxes does not have or is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) No Obligor shall change its residence for Tax purposes.

 

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21.8 Overseas companies

 

Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will, promptly inform the Facility Agent if it delivers to the Registrar particulars required under the Overseas Regulations of any UK Establishment and it shall comply with any directions given to it by the Facility Agent regarding the recording of any Transaction Security on the register which it is required to maintain under The Overseas Companies (Execution of Documents and Registration of Charges) Regulations 2009.

 

21.9 No change to centre of main interests

 

No Obligor shall, and shall procure that no Transaction Obligor (excluding the Collateral Shareholder) will change the location of its centre of main interest (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) from that stated in relation to it in Clause 18.30 (Centre of main interests and establishments) and it will create no "establishment" (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulation) in any other jurisdiction.

 

21.10 Pari passu ranking

 

Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will, ensure that at all times any unsecured and unsubordinated claims of a Finance Party against it under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors except those creditors whose claims are mandatorily preferred by laws of general application to companies.

 

21.11 Title

 

(a) Borrower A shall hold the legal title to, and own the entire beneficial interest in Ship A, its Earnings and its Insurances.

 

(b) Borrower B shall hold the legal title to, and own the entire beneficial interest in Ship B, its Earnings and its Insurances.

 

(c) Each Obligor shall hold the legal title to, and own the entire beneficial interest in with effect on and from its creation or intended creation, any assets the subject of any Transaction Security created or intended to be created by that Obligor.

 

21.12 Negative pledge

 

(a) No Obligor shall, and the Obligors shall procure that no other Transaction Obligor will, create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its assets which are, in the case of a Transaction Obligor other than a Borrower, the subject of the Security created or intended to be created by the Finance Documents.

 

(b) No Borrower shall:

 

(i) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired by a Transaction Obligor or any other member of the Group;

 

(ii) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;

 

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(iii) enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or

 

(iv) enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,

 

in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.

 

(c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) above do not apply to any Permitted Security.

 

21.13 Disposals

 

(a) No Obligor shall, enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions (whether related or not) and whether voluntary or involuntary to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of:

 

(i) in the case of a Borrower, any asset (including without limitation its Ship, its Earnings or its Insurances); and

 

(ii) in the case of the Guarantor, all or substantially all of its assets.

 

(b) Paragraph (a) above does not apply to:

 

(i) any Charter as all Charters are subject to Clause 23.15 (Restrictions on chartering, appointment of managers etc.); and

 

(ii) a sale of a Ship provided that the Borrowers comply with the prepayment obligations in Clause 7 (Prepayment and Cancellation).

 

21.14 Merger

 

No Obligor shall, and the Obligors shall procure that no other Transaction Obligor will, enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction other than an amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction of the Guarantor under which the Guarantor is the surviving entity.

 

21.15 Change of business

 

(a) The Guarantor shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Guarantor from that carried on at the date of this Agreement of the holding of single purpose ship owning subsidiaries and arrangement of acquisition, financing and the operation of vessels on behalf of these single purpose ship owning subsidiaries.

 

(b) No Borrower shall engage in any business other than the ownership and operation of its Ship.

 

21.16 Financial Indebtedness

 

No Borrower shall incur or permit to be outstanding any Financial Indebtedness except Permitted Financial Indebtedness.

 

21.17 Expenditure

 

No Borrower shall incur any expenditure, except for expenditure reasonably incurred in the ordinary course of owning, operating, maintaining and repairing its Ship.

 

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21.18 Share capital

 

No Borrower shall:

 

(a) purchase, cancel or redeem any of its issued shares;

 

(b) increase or reduce the number of its authorised shares, change the par value of such shares or create any new class of shares;

 

(c) issue any further shares except to the Guarantor and provided such new shares are made subject to the terms of the Shares Security immediately upon the issue of such new shares in a manner satisfactory to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the terms of the Shares Security are complied with;

 

(d) appoint any further director or officer (unless the provisions of the Shares Security are complied with).

 

21.19 Dividends and other distributions

 

No Obligor shall, following the occurrence of:

 

(a) in the case of a Borrower, any Event of Default; and

 

(b) in the case of the Guarantor, an Event of Default under Clause 26.2 (Non-payment), 26.6 (Cross Default), 26.7 (Insolvency), 26.8 (Insolvency Proceedings) or 26.10 (Ownership of the Obligors),

 

and whilst the same is continuing or where any of the following would result in the occurrence of an Event of Default:

 

(i) declare, make or pay any dividend, charge, fee or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend or other distribution) (whether in cash or in kind) on or in respect of its shares (or any class of its shares);

 

(ii) repay or distribute any dividend or share premium reserve; or

 

(iii) redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or repay any of its shares or resolve to do so.

 

21.20 Other transactions

 

No Borrower shall:

 

(a) be the creditor in respect of any loan or any form of credit to any person other than another Transaction Obligor and where such loan or form of credit is Permitted Financial Indebtedness;

 

(b) give or allow to be outstanding any guarantee or indemnity to or for the benefit of any person in respect of any obligation of any other person or enter into any document under which that Borrower assumes any liability of any other person other than any guarantee or indemnity given

 

(i) under the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii) in the ordinary course of its business;

 

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(c) enter into any material agreement other than:

 

(i) the Transaction Documents;

 

(ii) any other agreement expressly allowed under any other term of this Agreement;

 

(d) enter into any transaction on terms which are, in any respect, less favourable to that Borrower than those which it could obtain in a bargain made at arms' length; or

 

(e) acquire any shares or other securities other than US or UK Treasury bills and certificates of deposit issued by major North American or European banks.

 

21.21 Unlawfulness, invalidity and ranking; Security imperilled

 

No Obligor shall, and the Obligors shall procure that no other Transaction Obligor will, do (or fail to do) anything which is likely to:

 

(a) make it unlawful for a Transaction Obligor to perform any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b) cause any obligation of a Transaction Obligor under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party to cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable;

 

(c) cause any Transaction Document to which it is a party to cease to be in full force and effect;

 

(d) cause any Transaction Security to which it is a party to rank after, or lose its priority to, any other Security; and

 

(e) imperil or jeopardise the Transaction Security.

 

21.22 No Subsidiaries

 

No Borrower shall form or acquire any Subsidiaries.

 

21.23 Employees and ERISA Compliance

 

No Borrower shall employ any individual nor sponsor, maintain or become obligated to contribute to any Plan. However, without prejudice to the foregoing, each Borrower shall provide prompt written notice to the Facility Agent in the event that that Borrower becomes aware that it has incurred or is reasonably likely to incur any liability with respect to any Plan, that, individually or in the aggregate with any other such liability, would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.24 Books and records

 

Each Borrower will keep proper books of record and account which will be accurate in all material respects and in which full, true and correct entries in accordance with GAAP will be made of all dealings or transactions in relation to its business and activities.

 

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21.25 Further assurance

 

(a) Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will, promptly, and in any event within the time period specified by the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent which is acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) do all such acts (including procuring or arranging any registration, notarisation or authentication or the giving of any notice) or execute or procure execution of all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices, instructions, acknowledgments, proxies and powers of attorney), as the Security Agent may specify acting reasonably (and in such form as the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent which is acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) may require in favour of the Security Agent or its nominee(s)):

 

(i) to create, perfect, vest in favour of the Security Agent or protect the priority of the Security or any right of any kind created or intended to be created under or evidenced by the Finance Documents (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other Security over all or any of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of any of the Secured Parties provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

 

(ii) to confer on the Security Agent or confer on the Secured Parties Security over any property and assets of that Transaction Obligor located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Finance Documents;

 

(iii) to facilitate or expedite the realisation and/or sale of, the transfer of title to or the grant of, any interest in or right relating to the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security or to exercise any power specified in any Finance Document in respect of which the Security has become enforceable; and/or

 

(iv) to enable or assist the Security Agent to enter into any transaction to commence, defend or conduct any proceedings and/or to take any other action relating to any item of the Security Property.

 

(b) Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each other Transaction Obligor will, take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation, perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security conferred or intended to be conferred on the Security Agent or the Secured Parties by or pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

(c) At the same time as an Obligor delivers to the Security Agent any document executed by itself or another Transaction Obligor pursuant to this Clause 21.25 (Further assurance), that Obligor shall deliver, or shall procure that such other Transaction Obligor will deliver, to the Security Agent reasonable evidence that that Obligor's or Transaction Obligor's execution of such document has been duly authorised by it.

 

22 Insurance Undertakings

 

22.1 General

 

The undertakings in this Clause 22 (Insurance Undertakings) remain in force on and from the Utilisation Date and throughout the rest of the Security Period except as the Facility Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders) may otherwise permit.

 

22.2 Maintenance of obligatory insurances

 

Each Borrower shall keep its Ship insured at its expense against:

 

(d) fire and usual marine risks (including hull and machinery and excess risks);

 

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(a) war risks (including the London Blocking and Trapping addendum or its equivalent);

 

(b) protection and indemnity risks (including liability for oil pollution for an amount of no less than $1,000,000,000 and excess war risk P&I cover) on standard Club Rules, covered by a Protection and Indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Associations (or, if the International Group ceases to exist, any other leading protection and indemnity association or other leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance) (including, without limitation, the proportion (if any) of any collision liability not covered under the terms of the hull cover); and

 

(c) any other risks against which the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders considers, having regard to practices and other circumstances prevailing at the relevant time, it would be reasonable for that Borrower to insure and which are specified by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) by notice to the Borrowers.

 

22.3 Terms of obligatory insurances

 

Each Borrower shall effect such insurances:

 

(a) in dollars;

 

(b) in the case of fire and usual marine risks and war risks, in an amount on an agreed value basis at least the greater of:

 

(i) 120 per cent. of the Tranche relating to the Ship owned by it; and

 

(ii) the Market Value of its Ship;

 

(c) in the case of oil pollution liability risks, for an aggregate amount equal to the highest level of cover from time to time available under basic protection and indemnity club entry and in the international marine insurance market (such amount currently being $1,000,000,000);

 

(d) in the case of protection and indemnity risks, in respect of the full tonnage of its Ship;

 

(e) on approved terms; and

 

(f) through Approved Brokers and with approved insurance companies and/or underwriters or, in the case of war risks and protection and indemnity risks, in approved war risks and protection and indemnity risks associations.

 

22.4 Further protections for the Finance Parties

 

In addition to the terms set out in Clause 22.3 (Terms of obligatory insurances), each Borrower shall procure that the obligatory insurances shall:

 

(a) subject always to paragraph (b), name the relevant Borrower as the sole named insured unless the interest of every other named insured is limited:

 

(i) in respect of any obligatory insurances for hull and machinery and war risks;

 

(A) to any provable out-of-pocket expenses that it has incurred and which form part of any recoverable claim on underwriters; and

 

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(B) to any third party liability claims where cover for such claims is provided by the policy (and then only in respect of discharge of any claims made against it); and

 

(ii) in respect of any obligatory insurances for protection and indemnity risks, to any recoveries it is entitled to make by way of reimbursement following discharge of any third party liability claims made specifically against it;

 

and every other named insured has undertaken in writing to the Security Agent (in such form as it requires acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) that any deductible shall be apportioned between the relevant Borrower and every other named insured in proportion to the gross claims made or paid by each of them and that it shall do all things necessary and provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Security Agent to collect or recover any moneys which at any time become payable in respect of the obligatory insurances;

 

(b) whenever the Facility Agent requires (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), name (or be amended to name) the Security Agent as additional named insured for its rights and interests, warranted no operational interest and with full waiver of rights of subrogation against the Security Agent, but without the Security Agent being liable to pay (but having the right to pay) premiums, calls or other assessments in respect of such insurance;

 

(c) name the Security Agent as loss payee with such directions for payment as the Facility Agent may specify (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders);

 

(d) provide that all payments by or on behalf of the insurers under the obligatory insurances to the Security Agent shall be made without set off, counterclaim or deductions or condition whatsoever;

 

(e) provide that the obligatory insurances shall be primary without right of contribution from other insurances which may be carried by the Security Agent or any other Finance Party; and

 

(f) provide that the Security Agent may make proof of loss if the relevant Borrower fails to do so.

 

22.5 Renewal of obligatory insurances

 

Each Borrower shall, in respect of the Ship owned by it:

 

(a) at least 21 days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance effected by it:

 

(i) notify the Facility Agent of the Approved Brokers (or other insurers) and any protection and indemnity or war risks association through or with which that Borrower proposes to renew that obligatory insurance and of the proposed terms of renewal; and

 

(ii) obtain the Facility Agents' approval (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) to the matters referred to in sub-paragraph (i) above;

 

(b) at least 14 days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance, renew that obligatory insurance in accordance with the Facility Agent's approval pursuant to paragraph (a) above; and

 

(c) procure that the Approved Brokers and/or the approved war risks and protection and indemnity associations with which such a renewal is effected shall promptly after the renewal notify the Facility Agent in writing of the terms and conditions of the renewal.

 

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22.6 Copies of policies; letters of undertaking

 

Each Borrower shall, in respect of the Ship owned by it, ensure that the Approved Brokers provide the Security Agent with:

 

(a) pro forma copies of all policies relating to the obligatory insurances which they are to effect or renew; and

 

(b) a letter or letters or undertaking in a form required by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and including undertakings by the Approved Brokers that:

 

(i) they will have endorsed on each policy, immediately upon issue, a loss payable clause and a notice of assignment complying with the provisions of Clause 22.4 (Further protections for the Finance Parties);

 

(ii) they will hold such policies, and the benefit of such insurances, to the order of the Security Agent in accordance with such loss payable clause;

 

(iii) they will advise the Security Agent immediately of any material change to the terms of the obligatory insurances;

 

(iv) they will, if they have not received notice of renewal instructions from that Borrower or its agents, notify the Security Agent not less than 14 days before the expiry of the obligatory insurances;

 

(v) if they receive instructions to renew the obligatory insurances, they will promptly notify the Facility Agent of the terms of the instructions;

 

(vi) they will not set off against any sum recoverable in respect of a claim relating to the Ship owned by that Borrower under such obligatory insurances any premiums or other amounts due to them or any other person whether in respect of that Ship 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

 

(vii) they will arrange for a separate policy to be issued in respect of the Ship owned by that Borrower forthwith upon being so requested by the Facility Agent.

 

22.7 Copies of certificates of entry

 

Each Borrower shall, in respect of the Ship owned by it, ensure that any protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations in which its Ship is entered provide the Security Agent with:

 

(a) a certified copy of the certificate of entry for that Ship;

 

(b) a letter or letters of undertaking in such form as may be required by the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of Majority Lenders; 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 its Ship.

 

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22.8 Deposit of original policies

 

Each Borrower shall ensure that all policies relating to obligatory insurances effected by it are deposited with the Approved Brokers through which the insurances are effected or renewed.

 

22.9 Payment of premiums

 

Each Borrower shall punctually pay all premiums or other sums payable in respect of the obligatory insurances effected by it and produce all relevant receipts when so required by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) or the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

22.10 Guarantees

 

Each Borrower shall ensure that any guarantees required by a protection and indemnity or war risks association are promptly issued and remain in full force and effect.

 

22.11 Compliance with terms of insurances

 

(a) No Borrower shall do nor omit to do (nor permit to be done or not to be done) any act or thing which would or might render any obligatory insurance invalid, void, voidable or unenforceable or render any sum payable under an obligatory insurance repayable in whole or in part.

 

(b) Without limiting paragraph (a) above, each Borrower shall:

 

(i) 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 sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph (b) of Clause 22.6 (Copies of policies; letters of undertaking)) ensure that the obligatory insurances are not made subject to any exclusions or qualifications to which the Facility Agent has not given its prior approval (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders);

 

(ii) not make any changes relating to the classification or classification society or manager or operator of the Ship owned by it approved by the underwriters of the obligatory insurances;

 

(iii) make (and promptly supply copies to the Facility Agent of) all quarterly or other voyage declarations which may be required by the protection and indemnity risks association in which the Ship 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); and

 

(iv) not employ the Ship 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 insurers and complying with any requirements (as to extra premium or otherwise) which the insurers specify.

 

22.12 Alteration to terms of insurances

 

No Borrower shall make or agree to any alteration to the terms of any obligatory insurance or waive any right relating to any obligatory insurance.

 

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22.13 Settlement of claims

 

Each Borrower shall, in respect of the Ship owned by it:

 

(a) not settle, compromise or abandon any claim under any obligatory insurance for Total Loss or for a Major Casualty; and

 

(b) do all things necessary and provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Security Agent to collect or recover any moneys which at any time become payable in respect of the obligatory insurances.

 

22.14 Provision of copies of communications

 

Each Borrower shall, in respect of the Ship owned by it, provide the Security Agent, at the time of each such communication, with copies of all written communications other than (unless specifically required by the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent which is acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders)) communications of an entirely routine nature between the relevant Borrower and:

 

(a) the Approved Brokers;

 

(b) the approved protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations; and

 

(c) the approved insurance companies and/or underwriters,

 

which relate directly or indirectly to:

 

(i) that Borrower's obligations relating to the obligatory insurances including, without limitation, all requisite declarations and payments of additional premiums or calls; and

 

(ii) any credit arrangements made between that Borrower and any of the persons referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above relating wholly or partly to the effecting or maintenance of the obligatory insurances.

 

22.15 Provision of information

 

Each Borrower shall, in respect of the Ship owned by it, promptly provide the Facility Agent (or any persons which it may designate) with any information which the Facility Agent (or any such designated person) requests (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) 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 any such insurances as are referred to in Clause 22.16 (Mortgagee's interest and additional perils insurances) or dealing with or considering any matters relating to any such insurances,

 

and each Borrower shall, forthwith upon demand, indemnify the Facility Agent in respect of all fees and other expenses incurred by or for the account of the Facility Agent in connection with any such report as is referred to in paragraph (a) above once in each 12-months period (starting on the Utilisation Date) and at any time when an Event of Default has occurred.

 

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22.16 Mortgagee's interest and additional perils insurances

 

(a) The Security Agent shall be entitled from time to time to effect, maintain and renew a mortgagee's interest marine insurance and a mortgagee's interest additional perils insurance each in an amount of up to 120 per cent. of the Loan, on such terms, through such insurers and generally in such manner as the Security Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders may from time to time consider appropriate.

 

(b) Each Borrower shall upon demand fully indemnify the Security Agent in respect of all premiums and other expenses which are incurred in connection with or with a view to effecting, maintaining or renewing any insurance referred to in paragraph (a) above or dealing with, or considering, any matter arising out of any such insurance.

 

23 Ship Undertakings

 

23.1 General

 

The undertakings in this Clause 23 (Ship Undertakings) remain in force on and from the Utilisation Date and throughout the rest of the Security Period except as the Facility Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders) may otherwise permit (which authorisation no Lender shall unreasonably withhold in relation to paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Clause 23.15 (Restrictions on chartering, appointment of managers etc.)).

 

23.2 Ship's names and registration

 

Each Borrower shall, in respect of the Ship owned by it:

 

(a) keep that Ship registered in its name under the Approved Flag from time to time at its port of registration;

 

(b) not do or allow to be done anything as a result of which such registration might be suspended, cancelled or imperilled;

 

(c) not enter into any dual flagging arrangement in respect of that Ship;

 

(d) not change the name of that Ship,

 

provided that any change of flag of a Ship shall be subject to:

 

(i) that Ship remaining subject to Security securing the Secured Liabilities created by a first priority or preferred ship mortgage on that Ship and, if appropriate, a first priority deed of covenant collateral to that mortgage (or equivalent first priority Security) on substantially the same terms as the Mortgage and on such other terms and in such other form as the Facility Agent, acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders, shall approve or require; and

 

(ii) the execution of such other documentation amending and supplementing the Finance Documents as the Facility Agent, acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders, shall approve or require.

 

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23.3 Repair and classification

 

Each Borrower shall keep the Ship in a good and safe condition and state of repair:

 

(a) consistent with first class ship ownership and management practice; and

 

(b) so as to maintain the Approved Classification free of overdue recommendations and conditions with the Approved Classification Society.

 

23.4 Modifications

 

No Borrower shall make any modification or repairs to, or replacement of, any Ship or equipment installed on it which would or might materially alter the structure, type or performance characteristics of that Ship or materially reduce its value.

 

23.5 Removal and installation of parts

 

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) below, no Borrower shall remove any material part of any Ship, or any item of equipment installed on any Ship unless:

 

(i) the part or item so removed is forthwith replaced by a suitable part or item which is in the same condition as or better condition than the part or item removed;

 

(ii) the replacement part or item is free from any Security in favour of any person other than the Security Agent; and

 

(iii) the replacement part or item becomes, on installation on that Ship, the property of the relevant Borrower owning that Ship and subject to the security constituted by the Mortgage.

 

(b) A Borrower may install equipment owned by a third party if the equipment can be removed without any risk of damage to the Ship owned by that Borrower.

 

23.6 Surveys

 

Each Borrower shall submit the Ship owned by it regularly to all periodic or other surveys which may be required for classification purposes and, if so required by the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders, provide the Facility Agent, with copies of all survey reports.

 

23.7 Inspection

 

Each Borrower shall permit the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent which is acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) (acting through surveyors or other persons appointed by it for that purpose) to board its Ship at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice and without interfering with that Ship's normal course of trading to inspect its condition or to satisfy themselves about proposed or executed repairs and shall afford all proper facilities for such inspections. Each Borrower will be liable for the costs of the inspection for the Ship owned by it once in each 12-month period (starting on the Utilisation Date) and at any time when an Event of Default has occurred.

 

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23.8 Prevention of and release from arrest

 

(a) Each Borrower shall, in respect of the Ship owned by it, promptly discharge:

 

(i) all liabilities which give or may give rise to maritime or possessory liens on or claims enforceable against that Ship, its Earnings or its Insurances;

 

(ii) all Taxes, dues and other amounts charged in respect of that Ship, its Earnings or its Insurances; and

 

(iii) all other outgoings whatsoever in respect of that Ship, its Earnings or its Insurances.

 

(b) Each Borrower shall immediately upon receiving notice of the arrest of its Ship or of its detention in exercise or purported exercise of any lien or claim, take all steps necessary to procure its release by providing bail or otherwise as the circumstances may require.

 

23.9 Compliance with laws etc.

 

Each Borrower shall:

 

(a) comply, or procure compliance with all laws or regulations:

 

(i) relating to its business generally; and

 

(ii) relating to the Ship owned by it, its ownership, employment, operation, management and registration,

 

including, but not limited to, the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, all Environmental Laws, all Sanctions and the laws of the Approved Flag of the Ship owned by it;

 

(b) obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect any Environmental Approvals; and

 

(c) without limiting paragraph (a) above, not employ the Ship owned by it nor allow its employment, operation or management in any manner contrary to any law or regulation including but not limited to the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, all Environmental Laws and all Sanctions (or which would be contrary to Sanctions if Sanctions were binding on each Transaction Obligor).

 

23.10 ISPS Code

 

Without limiting paragraph (a) of Clause 23.9 (Compliance with laws etc.), each Borrower shall:

 

(a) procure that the Ship owned by it and the company responsible for that Ship's compliance with the ISPS Code comply with the ISPS Code; and

 

(b) maintain an ISSC for that Ship; and

 

(c) notify the Facility Agent immediately in writing of any actual or threatened withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of the ISSC in respect of that Ship.

 

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23.11 Sanctions and Ship trading

 

Without limiting Clause 23.9 (Compliance with laws etc.), each Borrower shall procure:

 

(a) that the Ship owned by it shall not be used by or for the benefit of a Prohibited Person;

 

(b) that such Ship shall not be used in trading in any manner contrary to Sanctions (or which could be contrary to Sanctions if Sanctions were binding on each Obligor);

 

(c) that such Ship shall not be traded in any manner which would trigger the operation of any sanctions limitation or exclusion clause (or similar) in the Insurances; and

 

(d) that each charterparty in respect of that Ship shall contain, for the benefit of the relevant Borrower owning that Ship, language which gives effect to the provisions of paragraph (c) of Clause 23.9 (Compliance with laws etc.) as regards Sanctions and of this Clause 23.11 (Sanctions and Ship trading) and which permits refusal of employment or voyage orders if compliance would result in a breach of Sanctions (or which would result in a breach of Sanctions if Sanctions were binding on each Obligor).

 

23.12 Trading in war zones

 

In the event of hostilities in any part of the world (whether war is declared or not), no Borrower shall cause or permit any Ship to enter or trade to any zone which is declared a war zone by any government or by that Ship's war risks insurers unless:

 

(a) the prior written consent of the Security Agent acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent which is acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders has been given; and

 

(b) the relevant Borrower has (at its expense) effected any special, additional or modified insurance cover which the Security Agent acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent which is acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders may require.

 

23.13 Provision of information

 

Without prejudice to Clause 20.5 (Information: miscellaneous) the Borrower shall promptly provide the Facility Agent with any information which it requests (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) regarding:

 

(a) that Ship, its employment, position and engagements;

 

(b) its Earnings and payments and amounts due to its master and crew;

 

(c) any expenditure incurred, or likely to be incurred, in connection with the operation, maintenance or repair of that Ship and any payments made by it in respect of that Ship;

 

(d) any towages and salvages; and

 

(e) its compliance, each Approved Manager's compliance and the compliance of that Ship with the ISM Code and the ISPS Code,

 

and, upon the Facility Agent's request (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), promptly provide copies of any current Charter relating to that Ship, of any current guarantee of any such Charter, the relevant Ship's Safety Management Certificate and any relevant Document of Compliance.

 

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23.14 Notification of certain events

 

Each Borrower shall immediately notify the Facility Agent by fax or, subject to Clause 36.5 (Electronic communication), by electronic mail, confirmed forthwith by letter, of:

 

(a) any casualty to that Ship which is or is likely to be or to become a Major Casualty;

 

(b) any occurrence as a result of which that Ship has become or is, by the passing of time or otherwise, likely to become a Total Loss;

 

(c) any requisition of that Ship for hire;

 

(d) any requirement or recommendation made in relation to its Ship by any insurer or classification society or by any competent authority which is not immediately complied with;

 

(e) any arrest or detention of that Ship or any exercise or purported exercise of any lien on that Ship or its Earnings;

 

(f) any intended dry docking of that Ship;

 

(g) any Environmental Claim made against that Borrower or in connection with that Ship, or any Environmental Incident;

 

(h) any claim for breach of the ISM Code or the ISPS Code being made against that Borrower, an Approved Manager or otherwise in connection with that Ship; or

 

(i) any other matter, event or incident, actual or threatened, the effect of which will or could lead to the ISM Code or the ISPS Code not being complied with,

 

and each Borrower shall keep the Facility Agent advised in writing on a regular basis and in such detail as the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) shall require as to that Borrower's, any such Approved Manager's or any other person's response to any of those events or matters.

 

23.15 Restrictions on chartering, appointment of managers etc.

 

No Borrower shall:

 

(a) let its Ship on demise charter for any period;

 

(b) enter into any time, voyage or consecutive voyage charter in respect of that Ship other than a Permitted Charter;

 

(c) terminate or materially amend or supplement a Management Agreement unless, in the case of termination, such Management Agreement is immediately replaced by another Management Agreement acceptable to the Facility Agent with an Approved Manager and such Approved Manager provides a Manager’s Undertaking;

 

(d) appoint a manager of that Ship other than an Approved Commercial Manager or an Approved Technical Manager or agree to any alteration to the terms of an Approved Manager's appointment;

 

(e) de activate or lay up that Ship; or

 

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(f) put its Ship into the possession of any person for the purpose of work being done upon it in an amount exceeding or likely to exceed $1,500,000 (or the equivalent in any other currency) unless that person has first given to the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and in terms satisfactory to it (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent which is acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) a written undertaking not to exercise any lien on its Ship or its Earnings for the cost of such work or for any other reason, provided that this paragraph (f) of Clause 23.15 (Restrictions on chartering, appointment of managers, etc.) will not apply in connection with the retrofitting of the Ship for the purpose of installing scrubbers or any other exhaust gas cleaning or ballast water treatment system subject to the relevant Borrower providing to the Facility Agent no less than 5 Business Days prior notice.

 

23.16 Notice of Mortgage

 

Each Borrower shall keep the Mortgage registered against its Ship as a valid first priority or preferred mortgage (as applicable), carry on board its Ship a certified copy of that Mortgage and place and maintain in a conspicuous place in the navigation room and the master's cabin of its Ship a framed printed notice stating that its Ship is mortgaged by the relevant Borrower to the Security Agent.

 

23.17 Sharing of Earnings

 

No Borrower enter into any agreement or arrangement for the sharing of any Earnings other than for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

23.18 Charter assignment

 

Provided that all approvals necessary under Clause 23.15 (Restrictions on chartering, appointment of managers etc.) have been previously obtained, each Borrower shall:

 

(a) provide promptly to the Facility Agent a true and complete copy of any Charter exceeding 6 months (including all amendments) and all other documents related thereto for a term which exceeds 13 months (including any optional extensions and any redelivery allowance); and

 

(b) in respect of any Charter for a term which exceeds 13 months (including any optional extensions and any redelivery allowance), execute and deliver to the Facility Agent a Charter Assignment together with each of the documents required to be delivered pursuant to such Charter Assignment (each in the agreed form).

 

23.19 Notification of compliance

 

Each Borrower shall promptly provide the Facility Agent from time to time with evidence (in such form as the Facility Agent requires) (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) that it is complying with this Clause 23 (Ship Undertakings).

 

24 Security Cover

 

24.1 Minimum required security cover

 

(a) Clause 24.2 (Provision of additional security; prepayment) applies if, at any time during the Security Period, the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) notifies the Borrowers that:

 

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(i) the aggregate Market Value of the Ships; plus

 

(ii) the aggregate of the credit balances held on the Earnings Accounts; plus

 

(iii) the net realisable value of additional Security previously provided under this Clause 24 (Security Cover);

 

is below the Relevant Percentage of the Loan.

 

(b) Compliance with this Clause 24 (Security Cover) will be tested on a quarterly basis throughout the Security Period and shall be evidenced by a Compliance Certificate (commencing with the financial quarter ending on 30 September 2020).

 

(c) In this Clause 24 (Security Cover):

 

"Relevant Percentage" means during the period commencing:

 

(i) on the Utilisation Date and ending on the date falling 18 months thereafter (inclusive) (the "First Date"), 110 per cent. of the Loan;

 

(ii) one day after the First Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Utilisation Date (inclusive) (the "Second Date"), 115 per cent. of the Loan;

 

(iii) one day after the Second Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Utilisation Date (inclusive), 120 per cent. of the Loan; and

 

(iv) at all other times thereafter, 130 per cent. of the Loan.

 

24.2 Provision of additional security; prepayment

 

(a) If the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) serves a notice on the Borrowers under Clause 24.1 (Minimum required security cover), the Borrowers shall, on or before the date falling 20 Business Days after the date (the "Prepayment Date") on which the Facility Agent's notice is served, prepay such part of the Loan as shall eliminate the shortfall.

 

(b) A Borrower may, instead of making a prepayment as described in paragraph (a) above, provide, or ensure that a third party has provided, additional security which, in the opinion of the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders:

 

(i) has a net realisable value at least equal to the shortfall; and

 

(ii) is documented in such terms as the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) may approve or require,

 

before the Prepayment Date; and conditional upon such security being provided in such manner, it shall satisfy such prepayment obligation.

 

24.3 Value of additional vessel security

 

The net realisable value of any additional security which is provided under Clause 24.2 (Provision of additional security; prepayment) and which consists of Security over a vessel shall be the Market Value of the vessel concerned.

 

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24.4 Valuations binding

 

Any valuation under this Clause 24 (Security Cover) shall be binding and conclusive as regards each Borrower.

 

24.5 Provision of information

 

(a) Each Borrower shall promptly provide the Facility Agent and any shipbroker acting under this Clause 24 (Security Cover) with any information which the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) or the shipbroker may request for the purposes of the valuation.

 

(b) If a Borrower fails to provide the information referred to in paragraph (a) above by the date specified in the request, the valuation may be made on any basis and assumptions which the shipbroker or the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) considers prudent.

 

24.6 Prepayment mechanism

 

Any prepayment pursuant to Clause 24.2 (Provision of additional security; prepayment) shall be made in accordance with the relevant provisions of Clause 7 (Prepayment and Cancellation) and shall be treated as a voluntary prepayment pursuant to Clause 7.3 (Voluntary prepayment of Loan).

 

24.7 Provision of valuations

 

(a) The Borrowers shall provide to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders):

 

(i) on a quarterly basis; and

 

(ii) as at the date on which a Ship is to be sold or has become a Total Loss,

 

one valuation of the Ship owned by it and any other vessel over which additional Security has been created in accordance with Clause 24.2 (Provision of additional security; prepayment), from one Approved Valuers selected and appointed by the Borrowers showing:

 

(A) the Market Value of each Ship for the purposes of Clause 24.1 (Minimum required security cover); and

 

(B) the Market Value of any other vessel over which additional Security has been created in accordance with Clause 24.3 (Value of additional vessel security), in order to enable it to determine the Market Value of those other vessels.

 

Provided that, if the Facility Agent does not agree with the Market Value of that Ship determined by such sole valuation, it may obtain a second valuation of that Ship or any other vessel over which additional Security has been created in accordance with Clause 24.2 (Provision of additional security; prepayment), from one Approved Valuer selected and appointed by the Facility Agent and the Market Value of that Ship or such other vessel shall be the arithmetic mean of such two valuations, (with the arithmetic mean of any range to apply, if an Approved Valuer gives a range).

 

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(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Facility Agent shall be entitled to obtain (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) at any time at that Borrowers' expense valuations of that Ship and any other vessel over which additional Security has been created in accordance with Clause 24.2 (Provision of additional security; prepayment), from Approved Valuers selected by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), showing the Market Value of that Ship and each such vessel (which Market Value shall be notified to the Facility Agent in writing).

 

25 Earnings Account and Application of Earnings

 

25.1 Earnings Account

 

No Borrower may, without the prior consent of the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), maintain any bank account other than its Earnings Account.

 

25.2 Payment of Earnings

 

Each Borrower shall ensure that, subject only to the provisions of the General Assignment to which it is a party, all the Earnings in respect of its Ship are paid in to its Earnings Account.

 

25.3 Application of Earnings

 

(a) Each Borrower shall transfer from its Earnings Account to the Facility Agent:

 

(i) on each Repayment Date, the amount of the Repayment Instalment then due on that Repayment Date; and

 

(ii) on the last day of each Interest Period, the amount of interest then due on that date; and

 

(iii) on any day on which an amount is otherwise due from the Borrowers under a Finance Document, an amount necessary to meet that due amount,

 

and each Borrower irrevocably authorizes the Facility Agent to apply the transferred amounts in payment of the relevant Repayment Instalment, interest amount or other amount due.

 

(b) Any balance on the Earnings Accounts after the application of the transferred amounts pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall be available to the Borrowers, unless there is an Event of Default which is continuing or unless an Event of Default would result from the withdrawal of any such balance (or any part thereof) from that Earnings Account.

 

25.4 Shortfall in Earnings

 

If the credit balance on an Earnings Account is insufficient for the required amount to be transferred under Clause 25.3 (Application of Earnings), the Borrowers shall make up the amount of the insufficiency.

 

25.5 Application of funds

 

Until an Event of Default occurs, the Facility Agent shall on each Repayment Date and on each Interest Payment Date distribute to the Finance Parties in accordance with Clause 33.2 (Distributions by the Facility Agent) so much of the then balance on the Earnings Accounts as equals:

 

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(a) each Repayment Instalment due on that Repayment Date;

 

(b) the amount of interest payable on that Interest Payment Date; and

 

(c) the amount of any fee specified in a Fee Letter on its relevant due date,

 

in discharge of the Borrowers' liability for that Repayment Instalment, that interest or that fee.

 

25.6 Location of Earnings Account

 

Each Borrower shall promptly:

 

(a) comply with any requirement of the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) as to the location or relocation of the Earnings Account; and

 

(b) execute any documents which the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) specifies to create or maintain in favour of the Security Agent, Security over (and/or rights of set-off, consolidation or other rights in relation to) the Earnings Account.

 

26 Events of Default

 

26.1 General

 

Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 26 (Events of Default) is an Event of Default except for Clause 26.20 (Acceleration) and Clause 26.21 (Enforcement of security).

 

26.2 Non-payment

 

A Transaction Obligor does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:

 

(a) its failure to pay is caused by:

 

(i) administrative or technical error; or

 

(ii) a Disruption Event; and

 

(b) payment is made within 3 Business Days of its due date.

 

26.3 Specific obligations

 

A breach occurs of Clause 4.4 (Waiver of conditions precedent), Clause 19 (Financial Covenants), Clause 21.11 (Title), Clause 21.12 (Negative pledge), Clause 21.21 (Unlawfulness, invalidity and ranking; Security imperilled), Clause 22.2 (Maintenance of obligatory insurances), Clause 22.3 (Terms of obligatory insurances), Clause 22.5 (Renewal of obligatory insurances), Clause 23.3 (Repair and classification) or Clause 23.11 (Sanctions and Ship Trading).

 

26.4 Other obligations

 

(a) A Transaction Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in Clause 26.2 (Non-payment) and Clause 26.3 (Specific obligations)).

 

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(b) No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within 10 Business Days of the Facility Agent giving notice to the Borrowers or (if earlier) any Transaction Obligor becoming aware of the failure to comply.

 

26.5 Misrepresentation

 

Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by a Transaction Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Transaction Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been materially incorrect or misleading when made or deemed to be made.

 

26.6 Cross default

 

(a) Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period.

 

(b) Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

(c) Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of any Obligor as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

(d) Any creditor of any Obligor becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

(e) No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 26.6 (Cross default) in respect of the Guarantor if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within paragraphs (a) to (d) above is less than $5,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate.

 

26.7 Insolvency

 

(a) A Transaction Obligor:

 

(i) is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due;

 

(ii) is deemed to, or is declared to, be unable to pay its debts under applicable law;

 

(iii) suspends or threatens to suspend making payments on any of its debts; or

 

(iv) obtains or receives a deferral or suspension of payments, a rescheduling or re-organisation of debt (or certain debt) or an arrangement with all or a substantial proportion (by number or value) of creditors or of any class of them in respect of such deferral, suspension, rescheduling or re-organisation, strictly by court order or by the filing of documents with a court.

 

(b) A moratorium is officially declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Transaction Obligor.

 

Provided however that:

 

(A) should a Transaction Obligor, by any reason, including without limitation, any actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors (including any Finance Party in its capacity as such) with a view to rescheduling, deferring, re-organising or suspending, any of its indebtedness, the existence of such negotiations or the entry, as a result of such negotiations, into any agreement or contract with one or more creditors (including any Finance Party in its capacity as such) setting out the terms of any such rescheduling, deferral, reorganisation or suspension of its indebtedness, shall not in itself constitute an Event of Default; and

 

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(B) no Event of Default will occur under this Clause 26.7 (Insolvency) if any of the events described in paragraphs (a)-(b) above occurs in respect of an Approved Manager which is a member of the Group and the relevant Borrower replaces such Approved Manager by another Approved Manager and delivers to the Facility Agent (in form and substance satisfactory to the Majority Lenders) the documents referred to at paragraph 4.3 of Part B (Conditions Precedent to Utilisation) of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) within 7 Business Days from the date of such occurrence.

 

26.8 Insolvency proceedings

 

(a) Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to:

 

(i) the suspension of payments, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Transaction Obligor;

 

(ii) a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of any Transaction Obligor;

 

(iii) the appointment of a liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a member of the Group which is not a Transaction Obligor), receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Transaction Obligor or any of its assets; or

 

(iv) enforcement of any Security over any assets of any Transaction Obligor,

 

or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

 

(b) Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to any winding-up petition which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within 14 days of commencement.

 

(c) No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 26.8 (Insolvency proceedings) if any of the events described in paragraph (a) above occurs in respect of an Approved Manager which is a member of the Group and the relevant Borrower replaces such Approved Manager by another Approved Manager and delivers to the Facility Agent (in form and substance satisfactory to the Majority Lenders) the documents referred to at paragraph 3.3 of Part B (Conditions Precedent to Utilisation) of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) within 7 Business Days from the date of such occurrence.

 

26.9 Creditors' process

 

Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution (or any analogous process in any jurisdiction) affects any asset or assets of a Transaction Obligor (other than an arrest or detention of a Ship referred to in Clause 26.14 (Arrest)) and is not discharged within 20 days (or such later period agreed by the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders in their absolute discretion).

 

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26.10 Ownership of the Obligors

 

(a) A Borrower is not or ceases to be a 100 per cent. directly or indirectly owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor.

 

(b) Any person or group of persons acting in concert (other than Jelco Delta Holding Corp. and its ultimate beneficial owner) gains control of the Guarantor.

 

(c) For the purpose of paragraph (b) above "control" means:

 

(i) the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, partnership units, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:

 

(A) cast, or control the casting of, more than 50 per cent. of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of the Guarantor; or

 

(B) appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of the Guarantor; or

 

(C) give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of the Guarantor with which the directors or other equivalent officers of the Guarantor are obliged to comply; and/or

 

(ii) the holding beneficially of more than 50 per cent. of the issued shares of the Guarantor (excluding any part of that issued shares that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital).

 

(d) For the purpose of paragraph (b) above "acting in concert" means a group of persons who, pursuant to an agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal), actively co-operate, through the acquisition directly or indirectly of shares in the Guarantor by any of them, either directly or indirectly, to obtain or consolidate control of the Guarantor.

 

26.11 Unlawfulness, invalidity and ranking

 

(a) It is or becomes unlawful for a Transaction Obligor to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

(b) Any obligation of a Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents is not or ceases to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable if that cessation individually or together with any other cessations materially or adversely affects the interests of the Secured Parties under the Finance Documents.

 

(c) Any Finance Document ceases to be in full force and effect or to be continuing or is or purports to be determined or any Transaction Security is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective.

 

(d) Any Transaction Security proves to have ranked after, or loses its priority to, any other Security.

 

26.12 Security imperilled

 

Any Security created or intended to be created by a Finance Document is in any way imperilled or in jeopardy the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) has notified the relevant Transaction Obligor in writing of such matter and the relevant matter has not been remedied within 4 Business Days of the relevant Transaction Obligor being so notified.

 

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26.13 Cessation of business

 

Any Obligor suspends or ceases to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) all or a material part of its business.

 

26.14 Arrest

 

Any arrest of a Ship or, as the case may be, the Collateral Ship, or its detention in the exercise or the purported exercise of any lien or claim unless it is redelivered to the full control of the relevant Borrower or, as the case may be, the Collateral Owner, within 30 days of such arrest or detention.

 

26.15 Expropriation

 

The authority or ability of a Transaction Obligor (excluding the Collateral Shareholder) to conduct its business is limited or wholly or substantially curtailed by any seizure, expropriation, nationalisation, intervention, restriction or other action by or on behalf of any governmental, regulatory or other authority or other person in relation to any Transaction Obligor or any of its assets, unless such Transaction Obligor upon receiving notice of such event procures the release of the relevant assets and such assets are redelivered to the full control of that Transaction Obligor within 21 days of such event, other than:

 

(a) an arrest or detention of a Ship or, as the case may be, the Collateral Ship, referred to in Clause 26.14 (Arrest); or

 

(b) any Requisition.

 

26.16 Repudiation and rescission of agreements

 

A Transaction Obligor (or any other relevant party) rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Transaction Document or any of the Transaction Security or evidences an intention to rescind or repudiate a Transaction Document or any Transaction Security.

 

26.17 Litigation

 

Any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations of, or before, any court, arbitral body or agency are started or threatened, or any judgment or order of a court, arbitral body or agency is made, in relation to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated in any of the Transaction Documents or against any Transaction Obligor or its assets which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Event of Default will occur under this clause in respect of the Guarantor if the monetary value of the subject matter of such litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations is assessable and the combined value thereof does not exceed $5,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate.

 

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26.18 Material adverse change

 

Any event or circumstance occurs which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

26.19 Collateral Events of Default

 

The occurrence of a Collateral Event of Default which is continuing.

 

26.20 Acceleration

 

On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default the Facility Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrowers:

 

(a) cancel the Total Commitments, whereupon they shall immediately be cancelled;

 

(b) declare that all or part of the Loan, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, whereupon it shall become immediately due and payable;

 

(c) declare that all or part of the Loan be payable on demand, whereupon it shall immediately become payable on demand by the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders; and/or

 

(d) exercise or direct the Security Agent to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under the Finance Documents,

 

and the Facility Agent may serve notices under paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above simultaneously or on different dates and the Security Agent may take any action referred to in Clause 26.21 (Enforcement of security) if no such notice is served or simultaneously with or at any time after the service of any of such notice Provided that if no direction is given by the Majority Lenders the Facility Agent shall not be obliged to take any action.

 

26.21 Enforcement of security

 

On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default the Security Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, take any action which, as a result of the Event of Default or any notice served under Clause 26.20 (Acceleration), the Security Agent is entitled to take under any Finance Document or any applicable law or regulation provided that if no direction is given by the Majority Lenders the Facility Agent shall not be obliged to take any action.

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Section 9

Changes to Parties

 

27 Changes to the Lenders

 

27.1 Assignments and transfers by the Lenders

 

Subject to this Clause 27 (Changes to the Lenders), a Lender (the "Existing Lender") may without the consent of any Obligor:

 

(a) assign any of its rights; or

 

(b) transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations,

 

under the Finance Documents to another bank or financial institution or to a trust, fund or other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets or person (the "New Lender").

 

27.2 Conditions of assignment or transfer

 

(a) An Existing Lender shall give to the Obligors no less than 15 days' notice prior to effecting an assignment or transfer unless the assignment or transfer is made at a time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

(b) An assignment will only be effective on:

 

(i) receipt by the Facility Agent (whether in the Assignment Agreement or otherwise) of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the other Secured Parties as it would have been under if it were an Original Lender; and

 

(ii) performance by the Facility Agent of all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Facility Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender.

 

(c) Each Obligor on behalf of itself and each Transaction Obligor agrees that all rights and interests (present, future or contingent) which the Existing Lender has under or by virtue of the Finance Documents are assigned to the New Lender absolutely, free of any defects in the Existing Lender's title and of any rights or equities which any Borrower or any other Transaction Obligor had against the Existing Lender.

 

(d) A transfer will only be effective if the procedure set out in Clause 27.5 (Procedure for transfer) is complied with.

 

(e) If:

 

(i) a Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office; and

 

(ii) as a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer or change occurs, a Transaction Obligor would be obliged to make a payment to the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office under Clause 11 (Tax Gross Up and Indemnities) or under that clause as incorporated by reference or in full in any other Finance Document or Clause 12 (Increased Costs),

 

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then the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive payment under those Clauses to the same extent as the Existing Lender or Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been if the assignment, transfer or change had not occurred. This paragraph (e) shall not apply in respect of an assignment or transfer made in the ordinary course of the primary syndication of the Facility.

 

(f) Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Facility Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the transfer or assignment becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender.

 

27.3 Assignment or transfer fee

 

The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment or transfer takes effect, pay to the Facility Agent (for its own account) a fee of $3,500.

 

27.4 Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders

 

(a) Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for:

 

(i) the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Transaction Documents, the Transaction Security or any other documents;

 

(ii) the financial condition of any Transaction Obligor;

 

(iii) the performance and observance by any Transaction Obligor of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or any other documents; or

 

(iv) the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Transaction Document or any other document,

 

and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.

 

(b) Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties and the Secured Parties that it:

 

(i) has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Transaction Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Transaction Document or the Transaction Security; and

 

(ii) will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Transaction Obligor and its related entities throughout the Security Period.

 

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(c) Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

 

(i) accept a re-transfer or re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred under this Clause 27 (Changes to the Lenders); or

 

(ii) support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Transaction Obligor of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or otherwise.

 

27.5 Procedure for transfer

 

(a) Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 27.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer), a transfer is effected in accordance with paragraph (c) below when the Facility Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Facility Agent shall, subject to paragraph (b) below as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Transfer Certificate appearing on its face to comply with this Agreement and delivered in accordance with this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate.

 

(b) The Facility Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied in its sole discretion that it has complied with all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the transfer to such New Lender.

 

(c) Subject to Clause 27.9 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date:

 

(i) to the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to transfer by novation its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security, each of the Transaction Obligors and the Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security shall be cancelled (being the "Discharged Rights and Obligations");

 

(ii) each of the Transaction Obligors and the New Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as that Transaction Obligor and the New Lender have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of that Transaction Obligor and the Existing Lender;

 

(iii) the Facility Agent, the Security Agent, the New Lender and other Lenders shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves and in respect of the Transaction Security as they would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an Original Lender with the rights and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Facility Agent, the Security Agent and the Existing Lenders shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and

 

(iv) the New Lender shall become a Party as a "Lender".

 

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27.6 Procedure for assignment

 

(a) Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 27.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer) an assignment may be effected in accordance with paragraph (c) below when the Facility Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Facility Agent shall, subject to paragraph (b) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Assignment Agreement appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Assignment Agreement.

 

(b) The Facility Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied in its sole discretion it has complied with all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assignment to such New Lender.

 

(c) Subject to Clause 27.9 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date:

 

(i) the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender its rights under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Assignment Agreement;

 

(ii) the Existing Lender will be released from the obligations (the "Relevant Obligations") expressed to be the subject of the release in the Assignment Agreement (and any corresponding obligations by which it is bound in respect of the Transaction Security); and

 

(iii) the New Lender shall become a Party as a "Lender" and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations.

 

(d) Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this Clause 27.6 (Procedure for assignment) to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the relevant Transaction Obligor or unless in accordance with Clause 27.5 (Procedure for transfer), to obtain a release by that Transaction Obligor from the obligations owed to that Transaction Obligor by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in Clause 27.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer).

 

27.7 Copy of Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement to Borrower

 

The Facility Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate or an Assignment Agreement, send to the Borrowers a copy of that Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement.

 

27.8 Security over Lenders' rights

 

In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Clause 27 (Changes to the Lenders), each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Transaction Obligor, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create Security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

 

(a) any charge, assignment or other Security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

 

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(b) any charge, assignment or other Security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,

 

except that no such charge, assignment or Security shall:

 

(i) release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or Security for a Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii) require any payments to be made by a Transaction Obligor other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

27.9 Pro rata interest settlement

 

(a) If the Facility Agent has notified the Lenders that it is able to distribute interest payments on a "pro rata basis" to Existing Lenders and New Lenders then (in respect of any transfer pursuant to Clause 27.5 (Procedure for transfer) or any assignment pursuant to Clause 27.6 (Procedure for assignment) the Transfer Date of which, in each case, is after the date of such notification and is not on the last day of an Interest Period):

 

(i) any interest or fees in respect of the relevant participation which are expressed to accrue by reference to the lapse of time shall continue to accrue in favour of the Existing Lender up to but excluding the Transfer Date ("Accrued Amounts") and shall become due and payable to the Existing Lender (without further interest accruing on them) on the last day of the current Interest Period (or, if the Interest Period is longer than six Months, on the next of the dates which falls at six Monthly intervals after the first day of that Interest Period); and

 

(ii) The rights assigned or transferred by the Existing Lender will not include the right to the Accrued Amounts, so that, for the avoidance of doubt:

 

(A) when the Accrued Amounts become payable, those Accrued Amounts will be payable to the Existing Lender; and

 

(B) the amount payable to the New Lender on that date will be the amount which would, but for the application of this Clause 27.9 (Pro rata interest settlement), have been payable to it on that date, but after deduction of the Accrued Amounts.

 

(b) In this Clause 27.9 (Pro rata interest settlement) references to "Interest Period" shall be construed to include a reference to any other period for accrual of fees.

 

(c) An Existing Lender which retains the right to the Accrued Amounts pursuant to this Clause 27.9 (Pro rata interest settlement) but which does not have a Commitment shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents.

 

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28 Changes to the Transaction Obligors

 

28.1 Assignment or transfer by Transaction Obligors

 

No Transaction Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

28.2 Release of security

 

(a) If a disposal of any asset subject to security created by a Security Document is made in the following circumstances:

 

(i) the disposal is permitted by the terms of any Finance Document;

 

(ii) the Majority Lenders agree to the disposal;

 

(iii) the disposal is being made at the request of the Security Agent in circumstances where any security created by the Security Documents has become enforceable; or

 

(iv) the disposal is being effected by enforcement of a Security Document,

 

the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) shall release the asset(s) being disposed of from any security over those assets created by a Security Document. However, the proceeds of any disposal (or an amount corresponding to them) must be applied in accordance with the requirements of the Finance Documents (if any).

 

(b) Without prejudice to paragraph (a) of this Clause 28.2 (Release of security), at the end of the Security Period (or upon the Total Loss or sale of the Ship and payment of all amounts due by the Borrowers under the terms of this Agreement) the Security Agent shall release the Transaction Security.

 

(c) If the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Facility Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) is satisfied that a release is allowed under this Clause 28.2 (Release of security) (at the request and expense of the Borrowers) each Finance Party must enter into any document and do all such other things which are reasonably required to achieve that release. Each other Finance Party irrevocably authorises the Security Agent to enter into any such document. Any release will not affect the obligations of any other Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

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Section 10

The Finance Parties

 

29 The Facility Agent

 

29.1 Appointment of the Facility Agent

 

(a) Each of the Lenders appoints the Facility Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

(b) Each of the Lenders authorises the Facility Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Facility Agent under, or in connection with, the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

29.2 Instructions

 

(a) The Facility Agent shall:

 

(i) exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Facility Agent (including, without limitation, make any designation, determination, specification or demand, approve an evidence or the form of a document, serve a notice, grant an approval or a consent or refrain from taking any such action), upon receipt of and in accordance with any instructions given to it by:

 

(A) all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and

 

(B) in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and

 

(ii) not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) (A) in accordance with sub-paragraph (i) above (or, if this Agreement stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, in accordance with instructions given to it by that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties) or (B) in its capacity as Facility Agent under the Transaction Documents.

 

(b) The Facility Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, from that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Facility Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives any such instructions or clarification that it has requested.

 

(c) Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties under the relevant Finance Document and unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Facility Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties.

 

(d) Without prejudice to paragraph (a)(ii) above, paragraph (a)(i) above shall not apply:

 

(i) where a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document;

 

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(ii) where a Finance Document requires the Facility Agent to act in a specified manner or to take a specified action;

 

(iii) in respect of any provision which protects the Facility Agent's own position in its personal capacity as opposed to its role of Facility Agent for the relevant Finance Parties.

 

(e) If giving effect to instructions given by the Majority Lenders would in the Facility Agent's opinion have an effect equivalent to an amendment or waiver referred to in Clause 42 (Amendments and Waivers), the Facility Agent shall not act in accordance with those instructions unless consent to it so acting is obtained from each Party (other than the Facility Agent) whose consent would have been required in respect of that amendment or waiver.

 

(f) The Facility Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Finance Party or group of Finance Parties until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT) which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

 

(g) Without prejudice to the remainder of this Clause 29.2 (Instructions), in the absence of instructions, the Facility Agent shall not be obliged to take any action (or refrain from taking action) even if it considers acting or not acting to be in the best interests of the Finance Parties.

 

(h) The Facility Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Finance Party (without first obtaining that Finance Party's consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. This paragraph (h) shall not apply to any legal or arbitration proceeding relating to the perfection, preservation or protection of rights under the Security Documents or enforcement of the Transaction Security or Security Documents.

 

29.3 Duties of the Facility Agent

 

(a) The Facility Agent's duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

 

(b) Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Facility Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document or notice which is delivered to the Facility Agent for that Party by any other Party.

 

(c) Without prejudice to Clause 27.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement to Borrower), paragraph (b) above shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate or any Assignment Agreement.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything set out in a Transaction Document, the Facility Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

(e) If the Facility Agent receives notice from a Party referring to any Finance Document, describing a circumstance and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties but shall not have any duty to verify whether the circumstance described has actually occurred or whether it constitutes a Default.

 

(f) If the Facility Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest or any fee payable to a Finance Party under this Agreement, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

 

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(g) The Facility Agent shall provide to the Borrowers within 5 Business Days of a request by the Borrowers (but no more frequently than once per calendar quarter), a list (which may be in electronic form) setting out the names of the Lenders as at that Business Day, their respective Commitments, the address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention any communication is to be made) of each Lender for any communication to be made or document to be delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents, the electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by electronic mail or other electronic means to and by each Lender to whom any communication under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by that means and the account details of each Lender for any payment to be distributed by the Facility Agent to that Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

(h) The Facility Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).

 

29.4 No fiduciary duties

 

(a) Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Facility Agent as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person.

 

(b) The Facility Agent shall not be bound to account to other Finance Party for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.

 

29.5 Application of receipts

 

Except as expressly stated to the contrary in any Finance Document, any moneys which the Facility Agent receives or recovers in its capacity as Facility Agent shall be applied by the Facility Agent in accordance with Clause 33.5 (Application of receipts; partial payments).

 

29.6 Business with the Group

 

The Facility Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with, any member of the Group.

 

29.7 Rights and discretions

 

(a) The Facility Agent may:

 

(i) rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

(ii) assume that:

 

(A) any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Finance Parties or any group of Finance Parties are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents; and

 

(B) unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and

 

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(iii) rely on a certificate from any person:

 

(A) as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

 

(B) to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing,

 

as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of paragraph (A) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

 

(b) The Facility Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Finance Parties) that:

 

(i) no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under Clause 26.2 (Non-payment));

 

(ii) any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Finance Parties has not been exercised; and

 

(iii) any notice or request made by the Borrowers (other than the Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Transaction Obligors.

 

(c) The Facility Agent may engage (at the Borrowers' expense) the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts.

 

(d) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c) above or paragraph (e) below, the Facility Agent may at any time engage (at the Borrowers' expense) the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Facility Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders) if the Facility Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be desirable.

 

(e) The Facility Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by the Facility Agent or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying.

 

(f) The Facility Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents and the Security Property through its officers, employees and agents and shall not:

 

(i) be liable for any error of judgment made by any such person; or

 

(ii) be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any loss incurred by reason of misconduct, omission or default on the part of any such person,

 

unless such error or such loss was directly caused by the Facility Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

(g) Unless a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise the Facility Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under the Finance Documents.

 

(h) Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Facility Agent is not obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would or might, in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

 

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(i) Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Facility Agent is not obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

29.8 Responsibility for documentation

 

The Facility Agent is not responsible or liable for:

 

(a) the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Facility Agent, the Security Agent, a Transaction Obligor or any other person in, or in connection with, any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document; or

 

(b) the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document or the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Transaction Document or the Security Property; or

 

(c) any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party or Secured Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.

 

29.9 No duty to monitor

 

The Facility Agent shall not be bound to enquire:

 

(a) whether or not any Default has occurred;

 

(b) as to the performance, default or any breach by any Transaction Obligor of its obligations under any Transaction Document; or

 

(c) whether any other event specified in any Transaction Document has occurred.

 

29.10 Exclusion of liability

 

(a) Without limiting paragraph (b) below (and without prejudice to paragraph (e) of Clause 33.11 (Disruption to Payment Systems etc.) or any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Facility Agent), the Facility Agent will not be liable for:

 

(i) any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Transaction Document or the Security Property, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

(ii) exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Transaction Document, the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Transaction Document or the Security Property; or

 

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(iii) any shortfall which arises on the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property; or

 

(iv) without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) arising as a result of:

 

(A) any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

 

(B) the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,

 

including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event); breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

 

(b) No Party other than the Facility Agent may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Facility Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Facility Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Transaction Document or any Security Property and any officer, employee or agent of the Facility Agent may rely on this Clause subject to Clause 1.5 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

(c) The Facility 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 the Facility Agent if the Facility Agent 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 the Facility Agent for that purpose.

 

(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Facility Agent to carry out:

 

(i) any "know your customer" or other checks in relation to any person; or

 

(ii) any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Finance Party,

 

on behalf of any Finance Party and each Finance Party confirms to the Facility Agent that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Facility Agent.

 

(e) Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the Facility Agent's liability, any liability of the Facility Agent arising under or in connection with any Transaction Document or the Security Property shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Facility Agent or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Facility Agent at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Facility Agent be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Facility Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.

 

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29.11 Lenders' indemnity to the Facility Agent

 

(a) Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify the Facility Agent, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability incurred by the Facility Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Facility Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 33.11 (Disruption to Payment Systems etc.) notwithstanding the Facility Agent's negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Facility Agent) in acting as Facility Agent under the Finance Documents (unless the Facility Agent has been reimbursed by a Transaction Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document).

 

(b) Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrowers shall immediately on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment that Lender makes to the Facility Agent pursuant to paragraph (a) above.

 

(c) Paragraph (b) above shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which a Lender claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Facility Agent to an Obligor.

 

29.12 Resignation of the Facility Agent

 

(a) The Facility Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrowers.

 

(b) Alternatively, the Facility Agent may resign by giving 30 days' notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrowers, in which case the Majority Lenders may appoint a successor Facility Agent.

 

(c) If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Facility Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 20 days after notice of resignation was given (or such earlier day as may be agreed by the Majority Lenders), the retiring Facility Agent may (but shall not be obliged to), appoint a successor Facility Agent.

 

(d) The retiring Facility Agent shall, at the Borrowers' cost, make available to the successor Facility Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Facility Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Facility Agent under the Finance Documents. The Borrowers shall indemnify the retiring Facility Agent prior to it being required to undertake any actions referred to in this sub-paragraph for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) to be properly incurred by it in making available such documents and records and providing such assistance.

 

(e) The retiring Facility Agent's resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor.

 

(f) Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Facility Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (d) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 13.3 (Indemnity to the Facility Agent) and this Clause 29 (The Facility Agent ) and any other provisions of a Finance Document which are expressed to limit or exclude its liability (or to indemnify it) in acting as Facility Agent. Any fees for the account of the retiring Facility Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date. Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

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(g) The Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Facility Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above. In this event, the Facility Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above but the cost referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be for the account of the Borrowers.

 

(h) The consent of the Borrowers (or any other Transaction Obligor) is not required for an assignment or transfer of rights and/or obligations by the Facility Agent in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(i) The Facility Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Facility Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) above) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Facility Agent under the Finance Documents, either:

 

(i) the Facility Agent fails to respond to a request under Clause 11.7 (FATCA Information) and a Lender reasonably believes that the Facility Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;

 

(ii) the information supplied by the Facility Agent pursuant to Clause 11.7 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Facility Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or

 

(iii) the Facility Agent notifies the Borrowers and the Lenders that the Facility Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;

 

and (in each case) a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Facility Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and that Lender, by notice to the Facility Agent, requires it to resign.

 

29.13 Confidentiality

 

(a) In acting as Facility Agent for the Finance Parties, the Facility Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

 

(b) If information is received by a division or department of the Facility Agent other than the division or department responsible for complying with the obligations assumed by it under the Finance Documents, that information may be treated as confidential to that division or department, and the Facility Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it nor shall it be obliged to disclose such information to any Party.

 

(c) Without prejudice to Clause 29.4 (No fiduciary duties), the Facility Agent is 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 or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty.

 

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29.14 Relationship with the other Finance Parties

 

(a) Subject to Clause 27.9 (Pro rata interest settlement), the Facility Agent may treat a person shown in its records as Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Facility Agent's principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as a Lender acting through its Facility Office.

 

(i) entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and

 

(ii) entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day,

 

unless it has received not less than five Business Days' prior written notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b) Each Finance Party shall supply the Facility Agent with any information that the Security Agent may reasonably specify (through the Facility Agent) as being necessary or desirable to enable the Security Agent to perform its functions as Security Agent. Each Finance Party shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through the Facility Agent and shall not deal directly with the Security Agent and any reference to any instructions being given by or sought from any Finance Party or group of Finance Parties to or by the Security Agent in this Agreement must be given or sought through the Facility Agent.

 

(c) Any Lender may by notice to the Facility Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents. Such notice shall contain the address, fax number and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under Clause 36.5 (Electronic communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, fax number, electronic mail address (or such other information), department and officer by that Lender for the purposes of Clause 36.2 (Addresses) and sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of Clause 36.5 (Electronic communication) and the Facility Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender.

 

29.15 Credit appraisal by the Finance Parties

 

Without affecting the responsibility of any Transaction Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Transaction Document, each Finance Party confirms to the Facility Agent 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 Transaction Document including but not limited to:

 

(a) the financial condition, status and nature of each Transaction Obligor;

 

(b) the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document, the Security Property and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document or the Security Property;

 

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(c) whether that Finance Party has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under, or in connection with, any Transaction Document, the Security Property, the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document or the Security Property;

 

(d) the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information provided by the Facility Agent, any Party or by any other person under, or in connection with, any Transaction Document, the transactions contemplated by any Transaction Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document; and

 

(e) the right or title of any person in or to or the value or sufficiency of any part of the Security Assets, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security affecting the Security Assets.

 

29.16 Facility Agent's management time

 

Any amount payable to the Facility Agent under Clause 13.3 (Indemnity to the Facility Agent), Clause 15 (Costs and Expenses) and Clause 29.11 (Lenders' indemnity to the Facility Agent) shall include the cost of utilising the Facility Agent's management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Facility Agent may notify to the Borrowers and the other Finance Parties, and is in addition to any fee paid or payable to the Facility Agent under Clause 10 (Fees). The Facility Agent shall as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Borrowers in writing of any extraordinary management time which the Facility Agent is envisaging to spend.

 

29.17 Deduction from amounts payable by the Facility Agent

 

If any Party owes an amount to the Facility Agent under the Finance Documents, the Facility Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Facility Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted.

 

29.18 Reliance and engagement letters

 

Each Secured Party confirms that the Facility Agent has authority to accept on its behalf (and ratifies the acceptance on its behalf of any letters or reports already accepted by the Facility Agent) the terms of any reliance letter or engagement letters or any reports or letters provided by accountants, auditors or providers of due diligence reports in connection with the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents and to bind it in respect of those, reports or letters and to sign such letters on its behalf and further confirms that it accepts the terms and qualifications set out in such letters.

 

29.19 Full freedom to enter into transactions

 

Without prejudice to Clause 29.6 (Business with the Group) or any other provision of a Finance Document and notwithstanding any rule of law or equity to the contrary, the Facility Agent shall be absolutely entitled:

 

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(a) to enter into and arrange banking, derivative, investment and/or other transactions of every kind with or affecting any Transaction Obligor or any person who is party to, or referred to in, a Finance Document (including, but not limited to, any interest or currency swap or other transaction, whether related to this Agreement or not, and acting as syndicate agent and/or security agent for, and/or participating in, other facilities to such Transaction Obligor or any person who is party to, or referred to in, a Finance Document);

 

(b) to deal in and enter into and arrange transactions relating to:

 

(i) any securities issued or to be issued by any Transaction Obligor or any other person; or

 

(ii) any options or other derivatives in connection with such securities; and

 

(c) to provide advice or other services to the Borrowers or any person who is a party to, or referred to in, a Finance Document,

 

and, in particular, the Facility Agent shall be absolutely entitled, in proposing, evaluating, negotiating, entering into and arranging all such transactions and in connection with all other matters covered by paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above, to use (subject only to insider dealing legislation) any information or opportunity, howsoever acquired by it, to pursue its own interests exclusively, to refrain from disclosing such dealings, transactions or other matters or any information acquired in connection with them and to retain for its sole benefit all profits and benefits derived from the dealings transactions or other matters.

 

29.20 Majority Lenders' Instructions

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Transaction Documents, the Parties acknowledge that where any provision in a Transaction Document refers to the Facility Agent being obliged to or entitled to take any specified action, exercise any discretion, make any determination, give any consent or waiver, or act in a certain way in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, it shall or may (as the case may be) take such specified action, exercise such discretion, make such determination, give any consent in accordance with the instructions or directions of the Majority Lenders or all Lenders (as the case may be) and in doing so shall be deemed to have acted reasonably.

 

(b) Any instructions given by the Majority Lenders or the Lenders shall be in writing and any instructions by the Majority Lenders on matters which do not require the consent or instructions of all the Lenders as specified in this Agreement shall be binding on all the Lenders.

 

(c) The Facility Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with the instructions of the Majority Lenders or the Lenders (as the case may be) until it has received such security as it may require for any cost, loss or liability (together with any associated VAT) which it may incur in complying with the instructions.

 

(d) In the absence of instructions from the Majority Lenders the Facility Agent shall not be obliged to take action.

 

(e) The Facility Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Finance Party (without first obtaining the relevant Finance Party's consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Transaction Document.

 

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30 The Security Agent

 

30.1 Trust

 

(a) The Security Agent declares that it holds the Security Property on trust for the Secured Parties on the terms contained in this Agreement and shall deal with the Security Property in accordance with this Clause 30 (The Security Agent) and the other provisions of the Finance Documents.

 

(b) Each other Finance Party authorises the Security Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Security Agent under, or in connection with, the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

30.2 Parallel Debt (Covenant to pay the Security Agent)

 

(a) Each Obligor irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to pay to the Security Agent its Parallel Debt which shall be amounts equal to, and in the currency or currencies of, its Corresponding Debt.

 

(b) The Parallel Debt of an Obligor:

 

(i) shall become due and payable at the same time as its Corresponding Debt;

 

(ii) is independent and separate from, and without prejudice to, its Corresponding Debt.

 

(c) For the purposes of this Clause 30.2 (Parallel Debt (Covenant to pay the Security Agent)), the Security Agent:

 

(i) is the independent and separate creditor of each Parallel Debt;

 

(ii) acts in its own name and not as agent, representative or trustee of the Finance Parties and its claims in respect of each Parallel Debt shall not be held on trust; and

 

(iii) shall have the independent and separate right to demand payment of each Parallel Debt in its own name (including, without limitation, through any suit, execution, enforcement of security, recovery of guarantees and applications for and voting in any kind of insolvency proceeding).

 

(d) The Parallel Debt of an Obligor shall be:

 

(i) decreased to the extent that its Corresponding Debt has been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged; and

 

(ii) increased to the extent that its Corresponding Debt has increased,

 

and the Corresponding Debt of an Obligor shall be:

 

(A) decreased to the extent that its Parallel Debt has been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged; and

 

(B) increased to the extent that its Parallel Debt has increased,

 

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in each case provided that the Parallel Debt of an Obligor shall never exceed its Corresponding Debt.

 

(e) All amounts received or recovered by the Security Agent in connection with this Clause 30.2 (Parallel Debt (Covenant to pay the Security Agent)) to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall be applied in accordance with Clause 33.5 (Application of receipts; partial payments).

 

(f) This Clause 30.2 (Parallel Debt (Covenant to pay the Security Agent)) shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to each Finance Document.

 

30.3 Enforcement through Security Agent only

 

The Secured Parties shall not have any independent power to enforce, or have recourse to, any of the Transaction Security or to exercise any right, power, authority or discretion arising under the Security Documents except through the Security Agent.

 

30.4 Instructions

 

(a) The Security Agent shall:

 

(i) exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion (including, without limitation, make any designation, determination, specification or demand, approve an evidence or the form of a document, serve a notice, grant an approval or a consent or refrain from taking any such action), vested in it as Security Agent upon receipt of and in accordance with any instructions given to it by:

 

(A) all Lenders (or the Facility Agent on their behalf) if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and

 

(B) in all other cases, the Majority Lenders (or the Facility Agent on their behalf); and

 

(ii) not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) (A) in accordance with sub-paragraph (i) above (or if this Agreement stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, in accordance with instructions given to it by that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties) or (B) in its capacity as Security Agent under the Transaction Documents.

 

(b) The Security Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or the Facility Agent on their behalf) (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, from that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Security Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives any such instructions or clarification that it has requested.

 

(c) Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties under the relevant Finance Document and unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Security Agent by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties.

 

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(d) Without prejudice to paragraph (a)(ii) above, paragraph (a)(i) above shall not apply:

 

(i) in respect of any provision which protects the Security Agent's own position in its personal capacity as opposed to its role of Security Agent for the relevant Secured Parties.

 

(ii) in respect of the exercise of the Security Agent's discretion to exercise a right, power or authority under any of:

 

(A) Clause 30.28 (Application of receipts);

 

(B) Clause 30.29 (Permitted Deductions); and

 

(C) Clause 30.30 (Prospective liabilities).

 

(e) If giving effect to instructions given by the Majority Lenders would in the Security Agent's opinion have an effect equivalent to an amendment or waiver referred to in Clause 42 (Amendments and Waivers), the Security Agent shall not act in accordance with those instructions unless consent to it so acting is obtained from each Party (other than the Security Agent) whose consent would have been required in respect of that amendment or waiver.

 

(f) In exercising any discretion to exercise a right, power or authority under the Finance Documents where either:

 

(i) it has not received any instructions as to the exercise of that discretion; or

 

(ii) the exercise of that discretion is subject to sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (d) above,

 

the Security Agent shall do so having regard to the interests of all the Secured Parties.

 

(g) The Security Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Finance Party or group of Finance Parties until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT) which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

 

(h) Without prejudice to the remainder of this Clause 30.4 (Instructions), in the absence of instructions, the Security Agent may (but shall not be obliged to) take such action in the exercise of its powers and duties under the Finance Documents as it considers in its discretion to be appropriate.

 

(i) The Security Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Finance Party (without first obtaining that Finance Party's consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. This paragraph (h) shall not apply to any legal or arbitration proceeding relating to the perfection, preservation or protection of rights under the Security Documents or enforcement of the Transaction Security or Security Documents.

 

30.5 Duties of the Security Agent

 

(a) The Security Agent's duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

 

(b) The Security Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Security Agent for that Party by any other Party.

 

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(c) Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Security Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

(d) If the Security Agent receives notice from a Party referring to any Finance Document, describing a circumstance and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties but shall not have any duty to verify whether the circumstances described has actually occurred or whether it constitutes a Default.

 

(e) The Security Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).

 

30.6 No fiduciary duties

 

(a) Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Security Agent as an agent, trustee or fiduciary of any Transaction Obligor or any other person.

 

(b) The Security Agent shall not be bound to account to any other Secured Party for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.

 

30.7 Business with the Group

 

The Security Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with, any member of the Group.

 

30.8 Rights and discretions

 

(a) The Security Agent may:

 

(i) rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

(ii) assume that:

 

(A) any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Finance Parties or any group of Finance Parties are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents;

 

(B) unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and

 

(C) if it receives any instructions to act in relation to the Transaction Security, that all applicable conditions under the Finance Documents for so acting have been satisfied; and

 

(iii) rely on a certificate from any person:

 

(A) as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

 

(B) to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing,

 

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as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of paragraph (A) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

 

(b) The Security Agent shall be entitled to carry out all dealings with the other Finance Parties through the Facility Agent and may give to the Facility Agent any notice or other communication required to be given by the Security Agent to any Finance Party.

 

(c) The Security Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as security agent for the Secured Parties) that:

 

(i) no Default has occurred;

 

(ii) any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Finance Parties has not been exercised; and

 

(iii) any notice or request made by the Borrowers (other than the Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Transaction Obligors.

 

(d) The Security Agent may engage (at the Borrowers' cost) the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts.

 

(e) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c) above or paragraph (f) below, the Security Agent may at any time engage (at the Borrowers' cost) for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Security Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Facility Agent or the Lenders) if the Security Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be desirable.

 

(f) The Security Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by the Security Agent or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying.

 

(g) The Security Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents and the Security Property through its officers, employees and agents and shall not:

 

(i) be liable for any error of judgment made by any such person; or

 

(ii) be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any loss incurred by reason of misconduct, omission or default on the part of any such person,

 

unless such error or such loss was directly caused by the Security Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

(h) Unless a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise the Security Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as security agent under the Finance Documents.

 

(i) Without prejudice to Clause 30.6 (No fiduciary duties) and notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Security Agent is not obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would or might, in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

 

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(j) Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Security Agent is not obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

30.9 Responsibility for documentation

 

None of the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate is responsible or liable for:

 

(a) the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Facility Agent, the Security Agent, a Transaction Obligor or any other person in, or in connection with, any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document;

 

(b) the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document or the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Transaction Document or the Security Property; or

 

(c) any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Secured Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.

 

30.10 No duty to monitor

 

The Security Agent shall not be bound to enquire:

 

(a) whether or not any Default has occurred;

 

(b) as to the performance, default or any breach by any Transaction Obligor of its obligations under any Transaction Document; or

 

(c) whether any other event specified in any Transaction Document has occurred.

 

30.11 Exclusion of liability

 

(a) Without limiting paragraph (b) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Security Agent or any Receiver or Delegate), none of the Security Agent nor any Receiver or Delegate will be liable for:

 

(i) any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Transaction Document or the Security Property, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

(ii) exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Transaction Document, the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Transaction Document or the Security Property; or

 

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(iii) any shortfall which arises on the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property; or

 

(iv) without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) arising as a result of:

 

(A) any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

 

(B) the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,

 

including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event); breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

 

(b) No Party other than the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as applicable) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate in respect of any claim it might have against the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Transaction Document or any Security Property and any officer, employee or agent of the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate may rely on this Clause subject to Clause 1.5 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

(c) The Security 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 the Security Agent if the Security Agent 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 the Security Agent for that purpose.

 

(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Security Agent to carry out:

 

(i) any "know your customer" or other checks in relation to any person; or

 

(ii) any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Finance Party,

 

on behalf of any Finance Party and each Finance Party confirms to the Security Agent that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Security Agent.

 

(e) Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Security Agent or any Receiver or Delegate, any liability of the Security Agent or any Receiver or Delegate arising under or in connection with any Transaction Document or the Security Property shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Security Agent. Receiver or Delegate or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Security Agent, the Receiver or Delegate has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.

 

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30.12 Lenders' indemnity to the Security Agent

 

(a) Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify the Security Agent and every Receiver and every Delegate, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability incurred by any of them (otherwise than by reason of the Security Agent's, Receiver's or Delegate's gross negligence or wilful misconduct) in acting as Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under the Finance Documents (unless the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate has been reimbursed by a Transaction Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document).

 

(b) Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrowers shall immediately on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment that Lender makes to the Security Agent pursuant to paragraph (a) above.

 

(c) Paragraph (b) above shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which a Lender claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Security Agent to an Obligor.

 

30.13 Resignation of the Security Agent

 

(a) The Security Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrowers.

 

(b) Alternatively, the Security Agent may resign by giving 30 days' notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrowers, in which case the Majority Lenders may appoint a successor Security Agent.

 

(c) If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Security Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 20 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Security Agent may appoint a successor Security Agent.

 

(d) The retiring Security Agent shall, at the Borrowers' cost, make available to the successor Security Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Security Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Security Agent under the Finance Documents. The Borrowers shall indemnify the retiring Security Agent prior to it being required to undertake any actions referred to in this sub-paragraph for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) to be properly incurred by it in making available such documents and records and providing such assistance.

 

(e) The Security Agent's resignation notice shall only take effect upon:

 

(i) the appointment of a successor; and

 

(ii) the transfer, by way of a document expressed as a deed, of all the Security Property to that successor.

 

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(f) Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Security Agent shall be discharged, by way of a document executed as a deed, from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (b) of Clause 30.25 (Winding up of trust) and paragraph (d) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 13.4 (Indemnity to the Security Agent) and this Clause 30 (The Security Agent) and any other provisions of a Finance Document which are expressed to limit or exclude its liability (or to indemnify it) in acting as Security Agent. Any fees for the account of the retiring Security Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date). Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

(g) The Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Security Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above. In this event, the Security Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above but the cost referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be for the account of the Borrowers.

 

(h) The consent of the Borrowers (or any other Transaction Obligor) is not required for an assignment or transfer of rights and/or obligations by the Security Agent.

 

30.14 Confidentiality

 

(a) In acting as Security Agent for the Finance Parties, the Security Agent shall be regarded as acting through its trustee division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

 

(b) If information is received by a division or department of the Security Agent other than the division or department responsible for complying with the obligations assumed by it under the Finance Documents, that information may be treated as confidential to that division or department, and the Security Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it nor shall it be obliged to disclose such information to any Party.

 

(c) Without prejudice to Clause 30.6 (No fiduciary duties) and notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Security Agent is 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 or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty.

 

30.15 Credit appraisal by the Finance Parties

 

Without affecting the responsibility of any Transaction Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Transaction Document, each Finance Party confirms to the Security Agent 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 Transaction Document including but not limited to:

 

(a) the financial condition, status and nature of each Transaction Obligor;

 

(b) the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document, the Security Property and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document or the Security Property;

 

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(c) whether that Finance Party has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under, or in connection with, any Transaction Document, the Security Property, the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document or the Security Property;

 

(d) the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information provided by the Security Agent, any Party or by any other person under, or in connection with, any Transaction Document, the transactions contemplated by any Transaction Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document; and

 

(e) the right or title of any person in or to or the value or sufficiency of any part of the Security Assets, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security affecting the Security Assets.

 

30.16 Security Agent's management time

 

(a) Any amount payable to the Security Agent under Clause 13.4 (Indemnity to the Security Agent), Clause 15 (Costs and Expenses) and Clause 30.12 (Lenders' indemnity to the Security Agent) shall include the cost of utilising the Security Agent's management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Security Agent may notify to the Borrowers and the other Finance Parties, and is in addition to any fee paid or payable to the Security Agent under Clause 10 (Fees). The Security Agent shall as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Borrowers in writing of any extraordinary management time which the Security Agent is envisaging to spend.

 

(b) Without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, in the event of:

 

(i) a Default;

 

(ii) the Security Agent being requested by a Transaction Obligor or the Majority Lenders to undertake duties which the Security Agent and the Borrowers agree to be of an exceptional nature or outside the scope of the normal duties of the Security Agent under the Finance Documents; or

 

(iii) the Security Agent and the Borrowers agreeing that it is otherwise appropriate in the circumstances,

 

the Borrowers shall pay to the Security Agent any additional remuneration (together with any applicable VAT) that may be agreed between them or determined pursuant to paragraph (c) below.

 

(c) If the Security Agent and the Borrowers fail to agree upon the nature of the duties, or upon the additional remuneration referred to in paragraph (b) above or whether additional remuneration is appropriate in the circumstances, any dispute shall be determined by an investment bank (acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator) selected by the Security Agent and approved by the Borrowers or, failing approval, nominated (on the application of the Security Agent) by the President for the time being of the Law Society of England and Wales (the costs of the nomination and of the investment bank being payable by the Borrowers) and the determination of any investment bank shall be final and binding upon the Parties.

 

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30.17 Reliance and engagement letters

 

Each Secured Party confirms that the Security Agent has authority to accept on its behalf (and ratifies the acceptance on its behalf of any letters or reports already accepted by the Security Agent) the terms of any reliance letter or engagement letters or any reports or letters provided by accountants, auditors or providers of due diligence reports in connection with the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents and to bind it in respect of those, reports or letters and to sign such letters on its behalf and further confirms that it accepts the terms and qualifications set out in such letters.

 

30.18 No responsibility to perfect Transaction Security

 

The Security Agent shall not be liable for any failure to:

 

(a) require the deposit with it of any deed or document certifying, representing or constituting the title of any Transaction Obligor to any of the Security Assets;

 

(b) obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Finance Document or the Transaction Security;

 

(c) register, file or record or otherwise protect any of the Transaction Security (or the priority of any of the Transaction Security) under any law or regulation or to give notice to any person of the execution of any Finance Document or of the Transaction Security;

 

(d) take, or to require any Transaction Obligor to take, any step to perfect its title to any of the Security Assets or to render the Transaction Security effective or to secure the creation of any ancillary Security under any law or regulation; or

 

(e) require any further assurance in relation to any Security Document.

 

30.19 Insurance by Security Agent

 

(a) The Security Agent shall not be obliged:

 

(i) to insure any of the Security Assets;

 

(ii) to require any other person to maintain any insurance; or

 

(iii) to verify any obligation to arrange or maintain insurance contained in any Finance Document,

 

and the Security Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person as a result of the lack of, or inadequacy of, any such insurance.

 

(b) Where the Security Agent is named on any insurance policy as an insured party, it shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person as a result of its failure to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by such insurers or any other information of any kind.

 

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30.20 Custodians and nominees

 

The Security Agent may appoint and pay any person to act as a custodian or nominee on any terms in relation to any asset of the trust as the Security Agent may determine, including for the purpose of depositing with a custodian this Agreement or any document relating to the trust created under this Agreement and the Security Agent shall not be responsible for any loss, liability, expense, demand, cost, claim or proceedings incurred by reason of the misconduct, omission or default on the part of any person appointed by it under this Agreement or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any person.

 

30.21 Delegation by the Security Agent

 

(a) Each of the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may, at any time, delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person for any period, all or any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it in its capacity as such.

 

(b) That delegation may be made upon any terms and conditions (including the power to sub delegate) and subject to any restrictions that the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as the case may be) may, in its discretion, think fit in the interests of the Secured Parties.

 

(c) No Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate shall be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any damages, costs or losses incurred by reason of any misconduct, omission or default on the part of any such delegate or sub delegate.

 

30.22 Additional Security Agents

 

(a) The Security Agent may at any time appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with it:

 

(i) if it considers that appointment to be in the interests of the Secured Parties; or

 

(ii) for the purposes of conforming to any legal requirement, restriction or condition which the Security Agent deems to be relevant; or

 

(iii) for obtaining or enforcing any judgment in any jurisdiction,

 

and the Security Agent shall give prior notice to the Borrowers and the Finance Parties of that appointment.

 

(b) Any person so appointed shall have the rights, powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents) and the duties, obligations and responsibilities that are given or imposed by the instrument of appointment.

 

(c) The remuneration that the Security Agent may pay to that person, and any costs and expenses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by that person in performing its functions pursuant to that appointment shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be treated as costs and expenses incurred by the Security Agent.

 

30.23 Acceptance of title

 

The Security Agent shall be entitled to accept without enquiry, and shall not be obliged to investigate, any right and title that any Transaction Obligor may have to any of the Security Assets and shall not be liable for or bound to require any Transaction Obligor to remedy any defect in its right or title.

 

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30.24 Releases

 

Upon a disposal of any of the Security Assets pursuant to the enforcement of the Transaction Security by a Receiver, a Delegate or the Security Agent, the Security Agent is irrevocably authorised (at the cost of the Obligors and without any consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation from any other Secured Party) to release, without recourse or warranty, that property from the Transaction Security and to execute any release of the Transaction Security or other claim over that asset and to issue any certificates of non-crystallisation of floating charges that may be required or desirable.

 

30.25 Winding up of trust

 

If the Security Agent, with the approval of the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) determines (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) that:

 

(a) all of the Secured Liabilities and all other obligations secured by the Security Documents have been fully and finally discharged; and

 

(b) no Secured Party is under any commitment, obligation or liability (actual or contingent) to make advances or provide other financial accommodation to any Transaction Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents,

 

then

 

(i) the trusts set out in this Agreement shall be wound up and the Security Agent shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of the Transaction Security and the rights of the Security Agent under each of the Security Documents; and

 

(ii) any Security Agent which has resigned pursuant to Clause 30.13 (Resignation of the Security Agent) shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of its rights under each Security Document.

 

30.26 Powers supplemental to Trustee Acts

 

The rights, powers, authorities and discretions given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be supplemental to the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000 and in addition to any which may be vested in the Security Agent by law or regulation or otherwise.

 

30.27 Disapplication of Trustee Acts

 

Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Security Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement and the other Finance Documents. Where there are any inconsistencies between (i) the Trustee Acts 1925 and 2000 and (ii) the provisions of this Agreement and any other Finance Document, the provisions of this Agreement and any other Finance Document shall, to the extent permitted by law and regulation, prevail and, in the case of any inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of this Agreement and any other Finance Document shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of the Trustee Act 2000.

 

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30.28 Application of receipts

 

All amounts from time to time received or recovered by the Security Agent pursuant to the terms of any Finance Document, under Clause 30.2 (Parallel Debt (Covenant to pay the Security Agent)) or in connection with the realisation or enforcement of all or any part of the Security Property (for the purposes of this Clause 30 (The Security Agent), the "Recoveries") shall be held by the Security Agent on trust to apply them at any time as the Security Agent (in its discretion) sees fit, to the extent permitted by applicable law (and subject to the remaining provisions of this Clause 30 (The Security Agent)), in the following order of priority:

 

(a) in discharging any sums owing to the Security Agent (in its capacity as such) other than pursuant to Clause 30.2 (Parallel Debt (Covenant to pay the Security Agent)) or any Receiver or Delegate;

 

(b) in payment or distribution to the Facility Agent, on its behalf and on behalf of the other Secured Parties, for application towards the discharge of all sums due and payable by any Transaction Obligor under any of the Finance Documents in accordance with Clause 33.5 (Application of receipts; partial payments);

 

(c) if none of the Transaction Obligors is under any further actual or contingent liability under any Finance Document, in payment or distribution to any person to whom the Security Agent is obliged to pay or distribute in priority to any Transaction Obligor; and

 

(d) the balance, if any, in payment or distribution to the relevant Transaction Obligor.

 

30.29 Permitted Deductions

 

The Security Agent may, in its discretion:

 

(a) set aside by way of reserve amounts required to meet, and to make and pay, any deductions and withholdings (on account of Taxes or otherwise) which it is or may be required by any applicable law to make from any distribution or payment made by it under this Agreement; and

 

(b) pay all Taxes which may be assessed against it in respect of any of the Security Property, or as a consequence of performing its duties, or by virtue of its capacity as Security Agent under any of the Finance Documents or otherwise (other than in connection with its remuneration for performing its duties under this Agreement).

 

30.30 Prospective liabilities

 

Following enforcement of any of the Transaction Security, the Security Agent may, in its discretion, or at the request of the Facility Agent, hold any Recoveries in a suspense or impersonal account(s) in the name of the Security Agent with such financial institution (including itself) and for so long as the Security Agent shall think fit for later payment to the Facility Agent for application in accordance with Clause 30.28 (Application of receipts) in respect of:

 

(a) any sum to the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate; and

 

(b) any part of the Secured Liabilities,

 

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that the Security Agent or, in the case of paragraph (b) only, the Facility Agent, reasonably considers, in each case, might become due or owing at any time in the future.

 

30.31 Investment of proceeds

 

Prior to the payment of the proceeds of the Recoveries to the Facility Agent for application in accordance with Clause 30.28 (Application of receipts) the Security Agent may, in its discretion, hold all or part of those proceeds in an interest bearing suspense or impersonal account(s) in the name of the Security Agent with such financial institution (including itself) and for so long as the Security Agent shall think fit (the interest being credited to the relevant account) pending the payment from time to time of those moneys in the Security Agent's discretion in accordance with the provisions of Clause 30.28 (Application of receipts).

 

30.32 Currency conversion

 

(a) For the purpose of, or pending the discharge of, any of the Secured Liabilities the Security Agent may convert any moneys received or recovered by the Security Agent from one currency to another, at a market rate of exchange available to the Security Agent in its usual course of business.

 

(b) The obligations of any Transaction Obligor to pay in the due currency shall only be satisfied to the extent of the amount of the due currency purchased after deducting the costs of conversion.

 

30.33 Good discharge

 

(a) Any payment to be made in respect of the Secured Liabilities by the Security Agent may be made to the Facility Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and any payment made in that way shall be a good discharge, to the extent of that payment, by the Security Agent.

 

(b) The Security Agent is under no obligation to make the payments to the Facility Agent under paragraph (a) above in the same currency as that in which the obligations and liabilities owing to the relevant Finance Party are denominated.

 

30.34 Amounts received by Obligors

 

If any of the Obligors receives or recovers any amount which, under the terms of any of the Finance Documents, should have been paid to the Security Agent, that Obligor will hold the amount received or recovered on trust for the Security Agent and promptly pay that amount to the Security Agent for application in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

30.35 Full freedom to enter into transactions

 

Without prejudice to Clause 30.7 (Business with the Group) or any other provision of a Finance Document and notwithstanding any rule of law or equity to the contrary, the Security Agent shall be absolutely entitled:

 

(a) to enter into and arrange banking, derivative, investment and/or other transactions of every kind with or affecting any Transaction Obligor or any person who is party to, or referred to in, a Finance Document (including, but not limited to, any interest or currency swap or other transaction, whether related to this Agreement or not, and acting as syndicate agent and/or security agent for, and/or participating in, other facilities to such Transaction Obligor or any person who is party to, or referred to in, a Finance Document);

 

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(b) to deal in and enter into and arrange transactions relating to:

 

(i) any securities issued or to be issued by any Transaction Obligor or any other person; or

 

(ii) any options or other derivatives in connection with such securities; and

 

(c) to provide advice or other services to the Borrowers or any person who is a party to, or referred to in, a Finance Document,

 

and, in particular, the Security Agent shall be absolutely entitled, in proposing, evaluating, negotiating, entering into and arranging all such transactions and in connection with all other matters covered by paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above, to use (subject only to insider dealing legislation) any information or opportunity, howsoever acquired by it, to pursue its own interests exclusively, to refrain from disclosing such dealings, transactions or other matters or any information acquired in connection with them and to retain for its sole benefit all profits and benefits derived from the dealings transactions or other matters.

 

30.36 Majority Lenders' Instructions

 

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Transaction Documents, the Parties acknowledge that where any provision in Transaction Document refers to the Security Agent being obliged to or entitled to take any specified action, exercise any discretion, make any determination, give any consent or waiver, or act in a certain way in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, it shall or may (as the case may be) take such specified action, exercise such discretion, make such determination, give any consent in accordance with the instructions or directions of the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be) and in doing so shall be deemed to have acted reasonably.

 

(f) Any instructions given by the Majority Lenders shall be in writing and be binding on all the Lenders.

 

(g) The Security Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with the instructions of the Facility Agent until it has received such security as it may require for any cost, loss or liability (together with any associated VAT) which it may incur in complying with the instructions.

 

(h) In the absence of instructions from the Facility Agent, the Security Agent shall not be obliged to take any action.

 

The Security Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Finance Party (without first obtaining the relevant Finance Party's consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Security Document. Subject to the terms of the Transaction Documents, this paragraph (d) shall not apply to any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to the perfection preservation or protection of rights under the Security Documents or enforcement of the Transaction Security or any Security Documents.

 

31 Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties

 

No provision of this Agreement will:

 

(a) interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit;

 

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(b) oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or

 

(c) oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax.

 

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 a Transaction Obligor other than in accordance with Clause 33 (Payment Mechanics) (a "Recovered Amount") and applies that amount to a payment due to it under the Finance Documents then:

 

(a) the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the Facility Agent;

 

(b) the Facility 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 Facility Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause 33 (Payment Mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Facility Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

 

(c) the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Facility Agent, pay to the Facility Agent an amount (the "Sharing Payment") equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Facility Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with Clause 33.5 (Application of receipts; partial payments).

 

32.2 Redistribution of payments

 

The Facility Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Transaction Obligor and distribute it among the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the "Sharing Finance Parties") in accordance with Clause 33.5 (Application of receipts; partial payments) towards the obligations of that Transaction Obligor to the Sharing Finance Parties.

 

32.3 Recovering Finance Party's rights

 

On a distribution by the Facility Agent under Clause 32.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from a Transaction Obligor, as between the relevant Transaction Obligor and the Recovering Finance Party, an amount of the Recovered Amount equal to the Sharing Payment will be treated as not having been paid by that Transaction Obligor.

 

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 Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Facility Agent, pay to the Facility Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay) (the "Redistributed Amount"); and

 

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(b) as between the relevant Transaction Obligor and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by that Transaction Obligor.

 

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 Transaction Obligor.

 

(b) A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if:

 

(i) it notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings; and

 

(ii) that other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings.
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Section 11

Administration

 

33 Payment Mechanics

 

33.1 Payments to the Facility Agent

 

(a) On each date on which a Transaction Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, that Transaction Obligor or Lender shall make an amount equal to such payment available to the Facility Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Facility Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.

 

(b) Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Facility Agent) and with such bank as the Facility Agent, in each case, specifies.

 

33.2 Distributions by the Facility Agent

 

Each payment received by the Facility Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to Clause 33.3 (Distributions to a Transaction Obligor) and Clause 33.4 (Clawback and pre-funding) be made available by the Facility Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Facility Agent by not less than five Business Days' notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by that Party or, in the case of the Loan, to such account of such person as may be specified by the Borrowers in the Utilisation Request.

 

33.3 Distributions to a Transaction Obligor

 

The Facility Agent may (with the consent of the Transaction Obligor or in accordance with Clause 34 (Set-Off)) apply any amount received by it for that Transaction Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.

 

33.4 Clawback and pre-funding

 

(a) Where a sum is to be paid to the Facility Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Facility Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum.

 

(b) If the Facility Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Facility Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Facility Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Facility Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Facility Agent, calculated by the Facility Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

 

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33.5 Application of receipts; partial payments

 

(a) If the Facility Agent or the Security Agent (as applicable) receives a payment that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by a Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents, the Facility Agent or the Security Agent (as applicable) shall apply that payment towards the obligations of that Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents in the following order:

 

(i) first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid fees, costs and expenses of, and any other amounts owing to, the Facility Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate under the Finance Documents;

 

(ii) secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest and fees due but unpaid to the Lenders under this Agreement;

 

(iii) thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid to the Lenders under this Agreement; and

 

(iv) fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due to any Finance Party but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

 

(b) The Facility Agent shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, vary, or instruct the Security Agent to vary (as applicable) the order set out in sub-paragraphs (ii) to (iv) of paragraph (a) above.

 

(c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) above will override any appropriation made by a Transaction Obligor.

 

33.6 No set-off by Transaction Obligors

 

All payments to be made by a Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

 

33.7 Business Days

 

(a) Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

(b) During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or an Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date.

 

33.8 Currency of account

 

(a) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, dollars is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from a Transaction Obligor under any Finance Document.

 

(b) Each payment in respect of costs, expenses or Taxes shall be made in the currency in which the costs, expenses or Taxes are incurred.

 

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(c) Any amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than dollars shall be paid in that other currency.

 

33.9 Change of currency

 

(a) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:

 

(i) any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) (after consultation with the Borrowers); and

 

(ii) any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

(b) If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders and after consultation with the Borrowers) specifies (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the London interbank market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.

 

33.10 Currency Conversion

 

(a) For the purpose of, or pending any payment to be made by any Servicing Party under any Finance Document, such Servicing Party may convert any moneys received or recovered by it from one currency to another, at a market rate of exchange available to that Servicing Party in its usual course of business.

 

(b) The obligations of any Transaction Obligor to pay in the due currency shall only be satisfied to the extent of the amount of the due currency purchased after deducting the costs of conversion.

 

33.11 Disruption to Payment Systems etc.

 

If either the Facility Agent determines (in its discretion) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Facility Agent is notified by the Borrowers that a Disruption Event has occurred:

 

(a) the Facility Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Borrowers, consult with the Borrowers with a view to agreeing with the Borrowers such changes to the operation or administration of the Facility as the Facility Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

 

(b) the Facility Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Borrowers in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes;

 

(c) the Facility Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

 

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(d) any such changes agreed upon by the Facility Agent and the Borrowers shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties and any Transaction Obligors as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 42 (Amendments and Waivers);

 

(e) the Facility Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Facility Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this Clause 33.11 (Disruption to Payment Systems etc.); and

 

(f) the Facility Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (d) above.

 

34 Set-Off

 

A Finance Party may set off at any time after an Event of Default has occurred and whilst the same is continuing but without any prior notice any matured obligation due from a Transaction Obligor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Transaction Obligor, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.

 

35 Bail-In

 

Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the parties to a Finance Document, each Party acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any party to a Finance Document under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:

 

(a) any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation):

 

(i) a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability;

 

(ii) a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and

 

(iii) a cancellation of any such liability; and

 

(b) a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability.

 

36 Notices

 

36.1 Communications in writing

 

Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by fax, letter or, subject to Clause 36.5 (Electronic communication), by electronic mail.

 

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36.2 Addresses

 

The address, fax number and electronic mail address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents are:

 

(a) in the case of the Borrowers, that specified in Schedule 1 (The Parties);

 

(b) in the case of each Lender or any other Obligor, that specified in Schedule 1 (The Parties) or, if it becomes a Party after the date of this Agreement, that notified in writing to the Facility Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a Party;

 

(c) in the case of the Facility Agent, that specified in Schedule 1 (The Parties); and

 

(d) in the case of the Security Agent, that specified in Schedule 1 (The Parties),

 

or any substitute address, fax number or department or officer as the Party may notify to the Facility Agent (or the Facility Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Facility Agent) by not less than five Business Days' notice.

 

36.3 Delivery

 

(a) Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective:

 

(i) if by way of fax, when received in legible form;

 

(ii) if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address; or

 

(iii) if by way of electronic mail, in accordance with Clause 36.5 (Electronic communication),

 

and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 36.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

 

(b) Any communication or document to be made or delivered to a Servicing Party will be effective only when actually received by that Servicing Party and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer of that Servicing Party specified in Schedule 1 (The Parties) (or any substitute department or officer as that Servicing Party shall specify for this purpose).

 

(c) All notices from or to a Transaction Obligor shall be sent through the Facility Agent unless otherwise specified in any Finance Document.

 

(d) Any communication or document made or delivered to the Borrowers in accordance with this Clause will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Transaction Obligors.

 

(e) Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraphs (a) to (d) above, after 5.00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

 

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36.4 Notification of address and fax number

 

Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address and fax number or change of address or fax number pursuant to Clause 36.2 (Addresses) or changing its own address or fax number, the Facility Agent shall notify the other Parties.

 

36.5 Electronic communication

 

(a) Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties:

 

(i) notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means; and

 

(ii) notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five Business Days' notice.

 

(b) Any such electronic communication as specified in paragraph (a) above to be made between an Obligor and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication.

 

(c) Any such electronic communication as specified in paragraph (a) above made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Facility Agent or the Security Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Facility Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose.

 

(d) Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraph (c) above, after 5.00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

 

(e) Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this Clause 36.5 (Electronic communication).

 

36.6 English language

 

(a) Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

 

(b) All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

 

(i) in English; or

 

(ii) if not in English, and if so required by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), accompanied by a certified English translation prepared by a translator approved by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

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37 Calculations and Certificates

 

37.1 Accounts

 

In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.

 

37.2 Certificates and determinations

 

Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.

 

37.3 Day count convention

 

Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days or, in any case where the practice in the London interbank market differs, in accordance with that market practice.

 

38 Partial Invalidity

 

If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions under the law of that jurisdiction nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.

 

39 Remedies and Waivers

 

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Secured Party, any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any Finance Document. No election to affirm any Finance Document on the part of a Secured Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in each Finance Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

40 Settlement or Discharge Conditional

 

Any settlement or discharge under any Finance Document between any Finance Party and any Transaction Obligor shall be conditional upon no security or payment to any Finance Party by any Transaction Obligor or any other person being set aside, adjusted or ordered to be repaid, whether under any insolvency law or otherwise.

 

41 Irrevocable Payment

 

If the Facility Agent considers that an amount paid or discharged by, or on behalf of, a Transaction Obligor or by any other person in purported payment or discharge of an obligation of that Transaction Obligor to a Secured Party under the Finance Documents is capable of being avoided or otherwise set aside on the liquidation or administration of that Transaction Obligor or otherwise, then that amount shall not be considered to have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid or discharged for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

 

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42 Amendments and Waivers

 

42.1 Required consents

 

(a) Subject to Clause 42.2 (All Lender matters) and Clause 42.3 (Other exceptions) any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and, in the case of an amendment, the Obligors and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all Parties.

 

(b) The Facility Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 42 (Amendments and Waivers).

 

(c) Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 29.7 (Rights and discretions), the Facility Agent may at the Borrowers' cost engage and rely on the services of lawyers in determining the consent level required for and effecting any amendment, waiver or consent under this Agreement.

 

(d) Paragraph (c) of Clause 27.9 (Pro rata interest settlement) shall apply to this Clause 42 (Amendments and Waivers).

 

42.2 All Lender matters

 

An amendment of or waiver or consent in relation to any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:

 

(a) the definition of "Majority Lenders" in Clause 1.1 (Definitions);

 

(b) a postponement to or extension of the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

 

(c) a reduction in the Interest Rate or the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable;

 

(d) a change in currency of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

 

(e) an increase in any Commitment or the Total Commitments, an extension of any Availability Period or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments rateably under the Facility;

 

(f) a change to any Transaction Obligor other than in accordance with Clause 28 (Changes to the Transaction Obligors);

 

(g) any provision which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders;

 

(h) this Clause 42 (Amendments and Waivers);

 

(i) any change to the preamble (Background), Clause 2 (The Facility), Clause 3 (Purpose), Clause 5 (Utilisation), Clause 7.4 (Mandatory prepayment on sale or Total Loss), Clause 8 (Interest), Clause 23.9 (Compliance with laws, etc.) 23.11 (Sanctions and Ship trading), Clause 25 (Earnings Account and Application of Earnings), Clause 27 (Changes to the Lenders), Clause 32 (Sharing among the Finance Parties), Clause 45 (Governing Law) or Clause 46 (Enforcement);

 

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(j) any release of, or material variation to, any Transaction Security, guarantee, indemnity or subordination arrangement set out in a Finance Document (except in the case of a release of Transaction Security as it relates to the disposal of an asset which is the subject of the Transaction Security and where such disposal is expressly permitted by the Majority Lenders or otherwise under a Finance Document);

 

(k) (other than as expressly permitted by the provisions of any Finance Document) the nature or scope of:

 

(i) the guarantee and indemnity granted under Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity);

 

(ii) the Security Assets; or

 

(iii) the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security are distributed,

 

(except in the case of sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above, insofar as it relates to a sale or disposal of an asset which is the subject of the Transaction Security where such sale or disposal is expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document);

 

(l) the release of the guarantee and indemnity granted under Clause 16 (Guarantee and Indemnity) or of any Transaction Security unless permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document or relating to a sale or disposal of an asset which is the subject of the Transaction Security where such sale or disposal is expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document,

 

shall not be made, or given, without the prior consent of all the Lenders.

 

42.3 Other exceptions

 

(a) An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of a Servicing Party (in its capacity as such) may not be effected without the consent of that Servicing Party.

 

(b) The Borrowers and the Facility Agent or the Borrowers and the Security Agent, as applicable, may amend in writing or waive a term of a Fee Letter to which they are party.

 

42.4 Obligor Intent

 

Without prejudice to the generality of Clauses 1.2 (Construction) and 16.4 (Waiver of defences), each Obligor expressly confirms that it intends that any guarantee contained in this Agreement or any other Finance Document and any Security created by any Finance Document shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Finance Documents and/or any facility or amount made available under any of the Finance Documents for the purposes of or in connection with any of the following: business acquisitions of any nature; increasing working capital; enabling investor distributions to be made; carrying out restructurings; refinancing existing facilities; refinancing any other indebtedness; making facilities available to new borrowers; any other variation or extension of the purposes for which any such facility or amount might be made available from time to time; and any fees, costs and/or expenses associated with any of the foregoing.

 

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43 Confidential Information

 

43.1 Confidentiality

 

Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 43.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information), Clause 43.4 (Disclosure to numbering service providers) and unless otherwise required by law, court order, regulatory authority or stock exchange rules, requirements and regulations and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.

 

43.2 Disclosure of Confidential Information

 

Any Finance Party may disclose:

 

(a) to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, legal counsels, insurers, insurance advisors, insurance brokers, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (a) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information;

 

(b) to any person:

 

(i) to (or through) whom it assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Facility Agent or Security Agent and, in each case, to any of that person's Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers;

 

(ii) with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or one or more Transaction Obligors and to any of that person's Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers;

 

(iii) appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) of paragraph (b) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under paragraph (c) of Clause 29.14 (Relationship with the other Finance Parties));

 

(iv) who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) of paragraph (b) above;

 

(v) to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation;

 

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(vi) to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitrations, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes;

 

(vii) to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to Clause 27.8 (Security over Lenders' rights);

 

(viii) who is a Party, a Transaction Obligor or any related entity of a Transaction Obligor;

 

(ix) as a result of the registration of any Finance Document as contemplated by any Finance Document or any legal opinion obtained in connection with any Finance Document; or

 

(x) with the consent of the Borrowers;

 

in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if:

 

(A) in relation to sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (b) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking except that there shall be no requirement for a Confidentiality Undertaking if the recipient is a professional adviser and is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information;

 

(B) in relation to sub-paragraph (iv) of paragraph (b) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information they receive and is informed that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information;

 

(C) in relation to sub-paragraphs (v), (vi) and (vii) of paragraph (b) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of that Finance Party, it is not practicable so to do in the circumstances;

 

(c) to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) of paragraph (b) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this paragraph (c) if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered in to a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Borrowers and the relevant Finance Party; and

 

(d) to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Transaction Obligors if the rating agency to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information.

 

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43.3 DAC6

 

Nothing in any Finance Document shall prevent disclosure of any Confidential Information or other matter to the extent that preventing that disclosure would otherwise cause any transaction contemplated by the Finance Documents or any transaction carried out in connection with any transaction contemplated by the Finance Documents to become an arrangement described in Part II A 1 of Annex IV of Directive 2011/16/EU.

 

43.4 Disclosure to numbering service providers

 

(a) Any Finance Party may disclose to any national or international numbering service provider appointed by that Finance Party to provide identification numbering services in respect of this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Transaction Obligors the following information:

 

(i) names of Transaction Obligors;

 

(ii) country of domicile of Transaction Obligors;

 

(iii) place of incorporation of Transaction Obligors;

 

(iv) date of this Agreement;

 

(v) Clause 45 (Governing Law);

 

(vi) the name of the Facility Agent;

 

(vii) date of each amendment and restatement of this Agreement;

 

(viii) amount of Total Commitments;

 

(ix) currency of the Facility;

 

(x) type of Facility;

 

(xi) ranking of Facility;

 

(xii) Termination Date for Facility;

 

(xiii) changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to sub-paragraphs (i) to (xii) above; and

 

(xiv) such other information agreed between such Finance Party and the Borrowers,

 

to enable such numbering service provider to provide its usual syndicated loan numbering identification services.

 

(b) The Parties acknowledge and agree that each identification number assigned to this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Transaction Obligors by a numbering service provider and the information associated with each such number may be disclosed to users of its services in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of that numbering service provider.

 

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(c) Each Obligor represents, on behalf of itself and the other Transaction Obligors, that none of the information set out in sub-paragraphs (i) to (xiv) of paragraph (a) above is, nor will at any time be, unpublished price-sensitive information.

 

43.5 Entire agreement

 

This Clause 43 (Confidential Information) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.

 

43.6 Inside information

 

Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.

 

43.7 Notification of disclosure

 

Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Borrowers:

 

(a) of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to sub-paragraph (v) of paragraph (b) of Clause 43.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

 

(b) upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 43 (Confidential Information).

 

43.8 Continuing obligations

 

The obligations in this Clause 43 (Confidential Information) are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of 12 months from the earlier of:

 

(a) the date on which all amounts payable by the Obligors under or in connection with this Agreement have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and

 

(b) the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party.

 

44 Counterparts

 

Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.

 

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Section 12

Governing Law and Enforcement

 

45 Governing Law

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

46 Enforcement

 

46.1 Jurisdiction

 

(a) Unless specifically provided in another Finance Document in relation to that Finance Document, the courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with any Finance Document (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of any Finance Document or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with any Finance Document) (a "Dispute").

 

(b) The Obligors accept that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Obligor will argue to the contrary.

 

(c) This Clause 46.1 (Jurisdiction) is for the benefit of the Secured Parties only. As a result, no Secured Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Secured Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

46.2 Service of process

 

(a) Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Obligor (other than an Obligor incorporated in England and Wales):

 

(i) irrevocably appoints Messrs E. J. C. Album Solicitors, presently of Landmark House, 190 Willifield Way, London NW11 6YA, England (attention: Mr Edward Album, tel: +44 208 455 7653, fax: +44 208 457 5558 and email: ejca@mitgr.com) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(ii) agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

(b) If any person appointed as an agent for service of process is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, each Borrower (on behalf of all the Obligors) must immediately (and in any event within 5 days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Facility Agent. Failing this, the Facility Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.

 

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47 Patriot Act Notice

 

47.1 PATRIOT Act Notice

 

Each of the Facility Agent and the Lenders hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act and the policies and practices of the Facility Agent and each Lender, the Facility Agent and each of the Lenders is required to obtain, verify and record certain information and documentation that identifies each Transaction Obligor, which information includes the name and address of each Transaction Obligor and such other information that will allow the Facility Agent and each of the Lenders to identify each Transaction Obligor in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

 

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

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Schedule 1

The Parties

 

Part A

The Obligors

 

Name of Borrower

Place of
Incorporation

Registration number

(or equivalent, if any)

Address for
Communication
       
Sea Glorius Shipping Co. The Republic of the Marshall Islands 71734

154 Vouliagmenis

Avenue, 166 74 Glyfada,

Athens Greece

 

Tel: +302130181507

Email: legal@seanergy.gr

Fax: +302109638404

 

Sea Genius Shipping Co. The Republic of the Marshall Islands 71733

154 Vouliagmenis

Avenue, 166 74 Glyfada,

Athens Greece

 

Tel: +302130181507

Email: legal@seanergy.gr

Fax: +302109638404

 

Name of Guarantor Place of Incorporation

Registration number

(or equivalent, if any)

Address for
Communication
       
Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. The Republic of the Marshall Islands 27721

154 Vouliagmenis

Avenue, 166 74 Glyfada,

Athens Greece

 

Tel: +302130181507

Email: legal@seanergy.gr

Fax: +302109638404

 

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Part B

The Original Lenders

Name of Original Lender Commitment Address for Communication
     
Blue Ocean Onshore Fund LP $10,511,012.27

Blue Ocean Onshore Fund LP
c/o EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

 

Facsimile: +1 212 888 0751

Email: sengh@entrustglobal.com

/odonnerstein@entrustglobal.com/

mlux@entrustglobal.com

Attention: Svein Engh / Omer Donnerstein

/ Matthew Lux

 

Blue Ocean 1839 Fund LP $4,692,965.08

Blue Ocean 1839 Fund LP
c/o EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

 

Facsimile: +1 212 888 0751

Email: sengh@entrustglobal.com

/odonnerstein@entrustglobal.com/

mlux@entrustglobal.com

Attention: Svein Engh / Omer Donnerstein

/ Matthew Lux

 

Blue Ocean Income Fund LP $2,604,465.39

Blue Ocean Income Fund LP
c/o EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

 

Facsimile: +1 212 888 0751

Email: sengh@entrustglobal.com

/odonnerstein@entrustglobal.com/

mlux@entrustglobal.com

Attention: Svein Engh / Omer Donnerstein

/ Matthew Lux

 

EnTrust Global ICAV, for and on behalf of Blue Ocean Fund $1,803,181.67

EnTrust Global ICAV
c/o EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

 

Facsimile: +1 212 888 0751

Email: sengh@entrustglobal.com

/odonnerstein@entrustglobal.com/

mlux@entrustglobal.com

Attention: Svein Engh / Omer Donnerstein

/ Matthew Lux 

 

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Blue Ocean Offshore Master Fund I LLC $542,010.37

Blue Ocean Offshore Master Fund I LLC
c/o EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

 

Facsimile: +1 212 888 0751

Email: sengh@entrustglobal.com

/odonnerstein@entrustglobal.com/

mlux@entrustglobal.com

Attention: Svein Engh / Omer Donnerstein

/ Matthew Lux

 

Blue Ocean IDF Series of the SALI Multi-Series Fund, L.P. $2,346,365.22

Blue Ocean IDF Series of the SALI Multi-Series Fund, L.P.
c/o EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

 

Facsimile: +1 212 888 0751

Email: sengh@entrustglobal.com

/odonnerstein@entrustglobal.com/

mlux@entrustglobal.com

Attention: Svein Engh / Omer Donnerstein

/ Matthew Lux

 

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Part C

The Servicing Parties

 

Name of Facility Agent Address for Communication
   
Lucid Agency Services Limited

6th Floor, No 1 Building 1-5 London Wall Buildings, London Wall, London, United Kingdom, EC2M 5PG

 

Fax: + 44 2030024691

 

Attention: Lucid Agency and Trustee Services Limited (deals@lucid-ats.com) 

   
Name of Security Agent Address for Communication
   
Lucid Trustee Services Limited

6th Floor, No 1 Building 1-5 London Wall Buildings, London Wall, London, United Kingdom, EC2M 5PG

 

Fax: + 44 2030024691

 

Attention: Lucid Agency and Trustee Services Limited (deals@lucid-ats.com) 

 

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Schedule 2

Conditions Precedent

 

Part A

Conditions precedent to Utilisation Request

 

1 Obligors

 

1.1 A copy of the constitutional documents of each Transaction Obligor.

 

1.2 A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Transaction Obligor:

 

(a) approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute the Finance Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b) authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Finance Documents to which it is a party on its behalf; and

 

(c) authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including, if relevant, the Utilisation Request) to be signed and/or despatched by it under, or in connection with, the Finance Documents to which it is a party.

 

1.3 An original of the power of attorney of any Transaction Obligor authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Finance Documents to which it is a party.

 

1.4 A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 1.2 above.

 

1.5 A copy of a resolution signed by the Guarantor as the holder of all the issued shares in each Borrower, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which that Borrower is a party.

 

1.6 A certificate of each Transaction Obligor (signed by an officer) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing, guaranteeing or similar limit binding on that Transaction Obligor to be exceeded.

 

1.7 A certificate of each Transaction Obligor that is incorporated outside the UK (signed by an officer) certifying either that (i) it has not delivered particulars of any UK Establishment to the Registrar of Companies as required under the Overseas Regulations or (ii) it has a UK Establishment and specifying the name and registered number under which it is registered with the Registrar of Companies.

 

1.8 A certificate of an officer of the relevant Transaction Obligor certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part A of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement.

 

2 Finance Documents

 

2.1 A duly executed original of this Agreement.

 

2.2 A duly executed original of the Fee Letter.

 

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2.3 A duly executed original of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

3 Security

 

3.1 A duly executed original of any Subordinated Debt Security.

 

4 Legal opinions

 

4.1 A legal opinion of Watson Farley & Williams, legal advisers to the Facility Agent and the Security Agent in England, substantially in the form distributed to the Original Lenders before signing this Agreement.

 

4.2 If a Transaction Obligor is incorporated in a jurisdiction other than England and Wales, a legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Facility Agent and the Security Agent in the relevant jurisdiction, substantially in the form distributed to the Original Lenders before signing this Agreement.

 

5 Other documents and evidence

 

5.1 Evidence that any process agent referred to in Clause 46.2 (Service of process) has accepted its appointment.

 

5.2 A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Facility Agent considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Borrowers accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any Transaction Document or for the validity and enforceability of any Transaction Document.

 

5.3 Evidence that the Earnings Account has been opened with the Account Bank.

 

5.4 The Original Financial Statements.

 

5.5 Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrowers pursuant to Clause 10 (Fees) and Clause 15 (Costs and Expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the Utilisation Date.

 

5.6 Such evidence as the Facility Agent may require for the Finance Parties to be able to satisfy each of their "know your customer" or similar identification procedures in relation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents.

 

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Part B

Conditions precedent to Utilisation

 

1 Borrower

 

A certificate of an authorised signatory of each Borrower certifying that each copy document which it is required to provide under this Part B of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at the Utilisation Date.

 

2 Release of Existing Security

 

An original of the Deed of Release and of each document to be delivered under or pursuant to it, together with evidence satisfactory to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) of its due execution by the parties to it.

 

3 Finance Documents

 

3.1 A duly executed original of any Finance Document not otherwise referred to in this Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent).

 

3.2 A duly executed original of any other document required to be delivered by each Finance Document if not otherwise referred to this Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent).

 

4 Ship and other security

 

4.1 A duly executed original of the Account Security, each Shares Security, each Mortgage, each General Assignment and any Charter Assignment and of each document to be delivered under or pursuant to each of them together with documentary evidence that the each Mortgage has been duly registered or recorded (as applicable) as a valid first preferred or priority (as applicable) ship mortgage in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction of the Approved Flag of the relevant Ship.

 

4.2 Documentary evidence that each Ship:

 

(a) is definitively and permanently registered in the name of the relevant Borrower under the relevant Approved Flag;

 

(b) is in the absolute and unencumbered ownership of the relevant Borrower save as contemplated by the Finance Documents;

 

(c) maintains the Approved Classification with the relevant Approved Classification Society free of all overdue recommendations and conditions of the relevant Approved Classification Society; and

 

(d) is insured in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and all requirements in this Agreement in respect of insurances have been complied with.

 

4.3 Documents establishing that each Ship will, as from the Utilisation Date, be managed commercially by the Approved Commercial Manager and managed technically by the Approved Technical Manager on terms acceptable to the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of all of the Lenders, together with:

 

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(a) a Manager's Undertaking for each of the Approved Technical Manager and the Approved Commercial Manager; and

 

(b) copies of the Approved Technical Manager's Document of Compliance and of that Ship's Safety Management Certificate (together with any other details of the applicable Safety Management System which the Facility Agent requires (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders)) and of any other documents required under the ISM Code and the ISPS Code in relation to that Ship including without limitation an ISSC.

 

4.4 An opinion from an independent insurance consultant acceptable to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) on such matters relating to the Insurances as the Facility Agent may require (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

4.5 A valuation of each Ship stated to be for the purposes of this Agreement and dated not earlier than 30 days prior to the Utilisation Date as the Lenders will approve from an Approved Valuer.

 

5 Collateral Ship and other security

 

5.1 A duly executed original of the Collateral Account Security, the Collateral Guarantee, the Collateral Mortgage, the Collateral Shares Security and the Collateral General Assignment and of each document to be delivered under or pursuant to each of them together with documentary evidence that the Collateral Mortgage has been duly registered or, as the case may be, recorded as a valid second priority ship mortgage in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction of the relevant Approved Flag.

 

5.2 Documentary evidence that the Collateral Ship:

 

(a) is definitively and permanently registered in the name of the Collateral Guarantor under the relevant Approved Flag;

 

(b) is in the absolute and unencumbered ownership of the Collateral Guarantor save as contemplated by the Finance Documents;

 

(c) maintains the relevant Approved Classification with the relevant Approved Classification Society free of all overdue recommendations and conditions of the relevant Approved Classification Society; and

 

(d) is insured in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and all requirements in this Agreement in respect of insurances have been complied with.

 

5.3 Documents establishing that the Collateral Ship is managed commercially by the Approved Commercial Manager and managed technically by the Approved Technical Manager on terms acceptable to the Facility Agent acting with the authorisation of all of the Lenders, together with:

 

(a) a Collateral Manager's Undertaking for each of the Approved Technical Manager and the Approved Commercial Manager; and

 

(b) copies of the Approved Technical Manager's Document of Compliance and of the Ship's Safety Management Certificate (together with any other details of the applicable Safety Management System which the Facility Agent requires) and of any other documents required under the ISM Code and the ISPS Code in relation to the Collateral Ship including without limitation an ISSC.

 

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6 Legal opinions

 

Legal opinions of the legal advisers to the Facility Agent and the Security Agent in the jurisdiction of the Approved Flag of each Ship and the Collateral Ship, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and such other relevant jurisdictions as the Facility Agent may require.

 

7 Other documents and evidence

 

7.1 Evidence that the Minimum Liquidity Amount is standing, or will be standing immediately after the Utilisation Date, to the credit of the relevant Earnings Account.

 

7.2 Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrowers pursuant to Clause 10 (Fees) and Clause 15 (Costs and Expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the Utilisation Date.

 

7.3 Evidence satisfactory to the Facility Agent that the conditions precedent pursuant to Clause 4 (conditions precedent) of the Collateral Facility Amendment and Restatement Deed have been satisfied.

 

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Schedule 3

Requests

 

Utilisation Request

 

From:      Sea Glorius Shipping Co.

 Sea Genius Shipping Co.

 

 

To:         Lucid Agency Services Limited

 

Dated: [●] 2020

 

Dear Sirs

 

Sea Glorius Shipping Co. and Sea Genius Shipping Co. – $22,500,000 Facility Agreement dated [●] 2020 (the "Agreement")

 

1 We refer to the Agreement. This is the Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request.

 

2 We wish to borrow the Loan on the following terms:

 

  Proposed Utilisation Date: [●] 2020 (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
     
  Amount: [$22,500,000] or, if less, the Available Facility as follows:
     
  Tranche A [$6,500,000]
  Tranche B [$16,000,000]

 

3 [You are authorised and requested to deduct from the Loan prior to funds being remitted the following amounts set out against the following items:

 

  Fees payable on the Utilisation date pursuant to Clause 10 (Fees) $[●]
     
  Net proceeds of Loan $[[●]]]

 

4 [We request that funds are prepositioned with [include details of relevant bank] in accordance with Clause 5.8 (Prepositioning of Funds).]

 

5 We hereby agree and acknowledge that the Facility Agent shall make payments strictly on the basis of the information set forth in this Utilisation Request hereto even if such information is incorrect. In the event that any of such information is incorrect, we agree that the Facility Agent shall not have any liability with respect thereto.

 

6 We confirm that each condition specified in Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) of the Agreement as they relate to the Loan is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request.

 

7 The net proceeds of the Loan should be credited to [account details of Existing Facility Agent].

 

8 This Utilisation Request is irrevocable.

 

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Yours faithfully

 

 

____________________

[●]

authorised signatory for

SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO.

 

____________________

[●]

authorised signatory for

SEA GENIUS SHIPPING CO.

 

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Schedule 4

Form of Transfer Certificate

 

To:       Lucid Agency Services Limited as Facility Agent

 

From:   [The Existing Lender] (the "Existing Lender") and [The New Lender] (the "New Lender")

 

Dated: [●]

 

Dear Sirs

 

Sea Glorius Shipping Co. and Sea Genius Shipping Co. – $22,500,000 Facility Agreement dated [●] 2020 (the "Agreement")

 

1 We refer to the Agreement. This is a Transfer Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Transfer Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Transfer Certificate.

 

2 We refer to Clause 27.5 (Procedure for transfer) of the Agreement:

 

(a) The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree to the Existing Lender transferring to the New Lender by novation all of the Existing Lender's rights and obligations under the Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender's Commitment and participation in the Loan under the Agreement as specified in the Schedule in accordance with Clause 27.5 (Procedure for transfer) of the Agreement.

 

(b) The proposed Transfer Date is [●].

 

(c) The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 36.2 (Addresses) of the Agreement are set out in the Schedule.

 

3 The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender's obligations set out in paragraph (c) of Clause 27.4 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) of the Agreement.

 

4 This Transfer Certificate may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Transfer Certificate.

 

5 This Transfer Certificate and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

6 This Transfer Certificate has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Transfer Certificate.

 

Note: The execution of this Transfer Certificate may not transfer a proportionate share of the Existing Lender's interest in the Transaction Security in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to perfect a transfer of such a share in the Existing Lender's Transaction Security in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 

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THE SCHEDULE

 

Commitment/rights and obligations to be transferred

 

[insert relevant details]

 

[Facility Office address, fax number and attention details

 

for notices and account details for payments.]

 

[Existing Lender] [New Lender]
   
By: [●] By: [●]

 

This Transfer Certificate is accepted by the Facility Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [●].

 

[Facility Agent]

 

By: [●]

 

  155  

 

 

Schedule 5

Form of Assignment Agreement

 

To: Lucid Agency Services Limited as Facility Agent and Sea Glorius Shipping Co. and Sea Genius Shipping Co. as joint and several Borrowers, for and on behalf of each Transaction Obligor

 

From: [the Existing Lender] (the "Existing Lender") and [the New Lender] (the "New Lender")

 

Dated: [●]

 

Dear Sirs

 

Sea Glorius Shipping Co. and Sea Genius Shipping Co. – $22,500,000 Facility Agreement dated [●] 2020 (the "Agreement")

 

1 We refer to the Agreement. This is an Assignment Agreement. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Assignment Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Assignment Agreement.

 

2 We refer to Clause 27.6 (Procedure for assignment):

 

(a) The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Agreement, the other Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender's Commitment and participations in the Loan under the Agreement as specified in the Schedule.

 

(b) The Existing Lender is released from all the obligations of the Existing Lender which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender's Commitments and participations in the Loan under the Agreement specified in the Schedule.

 

(c) The New Lender becomes a Party as a Lender and is bound by obligations equivalent to those from which the Existing Lender is released under paragraph (b) above.

 

(d) All rights and interests (present, future or contingent) which the Existing Lender has under or by virtue of the Finance Documents are assigned to the New Lender absolutely, free of any defects in the Existing Lender's title and of any rights or equities which the Borrowers or any other Transaction Obligor had against the Existing Lender.

 

3 The proposed Transfer Date is [●].

 

4 On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes Party to the Finance Documents as a Lender.

 

5 The Facility Office and address, fax, number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 36.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule.

 

6 The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender's obligations set out in paragraph (c) of Clause 27.4 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders).

 

7 This Assignment Agreement acts as notice to the Facility Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery in accordance with Clause 27.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement to Borrower), to the Borrowers (on behalf of each Transaction Obligor) of the assignment referred to in this Assignment Agreement.

 

  156  

 

 

8 This Assignment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Assignment Agreement.

 

9 This Assignment Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

10 This Assignment Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Assignment Agreement.

 

Note: The execution of this Assignment Agreement may not transfer a proportionate share of the Existing Lender's interest in the Transaction Security in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to perfect a transfer of such a share in the Existing Lender's Transaction Security in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 

  157  

 

 

THE SCHEDULE

 

Commitment rights and obligations to be transferred by assignment, release and accession

 

[insert relevant details]

 

[Facility office address, fax number and attention details for notices
and account details for payments]

 

[Existing Lender] [New Lender]
   
By: [●] By: [●]

 

This Assignment Agreement is accepted by the Facility Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [●].

 

Signature of this Assignment Agreement by the Facility Agent constitutes confirmation by the Facility Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Facility Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.

 

[Facility Agent]

 

By:

 

  158  

 

 

Schedule 6

 

Repayment Schedule

 

 

Repayment

Instalment

Opening Balance ($) Amortizing ($)

Loan Closing

Balance ($)

Tranche A Tranche B Tranche A Tranche B
        22,500,000
1 6,500,000 16,000,000 200,000 276,500 22,023,500
2 6,300,000 15,723,500 200,000 276,500 21,547,000
3 6,100,000 15,447,000 200,000 276,500 21,070,500
4 5,900,000 15,170,500 200,000 276,500 20,594,000
5 5,700,000 14,894,000 200,000 276,500 20,117,500
6 5,500,000 14,617,500 200,000 276,500 19,641,000
7 5,300,000 14,341,000 350,000 515,000 18,776,000
8 4,950,000 13,826,000 350,000 515,000 17,911,000
9 4,600,000 13,311,000 350,000 515,000 17,046,000
10 4,250,000 12,796,000 350,000 515,000 16,181,000
11 3,900,000 12,281,000 350,000 515,000 15,316,000
12 3,550,000 11,766,000 350,000 515,000 14,451,000
13 3,200,000 11,251,000 350,000 515,000 13,586,000
14 2,850,000 10,736,000 350,000 515,000 12,721,000
15 2,500,000 10,221,000 350,000 515,000 11,856,000
16 2,150,000 9,706,000 350,000 515,000 10,991,000
17 1,800,000 9,191,000 350,000 515,000 10,126,000
18 1,450,000 8,676,000 350,000 515,000 9,261,000
19 1,100,000 8,161,000 350,000 515,000 8,396,000
20 750,000 7,646,000 350,000 515,000 7,531,000
Totals   6,100,000 8,869,000  
Balloon   400,000 7,131,000  

 

  159  

 

 

Schedule 7

Details of the Ships

 

 

Ship name

Name
of the

Borrower

owner

IMO No. Type DWT Approved Flag

Approved

Classification

Society

Approved Classification
"GLORIUSHIP" Sea Glorius Shipping Co. 9266944 Bulk carrier 171,300 Marshall Islands American Bureau of Shipping A1, Bulk Carrier, BC-A holds, 2, 4, 6&8 may be empty, ESP, AMS, ACCU
               
"GENIUSHIP" Sea Genius Shipping Co. 9398759 Bulk carrier 170,100 Marshall Islands American Bureau of Shipping A1, Bulk Carrier, BC-A holds, 2, 4, 6, 8 may be empty, (no MP), ESP, AMS, ACCU

 

  160  

 

 

Schedule 8

Timetables

 

Delivery of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 5.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request))   Ten Business Days before the intended Utilisation Date (Clause 5.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request))
     
Facility Agent notifies the Lenders of the Loan in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Lenders' participation)   One Business Day before the intended Utilisation Date.

 

  161  

 

 

Schedule 9

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

To:   LUCID AGENCY SERVICES LIMITED as Facility Agent
   
From: SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP. as Guarantor

 

Dated: [●]

 

Dear Sirs

 

Sea Glorius Shipping Co. and Sea Genius Shipping Co. – $22,500,000 Facility Agreement dated [●] 2020 (the "Agreement")

 

We refer to the Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies as follows:

 

1 I am an officer of the Guarantor.

 

2 I confirm that on [●]:

 

(a) the aggregate Market Value of the Ships; plus

 

(b) [the aggregate credit balances held on the Earnings Accounts; plus]

 

(c) the net realisable value of additional Security previously provided under clause 24 (security cover) of the Agreement,

 

is [●] which is [above][below] the Relevant Percentage of the Loan.

 

(d) the account balance standing to the credit of the Earnings Accounts on [●] is $[●], which is [not] in compliance with clause 19.1 (borrowers' minimum liquidity) of the Agreement;

 

The foregoing certifications in the valuations delivered with this Certificate in support hereof, are made and delivered on [date] pursuant to clause 24.7 (provision of valuations) of the Agreement together with the account statements dated [●] in respect of the Earnings Accounts.

 

 

____________________
[●]
as: President
SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.  

  162  

 

 

 

Execution Pages

 

BORROWERS

 

SIGNED by Stamatios Tsantanis ) /s/ Stamatios Tsantanis
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO. )  
its: attorney-in-fact )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Moschopoulou
Witness' name: Maria Moschopoulou )  
Witness' address: )  
154 Vouliagmenis Avenue  
16674 Glyfada, Athens Greece  

 

SIGNED by Stamatios Tsantanis ) /s/ Stamatios Tsantanis
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
SEA GENIUS SHIPPING CO. )  
its: attorney-in-fact )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Moschopoulou
Witness' name: Maria Moschopoulou )  
Witness' address: )  
154 Vouliagmenis Avenue  
16674 Glyfada, Athens Greece  

 

GUARANTOR

 

SIGNED by Stamatios Tsantanis ) /s/ Stamatios Tsantanis
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP. )  
its: attorney-in-fact )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Moschopoulou
Witness' name: Maria Moschopoulou )  
Witness' address: )  
154 Vouliagmenis Avenue  
16674 Glyfada, Athens Greece  

 

  163  

 

 

ORIGINAL LENDERS

 

SIGNED by Konstantinos Mexias ) /s/ Konstantinos Mexias
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
BLUE OCEAN ONSHORE FUND LP )  
By: Blue Ocean GP LLC )  
as its General Partner )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Eleni Kossyfa
Witness' name: Maria Eleni Kossyfa )  
Witness' address: )  
WATSON FARLEY WILLIAMS  
345 SYNGROU AVENUE  
KALLITHEA 176 74  
ATHENS-GREECE  

 

SIGNED by Konstantinos Mexias ) /s/ Konstantinos Mexias
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
BLUE OCEAN 1839 FUND LP )  
By: Blue Ocean GP LLC )  
as its General Partner )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Eleni Kossyfa
Witness' name: Maria Eleni Kossyfa )  
Witness' address: )  
WATSON FARLEY WILLIAMS  
345 SYNGROU AVENUE  
KALLITHEA 176 74  
ATHENS-GREECE  

 

SIGNED by Konstantinos Mexias ) /s/ Konstantinos Mexias
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
BLUE OCEAN INCOME FUND LP )  
By: Blue Ocean GP LLC )  
as its General Partner )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Eleni Kossyfa
Witness' name: Maria Eleni Kossyfa )  
Witness' address: )  
WATSON FARLEY WILLIAMS  
345 SYNGROU AVENUE  
KALLITHEA 176 74  
ATHENS-GREECE  

 

  164  

 

 

SIGNED by Konstantinos Mexias ) /s/ Konstantinos Mexias
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
ENTRUST GLOBAL ICAV )  
for and on behalf of )  
BLUE OCEAN FUND )  
By: EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP )  
as its Investment Advisor )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Eleni Kossyfa
Witness' name: Maria Eleni Kossyfa )  
Witness' address: )  
WATSON FARLEY WILLIAMS  
345 SYNGROU AVENUE  
KALLITHEA 176 74  
ATHENS-GREECE  

 

SIGNED by Konstantinos Mexias ) /s/ Konstantinos Mexias
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
BLUE OCEAN OFFSHORE MASTER )  
FUND I LLC )  
By: EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP )  
as its Investment Advisor )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Eleni Kossyfa
Witness' name: Maria Eleni Kossyfa )  
Witness' address: )  
WATSON FARLEY WILLIAMS  
345 SYNGROU AVENUE  
KALLITHEA 176 74  
ATHENS-GREECE  

 

SIGNED by Konstantinos Mexias ) /s/ Konstantinos Mexias
duly authorised )  
for and on behalf of )  
BLUE OCEAN IDF SERIES OF THE SALI )  
MULTI-SERIES FUND, L.P.    
By: EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP )  
as its Investment Subadvisor )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Maria Eleni Kossyfa
Witness' name: Maria Eleni Kossyfa )  
Witness' address: )  
WATSON FARLEY WILLIAMS  
345 SYNGROU AVENUE  
KALLITHEA 176 74  
ATHENS-GREECE  

 

  165  

 

 

FACILITY AGENT

 

SIGNED by Andrew Brookes ) /s/ Andrew Brookes
duly authorised ) Authorized Signatory
for and on behalf of )  
LUCID AGENCY SERVICES LIMITED )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Marsha Brookes
Witness' name: Marsha Brookes )  
Witness' address: Billericay, Essex )  

 

SECURITY AGENT

 

SIGNED by Andrew Brookes ) /s/ Andrew Brookes
duly authorised ) Authorized Signatory
for and on behalf of )  
LUCID TRUSTEE SERVICES LIMITED )  
in the presence of: )  
     
Witness' signature: ) /s/ Marsha Brookes
Witness' name: Marsha Brookes )  
Witness' address: Billericay, Essex )  

 

  166  

 

 


Exhibit 4.9

Dated [●] June 2022

(originally) US$22,500,000 facility with
US$4,950,000 outstanding





SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO.
as Borrower

and

SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.
as Existing Guarantor

and

UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
as Replacement Guarantor

and

KROLL AGENCY SERVICES LIMITED
as Facility Agent

and

KROLL TRUSTEE SERVICES LIMITED
as Security Agent





DEED OF RELEASE, ACCESSION AND AMENDMENT

relating to a facility agreement dated 15 July 2020
in respect of the refinancing of certain existing indebtedness
secured on m.v. “GLORIUSHIP




Index

Clause
 
Page
     
1
Definitions and Interpretation
1
     
2
Conditions Precedent
3
     
3
Representations
3
     
4
Release of Existing Guarantor
4
     
5
Agreement and Waiver
4
     
6
Accession of Replacement Guarantor
4
     
7
Amendments to Facility Agreement and Other Finance Documents
5
     
8
Further Assurance
8
     
9
Costs and Expenses
8
     
10
Notices
8
     
11
Counterparts
8
     
12
Governing Law
8
     
13
Enforcement
8

Schedules
 
   
Schedule 1 Conditions Precedent
10
   
Execution
 
   
Execution Pages
12



THIS DEED is made on [●] June 2022

PARTIES

(1)
SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, MH96960, Majuro, Marshall Islands as borrower (the “Borrower”)

(2)
SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, MH96960, Majuro, Marshall Islands as existing guarantor (the “Existing Guarantor”)

(3)
UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION, a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands whose registered address is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, MH96960, Majuro, Marshall Islands as new guarantor (the “Replacement Guarantor”)

(4)
KROLL AGENCY SERVICES LIMITED (previously Lucid Agency Services Limited) as agent of the other Finance Parties (the “Facility Agent”)

(5)
KROLL TRUSTEE SERVICES LIMITED (previously Lucid Trustee Services Limited) as security agent for the Secured Parties (the “Security Agent”)

BACKGROUND

(A)
By the Facility Agreement, the Lenders agreed to make available to the Borrower a secured term loan facility of (originally) up to US$22,500,000 of which a principal amount of US$4,950,000 is outstanding as at the date of this Deed.

(B)
The Borrower and the Existing Guarantor have requested that the Finance Parties consent to the Shares Transfer (as this term is defined below) and the replacement of the Existing Guarantor by the Replacement Guarantor subject to the terms and conditions of this Deed and have agreed to amend and supplement the Facility Agreement as set out in this Deed.

OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

1
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1
Definitions

In this Deed:

Amended Facility Agreement” means the Facility Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Deed.

Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions precedent as provided in Clause 2 (Conditions Precedent) have been satisfied.

Existing Obligor” means the Borrower and the Existing Guarantor.

Facility Agreement” means the facility agreement dated 15 July 2020 (as amended and supplemented from time to time) and made between, amongst others, (i) the Borrower, (ii) the Existing Guarantor, (iii) the Lenders, (iv) the Facility Agent and (v) the Security Agent.


New Shares Security” means the shares security to be entered into between (i) the Replacement Guarantor as shareholder and (ii) the Security Agent in relation to the shares in the Borrower, in agreed form.

Obligor” means the Borrower and the Replacement Guarantor.

Party” means a party to this Deed.

Released Shares Security” means the shares security dated 17 July 2020 between (i) the Existing Guarantor as shareholder and (ii) the Security Agent in relation to the shares in the Borrower.

Shares Transfer” means the transfer of ownership of all the shares in the Borrower from the Existing Guarantor to the Replacement Guarantor.

Spin-Off” means a series of transactions following which the Borrower and the Replacement Guarantor will separate from the Existing Guarantor and, simultaneously, the Replacement Guarantor:


(a)
will hold directly all of the shares in the Borrower; and


(b)
will hold indirectly, through the Borrower, Ship A.

Spin-Off Completion Date” means, the date on which the shares of the Replacement Guarantor are distributed to the shareholders of the Existing Guarantor.

1.2
Defined expressions

Defined expressions in the Facility Agreement shall have the same meanings when used in this Deed unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined in this Deed.

1.3
Application of construction and interpretation provisions of Facility Agreement

Clause 1.2 (construction) of the Facility Agreement applies to this Deed as if it were expressly incorporated in it with any necessary modifications.

1.4
Agreed forms of new, and supplements to, Finance Documents

References in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) to any new or supplement to a Finance Document being in “agreed form” are to that Finance Document:

(a)
in a form attached to a certificate dated the same date as this Deed (and signed by the Borrower and the Facility Agent) (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders); or

(b)
in any other form agreed in writing between the Borrower and the Facility Agent (acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders or, where clause 42.2 (all lender matters) of the Facility Agreement applies, all the Lenders).

1.5
Designation as a Finance Document

The Borrower and the Facility Agent designate this Deed as a Finance Document.
2


1.6
Authorisation of Facility Agent

The Facility Agent confirms that it is authorised to execute this Deed for an on behalf of each of the Lenders pursuant to clause 29.2 (instructions) of the Facility Agreement.

1.7
Third party rights

(a)
Unless provided to the contrary in a Finance Document, a person who is not a Party has no right under the Third Parties Act to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Deed.

(b)
Subject to clause 42.3 (other exceptions) of the Facility Agreement but otherwise notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party is not required to rescind or vary this Deed at any time.

2
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

(a)
The Facility Agent shall send to the Lenders all of the documents and other evidence listed in Schedule 1 (Conditions Precedent) which it has received.

(b)
Once each Lender has confirmed to the Facility Agent in writing that it is satisfied as to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent referred to in listed in Schedule 1 (Conditions Precedent), the Facility Agent shall notify the Borrower promptly upon receipt of such confirmations.

(c)
Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Facility Agent in writing to the contrary at any time before the Facility Agent gives the notification described in paragraph (b) above, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Facility Agent to give that notification.  The Facility Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.

3
REPRESENTATIONS

3.1
Facility Agreement representations

(a)
Each Existing Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in clause 18 (representations) of the Facility Agreement by reference to the circumstances then existing on the date of this Deed.

(b)
Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in clause 18 (representations) of the Amended Facility Agreement by reference to the circumstances then existing on the Effective Date.

3.2
Finance Document representations

(a)
Each Existing Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in the Finance Documents (other than the Facility Agreement) to which it is a party, by reference to the circumstances then existing on the date of this Deed.

(b)
Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in the Finance Documents (other than the Facility Agreement) to which it is a party, as amended and supplemented by this Deed and updated with appropriate modifications to refer to this Deed, by reference to the circumstances then existing on the Effective Date.
3


4
RELEASE OF EXISTING GUARANTOR

4.1
Release of Security

On and from the Effective Date, the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders) irrevocably and unconditionally releases any Security created in its favour under the Released Shares Security.

4.2
Release of obligations and liabilities

On and from the Effective Date, the Facility Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties) and the Security Agent (each acting on the instructions of the Lenders) releases the Existing Guarantor from its obligations and liabilities of any nature (except any surviving indemnities)  under any Finance Document to which it is a party.

4.3
Reassignment of assigned property

One and from the Effective Date, the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders), without any warranty, representation, covenant or other recourse whatsoever, agrees to reassign and hereby reassigns to the Existing Guarantor, all rights and interests of every kind in any asset assigned to the Security Agent by the Existing Guarantor under the Released Shares Security.

4.4
Delivery of Documents

Subject to the occurrence of the Effective Date, the Security Agent shall promptly deliver to the Existing Guarantor each document delivered to it pursuant to the Released Shares Security.

5
AGREEMENT AND WAIVER

On and from the Effective Date, the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders and on behalf of the Finance Parties):

(a)
consents to the Shares Transfer;

(b)
waives the application of Clause 19 (Financial Covenants); and

(c)
waives any Event of Default that has occurred in relation to the Borrower as a result of the occurrence of the Spin-Off Completion Date pursuant to:


(i)
clause 26.4 (other obligations) of the Facility Agreement in relation to paragraph (c) of clause 21.18 (share capital);


(ii)
clause 26.5 (misrepresentation) of the Facility Agreement in relation to a breach of paragraph (a) or (c) of clause 18.3 (share capital and ownership); and


(iii)
clause 26.10 (ownership of the obligors) of the Facility Agreement.

6
ACCESSION OF REPLACEMENT GUARANTOR

With effect on and from the Effective Date:

(a)
the Replacement Guarantor agrees that:


(i)
it will accede to the Amended Facility Agreement as the Guarantor and it will assume the obligations of the Guarantor and an Obligor; and


(ii)
it will be bound by the terms of the Amended Facility Agreement; and
4


(b)
the Borrower and the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders and on behalf of the Finance Parties) agree to the accession by the Replacement Guarantor to the Amended Facility Agreement.

7
AMENDMENTS TO FACILITY AGREEMENT AND OTHER FINANCE DOCUMENTS

7.1
Specific amendments to the Facility Agreement

With effect on and from the Effective Date the Facility Agreement shall be, and shall be deemed by this Deed to be, amended as follows:

(a)
any reference in the Facility Agreement to “Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.” shall be deleted entirely and replaced with “United Maritime Corporation”;

(b)
any reference in the Facility Agreement to the Guarantor shall be construed as if it refers to the Replacement Guarantor;

(c)
any reference to the Shares Security in relation to Borrower A in the Facility Agreement shall be construed as if it refers to the “New Shares Security”;

(d)
in clause 1.1 (definitions) of the Facility Agreement:


(i)
the following definition shall be added:

““Deed of Release, Accession and Amendment” means the deed of release, accession and amendment dated [●] June 2022 between (i) Borrower A, (ii) Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. as existing guarantor, (iii) the Guarantor as replacement guarantor, (iv) the Facility Agent and (v) the Security Agent.”;


(ii)
an additional paragraph to the definition of Finance Documents” shall be added to include a reference to the Deed of Release, Accession and Amendment”;


(iii)
the definition of “Original Financial Statements” shall be deleted entirely;

(e)
paragraph (b) of clause 18.3 (share capital and ownership) of the Facility Agreement shall be deleted entirely and replaced with the following:

The Guarantor is authorised to issue 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, of which 1.5 million shares are issued and outstanding, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001, of which 40,000 shares are designated Series B Preferred Stock and 5,000 shares are designated Series C Preferred Stock.”;

(f)
paragraphs (a) and (b) of clause 18.15 (financial statements) shall be deleted entirely and the existing paragraphs (c) to (f) in that clause shall be redesignated as paragraphs (a) to (d);

(g)
paragraph (e) of clause 18.15 (financial statements) shall be deleted in its entirety;

(h)
paragraph (b) of clause 20.3 (requirements as to financial statements) shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:


“(b)
Each Obligor shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 20.2 (Financial statements) is prepared using GAAP.”;
5


(i)
paragraph (b) of clause 26.10 (ownership of the obligors) shall be deleted entirely and replaced with the following:


“(b)
Any person or group of persons acting in concert (other than Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. and its ultimate beneficial owner) gains control of the Guarantor.”;

(j)
the registration number of the Guarantor in part A of schedule 1 (the parties) of the Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced with 112801;

(k)
the address, fax number and other contact details of the Facility Agent and the Security Agent in part C of schedule 1 (the parties) of the Facility Agreement shall be deleted and replaced with the following:

“The News Building, Level 6, 3 London Bridge Street, London, England SE1 9SG

Fax: + 44 207 354 6132

Attention: Kroll Agency and Trustee Services Limited (deals@ats.kroll.com)”

(l)
any reference in the Facility Agreement to “Lucid Agency Services Limited” and “Lucid Trustee Services Limited” shall be construed as if the same referred to “Kroll Agency Services Limited” and “Kroll Trustee Services Limited” respectively;

(m)
the definition of, and references throughout to, each Finance Document, shall be construed as if the same referred to that Finance Document as amended and supplemented by this Deed; and

(n)
by construing references throughout to “this Agreement” and other like expressions as if the same referred to the Facility Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Deed.

7.2
Amendments to Finance Documents

With effect on and from the Effective Date, each of the Finance Documents (other than the Released Shares Security) shall be, and shall be deemed by this Deed to be, amended as follows:

(a)
the definition of, and references throughout each of the Finance Documents to the Facility Agreement and any of the other Finance Documents shall be construed as if the same referred to, respectively:


(i)
the Amended Facility Agreement; and


(ii)
the other Finance Documents as amended and supplemented by this Clause 7.2 (Amendments to Finance Documents);

(b)
by construing references throughout each of the Finance Documents to the Guarantor as if the same referred to the Replacement Guarantor; and

(c)
by construing references throughout each of the Finance Documents to the address of each of the Security Agent and the Facility Agent as if the same referred to “The News Building, Level 6, 3 London Bridge Street, London, England SE1 9SG”;

(d)
by construing references throughout each of the Finance Documents to “Lucid Agency Services Limited” and “Lucid Trustee Services Limited” as if the same referred to “Kroll Agency Services Limited” and “Kroll Trustee Services Limited” respectively;

(e)
by construing references throughout each of the Finance Documents to “this Deed”, “hereunder” and other like expressions as if the same referred to those Finance Documents as amended and/or supplemented by this Deed.

7.3
Obligor Confirmation

On the Effective Date, each Obligor:

(a)
confirms its acceptance of the amendments effected by this Deed;
6


(b)
agrees that it is bound as an Obligor (as defined in the Amended Facility Agreement);

(c)
confirms that the definition of, and references throughout each of the Finance Documents to, the Facility Agreement and any of the other Finance Documents shall be construed as if the same referred to the Facility Agreement and those Finance Documents as amended and supplemented by this Deed;

(d)
(if it is the Replacement Guarantor) confirms that its guarantee and indemnity:


(i)
will have full force and effect on the terms of the Amended Facility Agreement; and


(ii)
extends to the obligations of the Transaction Obligors under the Finance Documents as amended and supplemented by this Deed.

7.4
Security confirmation

On the Effective Date, each Obligor confirms that:

(a)
any Security created by it under the Finance Documents extends to the obligations of the Obligors under the Finance Documents as amended and supplemented by this Deed;

(b)
the obligations of the relevant Obligors under the Amended Facility Agreement are included in the Secured Liabilities (as defined in the Security Documents to which it is a party); and

(c)
the Security created under the Finance Documents continues in full force and effect on the terms of the respective Finance Documents.

7.5
Finance Documents to remain in full force and effect

The Finance Documents (other than the Released Shares Security) shall remain in full force and effect and, from the Effective Date:

(a)
in the case of the Facility Agreement as amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 7.1 (Specific amendments to the Facility Agreement);

(b)
in the case of the Finance Documents (other than the Facility Agreement) as amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 7.2 (Amendments to Finance Documents);

(c)
the Facility Agreement and the applicable provisions of this Deed will be read and construed as one document;

(d)
the Finance Documents (other than the Facility Agreement) and the applicable provisions of this Deed will be read and construed as one document; and

(e)
except to the extent expressly effected by this Deed, no waiver is given by this Deed and the Lenders expressly reserve all their rights and remedies in respect of any breach of or other Default under the Finance Documents.
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8
FURTHER ASSURANCE

Clause 21.25 (further assurance) of the Facility Agreement, as amended and supplemented by this Deed, applies to this Deed as if it were expressly incorporated in it with any necessary modifications.

9
COSTS AND EXPENSES

Clause 15.2 (amendment costs) of the Facility Agreement, as amended and supplemented by this Deed, applies to this Deed as if it were expressly incorporated in it with any necessary modifications.

10
NOTICES

Clause 26 (notices) of the Facility Agreement, as amended and supplemented by this Deed, applies to this Deed as if it were expressly incorporated in it with any necessary modifications save that for the purposes of clause 26.2 (addresses) the notice details of the Replacement Guarantor are:

154 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 166 74 Glyfada, Athens Greece

Tel: +302130181507
Email: legal@seanergy.gr
Fax: +302109638404

11
COUNTERPARTS

This Deed may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Deed.

12
GOVERNING LAW

This Deed and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

13
ENFORCEMENT

13.1
Jurisdiction

(a)
The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Deed (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Deed or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Deed) (a Dispute”).

(b)
The Obligors and the Existing Guarantor accept that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly none of them will argue to the contrary.

(c)
To the extent allowed by law, this Clause 13.1 (Jurisdiction) is for the benefit of the Secured Parties only.  As a result, no Secured Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.  To the extent allowed by law, the Secured Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
8


13.2
Service of process

(a)
Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Obligor and the Existing Guarantor:


(i)
irrevocably appoints Messrs Shoreside Agents Ltd, presently at 11 The Timber Yard, Drysdale Street, London, N1 6ND (T: +44 (0)20 3771 8869, M: + 44 (0) 7591 440086, Fax: +44 (0)20 3771 8870, attention: Andrew Johnson) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document; and


(ii)
agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Obligor or Existing Guarantor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

(b)
If any person appointed as an agent for service of process is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, the Borrower (on behalf of all the Obligors and the Existing Guarantor) must immediately (and in any event within five days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Facility Agent.  Failing this, the Facility Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.

This Deed has been executed as a deed and delivered on the date stated at the beginning of this Deed.
9


SCHEDULE 1

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

1
OBLIGORS AND EXISTING GUARANTOR

In relation to each Obligor and the Existing Guarantor, documents of the kind specified in schedule 2, part A, paragraph 1 of the Facility Agreement.

2
Finance Documents

2.1
A duly executed original of this Deed.

2.2
A duly executed original of the New Shares Security (and of each document to be delivered under it).

3
Legal opinions

3.1
A legal opinion of Watson Farley & Williams Greece, legal advisers to the Lenders in England, substantially in the form distributed to the Lenders before signing this Deed.

3.2
A legal opinion of Watson Farley & Williams, New York, legal advisers to the Lenders in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, substantially in the form distributed to the Lenders before signing this Deed.

4
Other documents and evidence

4.1
On or immediately prior to the Spin-Off Completion Date, documentary evidence satisfactory to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) that the Spin-Off has occurred.

4.2
Evidence satisfactory to the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) that (i) the Shares Transfer has been completed and (ii) the Spin-Off Completion Date has occurred.

4.3
Evidence that any process agent referred to in Clause 13.2 (Service of process) has accepted its appointment.

4.4
A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Borrower accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by this Deed, the New Shares Security or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document as amended and supplemented by this Deed.

4.5
Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to Clause 9 (Costs and Expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the Effective Date.

4.6
Such evidence as the Facility Agent may require for the Finance Parties to be able to satisfy each of their know your customer”, FATCA or similar identification procedures in relation to the transactions contemplated by this Deed and the New Shares Security.
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EXECUTION PAGES

BORROWER

EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
by SEA GLORIUS SHIPPING CO.
)
 
acting by
)
 
being
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness’ address:
)
 



EXISTING GUARANTOR

EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
by SEANERGY MARITIME HOLDINGS CORP.
)
 
acting by
)
 
being
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness’ address:
)
 



REPLACEMENT GUARANTOR

EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
by UNITED MARITIME CORPORATION
)
 
acting by
)
 
being
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness’ address:
)
 
11


FACILITY AGENT

EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
by KROLL AGENCY SERVICES LIMITED
)
 
(previously Lucid Agency Services Limited)
)
 
acting by
)
 
being
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness’ address:
)
 



SECURITY AGENT

EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
by KROLL TRUSTEE SERVICES LIMITED
)
 
(previously Lucid Trustee Services Limited)
)
 
acting by
)
 
being
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness’ address:
)
 

12

Exhibit 8.1

Subsidiaries of the Company



Subsidiary
Country of Incorporation
Sea Glorius Shipping Co.
Marshall Islands


Exhibit 15.1


Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the use of our report dated May 12, 2022, with respect to the carve-out financial statements of United Maritime Predecessor included in the Registration Statement (Form 20-F) of United Maritime Corporation for the registration of shares of common stock, including the Preferred Stock Purchase Rights.

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

Athens, Greece
June 6, 2022





Exhibit 15.2


Consent of Watson Farley & Williams LLP

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers – B. Advisers" in the Registration Statement on Form 20-F of United Maritime Corporation, without admitting that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under, or that we are "experts" within the meaning of, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

 
Very truly yours,
 
/s/ Watson Farley & Williams LLP
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
New York , New York
June 6, 2022